Complaint volume
644 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Ram 1500 Complaints
644 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Ram 1500, grouped by component category.
644 Total complaints
26 Crash reports
4 Fire reports
17 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, unknown or other, electrical system. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 26 crash reports, 4 fire reports, 17 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 104 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 36,644 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, unknown or other, electrical system?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Ram 1500?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Ram 1500
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Ram 1500 complaints?
26 Crash
4 Fire
17 Injury
0 Fatality
36 Towed
14 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Ram 1500 complaint categories?
ENGINE 80
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 47
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 44
POWER TRAIN 41
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 36
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 29
STEERING 24
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE 22
AIR BAGS 17
STRUCTURE 15
644 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Exhaust manifolds on both sides cracked and need replacing. Started about a year ago from this date. Dealer informed my mechanic they are seeing about 1400 units replaced a month. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | On numerous occasions since January 2024, the truck would not start or unlock, shut down while driving, power steering would go out, start up by itself, produce warning messages with & without codes for no reason, and the start/stop button flicker. We would have to set off the car alarm to get it unlocked then would have to disconnect the battery to make it stop. Every time we took it to the dealership, the technicians could not get the problems to repeat, even when keeping it for 10+ days. Once we got it back, the problems would start again. After further research and talking with the dealership, others have had issues like ours after it has rained. Upon further inspection, we found a water leak at either the rear sliding window or the taillight at the window. There was water droplets and wet carpet under the backseat. The truck has to "dry out" before it will start and run properly. Dodge/Chrysler/Ram really needs to put a recall on this issue as it is happening to MULTIPLE trucks and has had lawsuits with it. This is a safety issue!! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated while stopped at an intersection with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle suddenly began to roll. After which, the contact became aware that the brakes were not functioning properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the brake master cylinder. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V037000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 50,000 |
| Mar 2024 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | My truck has 72k miles for the second time now it shuts down during highway driving with the sign in dashboard electronic throtle control, after first time I took it to dealer and they claimed it was repaired, this is putting my and my family's life in danger. Based on my research it appears a known and ongoing issue with Stelanis/Chrysler. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS | My air bag alert keeps coming on at different times. And my drivers side seat belt doesn't always stay clicked. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This has happened twice both on the interstate. Vehicle just turns off by itself. No codes are flashed up (unless they came up right as it happened and I didn't see them because I was too worried about getting hit). I called the Dodge dealership and scheduled an appointment. Went on 3/9/2024. They scanned the vehicle and did not see any codes. Was asked if I wanted to have a tech look at the vehicle. Was recommended not to because there was no codes and the likelihood of them finding anything was slim to none. They were also going to charge me for the diagnostic (to have the tech look at it) even if there was not an issue found. Service Rep (not the tech) told me she recommended that I try to take a video of it, if it happens again, so they could see what codes come up. This issue as well as the suggestion to try to video it is a huge safety risk. (happened 1/28/2024 the first time I thought it was because the vehicle sat for a week without being driven - figured it was water in the fuel until it happened again on 3/4/2024) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact heard a loud sound emanating from the exhaust of the vehicle, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection of underneath, the vehicle, the contact observed that the exhaust had detached. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the exhaust bolts. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 46,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 46,000 |
| Mar 2024 | ENGINE | Today I was driving on the freeway (Interstate 5) speed limit 70MPH in a rainstorm when my yellow check engine light came on and my truck began running roughly for about 3 minutes. The problem became worse and the engine finally shut off as I was approaching an off ramp. I was able to coast up the off ramp and pull off on the side of the road. I did see a message on my dash that read something like error with electronic throttle control and the check engine light remained on along with a red box with the electronic throttle control message. This is the first time this happened. Once stopped the truck would no longer start or run so I could reach a safer position. This was frightening to say the least. This is NOT an e torque Ram. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Fuel tank valves have failed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the front hood latch suddenly failed causing the front hood to erroneously open and make contact with the front windshield. During the incident, the glass windshield shattered causing shards of glass to enter the cabin of the vehicle. Both the front driver and front passenger sustained small lacerations from the shards of glass making contact. No medical treatment was required. The front windshield frame and the roof of the vehicle were also damaged. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,200. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 2 Towed | 8,200 |
| Feb 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Once again this truck turned off on me as I was entering the freeway and this last incident occurred with my kids in tow so I called my financing company to come pick it up cause we almost got hit and it wasn’t gonna be good…but thankful the rig driver was able to move to the next lane and he pulled over and checked on us and gave us video. It sat at the dealership for the first year on and off for this issue and due to it never happening with them they disregarded the issues. Second year again truck in and out the dealership and still since it didn’t happen under their watch again disregard. I have multiple videos and statements but that didn’t make ram fca listen. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | We purchased this Ram Rebel on 03/26/ 2022 from El Cajon Ford. At the time, we checked and there were no recalls associated with it so we went ahead with the purchase. However, in Oct 2022, we were notified of a recall associated with the truck's fuel system. We promptly contacted the dealership who said the recall parts were on back order. Every few months for the next year we called to inquire about the status of the parts concerned for our safety in the vehicle. Each time we called, we were told there was nothing they could do because the parts were back ordered. On November 11, 2023 we were driving home from a friend's house and the truck stalled in the middle of a busy road (Scripps Poway Parkway) jeopardizing our safety and causing emotional distress. We were able to get the truck to the side of the road and wait for a tow truck. The truck was towed to Carl Berger Dodge/Jeep/Ram dealership (which is the one we use for our routine maintenance) where it sat for 9 days before they even looked at it. At the time, it was determined to be caused by the fuel system recall by Ram. After weeks of conflicting information, we finally were able to contact Ram Customer care and get a case manager who authorized 1 week of a truck rental. After that we were only authorized $40/day for a rental which gave us a small car. We have a travel trailer and boat we tow with the truck and also are still making payments on the truck and trailer ($1200/month). So far, we have had to cancel 5+ trips and have spent over $4000 in payments for a truck and trailer we are unable to use because of this recall. Ram has not given a time frame for the backordered part we need to fix it and our truck has been out of service for 106 at the time of this writing. This has caused us financial and emotional distress and we would like to file a complaint. We would like for Ram to buy the truck back so we can purchase a different vehicle and be done with this nightmare. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Multiple times now I have been stopped at lights/stop signs and when I start to drive again my truck automatically engages the parking brake on its own and I can’t move, the truck then shuts down. I have to pull the parking brake switch, while pushing the brake and turn the truck back on multiple times before I can get the truck to move again. I have almost been hit in traffic when this happens. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | AIR BAGS | Occupant Classification Module | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | During cold rainy wether, water leaked in through rear sliding glass window and fried the BCM, which caused a complete shut down of all systems. I was not driving the vehicle at the time but if this had occurred while driving this could have ended in a catastrophic accident. In researching this issue, many ram vehicles have experienced this and/or similar issues including the vehicle stalling while in operation. When this issue occurred,, there were no warnings or prior indications. Additionally, water was found inside the passenger compartment. Also, the vehicle could not be manually placed in neutral so that it could be moved for towing. The tow service had to slide the vehicle onto tow trailer with sliders placed under the rear wheels. The was then vehicle towed to a FCA dealership. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ENGINE | Truck would not start at first. Finally got it started to go home. All my Dash lights were all lit up but truck was running fine. 2 miles down the road my truck shuts off mid drive about 40-45 mph. Scared me to death. Was able to pull into a church parking lot before brake engaged automatically. Would not start again under any circumstances. But truck had power to lights etc. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Two Bolts were broken between intermediate pipe and muffler flange. There are 2 more bolts that were not replaced and will probably break and need repair!!! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE | The contact owns a 21021 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V767000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that parts distribution was limited; and that the dealer had a limit on the number of parts ordered every 14 days. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LANE DEPARTURE | The software shut down all of the systems control. Nothing can be controlled. It locks the doors windows side boards panaramic sunroof speed denominator turns the heat on can’t turn it off.tailgate opens all of this happens around 15 minutes after it has been turned on. I complained about it several times before took it in they replaced the radio. It’s currently at the dealership to do a dainostic evaluation | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STEERING | Two months after I bought the truck in late 2021 I noticed the steering wheel would jerk causing me to swerve, and then the power steering completely failed. I took the truck to the dealership, and the problem disappeared while I was there. The dealership couldn’t recreate the issue. Then it happened again. I took a video and took it to the dealer who replaced the steering assembly in February 2023. No issues until yesterday, January 20, 2024. The same thing happened again! Power steering completely failed! The car is now out of warranty, yet this is the third time the issue happened, even after the dealer replaced the part. This is not safe! I had my child with me when this happened yesterday, and we almost crashed into a parking garage column. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Around 12/4/2023 I took my 2021 Ram ecodiesel in for a recall on the high pressure fuel pump (z96 recall). It was the first time this dealership had done one of these recalls. After 2 days of working on it , I got it back. 2 weeks later, 12/20/23 I auto started my truck with the factory auto starter. Once I got into the truck, and attempted to turn it on, it set off alarms, asked for anti theft code, and the dash lights were all on saying I had all sorts of issues. I called RAM and was told I needed to tow it to the nearest dealership, which I did on the same day 12/20/23. After almost a month at the dealership and no information, I drove my wife's car and went to talk to them. They told me they believe it is a bad fuse box and need to replace the entire fuse box (TIPM). My concern with talking to other mechanics is that they feel the recall work was not all done correctly and that the relay or some wiring was not put back correctly. Now I have been out a vehicle for over a month as I write this, my recall work has caused more issues that I will have to pay for. This needs to be fixed at the expense of RAM and need assurance that no other electrical issues will occur because of this recall work | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | high quantities of water leaking through the rear glass in amounts so great it even soaks the rear floor carpet in water after only a few minutes in the rain from running down the back wall of the cab. Water leaks down the inside of the back window directly onto and over the 48 Volt lithium ion battery pack, equipped in my ram Etorque model. this occurs even after small quantities of rain, after water testing it myself it is clear the water is going between the rear glass and the body and into the cabin. I have had this documented with the dealer twice, and called Ram corporate support multiple times, and receive the same answer, and even though I have a seven year 1,000,000 mile warranty, they refused to fix it stating it is not covered. however the exact same issue has created an extended warranty condition out to 10 years for ram 1500 models built between 2019 until September 30 of 2020. the build date of my vehicle is October 19 of 2020. 20 days later.. Corporate support refuses to believe this condition may have existed beyond their September 30, 2020 date. As it is well documented with the mass quantities of electric vehicle fires, created by lithium ion battery packs, I tried to file a safety complaint as well. The answer I received from Ram corporate was “the lithium ion battery pack beneath the rear window behind the rear seats is a sealed system, so it is OK if it gets wet” even though it is inside of the cab. The ram 1500s from my date range have known issues with water leaks through the rear center mounted brake light and through the glass due to cracked frames on the vehicles, sliding rear windows, such as mine, however they refused to believe any of those conditions may have transferred to my specific vehicle despite a $7000 extended warranty. I am Reporting this condition because I am afraid water intrusion onto a lithium ion battery inside the vehicle could result in loss of life as this system is now a standard feature on all ram 1500s as of 2022. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | My RAM truck stalled about 2 months ago. When towed it to the dealer they diagnosed a high pressure fuel pump failure which was due to an open recall. I had attempted to take care of the recall multiple times but I was told that the part was not available yet. Now that it caused a bigger issue with the truck, it has been over 2 months and the truck is just sitting on the dealer. It has been impossible to get a rental car while the truck is waiting for repair. This should not happen. The truck is 2 years old. It was obviously due to a faulty factory part. If I could get a loaner vehicle for the duration of the repair this situation would be more tolerable. Instead, countless phone calls and emails and still no loaner vehicle. I will never buy Chrysler again in my life and will discourage as many of my colleagues to do the same. It's embarrassing how Chrysler does not care about its customers. I'm also still making payments for a truck that continues to be at a dealer for over two months now without a near end in sight. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | Truck leaks water from rear windshield, water runs down to receiver module for the key FOBs and causes truck not to turn off. Leaks from headliner into safety eq on windshield causing GPS issues, visability as water runs down inside of windshield. RAM will not fix under warranty. truck is well withing 3yr /36K miles | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | While driving (10-18mph), engine suddenly stalls (going from Run into ACC mode on the engine start/stop) and notifies me via dash warning that the vehicle must be put into park and continues to coast forward as if in neutral. I was able to pull over to the side of the road and turn the dial from drive into Park. After a few seconds, I press the engine start/stop button and the engine restarts and i turned the dial to Drive. This may be a problem with the eTorque. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |