Model Years

2021 Ram 1500 Recalls and Problems

NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls and 678 owner complaints for the 2021 Ram 1500.

One recall for this model year tells owners not to drive or to park outside until repaired: Brakes, do not drive (21V-037). Check your VIN below to see whether yours is affected.

15Safety recalls
678Owner complaints
27Complaints citing a crash
4Complaints citing a fire

Opens NHTSA's lookup in a new tab; your VIN goes to NHTSA, not to us. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard, the door jamb and your registration. Safety recall repairs are free at Ram dealers.

Data: NHTSA recall and complaint filesUpdated Sep 27, 2026

Recalled components: brakes, seat belts, air bags, visibility, and 5 more. Most-reported area: engine (276 complaints, 41%; median mileage when it happened: 15,300). Includes the 1500 Classic, the previous-generation truck Ram sold alongside the current one. NHTSA files recalls and complaints for both under the same name.

15 safety recalls for the 2021 Ram 1500

Do-not-drive and park-outside recalls first, then newest first. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for the fix and the full notice.

Brakes

Feb 1, 2021

foundation components · master cylinder

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.

Risk: A separated brake pedal can result in the driver being unable to apply the service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ram 1500 Classic SLT trucks.

NHTSA listing: 1500. Ram campaign Y04.

Seat belts

Jul 30, 2026

rear/other · anchorage

  • Fails federal standard 210 (seat belt anchorages)
  • NHTSA 26V-495
  • 1,271,294 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.

The fix and full notice

Fix: 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 vehicles.

NHTSA listing: 1500. Ram campaign 67D.

Air bags

Nov 6, 2025

frontal

  • Fails federal standard 208 (occupant crash protection)
  • NHTSA 25V-765
  • 532 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.

The fix and full notice

Fix: 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 vehicles.

NHTSA listing: 1500. Components: Air bags: frontal; Steering: steering control module. Ram campaign 14C.

Air bags

May 8, 2025
  • Fails federal standard 208 (occupant crash protection)
  • NHTSA 25V-298
  • 71 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.

The fix and full notice

Fix: 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles.

NHTSA listing: 1500. Components: Air bags; Electrical system: wiring. Ram campaign 08C.

Visibility

Oct 10, 2024

rearview mirrors/devices

  • Fails federal standard 111 (rear visibility)
  • NHTSA 24V-754
  • 31,676 vehicles

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."

Risk: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 1500 Classic vehicles equipped with heated trailer tow rearview mirrors.

NHTSA listing: 1500. Ram campaign 86B.

Brakes

Sep 5, 2024

antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · control unit/module

  • Fails federal standard 126 (electronic stability control)
  • NHTSA 24V-653
  • 1,025,432 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."

Risk: Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019, 2021-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles.

NHTSA listing: 1500. Components: Stability control: control module; Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module. Ram campaign 75B.

Powertrain

Apr 13, 2023

automatic transmission · control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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.

The fix and full notice

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 US, LLC's number for this recall is 37A.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 5.

NHTSA listing: 1500. Ram campaign 37A.

Backover prevention and rearview camera

Feb 9, 2023

display function

  • Fails federal standard 111 (rear visibility)
  • NHTSA 23V-059
  • 77,079 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."

Risk: 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.

The fix and full notice

Fix: 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).

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ram 1500 and 2023 Ram 2500 vehicles.

NHTSA listing: 1500. Ram campaign 14A.

Body structure

Dec 8, 2022

body · tailgate · hinge and attachments

The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving.

Risk: 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.

The fix and full notice

Fix: 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks.

NHTSA listing: 1500. Ram campaign ZB8.

Fuel system

Oct 13, 2022

delivery · fuel pump

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.

The fix and full notice

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 service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.

NHTSA listing: 1500. Components: Engine; Fuel system: delivery, fuel pump. Ram campaign Z96.

Backover prevention and rearview camera

Aug 25, 2022

display function

  • Fails federal standard 111 (rear visibility)
  • NHTSA 22V-638
  • 7,895 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."

Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler, RAM 1500 and 2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles.

NHTSA listing: 1500. Ram campaign Z86.

Air bags

Nov 24, 2021

side/window · curtain

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.

Risk: An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 2500, Ram 3500, and 2021 Ram 1500 Classic pickup trucks.

NHTSA listing: 1500. Ram campaign Y99.

Backover prevention and rearview camera

Nov 23, 2021

display function

  • Fails federal standard 111 (rear visibility)
  • NHTSA 21V-918
  • 38,157 vehicles

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."

Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix and full notice

Fix: 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 pickup trucks.

NHTSA listing: 1500. Components: Backover prevention and rearview camera: display function; Steering: steering control module. Ram campaign Y80.

Tires

Sep 9, 2021

temporary/emergency spare tire

  • Fails federal standard 110 (tire and rim labeling)
  • NHTSA 21V-698
  • 2 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."

Risk: 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.

The fix and full notice

Fix: 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles.

NHTSA listing: 1500. Ram campaign Y62.

Backover prevention and rearview camera

Jun 10, 2021

display function

  • Fails federal standard 111 (rear visibility)
  • NHTSA 21V-438
  • 14,096 vehicles

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."

Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

The fix and full notice

Fix: 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with a trailer reverse steering module (TRSCM).

NHTSA listing: 1500. Ram campaign Y30.

Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

The areas named in the 678 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Ram 1500. NHTSA does not verify complaints.

A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.

Ram 1500 recalls and complaints by model year

The highlighted bars are the 2021 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2019 Ram 1500 drew the most (470) and the 2021 drew 347.

Owner complaints

2021: 678 complaints

Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Ram 1500
Model yearComplaints
20161,541
2017878
2018661
20191,477
2020628
2021678
2022612
2023201
202474
2025351
202695

Safety recalls

2021: 15 recalls

Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Ram 1500
Model yearRecalls
201616
201713
201815
201929
202014
202115
202216
202311
20246
20258
20267

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

Tested versionOverallFrontalSideRollover
Ram 1500 Classic Crew PU/CC 2WD
Rollover risk 19.8%
Ram 1500 Classic Crew PU/CC 4WD
Rollover risk 21.9%
Ram 1500 Classic Quad PU/EC 2WD
Rollover risk 19.8%
Ram 1500 Classic Quad PU/EC 4WD
Rollover risk 21.9%
Ram 1500 Classic Regular PU/RC 2WD
Rollover risk 19.8%
Ram 1500 Classic Regular PU/RC 4WD
Rollover risk 21.9%
Ram 1500 Crew Cab TRX PU/CC 4WD
Not ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated
Ram 1500 Crew PU/CC 2WD
Rollover risk 19.8%
Ram 1500 Crew PU/CC 4WD
Rollover risk 19.8%
Ram 1500 Quad PU/EC 2WD
Rollover risk 19.8%
Ram 1500 Quad PU/EC 4WD
Rollover risk 19.8%

Questions

What are the most common 2021 Ram 1500 problems?

The areas owners name most often in NHTSA complaints: engine (276), electrical system (197), powertrain (98). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can name several areas.

Is the 2021 Ram 1500 safe?

In NHTSA crash tests the 2021 Ram 1500 earns 4 to 5 stars overall, depending on the version. The table above lists each tested version.

How do I check if my Ram 1500 has an open recall?

Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Ram dealers.

Sources and method

  • NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Sep 27, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
  • NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Sep 26, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
  • NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
  • NHTSA model names covered: 1500.

Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.