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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $37,937–$49,031 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Ram 2500 is a truck that earns a Carivo score of 7.0/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.7/10, while Technology at 7.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 8.7/10. The 2500 nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. Safety lands at 7.4/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.8/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.2/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $37,937–$49,031, 12 MPG, seating 5, the Ram 2500 sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. Its value score of 8.0/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: The 2021 Ram 2500 sits in the middle of the field. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 Ram 2500 ranks #425 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 18% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $37,937 starting price is about 8% above the segment's median of $35,138.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Ram 2500 scores 6.9/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.0 — and starts roughly $4,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.3/10 | $42,940 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.3/10 | $41,690 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.1/10 | $40,439 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.1/10 | $39,188 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.0/10 | $37,937 | |
| 2020 | 7.0/10 | $36,687 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.0/10 | $35,436 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 6.9/10 | $34,185 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 6.9/10 | $32,935 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 6.8/10 | $31,684 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.8/10 | $30,433 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Electrical system / Wiring / Relays/solenoids 14/10/2021 · 21V798000 | 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… |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Side/window / Curtain 24/11/2021 · 21V925000 | 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 amount of compressed gas, which can… |
| Electrical system 11/03/2021 · 21V163000 | 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… |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / Control unit/module 10/03/2022 · 22V140000 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 2500 and 2021-2022 Dodge Durango vehicles, and 2019-2022 3500 cab chassis with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs. The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC)… |
| Power train / Automatic transmission 10/11/2022 · 22V835000 | FCA US, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 2500 and 2020-2022 Ram 3500 vehicles. A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube. |
Showing 5 of 8 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Explore the full lineup of Ram models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.