Complaint volume
643 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
643 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Ram 1500, grouped by component category.
643 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
643 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | Mgu is out. Apparently there are 4000 on back order bc this part keeps failing on these etorque vehicles | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | AIR BAGS | Vehicle Info: 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn VIN: [XXX] Date of Incident: [XXX] Location: Exit ramp of [XXX] and [XXX] Problem Description: On [XXX], I was involved in a front-end collision with a tree while driving approximately 50 mph in my 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn. The impact caused significant damage to the front of the vehicle, and around the vehicle, yet none of the airbags deployed. I experienced back and neck pain as a result of the crash. I believe this may indicate a failure or defect in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), crash sensors, or airbag control module. Injuries: Back pain and neck pain Thank you for your attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Mine was flickering the 115v cargo outlet and the radio was Turning on and off… blind monitoring system, Cap applying the brakes, automatically thinking something was in front or behind me | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | THE VEHICLE STARTS BUT WILL NOT ACCELERATE, and the necessary replacement part is still unavailable. I was informed that the manufacturer does not have the part in stock and that it needs to be manufactured, with an estimated arrival date of July 29th. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | Bearing bad in mcu e tourqe system no parts and replacements avaliable dealer said been orderd for 6 months and have not received one | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | The alternator with the etorque option. Truck is available upon request. Stellantis knows of the issues with the motor and doesn’t have a fix. The part to fix is on back order with no eta till available. I have been researching and some are without a vehicle up to a year. Dealers are aware of the situation. No warnings are shown prior to a total power loss failure. While driving home from work lights all over the dash lighted up and my truck was reading 9 volts. Luckily I was close to home and coasted into the driveway. My truck is now dead in the water sitting in driveway till when a part becomes available. I ended up leasing a car due to having no other option to get to and from work. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 2021 Ram 1500 Laramie. 2 Occasions of unexpected engine Revving. 1) Pulled up to a stop, waiting for cross traffic, when fully stopped, the Engine began to rev up by ~500 RPM, up then back down, about 3 times in a row. Each time the truck tried to creep forwards, forcing me to step on the brake harder to prevent movement. Each engine surge lasted 1-2 seconds. 2) At low speeds (<20mph), car had similar RPM surges, but just caused some jerking. Both occasions occurred within 2-3 minutes of a cold start (~70 Deg F Env. temp). Certainly a safety concern, needs to be addressed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Component: Motor Generator Unit (MGU) — part of the eTorque system on 2021 Ram 1500. What happened: I own a 2021 Ram 1500 with eTorque. In the year I’ve owned the truck, it has broken down twice due to major electrical issues. Most recently, it has been in the dealership’s shop for over 3 weeks due to a faulty MGU (Motor Generator Unit). There is no estimated time for repair because the part is backordered nationwide. Safety risk: The MGU failure caused the vehicle to become completely inoperable, leaving me without reliable transportation. I am concerned this issue could lead to a loss of power or stalling while driving if it had occurred under different conditions. Reproduction/inspection: The issue has been confirmed by the dealership (Preston Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in New Castle, PA). They are unable to proceed with the repair due to lack of part availability. The truck is currently sitting on the lot. Warning lamps/symptoms: Prior to failure, warning lights appeared and the truck experienced erratic behavior. The vehicle would not start after being turned off for a short period of time, and the RF hub had previously failed as well. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The MGU of the 2021 Ram Laramie (e-torque) is not functioning properly and hampers the safety of the vehicle. The MGU, which controls the alternator, will not charge the battery beyond 13.0/13.2 volts during driving. As a result, when sitting for several days, the battery will not have sufficient voltage to start the vehicle since it is not charged fully during driving. Additionally, the MGU is now making a strange bearing noise so we will see if a failure is imminent. Considering this MGU controls the starting of the vehicle during stop/start, and the battery is not charging sufficiently to ensure the owner is not stranded, I consider this a significant safety issue (especially when I live in a place with winter of 8 months). I have not seen any warning lamps, but the charging indicator/screen shows 13.0 as below normal. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle shuddered abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the surrounding area of the CV axle and front differential was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts being on back order. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000. The VIN was not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 58,000 |
| Jun 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | When driving home in the rain going 65+/- MPH my truck just shut off and turned back on, but was not able to accelerate. Had to pull off on the side of the road and the car started back up. This happened at least 5 more times on my 30 minute ride back home. When I finally got it home the truck would not cut off. I had to disconnect the batter which still did NOT stall the truck. Luckily I found a forum that advised to pull a specific fuse to cut the truck off. My biggest concern was that no warning lights or error codes came up on the dash it just went blank and came back on. The vehicle is currently at Roger Williams Ram Dealership in Weatherford TX. They have had the truck over a week and are still trying to figure out what the problem is. They have replaced a fuse box to my knowledge but this didnt fix the issue. I have video of the incident (driving with no power). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I frequently receive a “Camera system unavailable” when I need it to safely reverse. The system will work randomly one percent of the time. An internet search reveals this is a common problem with the Ram 1500 but the manufacturer states that my VIN wasn’t included in the recall and directed me to reach out to NHTSA. Please help us have this vehicle included. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | POWER TRAIN | In April 2025 I reported a whining noise coming from the truck (under the hood), less than 50,000 miles. Dealer determined that the problem was a failing bearing in the Motor Generator Unit (MGU). They informed me that the truck was still under warranty and would be replaced... but that the part was on backorder with no date of arrival. They offered no rental and it is now 2 months later and the problem is worse. They tell me I can continue to drive it until it fails (REALLY?), that is the plan. Drive it until it dies and then what! It is now 2 1/2 months later, i try not to drive it due to the loud noises and fear of being stranded. They still have no eta on parts and have offered not help in resolving the issue. As I search online I see that this is not a new issue and that many people are having the same problem, no recall, no bulletin, no help! Just a $55,000 paperweight that I am paying for that sits in my driveway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to pull out of the driveway at 5 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into park and the parking brake independently activated, with the message "Auto-correct Shifter" displayed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact shifted back into drive; however, moments later while driving on a neighborhood street at 25 MPH, the failure reoccurred. The contact shifted back into drive; however, the failure recurred twice more. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that further diagnostic tests were needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,561. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 40,561 |
| Jun 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | Engine light came on. Was driving ~25MPH on city street, in x-section of 2 major streets and heard loud mechanical noise, warning indicators audible and visual, and vehicle bucked and stalled within 100ft of when it started. After restarting vehicle was able to move about 20 more feet before losing power again. Brough to dealer, diagnosed with MGU (Motor Generator Unit) failure and battery that was defective due to incorrect charging. MGU part is nationally back ordered, with approximately 4000 replacement units on order with manufacturer, and 5 years of history of problems reported on owner chat boards and websites, both with brand new vehicles and vehicles that are just a few years old. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | My Ram has the ETorque Generator that failed. It has caused the vehicle to suddenly stop and lose power. It first lost all electrical components in the interior. Then driving function shut off which includes the power steering. I was then driving down the street and it suddenly stopped and grinded into the park position of the transmission. The engine bay was very hot and I was surprised a fire didn't start. I hooked up jumper cables to another vehicle to get it off the road way as you couldn't shift it into neutral when the battery was dead. Pretty much all of the warning lights came on as I was still moving and they are still on. I took it into the ram dealer locally and they said there is 4379 that are in the same boat. There is no outlook to get replacement parts. I then took the Etorque generator out and tried having it rebuilt as there was no answer from Ram when it could be fixed. The place I took it to specializes in rebuilding alternators and they were able to fix the bearing problem in the generator but were unable to fix the function of recharging the batteries in the vehicle. So I have to put my truck on a charger every night so its charged up enough to make it to and from work. The vehicle has been inspected by a member of the Fergus Falls Fire Department and he is concerned with constant charging of the battery and electrical issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2021 ram 1500 rear window seal is failing , water leaking in cab creating mold under floor mats. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the electronic stability control system warning light illuminated. Upon depressing the brake pedal, the contact noticed a mushy sensation and a significant reduction in braking power. The contact proceeded to use the brakes on the trailer to be able to slow the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the ABS had failed, and a software update was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 71,000 |
| Jun 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | On May 16 2025 I started my truck and all the lights started flashing on my cluster( I took pictures) I drove down the street in my vehicle and it put itself into park. I drove back to my shop and called the dealership to make an appointment along with enterprise Rent-A-Car. I had the rental vehicle from May 16 through May 22. After the ABS module recall was performed on May 21, 2025, my 2021 Ram Rebel began experiencing electrical and mechanical failures affecting multiple vehicle systems. While driving at approximately 7 mph, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted itself into Park. Just like the separate occasion, the parking brake engaged while the vehicle was in motion. These events pose a major safety hazard. Since the recall, the following issues have occurred: •SERVICE BRAKES: Parking brake engaging while driving; ABS-related instability. •POWER TRAIN: Vehicle attempting to shift into Park and 4WD High without input. •ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Dash lights flicker; HVAC system changes temperature settings on its own (e.g., jumping to 72°F); ongoing parasitic battery draw. •ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL: Loss of system coordination and erratic vehicle behavior. •FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM: Sudden drop in fuel range readings (e.g., from 180 miles to 23 miles instantly). •VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: Unexpected shifting and control changes during low-speed driving. •UNKNOWN OR OTHER: General system instability, rough driving behavior, and degraded performance. I was by the dealership when it went into park so I pulled in. The dealership has acknowledged the update was performed but refuses to inspect the truck until July 8, despite the escalating safety concerns. I believe the ABS module or its software update is causing communication failures across the vehicle’s CAN network, affecting critical systems. This vehicle is not safe to drive in its current condition. I was told because I did not purchase the vehicle at Wilder that I was not eligible for a loaner vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon driving from a complete stop, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and independently shifted to park(P). After restarting the vehicle, 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 manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The contact was later informed that the VIN was included in the recall and the vehicle was already repaired under the recall. The failure mileage was 60,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 60,000 |
| May 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that message that the brakes needed to be serviced was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where several unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that additional assistance could not be provided because the vehicle had not been purchased at the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 36,000 |
| May 2025 | STEERING | The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 5 to 10 MPH, the power steering became inoperable and crashed into a pole. The vehicle was restarted, and he continued to drive. While driving the next day, the failure recurred. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, fire, airbag deployment or police reports filed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed as a steering gear internal failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case and referred him to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 37,800. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | 37,800 |
| May 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Doing research it seems that a lot of people are running into issues with part 68623194AB and are unable to get this through my research. I am currently in this position without recourse other than this. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | After a simple battery replacement, the entire infotainment system and computer for the vehicle crashed. Safety systems and other safety systems for the vehicle connected to the main computer can no longer be controlled, including parking sensors and other equipment and the battery continues to go dead. Many other owners are having the same issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2025 | STRUCTURE | The tailgate keeps coming down while driving. I always make sure the tailgate is completely shut tight before I take off. This has happened multiple times. In addition the sensor doesn't always warn me of such. I have lost items in roadway which could cause an accident. I have backed up with a trailer attached and ripped my tailgate. I reported this to dealership when it first started somewhere around 2024. Should be on file with Dodge dealership in Mount Airy NC | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |