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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
629 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 1 of 5)

problem #92

Jan 272024

1500

  • miles

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

During cold rainy wether, water leaked in through rear sliding glass window and fried the BCM, which caused a complete shut down of all systems. I was not driving the vehicle at the time but if this had occurred while driving this could have ended in a catastrophic accident. In researching this issue, many ram vehicles have experienced this and/or similar issues including the vehicle stalling while in operation. When this issue occurred, , there were no warnings or prior indications. Additionally, water was found inside the passenger compartment. Also, the vehicle could not be manually placed in neutral so that it could be moved for towing. The tow service had to slide the vehicle onto tow trailer with sliders placed under the rear wheels. The was then vehicle towed to a FCA dealership.

- Brookhaven, MS, USA

problem #91

Jan 262024

1500

  • miles
The software shut down all of the systems control. Nothing can be controlled. It locks the doors windows side boards panaramic sunroof speed denominator turns the heat on can-??t turn it off.tailgate opens all of this happens around 15 minutes after it has been turned on. I complained about it several times before took it in they replaced the radio. It-??s currently at the dealership to do a dainostic evaluation

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

problem #90

Dec 202023

1500

  • miles
Around 12/4/2023 I took my 2021 Ram ecodiesel in for a recall on the high pressure fuel pump (z96 recall). It was the first time this dealership had done one of these recalls. After 2 days of working on it, I got it back. 2 weeks later, 12/20/23 I auto started my truck with the factory auto starter. Once I got into the truck, and attempted to turn it on, it set off alarms, asked for anti theft code, and the dash lights were all on saying I had all sorts of issues. I called RAM and was told I needed to tow it to the nearest dealership, which I did on the same day 12/20/23. After almost a month at the dealership and no information, I drove my wife's car and went to talk to them. They told me they believe it is a bad fuse box and need to replace the entire fuse box (TIPM). My concern with talking to other mechanics is that they feel the recall work was not all done correctly and that the relay or some wiring was not put back correctly. Now I have been out a vehicle for over a month as I write this, my recall work has caused more issues that I will have to pay for. This needs to be fixed at the expense of RAM and need assurance that no other electrical issues will occur because of this recall work

- Sumner, WA, USA

problem #89

Dec 212022

1500

  • miles

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

Truck leaks water from rear windshield, water runs down to receiver module for the key FOBs and causes truck not to turn off. Leaks from headliner into safety eq on windshield causing GPS issues, visability as water runs down inside of windshield. RAM will not fix under warranty. truck is well withing 3yr /36K miles

- Vacaville Ca, CA, USA

problem #88

Jun 232023

1500

  • miles
Engine gaskets blow up just after the 60000 miles warranty..no warning light on dashboard... battery fails before the 2 year warranty...starter failed when engine replaced it...no warning light....rear sensors fail since i bought it..never fixed... with exception of the rear sensors... everything is paid on my wallet money... dealership doesn't want to fix it under warranty

- West Valley, UT, USA

problem #87

Oct 182023

1500

  • miles
On October 18, 2023, my son was driving the RAM 1500 on the Southern State. While changing lanes to exit, he advised the the engine turned off; was not able to break and hit another vehicle. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and would like this to be investigated by Chrysler. This could have caused my son's death.

- Malverne, NY, USA

problem #86

Nov 212023

1500

  • miles

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

The vehicle occasionally shuts down when coming to a stop or slowing gradually. It shuts down the engine. I believe the parking brake is automatically set (not completely sure as the emphasis at that point is restarting the vehicle). I am sure the engine start knob must then be selected to Park and the brake pedal depressed to restart the engine. This situation has occurred at least 4 times since the vehicle was purchased 11/25/2020. I have reported it to a FCA Ram dealer who stated that nothing is apparently wrong. I feel it is a safety issue which should be investigated as it happens with no warning on citystreets and highways. The latest occurrence was on 11/21/3023, the other occasions were spaced apart 6-12 months.

- Jaksonville Beach, FL, USA

problem #85

Oct 302023

1500

  • miles
In approximately August 2021 the vehicle stopped operating at highway speeds. When the vehicle stopped operating, it caused the auto parking brake to engage as well as the engine to shut down. All steering was lost and it caused my vehicle to skid off the side of the roadway. since then, numerous other electronic failures have happened in the car even after multiple attempts for warranty service to include additional engine failures luckily, at stoplights the vehicle is currently in the shop again for additional electrical problems related to the start stop button in the vehicle, it appears that ram does not take responsibility for the defect, and this should be investigated. If I would have been near any trees, pedestrians other vehicles or buildings, I would-??ve surely run into them without any control whatsoever over my vehicle.

- Oak Point, TX, USA

problem #84

Jul 182023

1500

  • miles
The Auto Stop / Start system continues to malfunction. This occurs while the vehicle is in operation and is intermittent. The dealer serviced this issue a couple of times, and replaced the PCM but the issue continues to be intermittent.

- Mableton, GA, USA

problem #83

Jun 262023

1500

  • 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the U-Connect system inadvertently kept reconnecting, preventing the HVAC system and defroster from operating as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the U-Connect system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts being on backorder. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

- Talihina, OK, USA

problem #82

Apr 272023

1500

  • miles

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

Dealer reporting leaking and water intrusion at rear window seal. Water intrusion causing significant water damage and mold. Water intrusion potentially disrupts vehicle BCM and other electrical components including airbag function, lighting controls, infotainment and navigation systems. Radio infotainment system has faulted, radio speakers crackling, guage clusters lights randomly illuminate. Mold significantly creating adverse health affect. Excessive moisture causing window fogging and visibility issues. Problem reproduced by Crown motors in Redding, CA.

- Redding, CA, USA

problem #81

Apr 112023

1500

  • miles
I had issues with the electrical systems on various occasions. There were times when the vehicle shut down in middle of driving while other times some functions such as keyless entry or auto braking didn't work. I took the vehicle to the dealership on 3 separate occasions and they said that they could not recreate the issues but rewired the system. I still had issues and was told that as long as the engine light is not blinking it is safe to drive. On 4/11/2023 while driving full speed on the highway, the electrical system stopped and i lost brakes and steering. This caused me to crash into the car in front of me. In addition, the auto braking did not engage and the airbags did not deploy

- Spring Valley, NY, USA

problem #80

Feb 272023

1500

  • miles
I was driving the vehicle about five miles-per-hour and came to a stop sign, then came to a full stop. I then proceeded to make a right turn and was driving straight for about one-quarter of a mile at a speed of about five to ten miles-per-hour. Next, I slowed the vehicle down and made a right turn. The vehicle then completely stalled and turned completely off. The engine stopped, all of the meters on the dashboard turned completely off and the entire car and all electronics were completely off without warning. It was a random shutdown, there were no warning lights and no engine warning light or anything. Immediately after the vehicle turned off, I put my foot on the brake, then I had to put the vehicle in park, and then I had to restart the vehicle by pushing the "start engine" button. My safety, the passengers safety, other cars safety was put at risk because the vehicle could have stopped anywhere at any time without warning and completely turned off. There could have been a vehicle close behind me that could have caused death to passengers of my vehicle or other vehicles. The dealer confirmed that this is an issue and there is supposed to be an update for the computer on the Etorque engine. The dealer inspected the vehicle, and ran a computer update on the engine. However, the service manager said that they could not guarantee that it would not happen again. There were no warning lamps, no messages, no symptoms to indicate that this was going to occur. It was completely random with no warning. The components that malfunctioned are the E-Torque Engine and the computer. I immediately traded the vehicle in for a completely different brand. I do not want do die due to this vehicle malfunction.

- Douglas, MA, USA

problem #79

Mar 152023

1500

  • miles
The fog lights on the vehicle stop working while I was driving at night in a not well lit area. After they stop working I went to get an oil change and was told I was unable to get an oil change and the water pump was leaking. The tech stated it was unsafe and dangerous.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

problem #78

Feb 172023

1500

  • miles
When I started my vehicle the starter failed to disengage. The vehicle was unable to shut off. The only way to turn the vehicle off was to remove the battery cables. If I reattach the battery cable to the engine the vehicle try's to start on its own but is unable to, it just keeps turning over. The original starter failed and was replaced in January 2023 by a Ram dealer for the same issue. The dealer was able to find a replacement part at another dealership to avoid the long wait time to get the part. The current wait time is 30 days for the dealer to get the replacement part. I was told by the dealer that Ram will only provide rental coverage for 5 days.

- St Maries, ID, USA

problem #77

Feb 272023

1500

  • miles
I have had two incidents where shortly after a cold start while driving the vehicle it would turn off and and the emergency brake would apply. In both instances I was approximately a mile from where the vehicle was started. I had slowed to make a right turn, upon completion of the turn driving under 20 MPH the vehicle's engine would turn off, I was able to coast to a stop and then the vehicle's emergency brake would engage. When this happens the operator is forced to come to a complete stop, shift to park (in order to restart) and disengage the emergency brake. 2021 Ram 1500 Laramie eTorque 12K miles

- Niceville , FL, USA

problem #76

Feb 172023

1500

  • miles
The truck-€™s push button start system was turned on to start the car, the keys were removed from inside the vehicle cabin but the truck was still able to be driven without the keys being inside. I started the truck to warm it up, then went inside my home, when I had to leave I changed my coat and forgot the truck keys in my other coat. I got in the truck and was able to drive as if I had the keys on me. When I reached my destination 5 miles away, I turned the truck engine off, and then realized I did not have the keys with me. The truck should NOT be able to be driven if the keys are not sensed inside the truck cabin. This is a safety risk, trucks can be stolen easily in this way.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #75

Feb 032023

1500

  • miles
After intense rainstorms, we tried to start our Ram 1500. All key fobs won-€™t work but there was battery life in all of them. We could not get into our truck or start it with the key fobs. Only way inside the truck was with the emergency physical key inside key fob, but then the truck alarm kept going off with no way to turn it off. Our safety was put at risk since we couldn-€™t operate our truck. After talking to service department through our dealership, they suggested towing the truck to them for diagnostic testing since we couldn-€™t even start or place car into neutral. After diagnostic testing, the dealership confirmed our RF module located behind the rear seats was damaged by water damage and showed water was still in the module. The dealership confirmed this was their 6th case like this. Problem is they suspect the rear glass leaks to cause damage to the RF module. However, the antenna and brake light could also be the water leak issue. The dealership will confirm where water is leaking from and attempt to fix. No warning lights or messages were displayed before this problem occurred

- Santa Clarita, CA, USA

problem #74

Feb 062023

1500

  • miles
Once again for the about 100th time our 2021 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel cuts off and when I means cuts off everything is off. No warning of any sort. Was going about 50mph and just completely shutdown on 880 Southbound in SF Bay Area. Truck has 52k miles is maintained and no codes no nothing. I had my children in the vehicle at the time of incident. We slowly pulled the shoulder with the help of rig driver slowing down to make sure no one hit us. It-€™s ridiculous that the current recalls aren-€™t as important and hazardous as trucks shutting off yet here we are cause it-€™s never duplicated while at the dealer. Is the FCA going to wait till someone or folks lives are taken cause of this very HAZARDOUS/SAFETY ISSUE?!

- San Leandro, CA, USA

problem #73

Jan 182023

1500

  • miles
2021 Dodge Ram Hemi Etorque shuts down while driving. This has happened approximately a dozen times in the last year. On most occasions this has happened within the first 5 minutes of driving. On all but one occasion we were yielding and then pulling into an intersection and the truck shut off in the middle of the intersection. This caused vehicles that were driving at full speed to swerve from hitting us. The vehicle shut off, goes into park, and the emergency brake engages. A message appears on the dashboard indicating autopark engaged, In order to get moving again, we have to start the card, disengage the emergency brake, and put the car in drive. This is a DANGEROUS situation that will result in serious injury or worse. The very last incident the truck has been running a while. We stopped at a location and placed the truck in park. We never shut the motor off. A few minutes later, we put the car in drive and accelerated. Within the first 20 feet the vehicle shut off and came to a stop. Again, the vehicle automatically went into park and the E brake engaged.

- Bluffton, SC, USA

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