2021 Ram 1500: Reliability Data

1054
Total Complaints
29,300mi
Median Mileage
Engine
Top Issue
37
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

4,500 25th Percentile
29,300 Median Mileage
46,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Engine
260
Electrical System
174
Unknown Or Other
91
Power Train
89
Fuel/Propulsion System
64
Service Brakes
51
Automatic Emergency Braking
45
Steering
41
Vehicle Speed Control
29
Body
27

Severity Assessment

37
Crashes
4
Fires
42
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA ONLY SHOWED A RED BLUR WHILE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ONLY EXPERIENCED AT NIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE LED LIGHT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS TOO DIM TO ASSIST WI..."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA ONLY SHOWED A RED BLUR WHILE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ONLY EXPERIENCED AT NIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE LED LIGHT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS TOO DIM TO ASSIST WI..."
"I PARKED MY TRUCK, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, AND EXITED AND WENT INSIDE. I WAS WALKING MY DOG SEVERAL MINUTES LATER AND SEEMED TO NOTICE MY TRUCK MOVING BACKWARDS. I SAW THE FRESH TRACKS IN THE SNOW IN FRONT OF MY TRUCK AND REALIZED THAT IT WAS ROLLING BACKWARD ON MY DRIVEWAY. I GOT IN, PRESSED THE BRAKE..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Engine 260 complaints
25th: 2,746 mi Median: 15,000 mi 75th: 30,757 mi
Electrical System 174 complaints
25th: 550 mi Median: 4,700 mi 75th: 45,664 mi
Power Train 89 complaints
25th: 5,297 mi Median: 29,500 mi 75th: 63,831 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

CA: 109 FL: 109 TX: 104 MI: 52 NY: 44 PA: 44 VA: 42 MA: 39 GA: 33 WA: 30

Who Files Complaints?

2.4%
Original Owners
97.6%
Second+ Owners

Ram 1500 — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

YearComplaintsCrashes
2009470
201062932
20131532103
20142328148
20151903113
20161990122
20171126109
201886234
20192036103
202084235
202289936
202327519
20241086
20253978
2026430

Active Recalls (14)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Display Function
Campaign 21V438000 | 10/06/2021
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
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.
Display Function
Campaign 21V918000 | 23/11/2021
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
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
Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Campaign 21V698000 | 09/09/2021
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.
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.
Curtain
Campaign 21V925000 | 24/11/2021
An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
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.
Master Cylinder
Campaign 21V037000 | 01/02/2021
A separated brake pedal can result in the driver being unable to apply the service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 servi
Display Function
Campaign 22V638000 | 25/08/2022
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Fuel Pump
Campaign 22V767000 | 13/10/2022
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Hinge And Attachments
Campaign 22V904000 | 08/12/2022
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.
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.
Display Function
Campaign 23V059000 | 09/02/2023
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.
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
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Campaign 23V265000 | 13/04/2023
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Control Unit/Module
Campaign 24V653000 | 05/09/2024
Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system can increase the risk of a crash.
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 1-800-853-1
Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Campaign 24V754000 | 10/10/2024
Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Air Bags
Campaign 25V298000 | 08/05/2025
A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
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.
Frontal
Campaign 25V765000 | 06/11/2025
A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
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

Extend Your Engine Life

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

  • Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
  • Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
  • Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
  • Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
  • Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
  • Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage

Looking for a replacement?

Based on the data above, here are relevant options.

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28