Vehicle caught fire while engine was running, vehicle idling. Vehicle is a total loss. Prior the federal safety agency complaints regarding these vehicles causing fire from electrical components under the hood. Unknown if fire was due to electrical or leaking fuel issues under the hood. Major safety risk to occupants, especially children in car seats. Fire became out of control and burned the interior of the vehicle to bare metal. There were no injuries in this incident. This report being submitted by Law Enforcement on owners behalf. Full report from Law Enforcement included in this complaint.
2021 Ram 2500: fire, smoke or burning smell
6 of the 109 complaints about the 2021 Ram 2500 describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 131 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
After starting the vehicle, fire smell came into the cab. After exiting the vehicle smoke was coming from the engine. The engine caught on fire and car was totaled within 10 minutes.
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle was plugged in charging for about 15 minutes and unoccupied when it suddenly caught fire. The contact noticed smoke emerging from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated before the failure. There were no reported injuries. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The contact mentioned that the fire spread to the home causing damage. There was no police report filed, crash, or air bag deployment. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer for the federal safety agency Campaign Number:Â 23V060000 (Electrical System) on December 20, 2024. The vehicle remained at the scene of the fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
My 2021 Ram 2500 6.7 truck quit on me driving down the road. When I raised the hood I could smell burned wires and see smoke. Luckily, it was raining or I think my truck would have burned up. I noticed melted plastic and burned wires on the drivers side of the truck. This particular truck had an Electrical system recall and shows to have been completed. (Safety Recall 13A/the federal safety agency 23V‑060) If this recall was completed, maybe something else needs to be checked out. The truck is currently at a dealership to be repaired, but I will still be scared of it catching on fire because the dealership cannot tell me why or how the fire started. 03
The contact owned a 2021 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V798000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle with a fob key from inside his residence, he did not hear the engine start. The contact looked outside when he noticed there were flames coming from underneath the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle remained in the contact's driveway, not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall however, the dealer did not perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that they would be in touch via email. The failure mileage was approximately 10,200.
At a stop light after 10 min of normal driving on country and city roads my truck started smoking from front passenger wheel well. Smoke intensified and quickly turned black. Immediately pulled over and found flames burning through front passenger wheel liner and from around passenger side battery and intake filter. Fire was put out with fire extinguisher and engine bay sprayed down by fire truck when they arrived on scene. Fire melted through battery case leaking battery acid, parts of the intake filter housing, all surrounding electrical wiring and completely through wheel well. Was building in intensity until put out with fire extinguisher. Truck was purchased in June 2021 and had 0 active recalls. Truck was completely stock.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Switch – headlamp
- Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot
- Prior to replacing an inoperative passive entry door handle, perform Star Online S2623000040.
- Passive Entry Exterior Door Handle Inoperative When Touched To Lock And Or Unlock.
- Radio Message "Power Surge On USB Detected" Customers may comment on the following: ● The radio displays...
- Active Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B1A10-00, B1A11-00, B1A12- 00, B1A13-00-, B1A14-00, B1A15-00,...
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC)...
- Speaker - none
Related recalls
Electrical system: wiring: relays/solenoids
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 23V060000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: relays/solenoids
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 (the federal safety agency 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.
Recall number 21V798000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 (the federal safety agency 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.
Recall number 21V163000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2021 Ram 2500 fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 2021 Ram 2500?
6 of 109 owner complaints about the 2021 Ram 2500 (6%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2019.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Ram 2500?
There are 3 recalls and 131 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2021 Ram 2500
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