2021 Ram 1500 problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 678 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Ram 1500, filed between 2020-11-18 and 2026-09-16. The most common problem areas are the engine (276, 41%), electrical system (197, 29%) and power train (98, 14%). Owners reported 27 crashes, 4 fires and 23 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 15 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2021 Ram 1500 complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 276 | 41% | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 197 | 29% | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Unknown or other | 103 | 15% | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Power train | 98 | 14% | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 68 | 10% | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 54 | 8% | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 52 | 8% | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 50 | 7% | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 32 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 30 | 4% | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 27 | 4% | 13 | 1 | 11 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 24 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 20 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 19 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 16 | 2% | 1 | 0 | 1 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Engine: 276 complaints
- 276 complaints of 678 (41%) name the engine.
- 96 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires and 6 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Ram 1500 covers this system.
Electrical system: 197 complaints
- 197 complaints of 678 (29%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 96 of them also name the engine; owners reported 2 crashes, 3 fires and 4 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Ram 1500 covers this system.
Power train: 98 complaints
- 98 complaints of 678 (14%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 39 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash and 1 injury in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2021 Ram 1500; the recall, campaign 23V265000, says: “The powertrain control module software may cause an incorrect fuel mixture condition in the engine, and result in an engine stall.”
Fuel/propulsion system: 68 complaints
- 68 complaints of 678 (10%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- 31 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Ram 1500 covers this system.
Service brakes: 54 complaints
- 54 complaints of 678 (8%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 24 of them also name the engine; owners reported 4 crashes and 1 injury in these complaints.
- 2 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2021 Ram 1500; the latest, campaign 24V653000, says: “Due to a software malfunction, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module may disable the electronic stability control system.”
Forward collision avoidance: 52 complaints
- 52 complaints of 678 (8%) name the forward collision avoidance — forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
- 22 of them also name the engine; owners reported 2 crashes in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Ram 1500 covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 118 |
| 2022 | 113 |
| 2023 | 114 |
| 2024 | 96 |
| 2025 | 158 |
| 2026 | 77 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names 1500, 1500 CREW CAB TRX, model year 2021. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2021 Ram 1500 recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ram 1500?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2021 Ram 1500's most common problem areas are the engine (276 of 678 complaints), electrical system (197 of 678 complaints) and power train (98 of 678 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2021 Ram 1500 have?
NHTSA has 678 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Ram 1500, including 27 reported crashes and 4 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Ram 1500's problems?
NHTSA lists 15 recalls for the 2021 Ram 1500; 2 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.