Complaint volume
655 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
655 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Ram 1500, grouped by component category.
655 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, electrical system, unknown or other. 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 105 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 37,057 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, electrical system, unknown or other?
- 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 127
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 84
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 54
POWER TRAIN 49
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 37
STEERING 28
AIR BAGS 20
SERVICE BRAKES 16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 14
VISIBILITY/WIPER 14
655 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | STEERING | The issue started with power steering failure warning light flashed and then went of a couple times. I could also hear the fan kick on high, then the power steering warning light came on and stay on. When it stayed on, I lost power steering and barely could make a u turn on a 2 lane divided high way. This problem went on randomly for approximately 2+ weeks. The fact that all power steering is lost with little to no notice is a very dangerous situation depending on what and where the vehicle is traveling at the time. I took it to Peters in Longview the dealership, and they said that the Electronic Power Steering needed to be replaced. This situation, symptoms, and diagnosis all are just like the current numerous issues with EPS on Dodge rams including the open investigation. I am very concerned about the failures of these EPS's on Rams, | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I bought this truck used from a dealer in 2022. From the start the resting voltage of the car was a problem getting 12.7v and when I was driving it would often only get up to 13.4v. I took it to the dealer and they replaced it completely in 2023. It still shows low resting voltage and driving voltage. I told them and they said it was fine and not to worry. Now for the past 6 months it has been making a whirring sound that gets louder as I accelerate. I took it back to them and they said they didn't hear anything wrong, which is an outright lie. It still hasn't gotten better so I took it to a different mechanic and they said its a bad alternator and that they are very expensive and on back order. I tried setting up an appointment with the dealer to look at it again and they said I am now out of warranty and will charge me a diagnostic fee and if it is the alternator it again isn't covered by the warranty. I have been searching online and this is something thousands of other customers have been experiencing and there is a class action lawsuit about this as well. I am kindly asking that you look into this and if appropriate issue a recall for this. I shouldn't have to pay thousands of dollars to fix an alternator for a truck that only has 60k miles on it. My truck is only worth $29k so having to pay for a repair that is about 7% of my vehicle value is ridiculous. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Rear window glass crumbled/shattered around frame causing leaks around the window and glass fragments to fall out onto roadway. There was a extended warranty issued for this reason on my make and model year of truck due to the frame cracking and allowing water to get into the frame but was told my vehicle wasn't included. I live in Ohio so and water in the frame with fluctuations in temps especially extreme would cause this situation. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2026 | AIR BAGS | High impact vehicle accident, with major damage. Drivers airbag did not deploy. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | STEERING | In early October 2025, my 2021 RAM 1500 experienced a steering malfunction in which the vehicle attempted to steer on its own without driver input. This created a loss-of-control scenario and posed a serious safety risk to me and surrounding traffic. The vehicle was removed from service immediately and taken to an authorized RAM dealer. Stellantis Customer Care and Fleet Case Management have acknowledged the defect and identified a required replacement part; however, the part has been on national backorder since October 2025. As of December 31, 2025, the vehicle has been out of service for over three months. Stellantis has provided at least ten different estimated repair dates, all of which have passed without resolution. Despite the steering-related nature of the failure, Stellantis has stated there is no active safety recall. The vehicle remains unrepaired due to the unavailability of the required steering-related component. I am concerned that this defect may affect other vehicles and that the prolonged inability to repair a known steering failure presents an ongoing public safety risk. I am submitting this complaint to request formal review of this issue and to document the safety implications of this unresolved steering defect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | AIR BAGS | I own a 2021 Ram 1500 (“Build to Serve” edition). The airbag/SRS warning light came on around January 2025. The message states that the airbag system needs service. This indicates that the airbags may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, putting my safety and the safety of my passengers at risk. I took the vehicle to the Ram dealership and they confirmed an airbag system failure. They stated the part needed for repair is unavailable and have repeatedly told me there is a parts shortage and a manage allocation part. This has gone on for approximately 1 years, and the problem has not been repaired. The airbag warning remains on continuously. This issue has been documented by the dealer, but the manufacturer has not provided a remedy or replacement part. I am being forced to drive a vehicle with a known airbag safety defect because Ram/Stellantis has failed to supply the necessary repair parts in a reasonable time. I am requesting NHTSA assistance because this is a major safety concern and the manufacturer has not resolved it despite repeated contacts. Vehicle and part are available for inspection if requested. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | ESC malfunction | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | POWER TRAIN | My bearings in my rear assembly has failed before 100K miles. In addition, I had to replace the eTorque generator before 100K miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | ENGINE | Exhaust manifold on passenger side has cracked leading to exhaust fumes in cabin, causing dizziness and headaches due to carbon monoxide ram has acknowledged this issue with a TSB but the fact that exhaust fumes come into the cabin on a vehicle that is five years old is concerning and in my opinion, a safety concern. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I am reporting a safety-related exhaust leak on my 2021 Ram 1500. The vehicle has a persistent exhaust leak which may allow fumes to enter the cabin and poses a health and safety hazard. Over the past 6–9 months, I attempted multiple times to have this issue repaired under my warranty at the authorized dealership (Jimmy Britt CDJR, now Joe Maus CDJR in Dublin, GA). However, the dealership refused to schedule a proper appointment and would only tell me to “drop it off” with no estimated timeframe and no loaner vehicle. Because I rely on the truck for work, I cannot leave it indefinitely. The dealership’s refusal has prevented me from obtaining repair of this safety defect, and I am forced to continue driving with a known hazard. This appears to be a safety-related defect involving the exhaust system, and the manufacturer and dealership have not provided an adequate means to repair it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing downhill and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal travelled down to the floorboard and became stiff, and the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound and failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal several times, the brake pedal responded as intended, and the vehicle slowly decelerated; however, the braking distance was extended. A brake message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 30,000 |
| Dec 2025 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I was suddenly unable to fill the fuel tank of my truck on the way back from a 4 hour road trip in freezing conditions. I was able to get just enough fuel into my vehicle to make it back due to it occurring during a fuel up on the last hour of the drive. However, if this had happened earlier in the drive, I could have been stranded with my family in freezing conditions. There were no warnings and it hadn't been happening prior, other than a half dozen times randomly over the past 2 years where the fuel station nozzle clicked off a few times prematurely. But never to the extent of not being able to fill the tank. It was brought to a dealership and is currently having the fuel tank replaced due to a bad valve inside of it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 47 MPH, towards a four-way intersection, the vehicle coming off the road on the left side of the vehicle ran a stop causing another vehicle to collide with his vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags deployed. The contact stated that he sustained whiplash and bruises to the head. Medical attention was required via hospital. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was towed to an auto body center. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000 | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | 49,000 |
| Nov 2025 | ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Battery Low Voltage" was displayed and the vehicle experienced loss of power steering functionality and decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was related to the recall. Additionally, the contact was informed that the E-Torque generator also needed to be replaced but the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 110,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 110,000 |
| Nov 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | My driver sun visor support broke when I tried to pull down the sun visor. It is supported by a plastic piece. If it wasn’t supported on the left side it could have fell down completely blocking my visibility of the road. I looked up this issue online and there are many other videos with the same issue with these trucks. This issue is so persistent that some third party companies have already come out with plastic support pieces to screw in to fix this. I took the truck to the dealer but they said they won’t fix it since my truck is out of warranty. There was no warnings, messages, or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | All warning lights on dash came on including battery. Freedom Dodge assessed it on 11-10-2025 and said the vehicle generator has an internal short and is discharging the battery. If being operated could cause the vehicle to die while in motion. I am making $700 per month payments and Freedom indicated over 6000 of these units are on back order and cannot give me a date for replacement only saying "months" | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Body Control Module failure. 2021 Ram 1500 Tradesman with 3.6L engine My first symptom was a message that appeared on the dash gauge cluster that said something like "problem with shift positioner". That message came up then went away. Next symptom was dash lights flashing for no reason. This was a few days after the other. These lights would flash one time for just a fraction of a second, and only when I hit a bump on the road. I thought that I had a loose wire so I checked wiring for loose connection but did not find any. I had no other problems for several days. Then I was on a trip far from home and that is when things got really bad. All of the gauges on my instrument cluster were going up and down for no reason. The windshield wipers came on by themselves. The dash lights started flashing, like before but this time that were on and off for longer periods of time and not caused by bumps on the road. The vehicle lost power while I was driving and I was forced to pull to the side of the road. The engine had died. I was not able to restart right away. While I was sitting there trying to figure out my next move (because I was in the middle of nowhere), the lights on the dash were still flashing even after I had turned the key off. I know that sometimes trouble codes can be cleared by disconnecting the battery, so that is what I did. After I put the battery cables back on, the controls seamed normal again. I was able to start the engine and drive into town. I went straight to an automotive repair shop that I had found by Google search. They put their code reader on and said that I had 59 fault codes. They had never seen that many on any vehicle before. They checked my battery to make sure it was fully charged. It was. They checked a few other things, but diagnosed the problem to a bad Body Control Module. After this incident, I did some research and found that this seems to be a come problem with the Ram Pickups. This should be a recall item. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle began to vibrate. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the front axle half-shaft was worn and needed to be replaced. The contact also took the vehicle to a tire shop and was informed that new tires were needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was referred by the manufacturer to report the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 115,000 |
| Oct 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | My etorque motor starting making a really loud noise. So I took it in to have it looked. Technician said the etorque motor was going. Ordered a new one but said it was on back order. My truck then died and the part still does not have a ship date. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | eTorque MGU hybrid motor going out with unexpected loss of power and stopping. Upon failure vehicle lost power and became inoperable. Both independent service center and dealer service center confirmed the eTorque MGU hybrid motor is failing. Upon further research thousands of these MGU hybrid motors are failing unexpectedly. No remedy in sight and manufacturer indicates no eta on availability of parts to fix. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that an Over-the-Air update was been performed on the vehicle overnight and the following day the battery was drained and needed to be replaced. The contact drove another vehicle to an independent mechanic and purchased a new battery. After replacing the battery, an error code for a firmware failure was displayed on the instrument panel. As a result of the message, the radio module became defective, and the back over prevention system failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 50,000 |
| Oct 2025 | ENGINE | Oil pans are rusting through . Mine has 45,053 miles. In the 60k mile powertrain warranty. RAM refuses to fix because it is 'corrosion'. They want $1,861.53 to replace. These rusted pans are all over the internet. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | STEERING | On 10\09\2025 I was backing into a parking spot and when I was trying to adjust the position of the vehicle the power steering failed as I was backing up. After the power steering failed to work, the Power Steering Light appeared on the Dashboard. This is the first time this has happened. The safety issue is if I was going around a corner on the steering failed, my kids and I would probably be dead right now. Yes we live off a windy road. I left the truck parked at the shopping center overnight & it was towed to an Auto repair center locally. They told me to take it to the Dodge Dealership. The vehicle was towed to Pedder Dodge Chrysler on 10\10\2025. It is available for inspection. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Vehicles headunit no longer functions, backup camera system is also in-operational. Due to apparent over the air (OTA) updates to the uconnect infotainment headunit there is a widespread and known issue of, during the automated firmware update process, the vehicles battery being drained completely. This causes the vehicle to lose all power and the head unit to then fail the update process which creates a failure state for the headunit. In this particular case the headunit is "bricked" prescribled troubleshooting steps have been attempted but screen only displays: ("Software Update Update failed. Please re-insert USB Device.") according to a dealership service technician needs to be replaced. But there are none available for order. 2021 Ram 1500 BH UC 4 8.4" w/o nav. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Change in acceleration since purchasing truck. Discovered recently the fuel pump was causing the problem. Also the air bag light comes on and warning of a safety issue. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |