2021 Ram 1500 transmission and drivetrain problems
99 of the 679 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ram 1500 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 149 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 99 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 1 · 2021: 19 · 2022: 15 · 2023: 20 · 2024: 11 · 2025: 24 · 2026: 9
Half of the 20 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 15,000 and 58,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
679 complaints in all about the 2021 Ram 1500, 9 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ram 1500 transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Purchased truck with 4WD last November. Live in a snowy ice region. Truck randomly displays 4WD serv light and error message. Until the error clears itself, truck will not go into 4WD (four wheel drive), making it an unreliable vehicle during snow and ice storms, when traveling over the mountains, or when on dirt or sand roads.
Cause of the incident is UNKNOWN at this time. The vehicle is currently with a Ram dealership for identification of the issue and repair. The incident occurred shortly after I exited an interstate with traveling speed at 70 mph or faster.
Five minutes into my commute while making a low speed right turn from a stop, my vehicle stalled and shutoff in the middle of the road nearly causing an accident. Once stopped it automatically applied the emergency brake. This is apparently a known issue with the e-torque system
After coming to a complete stop where the auto stop engages and then trying to start and move again, the truck will stall, put itself into park and apply the emergency brake. The only way to resolve from here is to turn off/on the truck and release the parking brake.
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the engine suddenly shut off and the message "Put in Park" was displayed on the dashboard. The vehicle continued to roll away before automatically switching to the park position causing the vehicle to abruptly stop.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 23V265000 HighApr 13, 2023 · 131,700 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 5.7L eTorque engines. The powertrain control module software may cause an incorrect fuel mixture condition in the engine, and result in an engine stall.
149 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- 21-056-26 Service bulletinJul 9, 2026
- Flash: Transmission Control Module (TCM) Updates Customers may comment on one or more of the following: SYMPTOM: ● **Harsh or slipping feeling during upshifts (1st - 5th). ● Harsh or slipping feeling during kickdown events under throttle. ● Transmission fluid odor (burnt smell).** ● During a 2 - 3 transmission upshift, the engine is hitting rev limit. ● Hesitation feel during a pedal tip in, while
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0174 P208B P20E8 P0133 P0153 P0171 P219A C1403
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2021 Ram 1500 names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2021 Ram 1500
Source: the same files- engine problems 280 complaints
- electrical problems 197 complaints
- fuel system problems 95 complaints
- brake problems 74 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2021 Ram 1500?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 99 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (15% of everything owners filed about it), and 149 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2021 Ram 1500?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 23V265000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2021 Ram 1500?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 28,000 miles; half of them between 15,000 and 58,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.