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Total NHTSA Complaints
667
Owner filings recorded
#1 Reported Problem
Engine & Cooling
222 reports (33.3%)
Crash Incident Reports
26
Filings citing a crash
Fire & Injury Reports
21
4 fire • 17 injury filings
Defect Investigation Analysis

Executive Problem Findings

AutoUtility currently tracks 667 official NHTSA owner defect complaints for the 2021 Ram 1500. Engine & Cooling issues are the most frequently reported category, appearing in 222 complaints (33.3% of submitted records). Among these NHTSA complaint records, 26 filings cite a crash, 4 cite a fire, 17 report one or more injuries.

Methodology Notice: Consumer complaints are unverified voluntary submissions to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Filings are not normalized for sales volume or vehicle mileage and do not constitute an audited component failure rate.
Incident & Severity Profile
  • • Total Owner Reports: 667 complaints submitted under federal penalty.
  • • Primary Subsystem: Engine & Cooling accounts for 33.3% of submissions (222 reports).
  • • Secondary Systems: Electrical System (194), Powertrain & Transmission (97).
  • • Crash Incidents: 26 filings cite an impact or collision.
  • • Thermal Incidents: 4 filings cite smoke or fire.
  • • Reported Casualties: 17 injury filings • 0 fatality filings.
Category Distribution

Reported Defect Categories for 2021 Ram 1500

Factual proportion of owner complaints categorized by automotive subsystem in NHTSA records

Engine & Cooling
222
33.3%
Electrical System
194
29.1%
Powertrain & Transmission
97
14.5%
Fuel & Propulsion System
95
14.2%
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
91
13.6%
#1 33.3% SHARE

Engine & Cooling

222 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI for this subsystem.

⚠️ 1 Crash 🔥 2 Fire 🩹 6 Injury
#2 29.1% SHARE

Electrical System

194 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI for this subsystem.

⚠️ 2 Crash 🔥 3 Fire 🩹 4 Injury
#3 14.5% SHARE

Powertrain & Transmission

97 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI for this subsystem.

⚠️ 1 Crash 🩹 1 Injury
⚠️ 1 Associated Recall Campaign
#4 14.2% SHARE

Fuel & Propulsion System

95 owner complaints submitted to NHTSA ODI for this subsystem.

⚠️ 1 Crash 🩹 1 Injury
⚠️ 1 Associated Recall Campaign
Deterministic Text Analysis

Recurring Symptoms Identified in Owner Reports

Specific mechanical, electrical, and driver-assist defect symptoms identified via deterministic narrative analysis

Powertrain & Transmission 4.8%

Loss of Motive Power While Driving

32 complaint narratives describe this symptom.

NHTSA Narrative Match
Engine & Cooling 4.5%

Engine Stalling / Sudden Shutdown

30 complaint narratives describe this symptom.

NHTSA Narrative Match
Federal Oversight

Official NHTSA Defect Investigations (1)

Formal engineering analyses and preliminary evaluations opened by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

ODI Action #EA23001 OPEN Engineering Analysis (EA)
Opened: 2023-03-17 • Active
Subject / Subsystem
High pressure fuel pump failure
Affected Component
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Recall Linkage
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response materials from both FCA and BMW, NHTSA determined that sufficient information to identify a comprehensive recall population could not be produced by FCA and BMW.During the investigation FCA filed recalls 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087 which include vehicles not identified in the initial subject population by ODI. ODI also received recall 21V586, involving loss of motive power due to failed CP4 fuel pumps on certain BMW manufactured vehicles. An information request letter response received from BMW indicated that failed pumps on their vehicles were caused by an interaction between pump internal components and US market diesel fuel, leading to increased slip and eventual particle-generating wear surface. Additional work will be done to identify whether a similar root cause is associated with the FCA recalled population and if similar wear dynamics occur on pumps supplied to vehicle manufacturers other than those included in the recalled population.ODI has upgraded this investigation to an EA in order to 1) determine engineering specifications of internal pump components that are correlated with pump failure leading to loss of motive power or other safety related hazards, 2) identify vehicle populations equipped with alleged defective pump variants, 3) assess if vehicles equipped with alleged defective pump variants result in an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety and 4) gather and review any other relevant information related to high pressure fuel pump failure associated with the subject populations of recalls 21V586, 21V880, 21E094, 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087.Review of the above information will allow NHTSA to confirm root cause and recall remedy viability, and identify and evaluate vehicle populations equipped with pump components that may pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 11257550, 11351441, 11361603, 11361616, 11365300, 11365426, 11365858, 11366401, 11372337, 11373793, 11374797, 11376793, 11377871, 11378173, 11384377, 11386063, 11387018, 11399710, 11402550, 11415339, 11418868, 11418870, 11427075, 11434276, 11436807, 11437226, 11437249, 11437273, 11437292, 11437294, 11437394, 11437399, 11437403, 11437405, 11437423, 11437528, 11437565, 11437579, 11437580, 11437590, 11437679, 11437744, 11437781, 11437842, 11437993, 11438006, 11438008, 11438121, 11438138, 11438155, 11438392, 11438629, 11439359, 11439879, 11440397, 11443030, 11446542, 11448163, 11453556, 11458918, 11460558, 11469337
Consumer Filings

Recent NHTSA Owner Reports for 2021 Ram 1500

Representative defect filings submitted by owners to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

Driver Assistance & Safety Tech ODI #11758255
Filed: 08/20/2026
Defect Report

"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..."

Electrical System ODI #11756871
Filed: 08/14/2026
Defect Report

"Multiple times this has happened when I engaged in reverse the screen will be blank and can't see anything. It will take a couple of times of driving,parking and turning on and off the truck before it turns back on. This is a major safety concern as i can not see anything as i reverse. This does..."

Electrical System ODI #11755206
Filed: 08/06/2026
Defect Report

"REAR WINDOW FRAME CRACKED AT BOTH CORNERS- WATER LEAKS INSIDE OF VEHICLE DURING RAIN. THIS CAN AFFECT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT ARE AT THE REAR CAB INSIDE THE TRUCK. I NOTICED THIS A MONTH AGO BUT DONT KNOW HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN THERE."

Electrical System ODI #11755099
Filed: 08/05/2026
Defect Report

"Engine ticking and trunk lock latch not opening"

Brakes & Traction Control ODI #11754291
Filed: 08/02/2026
Defect Report

"I received recall notification number 24V653000, Stellantis recall 75B. This recall is detailed as a software malfunction in the ABS control module to disable the electronic stability control system. This will cause the vehicle to fail. It was serviced at Don Davis Ram dealership in Arlington,..."

Multi-Year Trend

Complaint History for Ram 1500

Reported defect complaint volume across sibling model years (2015–2026)

Model Year NHTSA Complaints Crash Reports Safety Recalls Detailed Report
2015 Ram 1500 1439 79 18 View 2015 Problems →
2016 Ram 1500 1527 90 17 View 2016 Problems →
2017 Ram 1500 866 80 13 View 2017 Problems →
2018 Ram 1500 654 25 15 View 2018 Problems →
2019 Ram 1500 1464 74 30 View 2019 Problems →
2020 Ram 1500 621 24 14 View 2020 Problems →
2021 Ram 1500 Current Page 667 26 15 Current
2022 Ram 1500 597 23 16 View 2022 Problems →
2023 Ram 1500 194 10 11 View 2023 Problems →
2024 Ram 1500 70 5 6 View 2024 Problems →
2025 Ram 1500 323 8 7 View 2025 Problems →
2026 Ram 1500 0 0 6 View 2026 Problems →
Exhaustive System Audit

Detailed NHTSA Component Breakdown for 2021 Ram 1500

Complete distribution of consumer defect reports across all 137 granular NHTSA system and subsystem classifications

Vehicle Component / System Total Complaints Crash Reports Fire Reports Injury Entries Fatality Entries
Engine NHTSA category: ENGINE 83 0 1 0 0
Other / Uncategorized NHTSA category: UNKNOWN OR OTHER 47 1 0 0 0
Electrical System NHTSA category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 44 0 1 0 0
Powertrain NHTSA category: POWER TRAIN 43 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 36 0 0 0 0
Fuel & Propulsion System NHTSA category: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 30 1 0 1 0
Steering NHTSA category: STEERING 25 2 0 0 0
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE 22 0 0 0 0
Air Bags NHTSA category: AIR BAGS 18 12 0 11 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 15 0 0 0 0
Structure & Body NHTSA category: STRUCTURE 15 0 0 1 0
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 13 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 10 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 10 0 0 0 0
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 9 0 0 0 0
Visibility & Wipers NHTSA category: VISIBILITY/WIPER 9 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 8 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE 8 1 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 8 0 1 4 0
Service Brakes NHTSA category: SERVICE BRAKES 8 0 0 0 0
ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 7 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE 6 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE 5 0 0 0 0
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 0 0 0 0
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 0 0 0 0
Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA category: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5 2 0 1 0
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE 4 0 0 0 0
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 4 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 4 0 0 0 0
Back Over Prevention / Camera NHTSA category: BACK OVER PREVENTION 3 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION 3 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 0 0 0 0
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3 0 0 0 0
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 3 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 3 0 0 1 0
Service Brakes NHTSA category: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 3 0 0 0 0
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE 3 0 0 0 0
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 0 0 0 0
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 0 0 0 0
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER 3 0 0 0 0
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3 0 0 0 0
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 0 0 0 0
Visibility / Glass NHTSA category: VISIBILITY 3 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION 2 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 2 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER 2 0 0 0 0
Engine & Cooling NHTSA category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2 0 0 0 0
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE 2 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES 2 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE 2 0 0 0 0
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 0 0 0 0
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE 2 0 0 0 0
Suspension NHTSA category: SUSPENSION 2 0 0 0 0
Tires NHTSA category: TIRES 2 0 0 0 0
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION 2 1 0 0 0
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 2 0 0 0 0
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE 2 0 0 1 0
AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS 1 0 0 0 0
AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES 1 1 0 0 0
AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 0 0 0 0
AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 0 0 0 0
BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 1 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS 1 0 1 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LANE DEPARTURE 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY 1 0 0 0 0
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE 1 0 0 0 0
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 0 0 0 0
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
ENGINE,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 1 0 0 0 0
ENGINE,VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 0 0 0 0
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 0 0 0 0
Forward Collision Avoidance NHTSA category: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN 1 0 0 0 0
Lane Departure Warning NHTSA category: LANE DEPARTURE 1 0 0 0 0
PARKING BRAKE,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
POWER TRAIN,WHEELS 1 0 0 0 0
Seat Belts NHTSA category: SEAT BELTS 1 0 0 0 0
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 0 0 0 0
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
SERVICE BRAKES,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 1 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,PARKING BRAKE 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES 1 1 0 0 0
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,SUSPENSION 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,SUSPENSION,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 1 0 1 0
STEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE 1 0 0 0 0
STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES 1 1 0 0 0
STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 1 0 0 2 0
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1 0 0 0 0
SUSPENSION,WHEELS 1 0 0 0 0
TRAILER HITCHES,EQUIPMENT 1 0 0 0 0
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 0 0 0 0
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 0 0 0 0
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES 1 0 0 0 0
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 1 0 0 0 0
VISIBILITY/WIPER,BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 0 0 0 0
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Common Problems & Reliability Questions for the 2021 Ram 1500

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2021 Ram 1500

What are the most common reported problems with the 2021 Ram 1500?

In official NHTSA consumer records, the most frequently cited issue area for the 2021 Ram 1500 is Engine & Cooling, appearing in 222 records (33.3% of submitted filings).

Secondary reported categories include Electrical System (194) and Powertrain & Transmission (97).

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Is the 2021 Ram 1500 a reliable vehicle?

AutoUtility does not issue subjective reliability scores or commercial ratings. In official United States government records, NHTSA tracks 667 consumer defect complaints and 15 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Ram 1500.

Reviewing documented component complaint distributions, recall remedy notices, and active federal investigations provides an objective, evidence-based view of the vehicle's historical safety and defect record.

Source: NHTSA ODI & Safety Recalls Databases

Are there crash, fire, or injury reports associated with the 2021 Ram 1500?

Among consumer complaint records on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Ram 1500, 26 filings cite a crash, 4 cite smoke or fire, and 17 report one or more injuries.

Incident entries represent consumer descriptions at the time of submission to federal authorities and do not establish mechanical causation or legal liability.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Consumer Logs

Has NHTSA formally investigated defects on the 2021 Ram 1500?

NHTSA ODI records list 1 formal defect investigation involving the 2021 Ram 1500 (1 currently open).

Federal defect investigations are formal engineering evaluations opened when safety defect trends emerge, and do not by themselves establish a confirmed defect or mandatory recall.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Registry
Official US Government Data Provenance

The complaint records on this page are retrieved directly from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) public database under 49 CFR Part 576.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.