2021 Ram 1500: Reliability, Recalls, Known Issues & Cost to Own
Data last updated 2026-07-04 · sources listed throughout · based on public NHTSA data
Fifth-gen Ram praised for ride and cabin but a high-complaint year: eTorque 48V battery/shutdown faults, electrical issues and 5.7L HEMI tick/exhaust-manifold-bolt failures. 4 known issue patterns are documented below, with frequency and the mileage windows where they typically appear. New, the 2021 Ram 1500 ranged from $34,645 to $70,325 depending on trim (base MSRP, before options and destination).
This listing
Context from the listing you were viewing, not a market-price judgement.
Fifth-gen Ram praised for ride and cabin but a high-complaint year: eTorque 48V battery/shutdown faults, electrical issues and 5.7L HEMI tick/exhaust-manifold-bolt failures.
Sources (3)
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=ram&model=1500&mode…
- repairpal.comhttps://repairpal.com/reliability/ram/1500
- buymoparwarranty.comhttps://www.buymoparwarranty.com/blog/2020-2024-ram-1500-hemi-tick-57l-engine…
Known issues
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eTorque 48V mild-hybrid faults: 12V battery drain and system shutdowns reported while driving, which can disable power steering, brake assist and driver aids; some builds needed a control-module recalibration.
commonly reported · 89 NHTSA complaints · electrical
-
5.7L HEMI lifter/camshaft tick and broken exhaust-manifold bolts; can progress to misfires and reduced power, and repairs are expensive.
commonly reported · 39 NHTSA complaints · typically 60k–150k miles · engine
-
General electrical and infotainment gremlins (module, battery and Uconnect faults) reported across the generation.
commonly reported · 47 NHTSA complaints · electrical
-
Steering complaints including loss of power-steering assist and wander, reported mainly on the earliest 2019-2020 trucks.
occasional · 35 NHTSA complaints · steering
Based on public NHTSA complaint data and AI synthesis: patterns, not guarantees.
Sources (7)
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=ram&model=1500&mode…
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=ram&model=1500&mode…
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=ram&model=1500&mode…
- buymoparwarranty.comhttps://www.buymoparwarranty.com/blog/2020-2024-ram-1500-hemi-tick-57l-engine…
- lemonfirm.comhttps://www.lemonfirm.com/blog/ram-1500-e-torque-system-failures-what-owners-…
- mylemonrights.comhttps://mylemonrights.com/blog/ram-etorque-issues-in-2019-2023-models/
- motorillustrated.comhttps://motorillustrated.com/ram-1500-fifth-generation-2019-2026-problems-and…
Recalls & safety
Recall history hasn't been loaded for this model year yet.
Whether a recall is still open on a specific car depends on its VIN. Check it free at NHTSA's VIN lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls), or ask the seller for proof the repair was done.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Best-in-class ride comfort; the rear coil-spring (and available air) suspension makes it the smoothest-riding full-size pickup.
- Practical features such as the RamBox cargo system and roomy crew-cab packaging.
- Upscale, quiet and roomy cabin with class-leading materials and a large available Uconnect touchscreen.
- Strong 5.7L HEMI V8 and an available 3.0L EcoDiesel; capable towing with a refined drive.
- Holds value well and earns a top reliability rating within the full-size truck class on RepairPal.
Cons
- Tows and hauls less and uses more fuel than the rival F-150 and Silverado, with fewer configurations.
- 5.7L HEMI lifter/camshaft tick and broken exhaust-manifold bolts are widely reported and costly to repair.
- eTorque 48V mild-hybrid system draws complaints for battery drain and shutdowns that can disable power steering and brake assist.
- General electrical and infotainment gremlins, plus a recall-heavy history.
Trims & original pricing
| Trim | Original base MSRP | New today | Engine | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HFE | $34,645 | discontinued | — | — |
| Tradesman | $35,645 | $42,025 | — | — |
| Big Horn | $37,290 | $47,280 | — | — |
| Lone Star | $37,290 | $47,280 | — | — |
| Laramie | $41,980 | $61,480 | — | — |
| Rebel | $46,120 | $65,445 | — | — |
| Limited Longhorn | $52,280 | $76,405 | — | — |
| Limited | $56,650 | $76,405 | — | — |
| TRX | $70,325 | discontinued | — | — |
Prices are base MSRP for each trim's standard configuration. Options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid.
2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
Sources (2)
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/2021-ram-ram_pickup_1500-price
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/ram-ram-pickup-1500-price
Depreciation
Move your cursor along the line to see the estimated value for any year.
This listing sits above the typical depreciation curve. Common for heavily-optioned cars and for 2021-2023 model years (pandemic-era pricing); the curve is anchored at base MSRP, which excludes options.
Curve anchored at the entry-trim base MSRP ($34,645). Higher trims started higher (up to $70,325), and options added more.
Curve outlook: a typical 2021 loses roughly another 30% of its value over the next 3 years. These are estimates from public data, not a market-price claim.
2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
Sources (1)
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/ram-ram-pickup-1500/resale-value
Cost to own
| Repairs (rises with mileage) | ≈ $650–700/yr |
| Insurance (medium tier) | ≈ $1,800–1,900/yr |
| Expected lifespan | ~250k miles |
National-average estimates based on public data. Your costs vary by region, driver, and condition.
Sources (2)
- repairpal.comhttps://repairpal.com/reliability/ram/1500
- moneygeek.comhttps://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/ram-1500-insurance/
Frequently asked questions
What problems does the 2021 Ram 1500 have?
Documented issue patterns include: eTorque 48V mild-hybrid faults: 12V battery drain and system shutdowns reported while driving, which can disable power steering, brake assist and driver aids; some builds needed a control-module recalibration; 5.7L HEMI lifter/camshaft tick and broken exhaust-manifold bolts; can progress to misfires and reduced power, and repairs are expensive; General electrical and infotainment gremlins (module, battery and Uconnect faults) reported across the generation; Steering complaints including loss of power-steering assist and wander, reported mainly on the earliest 2019-2020 trucks. Frequency is based on public NHTSA complaint data: patterns, not guarantees.
Is the 2021 Ram 1500 reliable?
Fifth-gen Ram praised for ride and cabin but a high-complaint year: eTorque 48V battery/shutdown faults, electrical issues and 5.7L HEMI tick/exhaust-manifold-bolt failures.
How much did the 2021 Ram 1500 cost new?
Between $34,645 and $70,325 depending on trim. Those are base MSRPs for each trim's standard configuration; options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid. 2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
Is the Ram 1500 expensive to maintain?
Estimated repairs run roughly $650–700/year as mileage climbs.
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Estimates are based on public data: patterns, not guarantees. CarVitals is not affiliated with NHTSA, CarMax, AutoTrader, or Cars.com. Issue frequencies come from public NHTSA complaint data, which has no denominator, so they describe reporting patterns, not failure probabilities. Always have a used car inspected before buying. How we build these reports.