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2021 Ram 1500 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
58% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2021 Ram 1500 are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 78% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 39 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 55%).
Does the 2021 Ram 1500 have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 373 of 640 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ram 1500 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (58%), and the largest group is filed under engine (276). For comparison, the 2020 scores 41% and the 2022 scores 53%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2021 compares with other Ram 1500 years
Of the 13 Ram 1500 years with enough complaints to score, the 2021 is the 2nd-worst on engine and transmission share (58%). The worst is the 2011 (64%), the best the 2013 (20%). By volume, the 2021 drew 679 complaints (373 drivetrain), against 631 for the 2020 and 618 for the 2022.
Ram 1500 years to avoid and best years →
2011 1500 problems · 2012 1500 problems · 2013 1500 problems · 2014 1500 problems · 2015 1500 problems · 2016 1500 problems · 2017 1500 problems · 2018 1500 problems · 2019 1500 problems · 2020 1500 problems · 2021 · 2022 1500 problems · 2023 1500 problems
The rest of the picture on the 2021 Ram 1500
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2021 Ram 1500 said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 373 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2021 Ram 1500 transmission recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2021 Ram 1500 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 15 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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…
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.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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…
13 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model; one of NHTSA's listings did not answer when this page was built, so the list may be incomplete. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2021 Ram 1500? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2021 Ram 1500
Does the 2021 Ram 1500 have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 373 of 640 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ram 1500 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (58%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Ram 1500?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2021 Ram 1500 is engine: 276 of 679 complaints (41%) name it, followed by electrical system (197) and power train (98). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.
Is the 2021 Ram 1500 reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 58% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 78% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 13 Ram 1500 years we score, it ranks 2nd-worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2021 Ram 1500?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2021 Ram 1500 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 15 in total: 23V265000 (power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)), 22V767000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Ram 1500 years are better?
Among the Ram 1500 years we track, the 2013 (20%), the 2019 (34%) and the 2018 (40%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2021 (58%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/ram-1500
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 3 body styles NHTSA files separately.