2021 Ram 1500
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 280 of 675 complaints (41%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (11) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 623 in 2020 to 675 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–4,200 | 2,700–4,200 | 2,700–6,450 | 2,700–6,450 | 2,700–6,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–23 | 17–26 | 12–26 | 12–26 | 12–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–20 / 21–27 | 15–22 / 21–32 | 10–23 / 14–33 | 10–23 / 14–33 | 10–21 / 14–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 395–527 | 390–526 | 384–748 | 384–748 | 394–748 | |
| Complaints filed | 1,469 | 623 | 675 | 607 | 197 | |
| Recalls issued | 30 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 11 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 75 | 24 | 26 | 23 | 10 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 11 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 63 | 14 | 23 | 9 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Ram 1500 have?
15 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Ram 1500?
Engine: 280 of 675 NHTSA complaints (41%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Ram 1500 get?
EPA rates it 12–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Ram 1500?
EPA estimates $2,700–$6,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (15)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 20 mpg | 25 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 407 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 22 mpg | 32 mpg | 26 mpg (high) | $3,450 | 390 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Midgrade | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,750 | 467 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Midgrade | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 15 mpg | 22 mpg | 17 mpg | $4,200 | 514 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.6L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 19 mpg | 24 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 417 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,750 | 418 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 5.7L | 4-Wheel Drive | Midgrade | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 17 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,750 | 472 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 5.7L | 4-Wheel Drive | Midgrade | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 17 mpg | $4,200 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 20 mpg | 26 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 (low) | 394 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 6.2L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 10 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | 12 mpg (low) | $6,450 (high) | 748 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 15 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 23 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $3,450 | 384 g/mi (low) |
Show 4 more configurations
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 11 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 450 g/mi |
| Configuration 12 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Midgrade | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 15 mpg | 22 mpg | 17 mpg | $4,200 | 513 g/mi |
| Configuration 13 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.6L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 16 mpg | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 474 g/mi |
| Configuration 14 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 5.7L | 4-Wheel Drive | Midgrade | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 17 mpg | $4,200 | 526 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 280 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 98 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 96 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 196 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| Brakes | 76 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 49 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 29 | 13 | 1 | 11 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 92 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 33 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 103 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (15)
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE · Campaign 26V495000 · Jul 30, 2026
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 25V765000 · Nov 6, 2025
Defect: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; AIR BAGS · Campaign 25V298000 · May 8, 2025
Defect: 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.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES · Campaign 24V754000 · Oct 10, 2024
Defect: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE; ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 24V653000 · Sep 5, 2024
Defect: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) · Campaign 23V265000 · Apr 13, 2023
Defect: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · Campaign 23V059000 · Feb 9, 2023
Defect: 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 ID 23V-059).
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS · Campaign 22V904000 · Dec 8, 2022
Defect: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP; ENGINE · Campaign 22V767000 · Oct 13, 2022
Defect: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · Campaign 22V638000 · Aug 25, 2022
Defect: 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.
Show 5 earlier campaigns
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN · Campaign 21V925000 · Nov 26, 2021
Defect: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION; STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 21V918000 · Nov 23, 2021
Defect: 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.
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE · Campaign 21V698000 · Sep 9, 2021
Defect: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · Campaign 21V438000 · Jun 10, 2021
Defect: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · Campaign 21V037000 · Feb 1, 2021
Defect: 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.