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2021 RAM 1500 Reliability & Recall Report

Based on 14 NHTSA recalls and 645 owner complaints. All data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — free, no signup required.

F
13/100

Avoid This Year — 2021 RAM 1500

The 2021 RAM 1500 is among the worst-performing model years for this vehicle. NHTSA data shows high complaint and recall activity. Strongly consider a different model year.

14
NHTSA Recalls
14 recalls on record
645
Owner Complaints
Filed with NHTSA
26
Crashes + Injuries
4 fire reports

Own or buying a 2021 RAM 1500?

Check your specific VIN for open recalls, market value, full specs, and a free AI buyer summary.

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NHTSA Recalls — 2021 RAM 1500 (14)

All recalls listed below must be repaired by an authorized RAM dealer at no charge to the owner.

🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V438000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V918000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V698000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V925000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V037000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #22V638000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #22V767000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #22V904000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V059000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V265000

Showing 10 of 14 recalls. View all on NHTSA.gov →

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Most Common Problems — 2021 RAM 1500

Based on 645 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Bars show relative complaint frequency.

Electrical System
162
Engine
94
Power Train
87
Unknown Or Other
67
Steering
46
Service Brakes
38
Fuel/propulsion System
30
Fuel System
26
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RAM 1500 — Complaints by Year

Spike in a year = known problem year. The 2021 model year is highlighted.

2015 1,412 complaints 2016 1,491 complaints 2017 844 complaints 2018 636 complaints 2019 1,431 complaints 2020 595 complaints 2021 645 complaints 2022 0 complaints 2023 0 complaints 2024 0 complaints 2025 0 complaints

⚠ Years to avoid: 2015, 2016, 2019 — These model years show significantly elevated complaint activity.

✅ Best model years: 2022, 2023, 2024 — Lowest complaint rates for this model.

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Frequently Asked Questions — 2021 RAM 1500

Is the 2021 RAM 1500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 RAM 1500 has 14 recalls and 645 owner complaints. This model year shows elevated issues — consider alternatives or a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How many recalls does the 2021 RAM 1500 have?
The 2021 RAM 1500 has 14 NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include: see recall details above. All recalls are repaired free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 RAM 1500?
The most commonly reported problems for the 2021 RAM 1500 are: Electrical System, Engine, Power Train, Unknown Or Other. See the complaint breakdown above for full details.
Is the 2021 RAM 1500 safe to buy?
The 2021 RAM 1500 has some safety and reliability items to review before buying. Ensure all 14 recalls are completed at a dealer. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is strongly recommended.
What year RAM 1500 should I buy?
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the best years for the RAM 1500 are: 2022, 2023, 2024. These show the lowest complaint rates. Years to avoid: 2015, 2016, 2019.
Data source: All recall and complaint data is sourced directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public API. Data is cached and refreshed every 7 days. Recall and complaint counts reflect data available at the time of last cache update. For the most current recall status on a specific vehicle, enter the VIN above or visit NHTSA.gov/recalls.