NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Ram 1500
Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.
The Ram 1500 is a full-size pickup truck that has competed at the top of America's most popular vehicle segment since its fifth-generation redesign for 2019. Aimed squarely at buyers who demand a capable work truck with genuine comfort and style, the 1500 positions itself as the refined alternative in the half-ton class, available in configurations ranging from basic work trims to near-luxury crew-cab builds.
Despite a strong crash-test showing, the 2021 Ram 1500 carries a park-outside or stop-driving recall, so read the recall section first. It has 14 recalls on record, reflected in the score.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
Reviewers generally praise the Ram 1500 for its well-appointed cabin, smooth ride quality, and thoughtful interior materials that set it apart from most competitors in the half-ton segment. Driving dynamics are considered refined for a body-on-frame truck. Some reviewers note that certain trim levels offer genuinely impressive comfort and feature content, though opinions on value vary depending on configuration.
NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15507
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL25V765000
Risk: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 14C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.
Reported 2025-11-06
AIR BAGS25V298000
Risk: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers secured the connectors for the air bag, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 08C.
Reported 2025-05-08
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES24V754000
Risk: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the mirror glass, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 5, 2024. Owners may contact FCA Customer Service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 86B.
Reported 2024-10-10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE24V653000
Risk: Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed October 10, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 85B.
Reported 2024-09-05
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)23V265000
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 37A.
Reported 2023-04-13
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION23V059000
Risk: A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility of the rear view, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the TRSCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 14A. This recall supersedes and expands previous recall numbers 21V-438 and 21V-918. FCA US Recall ID 63A is a vehicle population expansion of FCA US Recall ID 14A (NHTSA Recall ID 23
Reported 2023-02-09
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS22V904000
Risk: An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment to the box latch and adjust, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB8.
Reported 2022-12-08
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP22V767000
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.
Reported 2022-10-13
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION22V638000
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, LLC's number for this recall is Z86.
Reported 2022-08-25
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN21V925000
Risk: An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y99.
Reported 2021-11-24
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION21V918000
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the TRSCM software. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on January 19, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y80. This recall was superseded by 23V-059.
Reported 2021-11-23
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE21V698000
Risk: A driver that relies on the incorrect spare tire inflation pressure on the tire placard label may inflate the spare tire incorrectly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the spare tire assembly, free of charge. The owner notification letter was mailed on September 9, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y62.
Reported 2021-09-09
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
653 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.