2021 RAM 1500 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2021 RAM 1500, 14% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 28,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “parking brake” (14% of reports).
- 99power train complaints
- 28,000median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 1mention 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.
- Parking brake: mentioned in 14 of 99 complaints (14%)
- Itself park: mentioned in 7 of 99 complaints (7%)
- Truck stalled: mentioned in 5 of 99 complaints (5%)
- Powertrain control module: mentioned in 5 of 99 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 19 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 99 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
RAM 1500 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 1500 | 10 | 10% | 1,600 |
| 2025 1500 | 49 | 14% | 4,000 |
| 2024 1500 | 15 | 20% | 2,150 |
| 2023 1500 | 28 | 14% | 14,000 |
| 2022 1500 | 103 | 17% | 17,560 |
| 2021 1500 | 99 | 14% | 28,000 |
| 2020 1500 | 63 | 10% | 22,000 |
| 2019 1500 | 207 | 14% | 12,000 |
| 2018 1500 | 60 | 9% | 23,779 |
| 2017 1500 | 98 | 11% | 21,000 |
| 2016 1500 | 202 | 13% | 32,000 |
| 2015 1500 | 226 | 16% | 50,000 |
| 2014 1500 | 192 | 11% | 44,165 |
| 2013 1500 | 86 | 7% | 23,807 |
| 2009 1500 | 9 | 24% | 89,253 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 5.7L eTorque engines. The powertrain control module software may cause an incorrect fuel mixture condition in the engine, and result in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 37A.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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 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…
MGU unit failed / car seized in the middle of the road - sent in to be repaired Unsafe to be stuck in the middle of the road, could not even put the car in neutral to push out of the road Known problem that RAM and Stellantis know about and are not placing warnings. We were told by the dealership…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2021 RAM 1500s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 99 owner complaints about power train for the 2021 RAM 1500 (14% 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 power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 28,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2021 RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “parking brake”, in 14 of 99 complaints, followed by “itself park” (7).
Other 2021 RAM 1500 problems
See all 2021 RAM 1500 problems or power train problems across all 1500 years.