2021 Ram 1500: owner complaints and recalls

Complaints about the 2021 Ram 1500 are still climbing years after launch. The last three full years account for 368 of the 657 filings on record, which usually means a defect that surfaces with mileage rather than a factory fault.

657
Complaints
14
Recalls
26
Crash reports
4
Fire reports
23
Injuries
47.5
Severity index

Severity index 47.5 - Medium. It weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints, so a vehicle attracting serious reports scores above one attracting many trivial ones (how this is calculated).

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 47.5p25 35p75 96cleanestworst
Where the 2021 Ram 1500 sits against the quartiles of every vehicle we track.

Among the 90 2021 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2021 Ram 1500 ranks 51 of 90 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 43% of its model-year peers. See the full 2021 ranking.

What actually fails

EngineEngine: 270 complaints (41.1%)270 41%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 189 complaints (28.8%)189 29%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 98 complaints (14.9%)98 15%Power TrainPower Train: 96 complaints (14.6%)96 15%Service BrakesService Brakes: 72 complaints (11.0%)72 11%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 66 complaints (10.0%)66 10%Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 51 complaints (7.8%)51 8%SteeringSteering: 46 complaints (7.0%)46 7%
Systems named in complaints. One complaint can name several, so shares overlap.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE27041.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18928.8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9814.9%
POWER TRAIN9614.6%
SERVICE BRAKES7211.0%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6610.0%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE517.8%
STEERING467.0%

Complaints filed per year

0801602020: 22021: 1182022: 1132023: 1142024: 962025: 1582026: 56 (partial year)20212223242515826
Complaints filed per calendar year, not model year. The hatched bar is the current year and is still incomplete.
YearComplaints
20202
2021118
2022113
2023114
202496
2025158
2026 (year to date)56
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 1.6x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
21V43800010/06/2021BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTIONChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with a trailer reverse steering module (TRSCM). The rearview camera image may not display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 11
21V91800023/11/2021BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTIONChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The Trailer Reverse Steering Control Module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard num
21V69800009/09/2021TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIREChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles. The incorrect-size spare tire may have been installed, which does not match the tire size and inflation pressure information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of
21V92500024/11/2021AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAINChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 2500, Ram 3500, and 2021 Ram 1500 Classic pickup trucks. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) assemblies may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in an improper air b
21V03700001/02/2021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ram 1500 Classic SLT trucks. Certain vehicles were built without the retaining clip that secures the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal, which can cause the brake pedal to separate from the brake system.
22V63800025/08/2022BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTIONChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler, RAM 1500 and 2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety St
22V76700013/10/2022FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
22V90400008/12/2022STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTSChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving.
23V05900009/02/2023BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTIONChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ram 1500 and 2023 Ram 2500 vehicles. The trailer reverse steering control module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the r
23V26500013/04/2023POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 5.7L eTorque engines. The powertrain control module software may cause an incorrect fuel mixture condition in the engine, and result in an engine stall.
24V65300005/09/2024SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019, 2021-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. Due to a software malfunction, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module may disable the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fed
24V75400010/10/2024VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICESChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 1500 Classic vehicles equipped with heated trailer tow rearview mirrors. The mirror glass may detach from the driver's side heated trailer tow rearview mirror. As such these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements
25V29800008/05/2025AIR BAGSChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
25V76500006/11/2025AIR BAGS:FRONTALChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of F
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.