2021 RAM 4500

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

5RecallsNHTSA Verified0ComplaintsLimited Data1InvestigationsLimited Data
Expert Verdict
โš ๏ธElevated Concerns

This 2021 model shows concerning reliability, primarily driven by 5 recallsโ€”above the RAM averageโ€”centered on the electrical system.

Key Factor:elevated electrical system issues

๐Ÿ“‹Why This Matters

Understanding recall history helps predict future ownership costs. Each unaddressed issue represents potential repair expenses.

Insurance companies review vehicle reliability data when setting premiums. Models with elevated recall rates often see adjusted pricing.

Given this model year's elevated concern level, budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Focus Area:general reliability
๐Ÿ“Š

Expert Analysis

  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • โš ๏ธ
    Primary Risk Area:Various
  • โš–๏ธ
    Vs Brand: Worse than avg (0.9)
    ๐Ÿ“
    Summary:
Critical Component: Various

Safety & Reliability Score

50/100
Below Average

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-40
Complaint Impact-4.75
Investigation Impact-5

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2021 RAM 4500

Model Year2021
MakeRAM
Model4500
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Scroll for more โ†’
Aug20
ISSUEFirst Report
Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Nov21
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Sep23
RECALLRecall Issued
Jun25
RECALLRecall Issued
โœ…

No Consumer Complaints Reported

Great news! There are currently no consumer complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2021 RAM 4500. This is a positive indicator of owner satisfaction.

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWHEELSAIR BAGS

Official Safety Recalls (5)

Campaign: 21V798000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDS

Summary

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.

Consequence

A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Campaign: 21V398000

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Summary

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.

Consequence

Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Campaign: 21V163000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Summary

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.

Consequence

A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Campaign: 23V060000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDS

Summary

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.

Consequence

An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Campaign: 25V765000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Summary

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Some owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Some interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 11, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated February 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 14C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

NHTSA Investigations

1 investigation

Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2021 4500.

INV-2021-1000๐ŸŸข Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding 4500 performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 37,218

Consumer Complaints

0 complaints
โœ“

No consumer complaints recorded for this vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any recalls for the 2021 RAM 4500?

Yes, the 2021 RAM 4500 has 5 recorded recalls from NHTSA. These recalls cover various components including ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDS, WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Is the 2021 RAM 4500 safe to drive?

The 2021 RAM 4500 has 5 recalls. If you own this vehicle, check with your dealer to ensure all recall repairs have been completed. Most recalls have free remedies available.

Where can I check if my 2021 RAM 4500 has open recalls?

You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local RAM dealer.

๐Ÿ“ŠYear-over-Year Context

๐Ÿ“ˆImproving Trend

Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows improving reliability trends, largely due to manufacturing refinements addressing 2020 issues. Recall frequency decreased 50%.

๐ŸŽฏRisk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Electrical system

Issue: presents fire risk under certain conditions

โœ…

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm electrical system recalls are complete. Recall repairs are always free.

๐Ÿ”

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all electrical system recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaigns:21V79800021V16300023V060000
2

Wheels

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

โœ…

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm wheels recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.

๐Ÿ”

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all wheels recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaign:21V398000
3

Air bags

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

โœ…

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm air bags recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.

๐Ÿ”

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all air bags recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaign:25V765000
๐Ÿ’กVisit NHTSA.gov or contact your RAM dealer to verify recall completion status.

๐ŸงญWhat This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

๐Ÿ”‘

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 5 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your RAM dealer.
  • If any recalls are open, schedule service immediatelyโ€”recall repairs are always free.
  • Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
๐Ÿ›’

If You're Buying Used

  • Request full service history and documentation of all recall completions.
  • Consider whether adjacent model years (2020 or 2022) show better safety metrics.
  • Budget for thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on known problem areas.
โš–๏ธ

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Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: January 10, 2026.