2021 Ram 3500 Wheel Stud Recall (21V398)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · 447,985 vehicles · Reported May 27, 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling 447,985 2021 Ram 3500 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. Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V398 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V398000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Y26, Y36 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | May 27, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Vehicles | 2021 Ram 3500 |
| Units affected | 447,985 |
| Component | Wheels > Lugs / Nuts / Bolts / Studs |
| Safety risk | Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Ram 3500 in recall 21V398?
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.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 3500 with recall 21V398?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the lugs and nuts and bolts and studs.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V398?
Recall 21V398 covers 447,985 vehicles: 2021 Ram 3500.
NHTSA lists 447,985 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ram | 3500 |
What is the fix for the 3500 wheel stud recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents.
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.
Manufacturer recall number: Y26, Y36.
When was recall 21V398 announced?
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) reported recall 21V398 to NHTSA on May 27, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 27, 2021 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V398000. |
| November 30, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
| December 1, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 65 months ago. If your 3500 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my 3500 is part of recall 21V398?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V398 is open on your 3500, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V398000 is open on your 3500, it will be listed there, along with Ram recall number Y26, Y36. You can also ask any Ram dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should 3500 owners do about recall 21V398?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V398000 applies to your 3500.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ram dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any lugs and nuts and bolts and studs symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are 3500 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 10 of them about the suspension, wheels and tires.
Since recall 21V398 was reported on May 27, 2021, owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the suspension, wheels and tires on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the suspension, wheels and tires and were received on or after May 27, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related suspension, wheels and tires issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 62 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 10 of them involve the suspension, wheels and tires. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Ram 3500: 62 complaints in total, 10 about the suspension, wheels and tires
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
Both front ball joints wore out at 20,000 miles The 3rd break light leaks into the cab at 26,000 miles & won't be warrantied even though there's an active recall for our same truck, same part just different model…
2021 Ram 3500 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11708936, filed January 5, 2026
Went in for warranty repair for a recall of the lug nuts and wheel stud to find the dealership claimed they did the recall but committed fraud and actually didn’t.
2021 Ram 3500 owner, SD, NHTSA complaint 11495039, filed November 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 3500. While the contact's husband was driving at 55 MPH, the driver's rear wheel detached. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while a pickup box trailer was hitched to the vehicle.
2021 Ram 3500 owner, NE, NHTSA complaint 11724142, filed March 13, 2026
Can recall 21V398 make my 3500 a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 21V398000 does not automatically make your 3500 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Suspension, wheel and tire defects can affect handling and control. Clunks, pulling and vibration that return after a repair point to a defect that has not been fixed.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the 3500 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your 3500 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ram 3500 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V398
Did the recall 21V398 fix work?
Since recall 21V398 was reported on May 27, 2021, owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the suspension, wheels and tires on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 21V398000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my 3500 is part of recall 21V398000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V398000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ram. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.