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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH or slower, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the engine compartment. While attempting to accelerate, the vehicle intermittently hesitated and slightly surged forward before accelerating. The failure had become more persistent over time. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact found information related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V265000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the motor generator had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of replacing the motor generator unit. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 140,000 |
| Oct 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The uconnect radio system freezes. It will do this and then reset. Sometimes it resets multiple times before working. It will freeze when using the backup camera. The entire screen will be frozen until it resets itself it takes approximately 60 seconds for it to reset. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES | I am receiving a check electronic brake system alert. I can no longer use cruise control, traction control or four wheel drive. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The alternator has went bad on my 5.7 V8 E-torque motor and the alternator is on back order from Dodge and no dealers are able to tell the owners when the part will be available. My truck has been down for a week with no end sight. I have reached out to Dodge on several occasions and then placed on hold only to have my phone calls redirected to an State of Indiana Dodge dealer. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN | I put the car in drive and heard a loud bang. When I went to move it sounded like metal scraping. It turns out the front differential cracked and came loose making the truck inoperable. The truck was not off road and has been well taken care of. The part is three weeks on back order for a new front axle because this is happening to many of the RAM trucks. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | While driving the vehice on 9/23/25, it randomly turned off while driving down my street. Took a while to get it started again, then once it was started, it would not turn off. I brought the vehicle to a local shop. There were NO warning lights.The next day they let me know that the issue was from a faulty sliding backlite, there were cracks on the frame by the back windows that caused water to leak down around the window into a control module that was filled with water that caused the vehicle to randomly turn off while driving down the street then later caused it to not be able to turn off. If this issue caused the vehicle to turn off while on a highway or a curvy road it would have almost definitely ended with a severe accident. I got in touch with stellantis and they know about the issue but aren't willing to help in any way. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I was driving on the highway going the speed limit and the car suddenly slowed to 35 and all sorts of lights (check engine light and others) came on and messages went across the screen about the throttle control and stability control. This is the 4th time this has happened to me. Each time I bring it to the dealer and am told "its a known computer glitch" or that there is a fix but it continues to happen again. Suddenly losing power and speed has caused other drivers to slam on breaks, swerve, etc. In order to reset the car I have to pull over on the highway to restart it. This is putting my safety and the safety of others at risk. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | While towing, my truck threw P00AF-00 Turbocharger Boost Control Module "A" Performance and ABS C121C-00 Torque Request Signal Denied codes and I lost power due to turbocharger not engaging. Alarms that were lit included CEL, Service Electronic Throttle Control, and the Stabilizer system. The safety aspect is the loss of power while towing on a highway. The original code was cleared by my hometown dealer and vehicle ran well. 130 miles later it happened again, cleared by dealer in Parkersburg WV On the way home it happened a 3rd time. After parking for half an hour the alarm lights went off and I had full power. A day later the CEL also went off leaving no evidence of a problem on my dash. The vehicle is scheduled at the local dealer tomorrow (9/29/25) The trailer and truck combination was well within the towing limits of the vehicle. There are various threads in RAM owner groups that allude to this problem in the Gen 3 Ecodiesel The truck is under an extended warranty from MOPAR...hope they resolve the problem | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | ENGINE | Failed Motor Generator @ 74,000 miles while is covered under the Federal emissions warranty. Vehicle has been off road for 30 days with no ETA on replacement parts | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES | ABS warning lights and electronic brake lights continually come on and having to be repaired | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds or while idling, the contact observed a clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the alternator was faulty. The contact was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced; however, the part was indefinitely on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 81,000 |
| Sep 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds or while the vehicle was idling, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a faulty alternator. The contact was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced; however, the part was indefinitely on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 81,000 |
| Sep 2025 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | My vehicle is currently at the service department of a dealership by my, Covert CDJR Bee Cave, due to two codes that recently set: P0EA7 and P026E. Mopar/Stellantis issues a TSB for this issue. Number 07-003-22. This is a known and documented issued but if your vehicle is outside the original 36 month, 36k mile warranty they will not cover it. This issue is not from wear and tear it is a defect and flaw in the original design. I have requested good will coverage and up to this point have been denied. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS and ECS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the ABS. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 62,000 |
| Sep 2025 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Failed fuel pump Needs a new fuel pump at 34000 miles. Vehicle currently at the dealership service department I saw there were previous recalls on these vehicles and their fuel pumps I should not have to replace a fuel pump at this mileage, ever | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1. The Motor Generator Unit (MGU) failed on my 2021 Ram 1500. The component is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. 2. The MGU failure caused a loud whining noise that worsened over two weeks, raising concern that the part could seize or fail while driving. A sudden failure could result in loss of vehicle power or drivability, creating a dangerous situation for me and others on the road. 3. Yes. A certified Ram dealership inspected my vehicle and officially diagnosed the MGU as defective. 4. Yes, the dealership confirmed the failure. To my knowledge, it has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. 5. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages. The only symptom was a whining noise that started faintly and gradually increased over the course of approximately two weeks before the dealer diagnosis. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | ENGINE | There is an exhaust leak at the manifold which lets exhaust gas int the engine compartment and it smells in the passenger compartment. I feel there is a health risk of carbon monoxide poisoning . It seems as though should be a repair made by the manufacturer. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V265000 (Power Train); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had previously been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 85,000 |
| Sep 2025 | AIR BAGS | Driving when a drunk driver ran a red light hitting me | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | ENGINE | I have a 2021 ram 1500 and the belt started to make a lot of noise. I got it to the dealership and they had it a whole month and a half. They said it was the alternator but no it was something called a MGU (motor generator unit). Can't find it no where in the country. Im stuck with a 50k truck that I can drive. Warranty can't fix it and now I can't sleep. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | AIR BAGS | The contact owned a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, another vehicle collided with his vehicle on the front passenger side of the vehicle after running a red light. The driver's side air bags did deploy but failed to inflate. The contact stated that he sustained injuries to his right rib, left ankle, purple bruises from whiplash to his left leg, and a hand. He also suffered a concussion to the head which required medical Attention. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The vehicle was totaled by Allstate to Co Parts. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | 85,000 |
| Aug 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | the rear defrost overheated causing the rear windshield to shatter | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Vehicle was a 2021 Ram 1500 (60k miles) with no known problems or issues. Drove home during during rainstorm truck operated normally. Next morning truck started normally with an error message "Power Steering Unavailable". Truck then began to run through a series of "error messages" and windshield wipers turned on and truck would not shutdown, unless you disconnected the battery. Towed to dealership and after several weeks of diagnostics with the manufacturer's assistance (due to the number of errors) it was determined the failure was the Power Steering Module. Once the Power Steering Module was removed, all other modules came back online and functioned normally. Even though the dealership has seen multiple failures of this type, it was not on the recall for this truck. Had this failure happened with my family in the vehicle while driving, it could have had devastating effects... | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was told by the dealer that the exhaust bolts for the Y pipe to the extension pipe are broken causing my exhaust to be louder than normal. My truck is 4 years old and I expect that the exhaust hardware would last longer than 4 years but apparently not. This condition may allow exhaust fumes to leak into the cab area of the vehicle potentially leading to someone getting sick or worse causing an accident from potentially loosing consciousness while driving. I went to a forum where they discussed this issue of the broken bolts on the Dodge Ram Trucks. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Driving to work and my truck lost all electrical power. All display lights turned on and hazard light signal started blinking but the hazard lights were not actually on. I then lost all electrical power; power steering, hazard lights would not turn on, all dash lights and display lights, head lights at first and then the battery died a couple minutes after that started. I could not put the truck into neutral so I could push it to the shoulder of the highway. I had to put it in Neutral manually with the pull tab under the steering wheel. My Ram 1500 5.7L hemi etorque was towed to Andy Mohr Chrysler Jeep Ram. The service shop told me that the motor generator unit is on back order and it could take a month or 2 months for the part to come in. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |