2021 Ram 1500 Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 655 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 Ram 1500 overview page.
What owners report
“While slowing down to make a right turn and then trying to accelerate the vehicle stalled, turned itself off, put itself in park and applied…”NHTSA complaint 11436251 — filed 10/11/2021
“While traveling at approximately 15 mph I slowed to make a right hand turn. Truck was moving slowly enough, maybe 5-8 mph through the turn…”NHTSA complaint 11435863 — filed 10/07/2021
“After accelerating onto a 30 MPH road, from a dead spot, engine RPMS spiked while Ecodiesel engine/ ZF transmission dropped into 1st gear with no…”NHTSA complaint 11433145 — filed 09/15/2021
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Ram 1500 have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2021 Ram 1500: 92 of 655 complaints on file (14%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2021 Ram 1500 have in total?
655 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 26 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 23 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
