2021 Ram 1500 Problems, complaints & recalls

While driving at approximately 15 mph, the vehicle experienced transmission slipping, shuddering, and loss of forward motive power. The vehicle was brought to Certified Transmissions in Prescott, AZ (RO #1053874) at 96,031 miles. Diagnostic fluid inspection and transmission assembly teardown at Certified Transmissions (RO #1053874) confirmed severely degraded black fluid with sludge, metallic flakes, a large metal sliver in the filter, and damaged D and E clutch hub splines. A full custom rebuild was required...

Complainant [[redacted]], a licensed contractor, master plumber, and master craftsman in [[redacted]], reports an unresolved, hazardous defect pattern on a 2021 RAM 1500 TRX (odometer: ~27,842). The vehicle features a 702-hp supercharged 6.2L V8 requiring specialized auxiliary cooling to prevent acute thermal derating, engine shutdown, and loss of motive power at highway speeds. BeginningXXX, recurring check-engine lights, "Intercooler Coolant Low" warnings, and confirmed DTCs P026E (Charge Air Cooler Coolant Pump...

There are issues where the dash display goes blank and the headlights do not operate properly. The headlights will not switch from dim to bright automatically or manually. At times one or more lights will not even illuminate. It is not a constant problem but intermittent instead. We are not comfortable driving the vehicle after dark because it may happen at any time.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Ram 1500. At the time of purchase in June 2024, the vehicle mileage was 16,203. The vehicle was dealer sale. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy while attempting to trade in the vehicle to another dealer, who presented a Carfax report listing the mileage at 16,244 in May 2024. Additionally, the Carfax report indicated that the vehicle had been serviced every 50,000 miles at Szott M-59 Jeep (6700 Highland Rd, White Lake, MI 48383). The contact stated the vehicle had never been serviced at Szott M-59 Jeep. The current mileage was 52,517.

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the diesel pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Transmission issues are a known problem in the 2021 Ram 1500 and have been for a while, with no recalls. Slipping of gear. Delay or jerking into reverse. Putting it in reverse and it telling me to put it into park or it auto-correcting itself into park. While driving twice and going from complete stop after the auto correcting went to pull off & the vehicle did not go into gear the RPM was raised and the truck moved forward but would not go into gear. The smell of transmission fluid and possible coolant seem to be...

The engine oil pan severely corroded and over 30% of the 18 gauge steel scaled away. For an 18-gauge steel oil pan (nominal thickness of 0.0478 inches or 1.2 mm), the threshold where rust becomes hazardous is remarkably thin - literally and figuratively. Because an oil pan holds hot, chemically active fluid and is subjected to constant vibration and thermal cycling, the margin for corrosion safety is very small: 1. The Pinhole and Leak Threshold (25% to 30% Loss) * The Limit: If deep rust pitting or scaling eats...

A check engine light issue fuel filler neck replace, eism leak detection pump and fuel line bundle

Original incident occurred in March 2026. While traveling at highway speeds my 2021 Ram 1500 lost all power and engine shutoff. I was able to get the truck to the side of the interstate due to it's momentum. Once I come to a stop, the e-brake is automatically applied and the vehicle will not restart or respond to any inputs from the keyfob. Vehicle is towed to nearest dealer, am told that the issue is related to an open recall that they have fixed and is now operating as normal. Less than one week later, the exact...

Rear Differential failure requiring rebuild including ring and pinion gear. The vehicle was not used to tow and was rarely used off road.

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the HVAC system was activated to defrost the window, and there was a failure with the heater core which caused the windshield to become foggy with chemical steam inside the cabin of the vehicle, severely affecting the visibility. The contact constantly pulled over and used napkins and towels to wipe the windshield, and even after turning off the heater. The contact stated that the windshield was still foggy. The dealer was contacted by phone. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

My 2021 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel previously had the federal high-pressure fuel pump safety recall completed (Recall Z96 / NHTSA Campaign 22V767000) on February 12, 2024, where remedy part CSSMZ461-AA was installed. Recently, the vehicle suffered a complete loss of motive power due to a sudden, catastrophic internal failure of this replacement fuel pump. The dealership service department has officially diagnosed the truck and confirmed that the replacement fuel pump blew up internally, sending metal shards throughout the...

The driver's side sun visor falls out of its anchor point and dangles from its internal wiring above the dashboard height, severely obscuring the driver's vision. This is a very unsafe condition that has happened to me while driving on several occasions. Forward vision required for safety is substantially obscured, and moving the visor from your vision or attempting to put it back in its anchor is an unsafe distraction and creates an extremely hazardous driving condition. At highway speeds, this could assuredly...

I am writing to express my concern about vehicle warranty coverage being provided by RAM (Stellantis NA) on their vehicles. I have a 2021 Ram 1500 which has a motor generator unit (MGU) which has failed due to a defect with the bearings. This has been diagnosed by the dealership and identified as covered under the emissions warranty. This diagnosis was made by Kolosso Ram in Appleton, Wisconsin in June of 2026. At this time I was advised that it could be a 6 to 8 month wait for parts because of a parts shortage due...

Unknown, my Ram has a glue issue with the dashboard especially the passenger side of the vehicle which may affect the airbag operating correctly the dashboard is coming apart do to glue not properly installed on 2021 Ram truck.

Purchase vehicle new and report issue with steering vibration and wandering feel after purchasing on multiple occasions when having the vehicle serviced by dealership. No issues found was the response each time, but condition continued. Front tire wear indicated something wasn't right. Replaced tires with OEM Goodyear tires even though symptoms persisted. While traveling this past winter in inclement weather vehicle lost traction while crossing a bridge as safe speed. Manage to correct but ended up in the...

Bullitin tsb 23 098 23 sliding rear window leak problem for 2019-2021 dodge ram 1500. Dealer charged 1,247.51 For the repair of replacing the window and frame. Also the wireless control module under the back seat zapped out and had to be replaced from the water damage costing us 2,395.28. Bullitin stellantis issued a warranty extension xl1 alongside this bulletin extending the backlite warranty coverage to 8 years or 150,000 miles from the original in service date. We were told our vin number not included but same part number of those covered under the bullitin, our vehicle same probelm and is a 2021 dodge ram 1500

I own a 2021 Ram 1500 with the 3.0L EcoDiesel Gen 3 engine. The vehicle has experienced diagnostic trouble code P00AF, indicating a turbocharger/variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) boost-control performance problem. I have already taken the vehicle to a Ram dealership for this same issue. The dealership performed a computer/software update in an attempt to correct the problem, but the P00AF issue continued afterward. I returned to the dealership and was told they could not reproduce the problem during their test...

Driver side seatbelts issues, issues locking the buckle. Also car has engine light come up after emergency braking system error. Goes in to reduced power mode. If shut off and turn back on, truck is fine.

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the instrument panel lights illuminated but the vehicle failed to start. The battery was replaced but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the RF Hub had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 81,000.

This vehicle was subject to NHTSA Recall 22V-767 / Stellantis Recall Z96 for a defective Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) known to fail and release metal debris into the fuel system. The recall remedy (HPFP replacement) was performed at an authorized Stellantis/Ram dealership on 3/29/2024. On 8/9/2026, while driving the vehicle suddenly lost engine power and blocked the road in the left lane. The vehicle failed to restart and needed to be towed. The vehicle was independently inspected at Saddleback...

I purchased a new 2026 Ram 1500 Rebel Crew Cab 4x4 from the John Heister Dodge Ram dealership, in [[redacted]] on [redacted]. The following day, I day i was notified of an open safety recall (NHTSA 26V-531) affecting the vehicle's rear visibility/backup camera system, which under certain conditions may fail to display the rearview image during a backing event. I later confirmed that this recall was posted on [redacted] -- four days before I purchased the vehicle. The dealer, John Heister Dodge Ram, did not disclose...

Air bag light on. Needed temp start

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Service Electronic Steering Control", "Service Transmission", and the "Continue to Drive - Do not Shift or Turn off Engine" messages were displayed on the instrument panel, before the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the message "Shift to Park and Back to Drive", "Rear Braking Assist Unavailable", and "Self-Park Assist Disabled" messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The failure had occurred on several...

I initiated a turn and the steering wheel suddenly and forcefully moved in the opposite direction of my steering input. The steering wheel was pulled out of my hand. I was unable to maintain the intended steering direction and the vehicle was involved in a collision. This was not an intentional steering maneuver or ordinary loss of traction.