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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,204 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2021 Ram 1500 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2021 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 3 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #128

Apr 092025

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Alternator is on back order with 3200 orders waiting with none in production

- Lubbock, TX, USA

problem #127

Mar 272025

1500

  • miles
2x within the same week after leaving a stop light/stop sign after the vehicle turns back on and starts to move forward it shuts off completely in the intersection and I had to wait for it to reset before it could be turned back on. Cars had to swerve around me to avoid hitting me. Took to RAM service and they stated a leak behind 3rd brake light got water into a RHF module. Was told after that 2 more trucks with same equipment were brought in for the same thing.

- Commerce City, CO, USA

problem #126

Apr 062025

1500

  • miles
I was driving and the engine stalled just like I shut it off. I pulled off the road and restarted the engine to have it do the same thing several more times. No codes no warning lights.

- Talladega, AL, USA

problem #125

Feb 232023

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle has had 2 starter replacements, 2 batteries replaced, 1 radiator replacement. 3 times at the dealership for clock spring repair. Exhaust system replaced because of bolt rusted parts. This vehicle is a built to serve edition and it hasn-??t led up to its name. Without me paying for an extended warranty i dont know what would i would-??ve done.Does this vehicle require for a buy back from the corporate headquarters

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

problem #124

Mar 062025

1500

  • miles
On 3/6/25 at 0520 hours, I 95 northbound in Stafford, VA. at mile marker 141 in left travel lane at approximately 75 mph the truck suddenly lost power slowing significantly. We pulled over onto the left shoulder as the truck slowed and stopped. The truck required shutting off the ignition and restarting the vehicle for it to operable. We had vehicles behind us slamming on brakes and quickly changing lanes in order to avoid hitting us. This truck has been checked by a dodge dealership for previous complaints of this occurring at lower speeds. Dodge dealership told us, there are no codes, no recalls ( only on V8), we can note it in file but there is nothing else we can do. This is unacceptable and almost got us into a serious accident. There is something wrong with the etorque.

- Fredericksburg , VA, USA

problem #123

Jan 042025

1500

  • miles
I would like to submit a complaint regarding the Motor Generator Unit on a 2021 Ram 1500 e-torque motor. That part failed on my truck in early January, leaving me stranded for several hours. Thankfully the part did not fail while the truck was in motion, as the truck would have died and become completely inoperable. The vehicle has been at the dealership since January 4th, due to the part being on back order, with no ETA. I find it hard to believe that this is not a common problem, for that reason. There were no symptoms or check engine lights prior to this issue occurring.

- Seaside, OR, USA

problem #122

Jan 232025

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had a grinding noise that was intermittent for several MONTHs, slowly getting worse. When I took it to the dealership, it was identified that the MGU had failed. The dealer advised that the part was not currently in stock anywhere and was not able to provide an ETA as there is a major shortage of this component. I was advised that eventually the battery voltage would drop from ~14v down below 11v and at this time the vehicle would throw engine warning lights which would lead the complete shutdown of the vehicle. This eventually happened in January 2025, where my vehicle voltage suddenly dropped, the dashboard lit up with different warning lights and the vehicle died. Fortunately it was in my driveway but now I have no vehicle and it is MARCH '25. It has been 2 months and when I contact all the local dealerships, NO ONE is able to provide an ETA and they advise they have MANY cars with similar issues waiting on the MGU part from Corporate. This is HORRIBLE. My truck was bought brand new in 2021 and has 64k miles. Fortunately it will be covered by the 8yr / 80k mile warranty, but the part needs to arrive first! I am missing work, I have an infant at home, and Ram is not able to assist with a loaner or rental!!

- West Harrison, IN, USA

problem #121

Dec 012024

1500

  • miles
Rear window is leaking in both of the top corners and running down interior of vehicle. Damaged sensor under rear seat that had to be replaced and would not allow vehicle to unlock or start. Battery had to be disconnected and towed to repair facilty.

- Oak Island, NC, USA

problem #120

Feb 162025

1500

  • 45,070 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated while reversing approximately 3 MPH into a parking space, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized, and all four wheels locked up. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer who diagnosed and determined that the radio frequency module had been short circuited by water that had entered the vehicle either from the rear sliding window or the rear brake light assembly located at the rear and on top of the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,070.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #119

Feb 102025

1500

  • miles
Failed Motor Generator unit.

- Sauquoit, NY, USA

problem #118

Jan 312025

1500

  • 61,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC). The contact stated that water had entered the vehicle through the rear window. The contact stated that the radiofrequency (RF) module had short-circuited. The contact stated that the key fob failed to function as intended and the steering wheel and brakes seized. The contact used the physical key to unlock the door. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the radiofrequency module (RF) had short-circuited. The radio-frequency module was replaced, and the key fob was reprogrammed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #117

Jan 092025

1500

  • miles
Ram eTorque system failed. Alternator/MGU unit has a bad bearing and failed. This is a safety issue because the truck could lose power while driving. Unit start whining and screeching then eventually stops. Voltage reading starts going down and truck eventually won't run.

- Phoenix, NY, USA

problem #116

Jan 152025

1500

  • miles
I am having a horrendous noise coming from the MGU untit on the vehicle. This is the part that sits on top of the alternator and is like a mini generator. This part is screeching and making a ton of noise. I have read through forums and it seems like many many people have had the same problem with this part. I think it is time that they re-engineer a new part as this part has been failing for some within the first 5K miles on the vehicle.

- Stacy, MN, USA

problem #115

Dec 012024

1500

  • miles
The etorque MGU is failing at a high rate, worse in the winter months. Currently, 4500 people waiting for parts with no help from RAM. Trucks are completely out of service.

- Dodge Center, MN, USA

problem #114

Jan 092025

1500

  • miles
Started hearing bearing noise from the eTorque MGU (motor generator Unit) at around 40,000 miles on odometer. Took the vehicle to dealer for problem determination and they confirmed it was a problem with the MGU. I was told a total failure can cause the main electrical fuse to fail without warning leaving the vehicle completely without power in traffic. There is also the possibility of the bearings seizing and the entire pulley shearing off while in operation. Through two different online owner forums, I have verified that this appears to be an increasingly common problem with 2019-2024 models. RAM appears to be aware of this problem as they issued a Technical Service Bulletin on 1/1/2022 (S2208000009) which talks about the bearing noise and underlying problem.

- Boxford, MA, USA

problem #113

Oct 162023

1500

  • miles
I was driving and my vehicle make a dinging sound, all the lights on the dash came on and the truck started accelerating on its own. I did not have the cruise control nor was I pressing the accelerator and the truck was accelerating by itself. If i used the brakes the truck would slow down, but when I released the brakes the truck would self accelerate again. If I turned the truck completely off and back on it went away for a couple days but then happened again. This was a super dangerous situation as it was happening suddenly and without warning and I could have easily struck another vehicle or a pedestrian or lost control of my vehicle and wrecked. The issue happened out of no where on its own, was not triggered by anything and could easily cause serious harm to others if this happens to them. The issue has been confirmed and repair by Safford Dodge of Fredericksburg VA. (See attached service invoices) They deemed it a failed connection for acceleration pedal. They replaced it and there has not been an issue since. All of the warning lights and service lights on the dash became lit when this issue started happening.

- Mineral, VA, USA

problem #112

Dec 312024

1500

  • miles
Water leaked into their vehicle into my Ram 1500 cabin. Water leaks from the third brake light above the rear window into the cabin. It caused the Radiofrequency hub to short circuit, and my vehicle wouldn't turn on; it killed my battery, and when I replaced my battery, it automatically drained. Also an issue in the cab is the following: bad odors, smells, and mildew. I have children and not knowing that there is mildew growing in my vehicle is a major health concern.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #111

Dec 082024

1500

  • miles
Receiver hub got wet due to either leaking window or third brake light. Receiver hub was damaged and made the vehicle became inoperable. Dealership and Chrysler refuse to cover repairs saying that it-??s not covered under any warranty

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #110

Dec 052024

1500

  • miles
Rear Tail light assembly is faulty and allows water intrusion which affects the blind spot alert to send alert that service is needed. When this happens it causes the entire infotainment area and dash to begin flashing and going haywire. Nothing works. Windows will not respond or go up or down. Speedometer is not present at all. This happened to us while on a highway which was quite alarming. The blind spot alert is tied to the whole computer system for the truck so when this fails it affects everything else. Upon taking to dealership we were told Ram is aware of this issue and has changed the design of the newer tail light assemblies including better weather stripping to keep water out. So they admit there is an issue but will not cover replacement of the faulty part and instead quotes almost $2000 to fix this. We called Ram directly at 800-334-9200 to lodge a complaint and inform them that this is a serious safety issue. Case #[XXX] was opened. This problem is not limited to just us as a simple google search of -??blind spot alert ram truck -?? yields hundreds of people who have and are experiencing this same issue. It seems a recall should be issued to address this problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Wister, OK, USA

problem #109

Oct 052024

1500

  • miles
My lights on dash come on stablizer, abs, anti slip and 4 wheel drive and it wants to jerk to left like brake activating had it looked at poages Hannibal mo fixed wheel speed sensor didn't help so now said nothing they can do theres no solution. I can't drive my truck to scared of it. Need to get something I don't have a vehicle and making a payment on something I can't drive. Don't know if I can trust this vehicle anymore can't trade it In nobody wants it please somebody help GET RAM company in gear to take care of this before somebody gets hurt or even killed

- Hannibal, MO, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

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