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.
Of the 2021 reports, 27 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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: power train
98 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Mar 15, 2022
Five minutes into my commute while making a low speed right turn from a stop, my vehicle stalled and shutoff in the middle of the road nearly causing an accident. Once stopped it automatically applied the emergency brake. This is apparently a known issue with the e-torque system.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Mar 6, 2022
After letting the truck warm up for at least 3 to 5 minutes, got in the truck and drove less than a mile and came to a second stop the engine stalled. Also I do not have the E torque system. I've also had an issue from day one a purchase of the truck and even filed a complaint with FCA about my stability control activating on certain turns under 30 miles an hour.
Power train, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 2, 2022
While traveling over a speed bump at approximately 5 mph, truck will stall, "autocorrect shift" and apply emergency brake. Vehicle is a 2021 eTorque.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 27, 2021
Unknown Failure causing issue. Vehicle's Engine Shutoff while traveling down the road with no warning messages. Then message says to apply breaks and push "start", but it was in the "Run" and still coasting in Drive on the road. After it slowed to about 5-10 mph, the emergency break system engaged and the vehicle went to "Park" causing the vehicle to throw me forward in the seat and objects were thrown as if I had collided with something. My wrist was injured by this, but lucky I had no passengers or my dog with me. The local dealership is looking into it, but say there is nothing wrong. Upon doing some research, I see multiple people have stated this has happened to them as well. This is a significant risk to health and safety of vehicle occupants and other vehicles that may be traveling near them when this happens. Depending on speed it occurs, the outcome could result in death. I did attempt to connect my on-board diagnostic/monitoring system and found that the manufacturer has it block so I cannot see any possible codes or sensor readings of the vehicle. Then they say nothing is wrong when you take it to them to scan. That is also unacceptable.
Power train, Dec 18, 2021
After coming to a complete stop where the auto stop engages and then trying to start and move again, the truck will stall, put itself into park and apply the emergency brake. The only way to resolve from here is to turn off/on the truck and release the parking brake. A big hazard when in heavy truck and people are expecting the truck to be moving.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 1, 2021
Gas mile sensor goes from 250miles to 60miles left in tank. It jumps up and down on the miles. It said I had 175 miles till tank to be empty. I was driving for 10 minute it drop to 10 miles and then car shut off. It had no gas. Transmission when driving it sometime doesn’t change gear. Rpm goes up 6000 7000 driving 15-20 mph. It happen more often when going up a steep hill and going on a flat road the gear won’t change
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 11, 2021
At approximately 9,000 miles I was turning left from a residential area traveling at 15-25 mph. During the turn, and without warning, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle shifted to park, the electronic parking brake engaged and the engine shut off. There were no warning lights before the incident and the incident has not occurred since. I pressed the start button and the engine fired and was operational. Of concern is that the vehicle stalled while I was being followed by another car. Fortunately, the other driver realized something was wrong and was able to stop before striking the rear of the truck. A certified dealership found no current or history codes when it scanned, and could not duplicate the issue. No repairs were done.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 10, 2021
Engine died while driving. There could have been a collision if the oncoming vehicle would have failed to stop in time. The problem has not been reproduced. Dealership could not find a code. There is an appointment scheduled 11/16/21 for the Dealership to inspect the vehicle again. This is the third time that this has occurred. 1st time was as soon as I pulled off the dealership lot with 34 miles on the vehicle. The 2nd time was at 300 miles on the vehicle and the 3rd time, the vehicle has 1022 miles. All these incidents has occurred in 3 weeks.
Power train, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 4, 2021
While driving about 5mph approaching an intersection my ram shut off without warning, said “apply brake to start vehicle” and as I rolled through the intersection with zero control at about 2mph it set its parking brake by itself. I had to move my shifter to park, apply the brake, restart the truck, and turn off the parking brake IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. Thank God it was a small subdivision intersection at night so there was no traffic or myself or someone else could have been hurt or killed. No dash warning lights, no remaining lights, no codes thrown, no issue after restarting, no reproducible codes found by the dealer. Only 1,000 miles on the truck. I’m terrified of this happening again, but haven’t been able to replicate it myself or the dealer. It’s not safe and I don’t want to die as a result of this. It seems to be a major problem with the e-torque trucks based on forums.
Power train, Engine, Nov 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the engine suddenly shut off and the message "Put in Park" was displayed on the dashboard. The vehicle continued to roll away before automatically switching to the park position causing the vehicle to abruptly stop. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,113.
Power train, Engine, Oct 26, 2021
2021 5.7L HEMI e-Torque with 5000mi. While traveling at approximately 25mph I slowed down to stop at a stop sign and the truck start shifting down as it should. At around 5/7mph the rpms drop below 500, no feedback when applying the gas pedal and the engine stops or sometimes is able to recover. When it stops, the truck shifts to P and applies the Parking brake. I’m able to start the engine back up every time this happens but there’s something wrong for sure. I’m able to replicate this issue every time the engine is cold or haven’t been running for a long period of time Took the truck to the dealer. They couldn’t find any codes or replicate the issue. Took it back to the dealer 2 days later after it stalled again. This time they were able to find 1 code. P1C64-00 - Hybrid perf. Engine speed below target during autostart. They called me saying they are replacing the eTorque system and got the truck back. After the repair the truck started acting weird again and stalled while towing my boat. I can provide videos if needed.
Power train, Oct 26, 2021
I slowed down to take a right turn into a drive through when the engine shut off out of nowhere. I had to stop to try to start again. When I slowed down, the truck put itself into park and applied the parking brake, coming to a sudden stop. I restarted the engine and put the truck back into drive with no problems. This incident can pose a severe safety risk if, for example, I would take a left turn and the engine shuts off with oncoming traffic approaching.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 22, 2021
Was backing out of a parking spot truck shut off when restarted it was limited power and check engine light. 1920 miles.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 11, 2021
While slowing down to make a right turn and then trying to accelerate the vehicle stalled, turned itself off, put itself in park and applied the parking brake. This has happened twice now. The first time at approximately 4,000 miles and the second time just over 6,000 miles. This has been reported to the dealer, they flashed the PCM, but that obviously dod not correct the issue.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 7, 2021
While traveling at approximately 15 mph I slowed to make a right hand turn. Truck was moving slowly enough, maybe 5-8 mph through the turn that I did not apply the accelerator, nor did I have any brake pressure applied to complete the turn. Before I could straighten the truck out of the turn, it stalled. Center screen stated to place vehicle in park before starting. The emergency brake applied itself and I had to place vehicle in park, release e-brake, and restart the vehicle. This has happened about 5 times now in the last 2 weeks, dealer says no recalls at this time, no problems can be found. I fear I am driving a very unsafe vehicle that is less than 6mo old and has 5800 miles on it.
Power train, Sep 15, 2021
After accelerating onto a 30 MPH road, from a dead spot, engine RPMS spiked while Ecodiesel engine/ ZF transmission dropped into 1st gear with no warning. AFTER taking foot of accelerator and turning on warning flashers I noticed (HUD)heads up display that I was in 1st gear. I advanced gear shifter on steering wheel to 8th gear ASAP. Problem went away, but WHY INSTEAD of advancing up in gears and speed, IT WAS UNEXPECTEDLY DROPPED INTO 1ST Gear is MY CONCERN.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 24, 2021
My 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 has stalled 8 times since purchasing the vehicle. The first occurrence was the day after purchasing the vehicle. In each instance, the circumstances have been identical: The vehicle speed is reduced to a near stop. The accelerator is applied gently. The engine cuts out. The vehicle places itself in park. The vehicle activates the parking brake. In each instance, the vehicle has stalled when attempting to merge into traffic. This vehicle defect creates a significant safety concern as in each instance, I have been without power, and had to re-start the vehicle while sitting in an active lane of traffic. Online forums dedicated to the 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 would indicate that my experience(s) are not isolated.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 16, 2021
Truck stalls while making hard turns, usually at slower speeds. Truck has also cut off while making a turn into traffic. I've read about a number of consumers having the same issue with the etorque Hemi engines. To answer the above questions: - Not sure what system failed but the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. - The safety of myself & family are put at risk anytime the stalling occurs, especially when turning on to a road with oncoming traffic as the truck could potentially shut off again automatically. - The issue has yet to be confirmed by a dealer. I take the vehicle in on 8/1/2021 to be diagnosed. - The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance representative as of yet. - No prior warning lamps, messages or other symptoms aside from stalling at different times. This issue has been ongoing for a few months now. The vehicle completely shut off once roughly last week sometime.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 4, 2021
Was making a left had turn from a stop sign and my truck just shut off. I was going roughly 5 mph or less when this happened. I was able to coast for a second until the emergency brakes came on for some reason while the truck was still in drive. The only thing that came up on the dash was something along the lines of “put the vehicle in park and apply the brake to turn off parking brake and to start the vehicle”. The radio and all electrical related stuff seemed to have stayed on. This is the first time this has happened since I bought the truck and I only have roughly 700 miles on it.
Power train, Jun 29, 2021
I turned left from the center lane into the driveway of my bank. After crossing the driveway apron, the truck engine died leaving me rolling through the parking lot. The vehicle sounded an alarm stating that it needed to be placed into Park to start the engine. The engine restarted after I came to a stop, placed the vehicle in park and pressed the ignition button. This failure could have happened at any time leaving me stranded in traffic, potentially at high speed where it could have caused a severe accident injuring myself or others around me. The vehicle has not been inspected yet by the dealer but will be when it's brought in for the pending recall related to the backup camera. I did inspect the Power Distribution module under the hood when I returned home and found that several of the relays were not fully seated in their sockets, with some of the relays physically tilted to the side. I then proceeded to properly seat all the relays. I also found that at least 75% of the fuses in the module were not fully seated in their sockets. There are numerous reports online of others that have experienced these same failures.
Power train, Apr 19, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHIFTED TO PARK INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE BECAUSE THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING HAD ENGAGED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,850. Consumer stated battery was replaced.
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2020
I PARKED MY TRUCK, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, AND EXITED AND WENT INSIDE. I WAS WALKING MY DOG SEVERAL MINUTES LATER AND SEEMED TO NOTICE MY TRUCK MOVING BACKWARDS. I SAW THE FRESH TRACKS IN THE SNOW IN FRONT OF MY TRUCK AND REALIZED THAT IT WAS ROLLING BACKWARD ON MY DRIVEWAY. I GOT IN, PRESSED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE ROLLING AND TRIED CYCLING THE POWER. MY KEYS WERE INSIDE SO I RUSHED IN TO GET THEM AND THEN BACK TO THE TRUCK. IT STARTED WITHOUT CHANGING THE SHIFT SELECTOR KNOB, SO IT HAD DEFINITELY BEEN REQUESTED TO ENGAGE PARK.