2021 Ram 1500: Recalls and Reported Problems
Every NHTSA safety recall recorded for this model year, what owners report most often, and how to check whether one specific vehicle still has open work.
Two identical 1500s can differ entirely: one may have had every recall repaired, the other none.
NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls for the 2021 Ram 1500, alongside 668 owner complaints filed with the agency, most often about engine. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, with no expiry on safety recalls. A recall applies to a production range, so check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.
2021 Ram 1500 at a glance
What owners report most
These are the vehicle systems named most often in complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ram 1500. A complaint is an unverified owner report: it does not establish a defect, and a high count can simply reflect a popular model. Use it to decide where an inspection should look hardest.
| Vehicle system | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 273 |
| Electrical System | 194 |
| Power Train | 98 |
| Service Brakes | 73 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 67 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 51 |
Recall campaigns for the 2021 Ram 1500
Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. The remedy is performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, and safety recalls never expire — but a campaign covers a production range, so only a VIN lookup confirms whether a particular vehicle is included and whether the work is still outstanding.
| Campaign | Component | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| 21V438000 | BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with a trailer reverse steering module (TRSCM). The rearview camera image may not display. |
| 21V918000 | BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The Trailer Reverse Steering Control Module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying. |
| 21V698000 | TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles. The incorrect-size spare tire may have been installed, which does not match the tire size and inflation pressure information on the tire placard. |
| 21V925000 | AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 2500, Ram 3500, and 2021 Ram 1500 Classic pickup trucks. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) assemblies may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result… |
| 21V037000 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ram 1500 Classic SLT trucks. Certain vehicles were built without the retaining clip that secures the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal, which can cause the brake pedal to separate from the brake… |
| 22V638000 | BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler, RAM 1500 and 2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. |
| 22V767000 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 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. |
| 22V904000 | STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving. |
NHTSA records 15 campaigns in total for this model year; the 8 most recent are listed above. Run the VIN through NHTSA’s free lookup for the complete, vehicle-specific list.
How to check one specific 1500
- Copy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label — not from the listing.
- Run it through NHTSA’s free recall lookup to see open campaigns for that exact vehicle.
- Ask the seller for repair documentation on any campaign that shows as completed.
- Check title, odometer, and total-loss history separately; recalls say nothing about a vehicle’s past.
- Book an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the systems owners report most.
What this data cannot tell you
- Whether a specific vehicle is included in a campaign, or whether its recall work was completed — only a VIN lookup answers that.
- Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
- How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
- Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Primary sources behind this page
Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.
2021 Ram 1500 questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Ram 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls covering the 2021 Ram 1500 as of 2026-08-27. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.
What are the most common 2021 Ram 1500 problems?
Owners most often report engine, electrical system, power train issues to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports and do not establish a defect, but they show where to focus an inspection.
Are Ram recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no charge by a franchised dealer, and federal safety recalls do not expire. Bring the VIN and ask the dealer to confirm open campaigns before the appointment.
Can I check recalls on a specific 2021 Ram 1500 VIN?
Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports open recalls for an individual vehicle, including whether the repair is still outstanding. Model-level lists like this page cannot tell you that.