The 2021 Ram 1500 is a relatively new platform with some concerning early-life failures, particularly catastrophic Hemi engine problems and eTorque system issues that can strand you. Most units run fine, but when problems hit, they're expensive.
5.7L Hemi Lifter Failure and Cam/Bearing Damage
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 20,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Cold-start ticking or tapping noise from engine, often misfires follow, Check engine light with multiple cylinder misfire codes, Metal shavings in oil, loss of power, Catastrophic failure: spun bearing, dropped valve, holed piston
Fix: Lifter replacement alone is 12-16 hours, but cam damage often means cylinder head work or full long-block replacement. MDS (cylinder deactivation) lifters fail, wipe cam lobes, send debris through the engine. TSBs exist but many engines grenade before diagnosis. Complete engine rebuild or replacement: 25-35 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
eTorque Belt-Driven Generator Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start or hard-start condition, battery fully charged, Belt squeal or burning rubber smell, Warning lights: check engine, hybrid system fault, Loss of stop-start function, reduced fuel economy
Fix: The 48-volt belt-starter-generator (BSG) unit fails—bearings seize or electronics fry. Replacement is 4-6 hours including belt and tensioner. Not a DIY job due to high-voltage safety procedures and programming requirements.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
8-Speed Transmission Shudder and Torque Converter Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Shudder or vibration during light acceleration, feels like rumble strips, Harsh or delayed shifts, especially 3-4 and 6-7, Transmission overheating warnings, Metallic debris in pan during fluid service
Fix: ZF 8HP transmission develops torque converter shudder from clutch material breakdown. Early cases: flush and software update (2 hours, $300-500). Advanced cases require torque converter replacement (8-10 hours) or full rebuild if clutches are cooked. TSB updates help but don't always cure it.
Estimated cost: $500-4,500
3.0L EcoDiesel Emissions System Failures (EGR Cooler, DPF)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with NOx sensor or EGR codes, Loss of power, derate mode (speed limited to 65 mph), Excessive DPF regeneration cycles, poor fuel economy, Coolant loss with no visible leaks (cracked EGR cooler)
Fix: EGR cooler cracks internally, dumps coolant into exhaust. Replacement is 6-8 hours. DPF clogs from short-trip driving or failed regens—cleaning is 4 hours, replacement 5-7 hours. NOx sensors fail frequently (2 hours each). These are chronic on the Gen 3 EcoDiesel.
Estimated cost: $1,800-5,500
HVAC Blend Door Actuator Clicking and Airflow Issues
Common · low severity
Symptoms: Clicking, ticking, or buzzing noise from dashboard on startup or temp change, Air blows from wrong vents (defrost when set to floor, etc.), Temperature stuck hot or cold on one side in dual-zone systems, Noise stops when HVAC is turned off
Fix: Plastic blend door actuators strip gears or bind. Multiple actuators exist—identifying the failed one takes diagnostic time. Replacement is 1.5-3 hours depending on location (some require dash removal). Common repeat failure.
Estimated cost: $250-600
Fuel Pump Failure (Recall-Related)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 10,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start, engine cranks but won't fire, Stalling at idle or under load, especially hot weather, Sputtering, loss of power under acceleration, Check engine light with low fuel pressure codes
Fix: In-tank fuel pump fails suddenly—impeller blades crack or motor quits. Covered under recall for some VINs, but not all failures qualify. Replacement is 2-3 hours (drop tank, swap pump module). Verify recall status before paying out of pocket.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Backup Camera and Uconnect Display Glitches
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Backup camera doesn't activate in reverse, black screen or frozen image, Uconnect screen freezes, reboots randomly, slow response, Guideline overlay missing or offset on camera display, Loss of radio, navigation, or climate control touch functions
Fix: Software bugs in Uconnect 4/5 system, sometimes camera harness corrosion at tailgate. Flash updates fix some cases (1 hour), but failed radio/display units require replacement (2-3 hours, programming included). Backup camera recalls exist—check service history.
Estimated cost: $150-1,800
Owner tips
If you have the 5.7 Hemi, use quality full-synthetic oil and change every 5,000 miles max—lifter failures correlate with extended drain intervals and MDS use. Some owners disable MDS with tuners to reduce risk.
eTorque trucks: inspect the drive belt and tensioner every 30,000 miles—failures here kill the BSG unit quickly.
EcoDiesel owners must drive highway miles regularly to complete DPF regens. Short trips kill these engines. Use Tier 1 diesel only.
Transmission shudder: catch it early with fluid service at 30,000-40,000 miles. If shudder starts, don't wait—torque converter damage spreads to clutch packs.
Good truck if you avoid the Hemi (lifter lottery) or commit to meticulous maintenance; the EcoDiesel is for highway haulers only, and eTorque adds complexity that bites early adopters—buy extended warranty or budget $3K-5K for surprise repairs.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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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."
Consequence: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
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.
AIR BAGS · 25V298000
2025-05-08
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the 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."
Consequence: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers secured the connectors for the air bag, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 08C.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES · 24V754000
2024-10-10
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 1500 Classic vehicles equipped with heated trailer tow rearview mirrors. The mirror glass may detach from the driver's side heated trailer tow rearview mirror. As such these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the mirror glass, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 5, 2024. Owners may contact FCA Customer Service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 86B.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · 24V653000
2024-09-05
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019, 2021-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. Due to a software malfunction, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module may disable the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence: Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed October 10, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 85B.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) · 23V265000
2023-04-13
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.
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · 23V059000
2023-02-09
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ram 1500 and 2023 Ram 2500 vehicles. The trailer reverse steering control module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility of the rear view, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the TRSCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 14A. This recall supersedes and expands previous recall numbers 21V-438 and 21V-918. FCA US Recall ID 63A is a vehicle population expansion of FCA US Recall ID 14A (NHTSA Recall ID 23V-059).
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS · 22V904000
2022-12-08
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.
Consequence: An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment to the box latch and adjust, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB8.
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.
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · 22V638000
2022-08-25
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, LLC's number for this recall is Z86.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN · 21V925000
2021-11-24
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 in an improper air bag deployment.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y99.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · 21V918000
2021-11-23
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the TRSCM software. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on January 19, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y80. This recall was superseded by 23V-059.
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE · 21V698000
2021-09-09
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection And Rims."
Consequence: A driver that relies on the incorrect spare tire inflation pressure on the tire placard label may inflate the spare tire incorrectly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the spare tire assembly, free of charge. The owner notification letter was mailed on September 9, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y62.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · 21V438000
2021-06-10
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the TRSCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, US, LLC's number for this recall is Y30. This recall was superseded by recall number 21V-918.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · 21V037000
2021-02-01
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.
Consequence: A separated brake pedal can result in the driver being unable to apply the service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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