2021 Ram 1500
Common Problems
Ranked from 295 federal NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
18 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Random Engine Shutdown During Driving
146complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine unexpectedly shuts down while driving, sometimes deploying the emergency brake and requiring the driver to restart the vehicle.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Engine Stalls Without Warning During Driving
117complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine unexpectedly stalls while driving at low speeds, often requiring the driver to restart the vehicle.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Loss of Power Steering at Low Speeds
108complaintsSafety riskSteeringThe power steering system fails at low speeds, leading to a loss of control and potentially causing accidents.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Electrical System Issues Causing Random Shutdowns
29complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe electrical system causes random shutdowns of the engine, often requiring the vehicle to be restarted.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Engine Alternator Failure
6complaintsHigh severityEngineThe alternator fails, leading to a complete loss of electrical power and inability to start the vehicle.
$400–$1,000est. alternator replacement · 1.5–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Electrical System Failure
4complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe body control module or other electrical components failed, causing the vehicle to shut down unexpectedly.
- 7
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle and requires multiple attempts to restart, often due to a malfunctioning stop-start system.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Steering Malfunction
4complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe power steering system failed, resulting in loss of control and difficulty maneuvering the vehicle.
- 9
Electrical System Power Loss
3complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe vehicle experiences a complete power loss, with all electrical components failing simultaneously.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Air Bag Deployment Failure
2complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe airbags failed to deploy during a collision, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
- 11
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityOtherThe ESC system malfunctioned, leading to loss of vehicle control and potential accidents.
- 12
Engine Knocking Noise
2complaintsMedium severityEngineAn engine knocking noise has been reported, indicating potential internal engine issues such as cracked exhaust manifolds.
- 13
Exhaust Leak
2complaintsMedium severityOtherAn exhaust leak allowed toxic gases to enter the cabin, posing a health risk to the occupants.
- 14
Exhaust Manifold Cracks Causing Exhaust Leaks
2complaintsMedium severityOtherExhaust manifolds crack, causing exhaust fumes to leak into the cabin, affecting air quality and potentially leading to health issues.
- 15
Fuel Pump Failure
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe fuel pump stopped working, preventing the vehicle from filling the fuel tank and causing potential breakdowns.
$500–$1,100est. fuel pump replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 22V767000
- 16
Fuel System Overflows
2complaintsHigh severityFuel systemThe fuel system overflows, posing a risk of injury or fire due to fuel spillage.
Related recall: 22V767000
- 17
Service Brake Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityOtherThe service brakes failed, leading to loss of vehicle control and potential accidents.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Tailgate Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityOtherThe tailgate malfunctions and opens unexpectedly, posing a risk of cargo loss and damage.
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.