RAM · Known Issues
2021 RAM 1500 Problems: 39 Known Issues
2021 model year · 11,566+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2021 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2021 model year · 11,566+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2021 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 11,566+ owner reports, the 2021 RAM 1500 has 39 documented known issues, with 10 rated critical. The most serious are Four-Corner Air Suspension System Failure ($300-$3,000 repair), 3.0L EcoDiesel Bottom-End Failure — Spun Main/Rod Bearing and Broken Crankshaft ($6,000-$14,000 repair), ABS / Electronic Brake Control Module Internal Failure (C2116 Pump Supply, Brake/ABS Lights) ($350-$1,500 repair), Internal Transmission Oil Cooler Failure Mixing Coolant and ATF ('Strawberry Milkshake') ($400-$5,000 repair), Power Tailgate Unlatches and Opens While Driving (Recall), 4-Corner Air Suspension Compressor Failure / Won't Raise or Lower (Ride Height Faults, Winter Collapse) ($600-$2,500 repair), 5.7L HEMI MDS lifter collapse and camshaft lobe wear ("HEMI tick" leading to engine damage) ($2,500-$7,000 repair), EcoDiesel Fuel Pump Failure / Stalling, 3.6L Pentastar Rocker Arm Roller Bearing Failure Wiping Camshaft ('Pentastar Tick', Misfire) ($1,800-$4,000 repair) and Electric Power Steering (EPS) Rack Failure / Loss of Assist ($1,800-$4,000 repair). The most commonly reported issue is ZF 8-Speed Transmission Problems with 2,876 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $30 to $14,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel display to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards numbers 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence," 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems," 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems for Light Vehicles," 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems," 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System," and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Due to an improperly designed trailer tow module, the trailer lights may fail to illuminate and the trailer brakes may fail.
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025 Ram 1500 vehicles. A software error may cause an incorrect tire inflation pressure message to display on the instrument panel.
+ 30 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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According to Au7o's analysis of 11,566+ owner reports, the 2021 RAM 1500 has 39 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Four-Corner Air Suspension System Failure, 3.0L EcoDiesel Bottom-End Failure — Spun Main/Rod Bearing and Broken Crankshaft, ABS / Electronic Brake Control Module Internal Failure (C2116 Pump Supply, Brake/ABS Lights). Of these, 10 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2021 RAM 1500 has 39 known issues documented across 11,566+ owner reports. 10 issues are rated critical: Four-Corner Air Suspension System Failure and 3.0L EcoDiesel Bottom-End Failure — Spun Main/Rod Bearing and Broken Crankshaft and ABS / Electronic Brake Control Module Internal Failure (C2116 Pump Supply, Brake/ABS Lights) and Internal Transmission Oil Cooler Failure Mixing Coolant and ATF ('Strawberry Milkshake') and Power Tailgate Unlatches and Opens While Driving (Recall) and 4-Corner Air Suspension Compressor Failure / Won't Raise or Lower (Ride Height Faults, Winter Collapse) and 5.7L HEMI MDS lifter collapse and camshaft lobe wear ("HEMI tick" leading to engine damage) and EcoDiesel Fuel Pump Failure / Stalling and 3.6L Pentastar Rocker Arm Roller Bearing Failure Wiping Camshaft ('Pentastar Tick', Misfire) and Electric Power Steering (EPS) Rack Failure / Loss of Assist. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known RAM 1500 issues range from $0 to $14,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Four-Corner Air Suspension System Failure, typically costs $300-$3,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The 2019+ RAM 1500 equipped with the optional four-corner air suspension system experiences compressor failures, air spring leaks, height sensor malfunctions, and control module issues. The truck may sag on one corner, fail to raise/lower, or display "Service Air Suspension Syste… Repairs typically run $300-$3,000. Severity: high.
The 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 suffers documented bottom-end failures: the main bearings (most common) and connecting-rod bearings wipe out, dropping oil pressure to the rods, spinning a rod bearing and sometimes snapping the crankshaft if driven on. Factory main-bearing clearances are ve… Repairs typically run $6,000-$14,000. Severity: high.
The ABS/Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) on Ram 1500 trucks suffers internal electronic failures separate from the software-related ESC recalls. Owners report the ABS, brake, traction-control and related warning lights coming on together with stored codes such as C2200 (int… Repairs typically run $350-$1,500. Severity: high.
The Ram 1500's transmission thermal-management/oil-cooler unit is the only place where engine coolant and automatic transmission fluid pass close together. When this cooler ruptures internally, coolant and ATF cross-contaminate, producing a pink 'strawberry milkshake' in both the… Repairs typically run $400-$5,000. Severity: high.
Three NHTSA campaigns establish two VIN-bounded mechanisms under this frozen identity. NHTSA 18V486 / FCA U74 and 19V347 / FCA V44 cover specified 2013-2018 RAM 1500 bed, build-date and power-locking-tailgate configurations in which a tailgate-actuator limiter tab may fracture an… Severity: high.
Trucks optioned with the 4-corner air suspension commonly develop compressor strain and failure, air-line leaks, failed air dryer letting moisture in, and ride-height sensor faults. Symptoms include the compressor running excessively, the truck sitting low or refusing to change h… Repairs typically run $600-$2,500. Severity: high.
The 5.7L HEMI (Gen III) with the Multi-Displacement System (MDS) is well documented for roller-lifter failure that progresses into camshaft lobe damage. The MDS deactivation lifters and the engine's circuitous oiling path (oil routed through the deck, head gasket, and rocker shaf… Repairs typically run $2,500-$7,000. Severity: high.
NHTSA 22V406 / FCA Z46 covers affected 2014-2019 RAM 1500 trucks with the 3.0L diesel, while 22V767 / FCA Z96 covers affected 2020-2022 RAM 1500 trucks with that engine. High-pressure fuel-pump failure can introduce debris or cause fuel starvation and an unexpected loss of drive… Severity: high.
On the 3.6L Pentastar V6, the needle bearings inside the roller rocker arms fail, letting the rocker go loose and hammer/score the camshaft lobe. This produces a distinct top-end tick ('Pentastar tick') and, if left, camshaft damage and misfires. It is a widely reported failure a… Repairs typically run $1,800-$4,000. Severity: high.
The DT-generation Ram 1500 uses a belt-driven electric power steering (EPS) system with the assist motor and control module integrated into the rack-and-pinion. When the EPS module shorts out or the motor fails, the driver loses power assist — sometimes momentarily at startup, so… Repairs typically run $1,800-$4,000. Severity: high.
The ZF 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission can experience harsh shifting, hesitation, and jerky behavior. Some units have failed prematurely. Early model years (2013-2016) seem most affected. Multiple TSBs have been issued for software updates. Repairs typically run $150-$6,500. Severity: medium.
The 2019-2024 RAM 1500 (5th generation, DT) has a well-documented rear window water leak that allows water to enter the cab during rain or car washes. Water drips from the top of the rear window area, soaking the rear seat and rear floor. The issue is caused by inadequate sealing… Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: medium.
The 2019+ RAM 1500 uses the ZF 8HP75 8-speed automatic transmission which exhibits harsh shifting, delayed engagement, hesitation between gears, and rough downshifts. While the transmission itself is mechanically robust, the calibration and TCM (Transmission Control Module) progr… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The 2019+ RAM 1500 with eTorque mild hybrid system (standard on V6, optional on V8) experiences failures of the 48-volt battery pack, belt-driven motor generator (BDM), and eTorque control module. Symptoms include rough idle, stalling at stops, auto start-stop not working, and "S… Repairs typically run $800-$2,000. Severity: medium.
The center-stack Uconnect infotainment touchscreen (8.4-inch and 12-inch units) randomly goes blank, freezes on the boot logo, reboots on its own while driving, or exhibits 'ghost touching' where it registers phantom presses. Because Uconnect also controls the HVAC temperature, b… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The optional 12-inch portrait Uconnect 5 display (Android Automotive) on 5th-gen DT Ram 1500 trucks fails in several ways distinct from the older 8.4 Uconnect freeze/reboot issue. Owners report the screen going completely black/blank and not turning on, vertical lines across the… Repairs typically run $300-$1,700. Severity: medium.
The eTorque mild-hybrid system's Belt Starter Generator (BSG/MGU), its tensioner/dampener, and the 48V battery pack are failure-prone. Owners report MGU bearing whine, a slipping belt after the tensioner loses tension (which trips the hybrid controller and disables assist), 48V b… Repairs typically run $500-$2,600. Severity: medium.
RAM 1500s equipped with the optional 4-corner air suspension (common on Laramie, Longhorn, Limited, Rebel) suffer recurring failures. The most common is air-bag micro-leaks (usually a rear bag) that make the compressor run continuously to keep up; the overworked compressor draws… Repairs typically run $800-$3,300. Severity: medium.
The 5.7L HEMI uses cast-iron exhaust manifolds bolted to aluminum cylinder heads. The dissimilar thermal expansion rates repeatedly stress the manifold-to-head fasteners, and the rearmost bolts (commonly cylinders 7 and 8) shear off. This produces a sharp 'tick' or exhaust tickin… Repairs typically run $400-$1,500. Severity: medium.
On the RAM 1500, P0011 is overwhelmingly a Variable Valve Timing (VVT) fault on the 5.7L Hemi, and secondarily on the 3.6L Pentastar V6. The Hemi uses a single central cam phaser fed oil pressure through one oil control valve (the VVT solenoid, mounted at the front of the engine… Repairs typically run $150-$3,200. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.