2021 Ram 1500

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine is the leading concern among 679 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 17 1500 model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 679

Of the 2021 reports, 27 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine276 reports · 41% of complaints
Owner complaints679Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship15 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine276
  2. Electrical system197
  3. Other or unspecified103
  4. Power train98
  5. Service brakes73
  6. Fuel/propulsion system68
  7. Forward collision avoidance52
  8. Steering50

Recalls and investigations

  1. Seat belts, rear/other, anchorageJul 30, 2026

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The second-row center and left-side seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

    An improperly installed seat belt buckle anchor may fail to properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

    Dealers will inspect and attach the seat belt buckle anchor to the body structure as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 18, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 67D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 6, 2026.

    Campaign 26V495000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, frontalNov 6, 2025

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.

    Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 14C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.

    Campaign 25V765000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Air bagsMay 8, 2025

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.

    Dealers secured the connectors for the air bag, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 08C.

    Campaign 25V298000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Visibility, rearview mirrors/devicesOct 10, 2024

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 1500 Classic vehicles equipped with heated trailer tow rearview mirrors. The mirror glass may detach from the driver's side heated trailer tow rearview mirror. As such these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will replace the mirror glass, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 5, 2024. Owners may contact FCA Customer Service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 86B.

    Campaign 24V754000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleSep 5, 2024

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019, 2021-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. Due to a software malfunction, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module may disable the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

    Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system can increase the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed October 10, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 85B.

    Campaign 24V653000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Power train, automatic transmission, control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Apr 13, 2023

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 5.7L eTorque engines. The powertrain control module software may cause an incorrect fuel mixture condition in the engine, and result in an engine stall.

    An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 37A.

    Campaign 23V265000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Back over prevention, display functionFeb 9, 2023

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ram 1500 and 2023 Ram 2500 vehicles. The trailer reverse steering control module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility of the rear view, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

    Dealers will update the TRSCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 14A. This recall supersedes and expands previous recall numbers 21V-438 and 21V-918. FCA US Recall ID 63A is a vehicle population expansion of FCA US Recall ID 14A (NHTSA Recall ID 23V-059).

    Campaign 23V059000 on NHTSA.gov

  8. Structure, body, tailgate, hinge and attachmentsDec 8, 2022

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving.

    An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment to the box latch and adjust, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB8.

    Campaign 22V904000 on NHTSA.gov

  9. Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpOct 13, 2022

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.

    An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.

    Campaign 22V767000 on NHTSA.gov

  10. Back over prevention, display functionAug 25, 2022

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler, RAM 1500 and 2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, LLC's number for this recall is Z86.

    Campaign 22V638000 on NHTSA.gov

  11. Air bags, side/window, curtainNov 24, 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 amount of compressed gas, which can result in an improper air bag deployment.

    An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

    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 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y99.

    Campaign 21V925000 on NHTSA.gov

  12. Back over prevention, display functionNov 23, 2021

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The Trailer Reverse Steering Control Module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will update the TRSCM software. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on January 19, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y80. This recall was superseded by 23V-059.

    Campaign 21V918000 on NHTSA.gov

  13. Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireSep 9, 2021

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles. The incorrect-size spare tire may have been installed, which does not match the tire size and inflation pressure information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection And Rims."

    A driver that relies on the incorrect spare tire inflation pressure on the tire placard label may inflate the spare tire incorrectly, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will replace the spare tire assembly, free of charge. The owner notification letter was mailed on September 9, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y62.

    Campaign 21V698000 on NHTSA.gov

  14. Back over prevention, display functionJun 10, 2021

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with a trailer reverse steering module (TRSCM). The rearview camera image may not display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Dealers will update the TRSCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, US, LLC's number for this recall is Y30. This recall was superseded by recall number 21V-918.

    Campaign 21V438000 on NHTSA.gov

  15. Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderDo not drive until repairedFeb 1, 2021

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ram 1500 Classic SLT trucks. Certain vehicles were built without the retaining clip that secures the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal, which can cause the brake pedal to separate from the brake system.

    A separated brake pedal can result in the driver being unable to apply the service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they receive instructions on the inspection and repair, as necessary. FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install the push rod clip, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US number for this recall is Y04.

    Campaign 21V037000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: engine

280 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 22, 2021

    DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE ENGINE JUST DIED AND THE TRUCK ENGAGE THE AUTO SHIFT PARKING CREATING A DANGEROUS CONDITION. SECOND TIME IN ABOUT 3 DAYS. THIS IS DRIVING ME NUTS.

  2. Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 14, 2021

    ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF STARTING THE TRUCK WHILE MOVING FORWARD ON A CITY STREET BOTH TIMES IT INITIATED ON A TURN THE TRUCK TURNS OFF AND TELLS YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO RESTART. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE TRUCK HAS LESS THEN 200 MILES ON IT.

  3. Engine, Visibility/wiper, Apr 14, 2021

    I HAVE HAD 2 SAFETY ISSUES WITH MY 2021 RAM 1500 LARAMIE WITH APPROX. 4,500 MILES ON IT. 1ST , AND MOST IMPORTANT, I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE STALL WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP ONTO A ROADWAY. IT HAS OCCURRED BETWEEN 5-25 MPH APPROX WHILE PULLING FROM A STOP, OR SLOW ROLL, INTO TRAFFIC. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS ON 4/13/2021, UNSURE OF THE FIRST DATE. THE VEHICLES ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN, I RECEIVE A MESSAGE TO APPLY MY FOOT TO THE BREAK, SHIFT TO PARK, AND THAT THE EMERGENCY BREAK IS AUTO APPLIED ONCE AT A FULL STOP. THANKFULLY I MAINTAIN ELECTRICAL POWER SO I CAN STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY WITHOUT POWER AND BOTH TIMES I HAVE HAD TRAFFIC APPROACHING FROM BEHIND ME. THE 2ND ISSUE, WHICH IS MINOR COMPARED TO A STALLING ENGINE, IS THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA PERIODICALLY STOPS WORKING. IT EITHER GOES COMPLETELY BLACK (ALTHOUGH THE MAGNIFYING GLASS REMAINS ON THE SCREEN) OR IT GETS A VERY POOR QUALITY IMAGE WITH LOTS OF COLORED LINES THROUGH THE PICTURE. THIS MAKES IT MUCH HARDER TO MANEUVER A BIG TRUCK WHEN YOU HAVE NO VIEW BEHIND YOU FROM THE CAMERA. AGAIN MINOR RELATIVE TO THE STALLING , WHICH IS MY MAJOR CONCERN, BUT AFTER I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR THE CAMERA ISSUE THERE IS CURRENTLY NO FIX AND THEY ARE AWAITING A SOFTWARE UPDATE. IT IS NOW BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A SECOND TIME IN 4,500 MILES MOST IMPORTANTLY TO ADDRESS THE STALLING AND WAS BROUGHT IN IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT OCCURRED. I HAVE ALSO SINCE HAD A CLICKING NOISE START IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS JUST AN ANNOYANCE OR ANOTHER ISSUE. ALL ITEMS ARE REPORTED TO THE DEALER AND THEIR 800 NUMBER FOR WHICH THEY HAVE CREATED CASES.

  4. Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 7, 2021

    PURCHASED TRUCK ON 3/4/2021.WITH 21 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ON 3/11/2021 WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DOING 65MPH. IN THE CENTER OF A 3 LANE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND A DASH SIGNALED A WARNING "SERVICE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL" APPEARED ON THE DASH, I MADE IT OFF THE FREEWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT AND WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO RESTART THE TRUCK AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHO AS OF TODAY 4/06/2021 NOT FOUND THE ISSUE THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN, AND HAS NOT DUPLICATED THE ISSUE AFTER DRIVING IT MORE THAN 700 MILES. THEY WERE INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE PARTS WITHOUT PROPERLY DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM BY THE TECHNICAL ADVISOR FOR CHRYSLER STAR DIVISION WHO HAS BEEN ADVISING THE DEALERSHIP MASTER SERVICE TECHNICIAN ON WHAT TO INSPECT AND TEST WITHOUT ANY ABILITY TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WAS RECORDED ON THE TRUCK TO TRY AND IDENTIFY ANY POSSIBLE CAUSE OF FAILURE WITHOUT SUCCESS. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS KEPT RECORDS AND FAULT CODES, AND I HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED AND THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, WITHOUT WARNING, AND POSSIBLY AT THE RISK OF ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF ALL VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AS WELL AS OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION BUT THE FILES ARE UNABLE TO BE UPLOADED DUE TO THEIR FILE SIZE. COPIES CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

  5. Electrical system, Engine, Apr 5, 2021

    I PURCHASED MY 2021 RAM 1500 LIMITED NIGHT EDITION ON MARCH 11, 2021. IT WAS NEW. WITHIN 3 WEEKS AND LESS THAN 1,000 MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED TWICE WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL AND THE ENGINE WAS WARM EACH TIME. THE FIRST TIME AROUND MARCH 17 I WAS ALONE IN THE CAR. I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND THEN DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND AS I TURNED TO THE RIGHT THE CAR STALLED. NO ERROR MESSAGE CAME UP. I STOPPED THE CAR. TURNED THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB TO P AND PRESSED THE START/STOP BUTTON TWICE AND THE TRUCK STARTED BACK UP. 10 DAYS LATER WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I WAS AT A STOP SIGN, THEN PRESSED ON THE GAS AND MADE A LEFT TURN THIS TIME AND THE CAR STALLED. AGAIN, FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS COMING BECAUSE MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND SOMEONE COULD HAVE T-BONED US. THE CAR HAS BEEN WITH THE DEALER FOR A WEEK AND THEY TELL ME THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DISCOVER ANYTHING. THERE WERE NO ERROR MESSAGES AND THEY HAVE NOT REPRODUCED THE PROBLEM. I AM WRITING TO PUT THIS ON THE RECORD IN CASE ANYTHING HAPPENS TO US.