Research Another Vehicle

Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2021 Ram 1500 is associated with 667 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 15 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 83 reports (12% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 15 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3.6l 6-cyl, 5.7l 8-cyl, 3l 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-Cyl hybrid, 5.7L 8-Cyl hybrid, and 6.2l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 12 to 26 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 667 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 15 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Engine (83 / 12%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 26 crash / 4 fire / 17 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 12–26 MPG across 15 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2021 Ram 1500?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
1500 Classic 2WD 3.6L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 17 MPG 25 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
1500 Classic 2WD 5.7L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 22 MPG 17 MPG — $4,150 / yr
1500 Classic 4WD 3.6L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 16 MPG 23 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
1500 Classic 4WD 5.7L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 21 MPG 17 MPG — $4,150 / yr
1500 2WD Diesel 3L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 22 MPG 32 MPG 26 MPG — $3,050 / yr
1500 HFE 2WD Diesel 3L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 23 MPG 33 MPG 26 MPG — $3,050 / yr
1500 4WD Diesel 3L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 21 MPG 29 MPG 24 MPG — $3,300 / yr
1500 HFE 2WD Hybrid 3.6L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 20 MPG 26 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
1500 2WD Hybrid 3.6L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 20 MPG 25 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
1500 4WD Hybrid 3.6L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 19 MPG 24 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
1500 2WD Hybrid 5.7L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 17 MPG 23 MPG 19 MPG — $3,700 / yr
1500 4WD Hybrid 5.7L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 17 MPG 22 MPG 19 MPG — $3,700 / yr
1500 2WD 5.7L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 22 MPG 17 MPG — $4,150 / yr
1500 4WD 5.7L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 21 MPG 17 MPG — $4,150 / yr
1500 TRX 4WD 6.2L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 10 MPG 14 MPG 12 MPG — $6,350 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2021 Ram 1500?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
Crew PU/CC 2WD 19.8%
Quad PU/EC 2WD 19.8%
Crew PU/CC 4WD 19.8%
Quad PU/EC 4WD 19.8%
Crew Cab TRX PU/CC 4WD —
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Ram 1500 models.
View complete 2021 Ram 1500 crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2021 Ram 1500?

Summary of 667 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
667
Crash Reports
26
Fire Reports
4
Complaints w/ Injury
17
Total Injuries
23

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Engine 83 complaints
Electrical System 44 complaints
Powertrain 43 complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 36 complaints
Fuel & Propulsion System 30 complaints (1 crash)

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2021 Ram 1500 problems & component breakdown (137 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2021 Ram 1500?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #21V037000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Defect Summary: 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 system.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they receive instructions on the inspection and repair, as necessary. FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install the push rod clip, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US number for this recall is Y04.
NHTSA Campaign #26V495000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The second-row seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and attach the seat belt buckle anchor to the body structure as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 18, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 67D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 6, 2026.
NHTSA Campaign #25V765000 Active Recall
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 14C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.
View all 2021 Ram 1500 recalls & campaign history (15 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2021 Ram 1500

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2021 Ram 1500

How many safety recalls does the 2021 Ram 1500 have?

The 2021 Ram 1500 is associated with 15 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 15 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Ram 1500?

NHTSA records list 667 consumer defect complaints for the 2021 Ram 1500. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Engine, appearing in 83 filings (12% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2021 Ram 1500 defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Ram 1500?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2021 Ram 1500 earned Overall Safety Ratings ranging from 4 to 5 stars depending on tested variant across 4 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2021 Ram 1500 get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2021 Ram 1500 range from 12 to 26 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.