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Electrical system

2021 Ram 3500 Electrical problems

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2021 Ram 3500's electrical system with NHTSA - 27% of all its complaints, most recently on July 1, 2026. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Had this problem? Share itAll 2021 3500 problems
Complaints
17
Recalls
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Electrical recalls for the 2021 Ram 3500

Electrical system: relays / solenoids

23V060000302,067 vehicles affected

Park outside
The problem
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, and 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine. An electrical short may occur in the heater grid relay with the ignition on or off.
The risk
An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the relay, free of charge. This will be a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2023 model year vehicles. FCA US will notify dealers on or about 3/23/2023 and begin notifying owners on or about 4/5/2023. Phase 2 will include 2022 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2021 model year vehicles. FCA US will notify dealers and owners on or about 4/27/2023 for Phase 2 and 5/11/2023 for Phase 3. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed March 28, 2023. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 13A. This recall is an expansion of and supersedes recall number 21V-798.

Electrical system: relays / solenoids

21V798000131,177 vehicles affected

Park outside
The problem
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 3500, 2500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. An electrical short in the relay may cause a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.
The risk
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix
Owners are advised to park these vehicles outside of buildings or structures, and not near other vehicles, until the vehicle has been remedied. Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay ("Relay"); if FCA US Recall ID Y08 (NHTSA Recall ID 21V-163) is open, then insulating material will be applied to the Relay after inspection. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y76. This recall has been superseded by 23V060.

Electrical system

21V16300019,214 vehicles affected

The problem
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 2500, 3500, and 3500, 4500, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine. An electrical short may occur in the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay, which could result in a vehicle fire.
The risk
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay ("Relay"); if FCA US Recall ID Y08 (NHTSA Recall ID 21V-163) is open, then insulating material will be applied to the Relay after inspection. Customers are advised to not park these vehicles inside of buildings or structures, or near other vehicles until the vehicle has the final repair completed. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y76. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y08. This recall has been superseded by recall number 21V-798.

Electrical complaints

Electrical systemLights

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, occasionally while activating the left turn signal to make a turn, the rear driver's side turn signal failed to operate as intended. The message related to the brake light and turn signal was displayed on the instrument panel. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear driver's side brake light failed to operate as intended while depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, while shifted into...

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reverse(R), the reverse warning light fail to illuminate as intended. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign: 24V197000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11747714
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

While driving my truck I noticed my mpg gauge was showing 0 mpg. Then I realized my "miles to go" gauge was reading "low" even though I had plenty of fuel in the tank and my fuel gauge was showing 3/4 full. Even though I use my truck as a commercial vehicle, and drive coast to coast, I was luckily only a couple hours from home, so I kept driving to try to make it home. I did make it home, but during that time, my "check engine light came on along with my "low fuel warning" light. I also realized during that time...

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that my odometer had stopped working. It wasn't showing any numbers at all. When I got home, I checked online to see if anyone else had heard of this problem, or how to fix it. That's when I realized just how common this problem is. Even though my truck is used in the US and my mileage is calculated in miles, the odometer is programmed to stop working at 1,000,000 kilometers, which is 621,369 miles. Who would know or expect this to happen? I called several independent garages, all of which refused to attempt to fix an odometer problem because of the legal implications. I then called several Ram dealers who all told me they had never heard of this and would have to call FCA for advice on how to fix it. After two days of waiting, my local dealer called me back and said they could give me an appt a week later to diagnose the problem with my truck. They said FCA knows about the problem, but to fix it, it has to have a new gauge cluster installed. Nobody I talked to was able to tell me if the truck was safe to drive or why Ram wasn't warning owners of this problem when their trucks reached such an odd number of miles. When they replace the odometer, it will start over again at 0 miles and a sticker in the door jamb stating that the odometer was replaced at 621,369 miles, as if anyone would think to look in the door jamb for this sticker. The reason so few other drivers are going through this problem is because they are buying an OBD reader and resetting it.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11700252
Electrical systemWheels & tires

After a recall was "repaired" prior to our purchase, the right wheel came off on the interstate, after the lugs sheered off.

Filed Incident Electrical system · WheelsNHTSA 11575525
Electrical system

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11564857
Electrical system

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11560324
Electrical system

I've had a recall on this truck for years? No parts or fix available. Why?! This needs to be fixed. Who do I cpmlain to?

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11559868
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBody, doors & structure

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V835000 (Power Train), 22V904000 (Structure), and 23V060000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 11550253
Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V904000 (Structure) and 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnects.

Filed Incident Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 11549843
Electrical system

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact was informed by the dealer that the manufacturer had been sending 3-4 parts per month. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11543117
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBody, doors & structure

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V835000 (Power Train), 22V904000 (Structure) and 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 11542710
Electrical system

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11541151
Electrical systemFuel system

I took the vehicle to the dealer for recall Manufacturer Recall Number13A NHTSA Recall Number23V-060 The dealer told me that they can only order one per week. I will have to wait over a year for the part to come in. This is a fire hazard and I have been advised to not park the vehicle in the garage or near other vehicles. Waiting over a year for a fire hazard repair is not acceptable.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11533101
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V835000 (Power Train) and 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 11520035
Electrical system

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11515220
Electrical systemLights

The Auto lights sensor turns lights on/off at random during dark/night driving. The high beam auto sensor keeps the high beams on, so you do not notice losing driving lights. I found this out by accident, when I started losing my trailer lights at night. Quick fix, turn the light switch to on, instead of auto. NOTE - Cost me over 1000.00 to find that out. Re-wire the trailer, replace the 7-way plug.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11482571
Electrical systemBrakes

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the check engine, cruise control, 4WD, stability control, the ABS and trailer brake warning lights were illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The dealer informed the contact to turn the vehicle on and off multiple times to reset the computer. The contact stated all the warning lights turned off, except for the check engine warning light. The contact stated two days later, the check engine...

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warning light turned off independently. The contact stated that the failure recurred three times. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the rear passenger's side wheel speed sensor and the rear passenger's side ABS sensor to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure. The contact took the vehicle to Rogersville Chevrolet (5655 US-11W suite a, Rogersville, TN 37857: (423) 272-1000), however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Service brakes, airNHTSA 11475662
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFire

Our vehicle was involved in a total loss fire from the engine compartment while driving. We were driving the unit and noticed smoke, when we were merging to pull of the road flames started coming up and we immediately exited the vehicle and had to run, because it started popping. We were lucky to escape unharmed physically, but the situation could have been much worse. There were no indications or lights warning of engine failure or fire. This occurred on September 2, 2021. At this point in time there were no...

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recalls on the vehicle. When we contacted Stellantis to report the incident, they concluded their investigation they denied responsibility. A few months after the fact we received notice of the recall. To date we have not been reimbursed for the loss of the vehicle, our personal belongings in the vehicle, and the loss of income from no longer having the vehicle. Our insurance company, Stellantis, etc all inspected the unit related to the claim and confirmed the fire began in the engine compartment.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11462482

Ram 3500 electrical complaints by year

3500 electrical problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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