2021 Ram 1500 Safety Report

2021 RAM 1500 Safety Report: Key Issues and Findings

625Complaints
14Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
85/100Reliability Score
25Crash Reports
3Fire Reports
24Injuries
Most reported components: Engine (78)Unknown Or Other (46)Electrical System (42)Power Train (41)Electrical System,Engine (34)Fuel/Propulsion System (29)Steering (23)Fuel System, Gasoline,Engine (22)Air Bags (17)Structure (15)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Ram 1500

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Ram 1500. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.

2021 Ram 1500 Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenHigh (14)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsHigh (625)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports28Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubEngineCompare engine issues across vehicles.
Cleaner nearby model year2020Compare against the 2020 Ram 1500 with 578 complaints and 13 recalls.
Riskier nearby model year2016Check the 2016 Ram 1500 before buying across this generation.

Ram 1500 Year-by-Year Comparison

The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Ram 1500 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.

Nearby Ram 1500 Model Years
Model YearComplaintsRecallsUse case
2020 Ram 1500 578 13 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2019 Ram 1500 1399 29 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2018 Ram 1500 622 15 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2017 Ram 1500 823 13 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2016 Ram 1500 1455 17 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2015 Ram 1500 1399 18 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.

2021 Ram 1500 Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Ram 1500, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.

Engine

78 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Engine issues Ram only

Unknown Or Other

46 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Unknown Or Other issues Ram only

Electrical System

42 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System issues Ram only

Power Train

41 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Power Train issues Ram only

Electrical System,Engine

34 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System,Engine issues Ram only

Fuel/Propulsion System

29 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Ram only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Ram 1500

The 2021 RAM 1500 has accumulated 625 complaints and 14 recalls in the NHTSA database. It received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Among the complaints, 25 involved crashes and 3 involved fires. There have been 24 reported injuries and 0 reported deaths. The most frequently reported problem areas are engine (78 complaints), unknown or other (46 complaints), electrical system (42 complaints). Engine malfunctions and low oil pressure can lead to catastrophic failures, affecting multiple vehicles. Additionally, rearview mirrors have been reported to shatter without incident, possibly due to extreme cold conditions. ABS module software flaws can cause service brakes to fail, posing a significant safety risk. The RAM 1500 has also experienced issues with the automatic transmission control module, leading to unexpected stallings. Key known issues to be aware of include Engine Malfunction, Rearview Mirror Shattering, ABS Module Software Flaw. Be cautious of engine malfunctions and low oil pressure, which can lead to catastrophic failures. Regularly check and maintain your vehicle to ensure safety.

Reliability Score

The 2021 Ram 1500 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.

NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Ram 1500

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.

Overall
★★★★★
5/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★☆
4/5
Side Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Rollover
★★★★☆
4/5

Known Issues for the 2021 Ram 1500

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Ram 1500:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Engine Malfunction
Engine malfunctions and low oil pressure have caused catastrophic failures in multiple 2021 RAM 1500 vehicles, leading to brake lock-ups and potential accidents.
High Common 30k-60k miles
Rearview Mirror Shattering
Rearview mirrors have been reported to shatter without any incident or accident, possibly due to extreme cold conditions, affecting visibility.
Medium Occasional 20k-40k miles
Abs Module Software Flaw
A software flaw in the ABS module can cause service brakes to fail, leading to potential accidents and safety risks.
High Common 30k-60k miles
Automatic Transmission Control Module Failure
Issues with the automatic transmission control module have led to unexpected stallings, affecting the driving experience and safety.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Ram 1500:

Engine 23% of complaints

Engine malfunctions and low oil pressure have caused catastrophic failures in multiple vehicles.

Rearview Mirrors 10% of complaints

Rearview mirrors have been reported to shatter without any incident or accident, possibly due to extreme cold conditions.

Abs Module 15% of complaints

A software flaw in the ABS module can cause service brakes to fail, leading to potential accidents and safety risks.

Automatic Transmission 12% of complaints

Issues with the automatic transmission control module have led to unexpected stallings, affecting the driving experience and safety.

Recall Details for the 2021 Ram 1500

The following 14 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Ram 1500 by NHTSA:

Air Bags:Frontal
Campaign #25V765000 06/11/2025

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."

Consequence: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.

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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Air Bags
Campaign #25V298000 08/05/2025

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."

Consequence: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.

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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Campaign #24V754000 10/10/2024

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."

Consequence: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Campaign #24V653000 05/09/2024

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."

Consequence: Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system can increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Campaign #23V265000 13/04/2023

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.

Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Back Over Prevention:Display Function
Campaign #23V059000 09/02/2023

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."

Consequence: A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility of the rear view, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

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 ...

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments
Campaign #22V904000 08/12/2022

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.

Consequence: An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Campaign #22V767000 13/10/2022

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.

Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Back Over Prevention:Display Function
Campaign #22V638000 25/08/2022

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."

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain
Campaign #21V925000 24/11/2021

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.

Consequence: An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Back Over Prevention:Display Function
Campaign #21V918000 23/11/2021

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."

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Campaign #21V698000 09/09/2021

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."

Consequence: A driver that relies on the incorrect spare tire inflation pressure on the tire placard label may inflate the spare tire incorrectly, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Back Over Prevention:Display Function
Campaign #21V438000 10/06/2021

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."

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
Campaign #21V037000 01/02/2021

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.

Consequence: A separated brake pedal can result in the driver being unable to apply the service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Ram 1500

Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Ram 1500 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 complaints involved crashes. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.

Crash Reports: 4 Injury/Fatality Reports: 3
Electrical System,Engine
03/24/2026

Our alternator is bad in a 2021 Ram. There are 10,000 on back order and up to a 9 -12 month wait list. There is obviously something wrong with this brand and should be recalled.

ODI #11726592
Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance
03/22/2026

Engine malfunction cause low oil pressure and cause a catastrophic failure and lock brakes up multiple people i know have had same issue as me and it due to a manufacturer error on oil gallery bolts backing out and causes rockers not to get proper oil and chews cams up

ODI #11726139
Visibility/Wiper
03/21/2026

Rear drivers side window shattered without any incident or accident. Possibly due to extreme cold but it was not witnessed and truck was parked in driveway.

ODI #11726009
Visibility
03/18/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was parked, and while inspecting the exterior of the vehicle, the contact became aware that the driver's side rear glass had fractured. The contact stated that the driver’s side rear glass fractured without impact. The vehicle was taken to Safel...

ODI #11725257
Structure,Unknown Or Other
03/16/2026

There is water coming into the vehicles cab via the rear window and is getting electrical components under the rear window wet. Took vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. Concluded water coming into cab of vehicle from top of rear glass. Frame of window is likely culprit. General concern 05CHZ-01 THIS IS A VERY KNOWN ISSUE

ODI #11724788
Power Train
03/15/2026

RAM's 2023 recall addressed the engine shutdown problem in 131,700 of its half-ton 1500 RAM trucks equipped with the 5.7-liter Hemi eTorque mild hybrid engine. RAM said 1,500 5.7-liter eTorque models built between June 3, 2020, and September 12, 2021, had faulty software and needed a powertrain control module calibration update to fix the problem. Consumer complaints also exist that the RAM eTorqu...

ODI #11724398
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
03/14/2026

Wa driving with cruise on at 60 mph. Truck stalled with no notice, no warning lights or check engine light. All temperatures and pressures seemed okay at time of incident. Could not move electronic shifter into neutral, was stuck in drive. Alarm came up to shift to park, I did not shift due to moving at 55mph at this time. Coasted to a stop on side of the road. At about 2-3 mph, truck automaticall...

ODI #11724312
Electrical System
03/11/2026

The rear running lights go out due to a short in the wire harness from the computer module to the tail lights. The short causes the lights to either flicker or go totally out.

ODI #11723703
Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance
03/02/2026

Stellantis is recalling over 1.2 million 2019-2024 Ram 1500 pickups, including the 2021 model year, due to a software flaw in the ABS module that can disable the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system My ram vin is not listed, but i am receiving this error.

ODI #11721459
Engine
02/21/2026

The oil pan on my 2021 Ram1500 has premature severe corrosion. When the oil pan fails, oil will drain to the roadway causing hazard to other vehicles and cause catastrophic engine damage disabling the vehicle. I tried to contact Ram about the issue to raise concern about this material failure and they would not take my concern/complaint. A quick search reveals this problem is extremely commo...

ODI #11719659
Visibility
02/19/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. While driving 65 MPH in inclement weather and attempting to clean the windshield, the windshield washer fluid failed to spray onto the windshield. The contact was unable to see the road clearly and pulled over to the side of the road to inspect the vehicle. The contact became aware that the windshield washer fluid hose was cracked. The vehicle was taken to a deale...

ODI #11719123
Air Bags
Crash 1 Injured 02/17/2026

My husband went down into a 15 ft embankment fully in the air side bags deployed driver and passenger did not

ODI #11718418
Engine
02/16/2026

MGU unit failure. Truck is less than 5 years old and just hit 60k miles. Noise came on very abruptly and was lucky enough to get it to a dealer nearby where I was traveling. Still was stranded 4 hours from home and needed a rental to get home. I got a battery warning light and auto start/stop malfunction light and 20 minutes later the truck was dead. I have a family of 5 and need a vehicle for wo...

ODI #11718352
Engine
02/15/2026

The Check Engine Light came on and the truck would misfire and stall. We took it to 2 separate mechanics - Mechanic 1 (Certified Sideros Automotive): It was found that the multiple cam shaft lobes were flattened and ground due to a failed lifter, recommendation - replace engine. Mechanic 2 (Stew Hansens Ram): Check Engine Light came on, multiple cylinder miss fire. Using a bore scope inspected c...

ODI #11718086
Electrical System,Engine
02/02/2026

I am submitting this complaint to report a significant and unusual mechanical failure involving my 2021 Ram truck. The vehicle experienced a failure of the heater core assembly, which resulted in engine coolant leaking directly into the passenger compartment. This failure caused coolant odor and fluid intrusion inside the cabin and required extensive disassembly of the dashboard and HVAC system t...

ODI #11714891
Power Train
01/27/2026

There have been several instances where the vehicle appears to lose traction in 4WD. An error message appears "4WD Overheated Performance Temporarily Reduced". When this message appears, the vehicle is unable to gain traction in snow. Even 1" - 2" of snow is enough to prevent forward movement. In this condition, the rear end of the truck tends to fishtail to the right and left. After checkin...

ODI #11713693
Fuel System, Gasoline,Engine
01/27/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 55-60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who replaced the high-pressure fuel pump under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V767000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); with the additional repairs on the low-pressure fuel pump at the Owner's expense. The vehicle was ...

ODI #11713579
Electrical System
01/26/2026

Every time my truck sits for more than 3 days even in the summer the battery dies. I have to jump this truck more than I jumped anything in life. It has less than 30000 miles on it and I’ve had nothing but trouble with the battery staying charged and the air bag system being jimmied to keep the sensor from not going of by the dealer.

ODI #11713429
Steering
01/24/2026

No issues with steering on vehicle in about 81,000 miles since new. Yesterday, started vehicle, no power steering at all, alert light on dash stating power steering problem with electric steering. I stopped and restarted vehicle 3 or 4 times, did not resolve issue. I disconnected battery and reconnected it, did not resolve issue. Vehicle is not driveable, steering is next to impossible.

ODI #11713088
Steering,Electrical System,Exterior Lighting
01/16/2026

Alt/Gen failure stopped the truck in the middle of an intersection No transmission power steering lights. Had to walk back home to charge the battery in a driving rain storm leaving the truck in the intersection.

ODI #11711461

Showing 20 of 625 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.

NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2021 Ram 1500

NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.

High pressure fuel pump failure
NHTSA EA23001 Open Recall 24V957

Component: Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump

Opened 2023-03-17

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response...

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Ram 1500

Has the 2021 RAM 1500 been recalled?

Yes, the 2021 RAM 1500 has 14 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.

How many complaints does the 2021 RAM 1500 have?

The 2021 RAM 1500 has 625 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 25 involved crashes. 24 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.

What is the safety rating for the 2021 RAM 1500?

The 2021 RAM 1500 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 RAM 1500?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 RAM 1500 involve engine (78 complaints), unknown or other (46 complaints), electrical system (42 complaints). Other affected components include power train, electrical system,engine, fuel/propulsion system.

How many crash reports does the 2021 RAM 1500 have?

There are 25 crash reports associated with the 2021 RAM 1500 out of 625 total complaints (4.0% of complaints involved crashes).

How many fire reports does the 2021 RAM 1500 have?

There are 3 fire reports for the 2021 RAM 1500 out of 625 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 RAM 1500?

No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 RAM 1500.

How many injuries are reported for the 2021 RAM 1500?

24 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 RAM 1500. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.

Should I buy a 2021 RAM 1500?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 RAM 1500 is proceed with caution. It has 625 complaints, 14 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.

What components fail most on the 2021 RAM 1500?

The components with the most failures on the 2021 RAM 1500 are: 1. ENGINE (78 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (46 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (42 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (41 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE (34 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 78 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2021 RAM 1500?

Be cautious of engine malfunctions and low oil pressure, which can lead to catastrophic failures. Regularly check and maintain your vehicle to ensure safety. The 2021 RAM 1500 has 625 NHTSA complaints and 14 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).

How reliable is the 2021 RAM 1500?

The 2021 RAM 1500 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 625 owner complaints, 14 recalls, and 28 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Malfunction and Rearview Mirror Shattering.

What are the known issues with the 2021 RAM 1500?

Known issues with the 2021 RAM 1500 include: Engine Malfunction, Rearview Mirror Shattering, ABS Module Software Flaw, Automatic Transmission Control Module Failure. These are based on patterns found across 625 NHTSA complaints. 14 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.

What are the common issues with the 2021 RAM 1500?

Common issues include engine malfunctions, low oil pressure, rearview mirror shattering, and ABS module software flaws.

Are there any recalls for the 2021 RAM 1500?

Yes, there are recalls for engine shutdown issues, ABS module software flaws, and automatic transmission control module failures.

What should I do if I experience engine malfunctions or low oil pressure?

If you experience engine malfunctions or low oil pressure, have your vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic immediately.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine malfunctions and low oil pressure, which can lead to catastrophic failures. Regularly check and maintain your vehicle to ensure safety.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Ram 1500

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Ram 1500. The data includes 625 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 14 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 25 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 24 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Ram 1500 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.

Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.

Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16