Ram 2500 and 3500 problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The most-documented Ram 2500 and 3500 problems are front steering recalls on 2010–2018 trucks (tie rods, track bar brackets, drag link), 6.7 Cummins recalls for water pumps, the 2019–2020 high-pressure fuel pump (21V880) and 2021–2023 grid heater relay fires, 68RFE dipstick-tube leaks, and 6.4 Hemi lifter wear. Check recalls by VIN.

CarWhere lists 8 documented Ram 2500 and 3500 issues, including 7 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.

Ram 2500 and 3500 generations at a glance

Ram 2500 and 3500 generations and the known issues listed for each
GenerationModel yearsIssues on this page
4th Gen2010–2018Left tie rod can break; "death wobble" complaints (recalls 11V350, 13V529) · Track bar bracket welds and drag link jam nut (recalls 15V541, 16V559, 19V021) · 6.7 Cummins water pump leak (recall 17V562) · 6.4 Hemi lifter and camshaft wear
5th Gen2019–present6.7 Cummins CP4 high-pressure fuel pump failure (recall 21V880) · Intake grid heater relay short can cause a fire (recalls 21V163, 21V798, 23V060) · 68RFE transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube (recalls 20V043, 22V835) · PCM can allow speeds above the tire speed rating (recall 26V288)

4th Gen Ram 2500 and 3500 problems (2010–2018)

Left tie rod can break; "death wobble" complaints (recalls 11V350, 13V529) (2010–2012)

Safety recall
Generation:
4th Gen (2010–2012)
Years:
2010–2012
Powertrain:
All engines (4x4)

Chrysler recalled 2008–2011 Ram 2500/3500 4x4 trucks in 2011 (11V350) because the left tie rod ball stud could break, then reissued the campaign in 2013 (13V529) for 2008–2012 trucks. A breakage can cause loss of steering control. A related lawsuit (Sater v. Chrysler Group) linked the steering linkage to violent front-end shaking at 40–50 mph, widely called "death wobble." Worn steering parts on any solid-axle HD truck can produce the same shake.

Symptoms

  • Violent front-end shake after a bump at highway speed
  • Loose or wandering steering
  • Uneven front tire wear

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete (both 11V350 and 13V529 may apply)
  • Have the tie rods, drag link, track bar and steering damper inspected for play
  • Test drive over expansion joints at 45–65 mph

NHTSA recall: 13V529 (2013-11)

Sources: [1][2]

6.7 Cummins water pump leak (recall 17V562) (2013–2017)

Safety recall
Generation:
4th Gen (2013–2017)
Years:
2013–2017
Powertrain:
6.7L Cummins I6

FCA recalled 2013–2017 Ram 2500, 3500 and chassis-cab trucks with the 6.7 Cummins whose Concentric-brand water pumps lack a vent hole and may leak coolant. A leak can lead to overheating; dealers replace the water pump.

Symptoms

  • Coolant loss or coolant smell
  • Rising engine temperature when towing

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Look for coolant residue around the water pump
  • Watch the temperature gauge on a loaded test drive

NHTSA recall: 17V562 (2017-09)

Sources: [3][5]

6.4 Hemi lifter and camshaft wear (2014–2022)

Major repair
Generation:
4th Gen and 5th Gen (2014–2022)
Years:
2014–2022
Powertrain:
6.4L Hemi V8 (392)

The Petro v. FCA US lawsuit covers 2014–2022 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks with the 6.4L Hemi, alleging lifters and camshaft lobes wear prematurely and can lead to misfires and engine failure. Nationwide class claims were dismissed in 2024, but individual claims continued. There is no recall.

Symptoms

  • Ticking from the valvetrain
  • Misfire codes
  • Rough idle or loss of power

Check before buying

  • Listen for ticking at cold start and warm idle
  • Scan for misfire codes
  • Ask for oil-change and any lifter/cam repair records

Sources: [10]

5th Gen Ram 2500 and 3500 problems (2019–present)

6.7 Cummins CP4 high-pressure fuel pump failure (recall 21V880) (2019–2020)

Safety recall
Generation:
5th Gen (2019–2020)
Years:
2019–2020
Powertrain:
6.7L Cummins I6

In November 2021 FCA recalled 2019–2020 Ram 2500/3500 pickups and 3500–5500 chassis cabs with the 6.7 Cummins because the high-pressure fuel pump can fail and stall the engine without warning. A lawsuit (Sharp v. FCA US) had alleged the Bosch CP4 pump cannot tolerate U.S. diesel fuel; a judge later dismissed it, citing the recall.

Symptoms

  • Sudden engine stall
  • Hard start or no start
  • Metal debris found in the fuel system

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask what the recall repair included and keep the repair order
  • Ask about any later fuel-system repairs

NHTSA recall: 21V880 (2021-11)

Sources: [6][7]

Intake grid heater relay short can cause a fire (recalls 21V163, 21V798, 23V060) (2021–2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
5th Gen (2021–2023)
Years:
2021–2023
Powertrain:
6.7L Cummins I6

Three campaigns cover the 6.7 Cummins intake air heater (grid heater) relay on 5th Gen trucks: 21V163 for 2021 models, 21V798 for 2021–2022 and 23V060 for 2021–2023 Ram 2500, 3500 and chassis cabs. An electrical short in the relay can start a fire with the ignition on or off; NHTSA lists 21V798 and 23V060 with a park-outside advisory until repaired.

Symptoms

  • Burning smell from the engine bay
  • Smoke from the engine compartment

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete (more than one campaign may apply)
  • Ask for proof the relay or wiring remedy was completed

NHTSA recall: 23V060 (2023-02)

Sources: [8][9]

68RFE transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube (recalls 20V043, 22V835) (2019–2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
5th Gen (2019–2023)
Years:
2019–2023

Pressure and heat can build inside the 68RFE six-speed automatic and push fluid out of the dipstick tube, where it can contact hot exhaust parts. 20V043 covers 2019–2020 Ram 2500/3500 pickups; 22V835 covers 2020–2023 Ram 2500 and 2020–2022 Ram 3500. Low fluid can also damage the transmission.

Symptoms

  • Transmission fluid on the exhaust or frame
  • Burning smell after towing
  • Slipping or harsh shifts

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Look for fluid around the dipstick tube and exhaust
  • Check fluid level and condition

NHTSA recall: 22V835 (2022-11)

Sources: [6][8]

PCM can allow speeds above the tire speed rating (recall 26V288) (2023–2026)

Safety recall
Generation:
5th Gen (2023–2026)
Years:
2023–2026
Powertrain:
All engines

In May 2026 FCA recalled certain 2023–2026 Ram 2500 pickups because a powertrain control module software error may let the truck exceed the speed rating of its tires, which raises the risk of tire failure and loss of control. Dealers update the software.

Symptoms

  • No symptom in normal driving

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask whether the PCM software update has been completed

NHTSA recall: 26V288 (2026-05)

Sources: [9]

Related Ram 2500 and 3500 research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints is a different question, answered in the years-to-avoid research from NHTSA complaint counts.

Confirm how a Ram 2500 and 3500 was built before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere Ram build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Ram build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What years of Ram 2500 have steering recalls?

2008–2012 4x4 trucks have tie rod recalls (11V350, 13V529); 2013–2015 trucks have track bar bracket weld recalls (15V541, 16V559); and 2014–2018 Ram 2500s have a drag link jam nut recall (19V021).

Does the Ram 2500 have death wobble?

Some owners report a violent front-end shake known as death wobble, usually triggered by a bump at 40–65 mph. It is tied to worn or loose steering parts on the solid front axle. Inspect tie rods, drag link, track bar and damper.

Is there a recall on the 6.7 Cummins fuel pump?

Yes. Recall 21V880 covers 2019–2020 Ram 2500/3500 pickups and 3500–5500 chassis cabs whose high-pressure fuel pump can fail and stall the engine.

What is the Ram 2500 grid heater relay recall?

Campaigns 21V163, 21V798 and 23V060 cover 2021–2023 6.7 Cummins trucks whose intake heater relay can short and start a fire, even with the truck off. Check the VIN for all three.

Does the 68RFE transmission have a recall?

Yes. 20V043 and 22V835 cover 2019–2023 Ram 2500 and 2019–2022 Ram 3500 trucks whose 68RFE can leak fluid from the dipstick tube under heat and pressure.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. NHTSA recalls: 2011 Ram 2500 — NHTSA
  2. Sater v. Chrysler Group: Ram HD tie rod and "death wobble" lawsuit summary — ClassAction.org (secondary reference)
  3. NHTSA recalls: 2014 Ram 2500 — NHTSA
  4. NHTSA recalls: 2015 Ram 2500 — NHTSA
  5. NHTSA recalls: 2017 Ram 2500 — NHTSA
  6. NHTSA recalls: 2019 Ram 2500 — NHTSA
  7. Ram CP4 lawsuit over fuel pump failures — CarComplaints.com
  8. NHTSA recalls: 2021 Ram 2500 — NHTSA
  9. NHTSA recalls: 2023 Ram 2500 — NHTSA
  10. HEMI tick lawsuit includes 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter engines (Petro v. FCA US) — CarComplaints.com

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Stellantis or Cummins Inc. Ram, Jeep, Dodge, HEMI, SRT, Hellcat, Hurricane and the model names are trademarks of their owners.