2021 Ram 1500 VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability
The 2021 Ram 1500 has good reliability. There are 14 recalls and 611 owner complaints on file for the 2021 RAM 1500. Severity signals include 24 crash-related complaints and 3 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Electrical System (153), Engine (88), Power Train (84).
1500 reliability snapshot
Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.
Used-car research
Research the Ram 1500 before checking the VIN
Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.
Most-reported 2021 Ram 1500 issues
Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.
- Electrical System153
- Engine88
- Power Train84
- Unknown Or Other65
- Steering42
- Fuel Propulsion System29
Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2021 Ram 1500
Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.
- Inspect for engine shutdowns at low speeds
- Check for electrical system warning lights and battery issues
- Test power steering for stiffness or failure
- Verify fuel pump operation and check for refueling issues
- Inspect exhaust manifolds for cracks or leaks
- Check for water leaks in rear glass assembly
- Test vehicle for unexpected stalling or shifting into park
2021 1500 recalls (14)
Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2021 1500. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICNHTSA 21V037000Feb 1, 2021Do not drive — park immediately
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.
- AIR BAGS, STEERINGNHTSA 25V765000Nov 6, 2025
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.
- AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 25V298000May 8, 2025
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.
- VISIBILITYNHTSA 24V754000Oct 10, 2024
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, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)NHTSA 24V653000Sep 5, 2024
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 TRAINNHTSA 23V265000Apr 13, 2023
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 PREVENTIONNHTSA 23V059000Feb 9, 2023
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).
- STRUCTURENHTSA 22V904000Dec 8, 2022
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, ENGINENHTSA 22V767000Oct 13, 2022
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 PREVENTIONNHTSA 22V638000Aug 25, 2022
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.
- AIR BAGSNHTSA 21V925000Nov 24, 2021
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, STEERINGNHTSA 21V918000Nov 23, 2021
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.
- TIRESNHTSA 21V698000Sep 9, 2021
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 PREVENTIONNHTSA 21V438000Jun 10, 2021
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.
Used-market value
2021 Ram 1500 resale snapshot
Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.
2021 Ram 1500 on the road
485,497 2021 Ram 1500 units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.
How the 2021 Ram 1500 stacks up against rivals
The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.
Reliability verdict for the 2021 Ram 1500
With a 66/100 score against a 73/100 segment average, the 2021 Ram 1500 lands below the class norm for reliability. The gap isn’t extreme, but it points to a higher-than-typical likelihood of owner-reported problems compared with competing full-size pickups.
Issue patterns look broadly distributed rather than confined to a single system. Electrical concerns lead the mix, while engine and powertrain complaints also represent meaningful shares, suggesting multiple core areas contribute to the overall reliability picture. A notable “unknown or other” portion further indicates that reported problems aren’t neatly concentrated in one category. Recall activity is elevated, which adds to the model’s overall reliability workload.
Overall, buyer risk level is moderate to elevated relative to the segment average.
What you get in a 2021 Ram 1500 report
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2021 Ram 1500 — Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Ram 1500 reliable?
With a 66/100 score against a 73/100 segment average, the 2021 Ram 1500 lands below the class norm for reliability. The gap isn’t extreme, but it points to a higher-than-typical likelihood of owner-reported problems compared with competing full-size pickups.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ram 1500 have?
14 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2021 Ram 1500. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
What are the most common 2021 Ram 1500 problems?
The most-reported 2021 Ram 1500 problem areas are: Electrical System (153), Engine (88), Power Train (84).
Should I run a VIN check on a 2021 Ram 1500?
Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2021 Ram 1500, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.