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.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 667 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 15 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (83 / 12%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 26 crash / 4 fire / 17 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 12–26 MPG (15 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| 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.
| 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 | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
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 →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
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) →
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.
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.
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) →