2021 Ram 1500 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2021 Ram 1500 holds 678 complaints after 6 years, a rate of 116 per year. That is more complaints per year than most 1500 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 58. NHTSA has 15 recalls on file, including Anchorage, Frontal, and Air bags.

2013 Ram 1500 — Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

678

Per year

116

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (276 of 678), then Electrical system (197) and Powertrain (98). Those filings include 27 that report a crash, 4 that report a fire, and 17 that report an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 1500 has 628 complaints, 57 per year, and the 2022 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Ram 1500. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (15)

Recall seat belts, rear or other, anchorage 2026-07-30 · NHTSA campaign 26V495000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The second-row center and left-side seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Remedy Dealers will inspect and attach the seat belt buckle anchor to the body structure as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 18, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 67D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 6, 2026.

Recall air bags, frontal 2025-11-06 · NHTSA campaign 25V765000

Summary Chrysler (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 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Remedy Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 14C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.

Recall Air bags 2025-05-08 · NHTSA campaign 25V298000

Summary Chrysler (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 Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Remedy Dealers secured the connectors for the air bag, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 08C.

Recall visibility, rearview mirrors 2024-10-10 · NHTSA campaign 24V754000

Summary Chrysler (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 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy Dealers will replace the mirror glass, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 5, 2024. Owners may contact FCA Customer Service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 86B.

Recall Brake control module 2024-09-05 · NHTSA campaign 24V653000

Summary Chrysler (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 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Remedy Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed October 10, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 85B.

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, transmission control module 2023-04-13 · NHTSA campaign 23V265000

Summary 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.

Remedy Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 37A.

Recall back-over prevention, display 2023-02-09 · NHTSA campaign 23V059000

Summary Chrysler (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 requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy Dealers will update the TRSCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 14A. This recall supersedes and expands previous recall numbers 21V-438 and 21V-918. FCA US Recall ID 63A is a vehicle population expansion of FCA US Recall ID 14A (NHTSA Recall ID 23V-059).

Recall structure, body, tailgate, hinge 2022-12-08 · NHTSA campaign 22V904000

Summary Chrysler (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.

Remedy Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment to the box latch and adjust, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB8.

Recall Fuel pump 2022-10-13 · NHTSA campaign 22V767000

Summary Chrysler (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.

Remedy Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.

Recall back-over prevention, display 2022-08-25 · NHTSA campaign 22V638000

Summary Chrysler (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 Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy Dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, LLC's number for this recall is Z86.

Recall air bags, side and window, curtain 2021-11-24 · NHTSA campaign 21V925000

Summary Chrysler (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 bag deployment.

Remedy Dealers will replace the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y99.

Recall back-over prevention, display 2021-11-23 · NHTSA campaign 21V918000

Summary Chrysler (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 number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy Dealers will update the TRSCM software. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on January 19, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y80. This recall was superseded by 23V-059.

Recall tires, temporary spare tire 2021-09-09 · NHTSA campaign 21V698000

Summary Chrysler (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 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection And Rims."

Remedy Dealers will replace the spare tire assembly, free of charge. The owner notification letter was mailed on September 9, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y62.

Recall back-over prevention, display 2021-06-10 · NHTSA campaign 21V438000

Summary Chrysler (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 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy Dealers will update the TRSCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, US, LLC's number for this recall is Y30. This recall was superseded by recall number 21V-918.

Recall Brake master cylinder 2021-02-01 · NHTSA campaign 21V037000

Summary Chrysler (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.

Remedy Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they receive instructions on the inspection and repair, as necessary. FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install the push rod clip, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US number for this recall is Y04.

Complaints by component (678 total)

Engine

276

Electrical system

197

Powertrain

Fuel and propulsion system

Service brakes

Forward collision avoidance

Steering

Structure

Speed control

Air bags

Fuel system, gasoline

Visibility and wipers

Hydraulic brakes

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Back-over prevention

Exterior lighting

Suspension

Lane departure

Visibility

Engine and engine cooling

Seat belts

Diesel fuel system

Wheels

Parking brake

Tires

Equipment

Hybrid propulsion

Latches, locks, and linkages

Trailer hitch

Show 21 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"I am writing to express my concern about vehicle warranty coverage being provided by RAM (Stellantis NA) on their vehicles. I have a 2021 Ram 1500 which has a motor generator unit (MGU) which has failed due to a defect…"
Electrical system · filed 2026-09-16
"Unknown, my Ram has a glue issue with the dashboard especially the passenger side of the vehicle which may affect the airbag operating correctly the dashboard is coming apart do to glue not properly installed on 2021…"
Air bags, Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-13
"Purchase vehicle new and report issue with steering vibration and wandering feel after purchasing on multiple occasions when having the vehicle serviced by dealership. No issues found was the response each time, but…"
Steering · filed 2026-09-11
"BULLITIN TSB 23 098 23 SLIDING REAR WINDOW LEAK PROBLEM FOR 2019-2021 DODGE RAM 1500. DEALER CHARGED 1,247.51 FOR THE REPAIR OF REPLACING THE WINDOW AND FRAME. ALSO THE WIRELESS CONTROL MODULE UNDER THE BACK SEAT ZAPPED…"
Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-08
"I own a 2021 Ram 1500 with the 3.0L EcoDiesel Gen 3 engine. The vehicle has experienced diagnostic trouble code P00AF, indicating a turbocharger/variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) boost-control performance problem. I…"
Engine · filed 2026-09-08

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
1500 two-wheel drive	5.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	17	23	19 MPG	$3900
1500 two-wheel drive	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	20	25	22 MPG	$2950
1500 two-wheel drive	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	22	32	26 MPG	$3650
1500 two-wheel drive	5.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	15	22	17 MPG	$4350
1500 four-wheel drive	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Four-wheel drive	19	24	21 MPG	$3100
1500 four-wheel drive	5.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Four-wheel drive	17	22	19 MPG	$3900
1500 four-wheel drive	5.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Four-wheel drive	15	21	17 MPG	$4350
1500 four-wheel drive	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Four-wheel drive	21	29	24 MPG	$3950
1500 Classic two-wheel drive	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	17	25	20 MPG	$3250
1500 Classic two-wheel drive	5.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	15	22	17 MPG	$4350
1500 Classic four-wheel drive	5.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Four-wheel drive	15	21	17 MPG	$4350
1500 Classic four-wheel drive	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Four-wheel drive	16	23	19 MPG	$3400
1500 HFE two-wheel drive	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	23	33	26 MPG	$3650
1500 HFE two-wheel drive	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	20	26	23 MPG	$2800
1500 TRX four-wheel drive	6.2L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Four-wheel drive	10	14	12 MPG	$6650

Specs and fitment

DT generation (fifth gen), 2019–present

Body styles Pickup

Oil FCA MS-6395 0W-20 (V6/V8 per manual) , 7 qt capacity

Tire size 275/55R20, 275/65R18, 265/70R17, 275/60R20 (trim dependent)

Towing capacity 12,750 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Early DT years (especially 2019) show the densest NHTSA complaint load on this generation, with electrical and steering filings leading the list. Safety recall 24V-653 covers certain 2019 and 2021-2024 Ram 1500 trucks: ABS control-module software may disable electronic stability control (FMVSS 126); dealers update ABS software. Safety recall 22V-904 covers certain 2019-2022 Ram 1500 trucks whose tailgate strikers may be misaligned so the tailgate can open while driving; dealers inspect and adjust the strikers. Safety recall 25V-298 covers certain 2019-2024 Ram 1500 trucks whose driver air-bag connector may not be secured (FMVSS 208); dealers secure the connectors. Safety recall 24V-199 covers certain 2023-2024 Ram 1500 trucks among other Stellantis models whose steering-column control module may not be welded properly, preventing driver air-bag deployment; dealers inspect and replace that module as needed.

Compare

Previous year 2020 Ram 1500 Next year 2022 Ram 1500 See every Ram 1500 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Ram 1500 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2021 Ram 1500?

Is the 2021 Ram 1500 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 1500 has 628 complaints, 57 per year, and the 2022 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 Ram 1500 been recalled?

The 2021 Ram 1500 has 15 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Ram 1500?

Owners have filed 678 complaints about the 2021 Ram 1500 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Ram 1500 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Ram 1500 is 19.9 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Ram 1500 use?

FCA MS-6395 5W-20 (Pentastar V6; see manual for HEMI/diesel)

What does NHTSA recall 15V-459 cover on the Ram 1500?

Safety recall 15V-459 covers certain 2012-2014 Ram 1500 trucks among other Rams with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center: the steering-wheel wiring harness can rub the driver air-bag retainer spring and short so the frontal air bag may deploy unexpectedly; dealers…

What generation is the 2014 Ram 1500?

DS generation (fourth gen) (2013-2018).