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2021 Ram 1500: engine and transmission complaints

HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
59%
373 of 637 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

59% 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 1,230 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 38 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 55%).

NHTSA data checked September 13, 2026
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Drivetrain complaints
373
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
675
this model year
Fires reported
4
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
15
26 crashes · 23 injuries

Complaints by component

ENGINE276 · 41%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM196 · 29%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER102 · 15%
POWER TRAIN98 · 15%
SERVICE BRAKES73 · 11%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM68 · 10%

The years either side

2010
no data
2011
64%
421 of 688
2012
56%
322 of 697
2013
20%
235 of 1,273
2014
41%
654 of 1,761
2015
46%
622 of 1,443
2016
42%
621 of 1,535
2017
41%
331 of 870
2018
40%
247 of 659
2019
34%
465 of 1,469
2020
41%
239 of 623
2021
59%
373 of 675
2022
54%
315 of 607
2023
41%
71 of 197

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

Cleaner alternatives

Same car, a better year

Other full-size pickups with no elevated signal

The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.

What owners reported

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE02/10/20234 INJURED
Once again for the about 100th time our 2021 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel cuts off and when I means cuts off everything is off. No warning of any sort. Was going about 50mph and just completely shutdown on 880 Southbound in SF Bay Area. Truck has 52k miles is maintained and no codes no nothing. I had my children in the vehicle a…
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM05/28/20251 INJURED
Recall Statement – Fuel Overflow and Injury Incident Involving 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 I am reporting a recurring and hazardous issue with the fuel system on my 2021 Dodge Ram 1500. March 30, 2025: While refueling at a local gas station, the tank overflowed by approximately 3 gallons once it reached full capacity. I init…
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE01/26/20221 INJURED
Once again this truck is still having the same issues! I was on the local freeway going 60 and all of a sudden the truck brakes and shuts off while in in the express lane! [XXX]! How was our safety at risk? Really? I don't understand how these trucks haven't been recalled yet RAM recalled and bought back 2022 Rams due …

Three of 373 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on this model year (15)

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
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. A…
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
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 displayi…
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
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 inflati…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2021 Ram 1500

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Experimental 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.