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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2021 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | As i slowed down to turn right and get on highway truck died and had to easy to side of highway and restart | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | POWER TRAIN | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | ENGINE | Vehicle stalls when I hit quickly hit the gas pedal halfway down while turning | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The failure occurred on two separate occasions and nearly caused a collision. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,665. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,665 |
| Dec 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | When I pressed the accelerator after the light turned green, the engine bogged, didn't respond and then stalled. The truck automatically shifted to park and engaged the parking brake. I tried to restart the truck multiple times and it would not start. Thankfully a passing tow truck driver stopped to help me get out of the busy road. After a few minutes, the truck started again and I was able to continue driving. Me being stuck in the middle of a busy road was extremely dangerous and a police officer had to direct traffic around my disabled truck. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | AIR BAGS | In an effort to avoid deer, driver swerved and crashed into woods where small trees were hit with the truck crashing and stopping in a small ravine. As a result of the front end damage (bumper, grill, etc.) and impact, front Air bags failed to deploy. Injuries incurred were a broken nose, left knee injury, left elbow injury, mid to lower right back injury, possible heart Afib (not previously known or detected prior to accident could have been exacerbated). | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | Truck engine stalls and turns off at unexpected times when traveling under 25 miles per hours, the emergency brake gets engaged and the car just turns off in the middle of driving. It happens whether or not the Auto start feature is activated or not. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On Monday 11/29 around 5:30pm I was on the San Mateo Bridge (92) going eastbound with my children when the truck came too an abrupt stop and shut off! I was going about 65mph as it was the mid time for rush hour. Fortunately no one hit us from behind and I was able to kinda pull over into the emergency lane without going over the bridge and thankful the person behind also pulled over since he seen what happened and wanted to check on us. We did exchange information especially since Ram Customer Care and NHTSH doesn't seem to believe anyone about these problems since there hasn't been any recalls on this safety issue! This isn't the first incident I've had with this truck but so far was the most dangerous especially since my children were in the vehicle Yes I have been in touch with Ram Customer Care and nothing but ok take it back to the dealership uh no I'm done with that. It was already there twice for over a month period each time and they don't know what's going on since there is nothing that comes on the scan. When will something be done? When someone is injured or there's a fatality? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 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 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | I was driving on the street and had to accelerate rapidly to avoid a collision and when I pressed down the accelerator pedal it got stuck and the truck accelerated and wouldn’t slow down, I immediately pressed on the brake and it did not slow down at all, I then managed to bring the accelerator pedal back up with my shoe and get it unstuck and that’s when The truck stopped accelerating. To the best of my knowledge it seemed as if the pedal was sticky or like a spring or something made it get stuck to the accelerating position. I did not notice any warning lights on the dashboard but this is a very serious concern because I was approaching an intersection when this occurred and also I always carry my baby in the truck with me. I have an appt with the dealership on 11/29/21 to diagnose concern. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The backup camera no longer works. I only have 2200 miles on my truck | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | On two separate occasions while slowing to make a turn or to come to a stop, the truck will shut off the engine, once it slows to below 5mph it will force itself into park and apply the emergency brake while still rolling. This is very unsafe when in traffic, and could cause a wreck. It has been at the dealership for two weeks and there is still no solution, and they have not been able to reproduce it yet. Both times there was no warning it was going to happen. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | While traveling 15 mph across railroad tracks, the throttle stopped responding to the gas pedal and stopped accelerating. The vehicle made it three feet past outer track and began to roll backward, I applied emergency brake and put gear in park but dial would not move. I attempted restart 3 times without success; 4th time worked and was able to move forward to safe position. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Today 11/19 around 12:50pm Pacific Time I was picking up my kids from school and as I was going about 20mph and my truck braked out of nowhere then shut off. Nothing was with 50ft in front and luckily no one was behind me. This isn't the first time this has happened the first time was on the freeway as I was going 75mph and fortunate no on hit me then. This is a safety issues for owners and other drivers. Unfortunately my truck still has the issue of staying on at times which again is a safety issue and fire hazard. We have video on our security cameras that caught the dashboard blinking and no it's not any security light. My truck has been to the dealer twice already for these issues for about a month. The dealer couldn't figure out what was wrong they don't even know. A little over month ago Ram Customer care case manager (2nd one I've dealt with) called and she asked me if the dealer called me and I told her no one has called me but I have the same issues and some. She said she'd call the dealer for an appointment and after that nothing till last Wednesday 11/10 around 6pm Pacific Time I got a call from another case manager I missed that call as I was outside trying to get the truck to turn off and since then I have been returning her calls and nothing. I guess we'll just have to wait for something serious to happen before these issues become important to [XXX]. This truck is our family vehicle so why aren't these SAFETY ISSUES taken more SERIOUS? No warning lights came on dashboards before braking out of nowhere. Guess we'll just have to see what happens...We LOVE our RAM but [XXX] the issues it has. Can't upload videos on here they should change that. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | ENGINE | Driving around 25 MPH and slowed to make a left turn into a parking lot. At about 10 MPH the engine shut off. As I came to a stop the parking brake was automatically engaged. I had to put the truck in park, restart the engine and remove the parking brake to drive off. Thank god I wasn't stuck in the middle of the road. As I do my research this same issue has been reported by many etourque ram owners. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | ENGINE | Engine has stalled multiple times while making turns, left or right. Was able to restart every time. Dealer cannot replicate and has not repaired. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | ENGINE | Coming up to a T junction where I had to stop and turn left, slowed to about 2 mph and accelerated into a left hand turn when truck's engine died, truck stopped and the parking brake was engaged automatically. The transmission didn't turn to neutral so minimal rolling just stopped in middle of road. Cars around me had to brake to avoid hitting mine. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | ENGINE | This following has now happened twice, first time 9/7/21- second time 11/12/21. While slowing from approximately 35-40 MPH to make a right hand turn the vehicle shuts off - auto braking engages - must restart the vehicle. As stated, this has now happened twice (truck has 10K miles) - vehicle shutting off in traffic and applying auto braking is highly dangerous and placing myself and my passengers at risk. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | ENGINE | Driving 8-10mph in traffic when truck engine died. Truck stopped and engaged emergency parking brake. Was able to restart truck and go on my way. 2600miles on odometer, I have read many other owners experiencing exact same issue with eTorque. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION | On several occasions since purchase of a new 2021 RAM 1500 the backup camera has failed to work when in reverse. A black screen is displayed. Repeated efforts to turn the backup camera on by putting the vehicle in reverse or selecting the backup camera from the control panel resulted in a black screen. Repeated efforts to turn the vehicle off and on several times consecutively had the same result. I also tried opening and closing the tail gate with no positive result. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | My new truck has less than 500 miles on it, and it was just purchased new last month. This incident has happened to me twice so far on the mornings of 10/31/2021 and 11/7/2021. Making a slow left hand turn, the vehicle turned off and and stopped in the middle of the intersection. The vehicle emergency brake also automatically was set when it stalled. The message on the dash said something like to restart, put foot on brake and push start button. This incident was very dangerous and could have resulted in an accident. I am lucky I was not hit in the intersection. In both cases, this occurred about a mile from my home and my initial trip of the day. Temperature outside was normal about 60 degrees. I have scheduled an appointment with the dealer for 11/9/2021 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |