RAM 1500 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data

NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint I am submitting this complaint to request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate a potential safety defect involving the dashboard on my 2021 Ram TRX. The dashboard on my vehicle has developed significant bubbling and delamination in the area of the passenger-side airbag deployment seam. While the manufacturer and dealership have characterized this condition as a cosmetic issue, I believe this assessment fails to address the potential safety implications associated with deformation of the dashboard in a critical airbag deployment zone.The passenger airbag is engineered to deploy through a designated seam in the dashboard. When the dashboard material bubbles, separates, warps, or delaminates in this area, there is a reasonable concern that the airbag's intended deployment path could be altered or obstructed. Any interference with the airbag's deployment could reduce its effectiveness or create an additional hazard to vehicle occupants during a collision.I recognize that I cannot determine whether my specific vehicle's airbag performance has been affected without engineering analysis or crash testing. However, I believe the condition presents a legitimate safety concern that warrants investigation because it involves a safety-critical component designed to protect occupants during a crash.I have also become aware that numerous owners of Ram trucks have reported similar dashboard bubbling and delamination, suggesting this may not be an isolated incident but rather a recurring defect. If this condition is widespread and occurs in the airbag deployment area, it raises concerns that extend beyond appearance and into occupant safety.The purpose of this complaint is not simply to seek a cosmetic repair. My concern is that a defect affecting the dashboard in the passenger airbag deployment zone has the potential to compromise the proper operation of a federally required safety system.

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated. Approximately six months later, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, ABS, stability control, and brake warning lights illuminated, and the "Auto Park Disabled," "Service Antilock Brake System," and "Service ABS System" warning messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic shop, where it was diagnosed that the speed sensor and the wheel bearing needed to be replaced. Diagnostic trouble codes U0415, C0572, C053D, and C10F5 were retrieved. The speed sensor and the wheel bearing were replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired due to backordered parts. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

I am experiencing a severe, life-threatening stalling issue with my 2021 Ram 1500 equipped with the 5.7L HEMI eTorque system. While driving at low speeds through a neighborhood (between 5 and 15 mph), the engine suddenly and cleanly shuts down without any prior warning, sputtering, or illumination of dashboard error lights.As soon as the engine stalls while the vehicle is in motion, the truck's transmission safety system triggers 'AutoPark' and instantly activates the electronic parking brake. This causes the truck to violently slam to a complete stop in the middle of the roadway, locking the rear wheels. After coming to a complete stop, the vehicle can be immediately restarted and will drive normally without storing any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).This exact failure mode matches the dangerous behavior outlined in NHTSA Recall 23V-265 (FCA Recall 37A). However, the manufacturer's database lists this recall as 'completed' on my specific VIN. The software update either failed to permanently resolve the issue, or a hardware defect within the eTorque electrical/grounding system is mimicking the safety defect. The sudden, uncommanded braking in active traffic poses an extreme risk of a rear-end collision or crash. This has happened a few times while the vehicle was under warranty

On 6/9/2010 I was accelerating up a ramp to merge with traffic on Rt146 north . I had reached the top of the ramp and as I viewed the oncoming traffic behind in the mirror I began to shift into the right lane. Suddenly the engine light started flashing, my truck immediately lost power and slowed to 40mph. The truck that had been well behind me was suddenly swerving to avoid my truck . I nearly got rear ended by a truck which would have probably killed my daughter and I.We both were in shock , I pulled over as soon as I could .Does someone need to be killed before action is taken. Safety should prevent incidents like this . Hindsight is no good. I think my kids are precious but Dodge must think their lives are cheap . That was something the engine manufacturer should be held accountable for. The rocker arms and lifters suddenly stopped working in two cylinders because of a fault in those engines known to Dodge. The dealership diagnosed the issue and gave me a quote of $4500-$6000 to repair the extensive damage from that incident. The lady in the service department said I was a victim of the well known Pentastar Tick .I can’t afford it. To add insult they offered me $6000 to buy it. No local independent mechanic wants to tear the engine apart . So my truck is sitting in our driveway. I am paying a loan and upside down in it. I can’t fix it and I can’t sell it. I have made every payment. I am certain there are other dodge customers who have been in close calls or worse over their vehicle suddenly losing power . Isn’t this the perfect example of dangerous . I think so.

Loud winning sounds in engine, louder during excelleration. Dealer service center found the eTorque to be bad and i was told not to drive it. And there is no fix or parts for it. Not sure when or if they will get the parts. No recall no part no fix!!

The leather-wrapped dashboard on my 2021 Ram 1500 is bubbling and delaminating on both the driver and passenger sides. The material is lifting and separating from the base, creating glare and reflections that impair forward visibility while driving. It also raises potential concerns with passenger airbag deployment due to the distorted/bubbling surface over the airbag module area. This is a widespread known defect on 2019–2021 RAM trucks with leather dashboards. I have an open case with Ram Customer Care (#96620269) where only partial coverage was offered. Attached are photos showing the bubbling/delamination on both sides. This defect affects safe vehicle operation. Please investigate.

In January I experienced a “backlite leak” that allowed water to enter the cab of my vehicle. As a direct result of this water intrusion, my RFH (Radio Frequency Hub) module failed due to electrical shorting caused by moisture exposure. This failure was sudden and completely outside of my control and was not the result of misuse, neglect, or normal wear and tear. Not to mention the risk it put my family in as I was driving with my wife and daughter when the module failed and caused total power failure. I was driving down the road with my family in the vehicle when without any warning the truck completely shut down and didn’t have any power. I brought it to the dealership I bought it from and they stated they fixed the leak and replaced the RFH. Fast forward to this past week, there was another leak in the rear window. The dealership then stated it was a faulty back window unit that needs to be completely replaced. Stellantis (formerly FCA) previously acknowledged this defect through extended warranty coverage. However, my vehicle’s model year was later excluded despite being affected by the same known issue. This exclusion is particularly concerning given that the defect ultimately caused collateral electrical damage beyond the window itself. Given the documented nature of this issue, its prior recognition under extended warranty, and the risk of safety it put my family in I wanted to document this issue

On 12-4-2025 I purchased a set of kumho mavis mountaineers apt tires at the Thomson GA. location. They didn't balance the tires when they were installed. So I had to go back for them to be balanced. After 5 months my truck was still riding really rough and the tires had worn considerably more than they should have so I called Mavis about this problem and was instructed to go to the Evans GA location on 5-22-2026 for a tire inspection. This location said all for tires were dry-rotted and I haven't had these tires for 7 full months and have put 22,000 miles on them. One tire has worn to the point of being slick and this is the only vehicle my family has right now. This has been on going since the date of purchase and there is a good chance these tires will cause an accident.

I purchased a 2021 Ram 1500 North Edition (VIN: [XXX]) on XXX. As of last week, I noticed fluid leaking from under the engine compartment of the truck. I crawled under the truck and found that this five-year old truck has an oil pan that has rusted and rotted on the bottom and side leading to a leak of motor oil. I searched this online and found that this is a common issue amongst this model in this time frame and that it can cause a "catastrophic" loss of oil pressue while driving. I checked recalls and technical service bulletins and found no mention of this issue. Upon speaking with the service department of Hume's Chrysler, Jeep Dodge, and Ram of Waterford, PA, I was informed that they have seen this issue and that it is not covered by any warranty or recall because it's always caused by rust. This was only noticed because my wife's vehicle is in the shop and I parked in the garage causing me to notice it on the garage floor. My truck is normally parked in our gravel driveway and the oil leak went unnoticed. The truck was down approximately one-quart of oil when this was noticed. Had this not been noticed when it was, I fear that this issue could have caused an incident on the highway while the engine oil pressure was increased. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Both exhaust manifold cracked causing exhaust fumes to leak in to cab

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there were abnormal sounds coming from the exhaust, the exhaust was leaking, and the contact discovered that there were cracks on the exhaust manifolds. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the exhaust manifolds and gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact did research and was made aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the manufacturer stated that NHTSA was responsible for adding each VIN to a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

My 2021 RAM 1500 ecodiesel was subject to an NHTSA recall (23V-263). The recall included a replacement High pressure fuel pump (HPFP) due to a mechanical defect in the Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) that causes the pump to fail prematurely and destroy itself internally. The HPFP was replaced under the recall over two years ago, only for the new fuel pump to fail catastrophically and send parts through the fuel loop. The failure has been confirmed by a manufacturer dealership service center (Huntington Beach, CA). The failure lead to immediate engine shutoff while driving in traffic. The vehicle could not be moved out of a busy street under its own power. There were no warning signs prior to failure.

2021 Ram 1500, rear window leaked after it rained. (Common problem with these trucks, even a class action law suit because of this issue). Leak was bad enough to cause severe electrical damage, truck will not start. There is an extended warranty related to this issue BUT according to Ram my truck does not qualify…..

Vehicle serpentine belt is faulty and has required multiple replacements. The belt has cause multiple close calls with traffic accidents