2021 RAM 1500 Engine Problems
Owners have filed 276 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2021 RAM 1500, 40% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 15,319 miles. The words owners use most often: “emergency brake” (13% of reports).
- 276engine complaints
- 15,319median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 16%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Emergency brake: mentioned in 37 of 276 complaints (13%)
- Fuel gasoline engine: mentioned in 23 of 276 complaints (8%)
- Truck shut: mentioned in 19 of 276 complaints (7%)
- Hand turn: mentioned in 17 of 276 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 33 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 276 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury.
RAM 1500 engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 1500 | 12 | 12% | — |
| 2025 1500 | 74 | 21% | 3,600 |
| 2024 1500 | 23 | 30% | 2,150 |
| 2023 1500 | 46 | 23% | 1,496 |
| 2022 1500 | 248 | 40% | 39,950 |
| 2021 1500 | 276 | 40% | 15,319 |
| 2020 1500 | 155 | 24% | 31,124 |
| 2019 1500 | 232 | 16% | 19,000 |
| 2018 1500 | 110 | 17% | 26,000 |
| 2017 1500 | 156 | 18% | 39,000 |
| 2016 1500 | 291 | 19% | 60,000 |
| 2015 1500 | 335 | 23% | 68,221 |
| 2014 1500 | 304 | 17% | 75,000 |
| 2013 1500 | 123 | 10% | 70,000 |
| 2009 1500 | 5 | 14% | 80,454 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine; fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
Air bag light on. Needed temp start
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2021 RAM 1500s have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 276 owner complaints about engine for the 2021 RAM 1500 (40% of the 683 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2021 RAM 1500 engine?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 15,319 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2021 RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “emergency brake”, in 37 of 276 complaints, followed by “fuel gasoline engine” (23).
Other 2021 RAM 1500 problems
See all 2021 RAM 1500 problems or engine problems across all 1500 years.