Ram25002021Overview/ram/2500/2021/base/

2021 Ram 2500

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 2500.

The 2021 Ram 2500 is specified with 7.0 quarts of 0W-40 engine oil, and its reliability record shows 102 owner complaints—led by the Electrical System—alongside 8 recalls. Measured against the model’s 2009–2021 complaint span, which ranges from a low of 5 in 2009 to a high of 2,493 in 2018, the 2021 model year sits well below that peak. That positioning marks it as a comparatively settled entry in the lineup, offering researchers a data point with substantially fewer reported issues than the generation’s historical worst.

Model year2026202520242023202220212020

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-40OEM · verified
Lug nut torqueFlanged Style Nut: 140.0 ft-lbs, Cone Style Nut: 130.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05083285AA. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT275/70R18/E 125/122SOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05083285AA alt 04892339BE
Engine air filter53034051AB alt 57008652AA
Fuel filter68436631AA alt 68157291AA
Spark plugSP138239AC
Battery56029635AC
Front wiper blades55277446AC
Serpentine belt68232297AA alt 04593852AB
Thermostat05086740AA alt 68534176AA
Cabin air filter68535623AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length259.4 in
Overall width79.5 in
Overall height78 in
Wheelbase168.9 in
Curb weight6493 lb
Track (front / rear)68.5 / 68.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the 2500 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.3–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2025 Heavy Duty Limited 6.7L Crew Cab (8'2.3" Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Heavy Duty Laramie 6.7L Crew Cab (6'4.3" Bed) 6.7L Turbo Diesel I-67.60 sec15.80 sec370 hp4x4
2020Heavy Duty Laramie 6.7L Crew Cab (Night Edition) (6'4.3" Bed) 6.7L Turbo Diesel I-67.60 sec15.90 sec370 hp4x4
2019Heavy Duty Tradesman 6.7L Regular Cab (8' Bed) 6.7L Turbo Diesel I-67.20 sec15.60 sec370 hp4x4
2019Heavy Duty Power Wagon Hemi Crew Cab (6'4.3" Bed) 6.4L V87.30 sec15.60 sec410 hp4x4
2019Heavy Duty Laramie 6.7L Crew Cab (Black Appear. Pack) (6'4.3" Bed) 6.7L Turbo Diesel I-68.50 sec16.50 sec370 hp4x4
2023Heavy Duty Rebel Crew Cab (6'4.3" Bed) 6.4L V87.50 sec15.80 sec410 hp4x4
2023Heavy Duty Rebel 6.7L Crew Cab (6'4.3" Bed) 6.7L Turbo Diesel I-68.10 sec16.20 sec370 hp4x4
2025Heavy Duty Limited 6.7L Crew Cab (8'2.3" Bed) 6.7L Turbo Diesel I-66.30 sec14.80 sec430 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 0W-40 engine oil, Rear: 75W- in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 · DOT 3 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.98 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4 · ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity16.4-17.5 Qts.
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4 · DOT 3
Differential Gear OilRear: 75W-
Differential Gear OilRear: 75W-
Engine Coolant Capacity16.6 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.91 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.91 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsThrust Plate Bolt: 18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)20.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)37.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug24.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugDrain: 6.67 ft-lbs, Fill: 26.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerMopar
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.31 lbs
Oil TypeND-8
Oil Capacity5.0 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.31 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum56.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum60.0 psi
Engine Oil Pressure10.0 psi @ Idle psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM30.0 psi @ 2500 rpms. rpm
Engine Oil Pressure4.0 minimum psi @ Curb idle speed. psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM25.0-110.0 psi @ 3,000 rpm's rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque55.0
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque260.0
ABS Sensor Torque6.9
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.472; Rear: 1.275
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0003"
Maximum Rotor Runout.0008"
Maximum Drum Diameter8.157"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°30 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°15 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 360°, Step 3: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 60°37 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
152.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 360°, Step 3: 92.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 92.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: 90°.52 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M12 Bolts 1-1025 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
152.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 1 turn. Step 3: 92.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: Check Torque 92.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: 90°52 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
112.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 22.012 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1103.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 360°, Step 3: 103.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90°.103 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten all bolts finger tight., Step 25.91 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 12,500 mi; coolant every 12,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 12,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 8,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 20,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 60,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 75,000 miEngine Breather Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Ram 2500 sits at the bottom of a clearly improving reliability arc that began after the 2018 anomaly (2,493 complaints, driven by an isolated cluster the data doesn't specifically identify). From 2019 onward, complaints declined each year—189, then 161, then 102—while recalls simultaneously stepped down from 12 to 10 to 8, and TSBs fell from 769 to 723 to 549, indicating Ram was actively addressing service issues on the refreshed fifth-generation platform. Notably, the 2021 model year carries zero open investigations, the cleanest investigation record in the entire dataset and a strong signal that NHTSA has not identified any systemic, unresolved safety defect. The complaint mix for 2021 is led by Electrical System (12), Engine (10), and Power Train/Electrical (9) issues, with 6 crash-related and 8 fire-related complaints—proportionally modest given typical HD truck volumes. Bottom line: within the context of this generation, the 2021 model year represents the strongest, most resolved point on the curve and is a sound candidate on a used lot, provided a pre-purchase inspection verifies that any open recalls have been completed.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
549
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
102
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 8 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 102 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System12
Engine10
Power Train,Electrical System9
Structure8
Power Train7
Unknown Or Other4
Service Brakes4
Electrical System,Engine4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V798000Electrical System:Wiring:Relays/SolenoidsReported 14/10/2021

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… 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…

21V925000Air Bags:Side/Window:CurtainReported 24/11/2021

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 2500, Ram 3500, and 2021 Ram 1500 Classic pickup trucks. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) assemblies may have been manufactured with the incorrect… Remedy: Dealers will replace the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 549 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1130702026-06-29Electrical SystemSWITCH – HEADLAMP
1130692026-06-29Electrical SystemSWITCH – HEADLAMP
S2208000045 REV.D2026-06-26StructureBackup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
1130652026-06-25Unknown Or OtherOUTLET - AIR CONDITIONING & HEATER
1130662026-06-25Unknown Or OtherOUTLET - AIR CONDITIONING & HEATER

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 2500. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 2500 take?

7.0 qt of Pennzoil Ultra 0W-40, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 2500 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.