Transport CanadaHigh Risk
At a glance
This page covers 21 recalls, 640 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Ram 1500.
17–24 mpg combined
9.8–13.8 L/100km
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2021 Ram 1500 draws the most owner complaints around the engine and electrical system. On the engine side, owners frequently report cracked exhaust manifolds with broken bolts, which allows exhaust fumes to leak into the cab, a pattern that shows up across multiple reports. Starting and fuel delivery problems also come up, with owners describing trucks that won't start and fuel not reaching the engine properly. The electrical system complaints center on unexpected power loss while driving, with owners reporting that both engine power and electronics cut out simultaneously, sometimes pointing to corrosion on internal control modules as the discovered cause. Airbag warning lights illuminating without a prior collision appear in several reports as well. The powertrain category rounds out the top three, though its complaints overlap somewhat with the engine and electrical themes already described.
640
Total Complaints
26
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
17
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 RAM 1500 has 21 recalls, the most serious being a brake pedal that can separate from the brake system entirely on Classic trim trucks, leaving the driver with no ability to slow or stop the vehicle.
On the engine side, two separate issues can cause a sudden stall: a software problem in the powertrain control module on 5.7L eTorque models, and a high-pressure fuel pump failure on trucks with the 3.0L diesel engine. Several recalls affect airbags and restraints: the driver's side airbag may not deploy in a crash due to either a wiring connection problem or a faulty steering column control module, the front seatbelt pretensioners may not tighten as intended in a crash, and curtain airbags on Classic trim trucks may have been filled with an incorrect amount of gas and deploy improperly. A software fault in the anti-lock brake system can also disable electronic stability control without warning.
Rear visibility is a recurring theme across several recalls: a software error in the trailer reverse steering module can prevent the rearview camera image from appearing when backing up, and a separate radio software fault can cause the same failure. On Classic trucks with heated towing mirrors, the driver-side mirror glass can detach and reduce rear visibility. The tailgate may also fail to latch fully and swing open while driving, potentially dropping cargo onto the road. One recall covers an incorrect spare tire that does not match the vehicle's placard, which can lead to improper inflation if the spare is ever used.
At a glance
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 4 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
A manufacturing error in the steering column control module may prevent the driver-front airbag from inflating during a crash. The airbag warning light will turn on if this defect is present.
What the fix does
The steering column control module will be replaced at a dealership.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty steering column control module may prevent the driver's side air bag from deploying during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering column control module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's side air bag connector may not be secured properly, preventing the air bag from deploying during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers secured the air bag connectors. This repair has been completed on all recalled vehicles at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The glass on the driver's side heated trailer tow mirror can detach, reducing rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the mirror glass at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software problem in the anti-lock brake system control module may turn off the electronic stability control system, reducing your vehicle's braking and handling control.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the anti-lock brake system control module software at no cost to restore electronic stability control function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine's control module software may create an incorrect fuel-air mixture, causing the engine to stall while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the engine control module with updated software to correct the fuel mixture at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The powertrain control module may cause the engine to stall under certain driving conditions in trucks with 5.7L eTorque engines.
What the fix does
A dealership will update the powertrain control module's calibration software to prevent engine stalling.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may not display on the screen when you shift into reverse gear, which is required by Canadian regulations.
What the fix does
FCA Canada will mail you instructions to take your vehicle to a dealership for a software update to the trailer reverse steering control module.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trailer reverse steering control module may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying when you shift into reverse, affecting your ability to see behind the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the trailer reverse steering control module software at no cost to restore rearview camera function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tailgate striker may be misaligned with the box latch, preventing the tailgate from latching properly and allowing it to open while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment and adjust it as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners may not function properly during a crash, reducing their ability to tighten the seat belts.
What the fix does
Replace the driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners at a dealership.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pump may fail, causing the engine to stall without warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and inspect and replace other fuel system parts as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A radio software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying on the infotainment screen, affecting rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radio software at no cost to restore rearview image display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Side air bag curtain assemblies may contain incorrect gas pressure, causing improper deployment in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the side air bag curtain assemblies at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Trailer Reverse Steering Control Module may fail to display the rearview camera image on the screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Trailer Reverse Steering Control Module software to restore rearview image display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may not display on your screen when you shift into reverse, which is required by Canadian regulations.
What the fix does
A dealership will update the trailer reverse steering control module software to restore rearview camera display functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spare tire installed may be the wrong size and have incorrect inflation pressure compared to what the tire placard specifies.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the spare tire assembly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may not display on certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles with a trailer reverse steering module, affecting rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the trailer reverse steering module software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software problem may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying when you shift into reverse gear, which is required by Canadian regulations.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the trailer reverse steering module software to restore the rearview camera display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake pedal may lack a clip securing it to the master cylinder push rod, allowing the pedal to separate and cause brake failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the retaining clip and install a new one if needed to secure the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The retaining clip that connects the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal may be missing, allowing the brake pedal to separate from the brake system.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly and install the retaining clip at no cost to secure the push rod.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
