The Lemon Index2021 Ram 1500.
The 2021 Ram 1500 is about average by owner complaints: 562 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 102, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 20 recalls, and it gets 17 to 26 mpg combined. The best Ram 1500 year is 2000.
Covers the whole Ram pickup line (1500, 2500 and 3500): Ram reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 852 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ram 1500 year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 60K miles on the car (135 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 4K–43K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 1K–69K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 10K–62K miles
Recalls 20
- seat belts 2026
The second-row center and left-side seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed.
- airbags 2025
The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended.
- airbags 2025
The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
Show all 20 recalls
- visibility 2024
The mirror glass may detach from the driver's side heated trailer tow rearview mirror.
- brakes 2024
Due to a software malfunction, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module may disable the electronic stability control system.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
The powertrain control module software may cause an incorrect fuel mixture condition in the engine, and result in an engine stall.
- back over prevention 2023
The trailer reverse steering control module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- electrical 2023
An electrical short may occur in the heater grid relay with the ignition on or off.
- body structure 2022
The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving.
- transmission & drivetrain 2022
A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.
- fuel system, gasoline 2022
The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
- back over prevention 2022
A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying.
- brakes 2022
The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions.
- airbags 2021
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.
- back over prevention 2021
The Trailer Reverse Steering Control Module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying.
- electrical 2021
An electrical short in the relay may cause a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.
- tires 2021
The incorrect-size spare tire may have been installed, which does not match the tire size and inflation pressure information on the tire placard.
- back over prevention 2021
The rearview camera image may not display.
- electrical 2021
An electrical short may occur in the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay, which could result in a vehicle fire.
- brakes 2021
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ram told dealers about
Ram sent dealers 1418 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Motor Generator Unit (MGU) Connector Not Fully Seated This bulletin involves replacing the MGU
- CEL Check Engine Lamp On, DTC P0158 O2 Sensor 2/2 Circuit High
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHigh pressure fuel pump failure2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 Crew PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ram 1500 Quad PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ram 1500 Crew PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ram 1500 Quad PU/EC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ram 1500 Classic Crew PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ram 1500 Classic Quad PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–4350 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle stalled after stop at intersection. Engine shut off and auto shifted to park and applied the parking brake.
2021 Ram 1500 owner · NHTSA complaint 11435556
More owner reports
While driving the vehicle multiple times the engine has completely shut off and had zero power. The most recent time was traveling down the freeway at the speed limit and the vehicle shut off and lost all power steering.
NHTSA complaint 11480500
My truck has shut down unexpectedly, on 2 separate occasions, as I was driving at slow speeds. I then had to come to a complete stop and restart it.
NHTSA complaint 11604606
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Ram 1500 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 102; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ram 1500 year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2021 Ram 1500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (41%), electrical (28%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ram 1500 have?
20 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Ram 1500 get?
17 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Ram 1500 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2021 Ram 1500 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 10,200 and 60,000 miles. The middle report was at 35,000 miles, from 135 complaints.
Does the 2021 Ram 1500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Ram 1500 cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $4350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Ram 1500 have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Ram 1500 year is better than the 2021?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2017 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works