2021 Ram 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Ram 1500 has a complaint index of 54 and ranks 7th worst out of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 678 complaints, 15 recalls, and one do-not-drive recall, with Engine issues the top problem area at 44% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 54/100
- #7 of 14 1500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 678
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 15
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 27
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 23
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 23 / 0
Top 2021 Ram 1500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine296 (44%)
- Electrical System205 (30%)
- Other104 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain98 (14%)
- Fuel System96 (14%)
- Brakes76 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras64 (9%)
- Steering50 (7%)
- Structure & Body33 (5%)
- Airbags27 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including a rear-end collision and a swerve-to-avoid-deer accident with injuries.
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration at low speed, in one case while stopped in a drive-thru with the brake pedal depressed.
- One owner reported the steering wheel became disconnected from the steering mechanism at 30-35 mph, causing a loss of control and collision with parked cars.
- Electrical system complaints include a fire that started under the hood while driving and total loss of the vehicle, as well as repeated shutdowns and failures of keyless entry and auto braking that a dealer could not recreate.
- A rear sensor and camera system reportedly failed to warn of a nearby obstacle, resulting in body damage during a low-speed parking maneuver.
2021 Ram 1500 recalls
15 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V495000Jul 30, 2026Seat Belts1,271,294 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other:anchorage
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."
Risk: An improperly installed seat belt buckle anchor may fail to properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 25V765000Nov 6, 2025Steering532 vehicles
Steering:steering control module
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."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 25V298000May 8, 2025Airbags71 vehicles
Air bags
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."
Risk: 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.
2021 Ram 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,900
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Midgrade
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Ram 1500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Ram 1500 carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 54, ranking 7th worst among 14 model years. Engine complaints make up 44% of reported issues.
- What are the main problems with the 2021 Ram 1500?
- NHTSA data shows Engine complaints lead at 44% of the 678 total, followed by Electrical System issues at 30% and Transmission & Powertrain plus Fuel System each at 14%.
- Does the 2021 Ram 1500 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the 2021 Ram 1500, including one do-not-drive recall, covering areas such as steering, airbags, brakes, and transmission software.
- How does the 2021 Ram 1500 compare to other years?
- The 2021 model's complaint index of 54 is worse than the 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024 model years, but better than the 2013 through 2019 and 2025 model years, several of which carry an Avoid verdict.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2021 Ram 1500?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 35,000 overall, with Engine complaints centered around 25,810 miles and Electrical System complaints around 42,000 miles.