2021 Ram 1500 brake problems
74 of the 679 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ram 1500 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). Filed under the same heading: 2 recalls. 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 brakes
Source: NHTSA complaint database4 of the 74 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 11 · 2022: 12 · 2023: 13 · 2024: 18 · 2025: 14 · 2026: 6
Half of the 14 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 31,000 and 62,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
679 complaints in all about the 2021 Ram 1500, 6 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 “Service Brakes” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ram 1500 brake problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Incident occurred two times. Driving in normal conditions at 30mph or less. The vehicle disabled the gas pedal/power, engaged the emergency brake, and turned on the emergency lights. Car had to be turned off and restarted. Vehicle resumed normal operations after restarting
The parking brake started displaying not available on the heads up display. It did this several times within 5 minutes. When I was coming to a stop at around 5 mph the vehicle shifted into Park and set the parking brake and stopped. The engine stopped as well.
I was making a turn at a slow speed and the the truck just stopped. Parking brake went on and basically had to restart my truck. From what Im reading online, this is a very common issue. I was in a very busy intersection and definitely put me at high risk
Engine stalls and applies emergency brake has happened two times first on 2/16/22 other on 3/2/22
When I pressed the accelerator after the light turned green, the engine bogged, didn't respond and then stalled. The truck automatically shifted to park and engaged the parking brake. I tried to restart the truck multiple times and it would not start. Thankfully a passing tow truck driver stopped to help me get out of the busy road.
What is on file about the brakes
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 24V653000 ModerateSep 5, 2024 · 1,025,432 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019, 2021-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. Due to a software malfunction, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module may disable the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Feb 1, 2021 · 683 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ram 1500 Classic SLT trucks. Certain vehicles were built without the retaining clip that secures the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal, which can cause the brake pedal to separate from the brake system.
Trouble codes named on this system
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
- transmission and drivetrain problems 99 complaints
- fuel system problems 95 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre brake problems common on the 2021 Ram 1500?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 74 owner complaints naming the brakes on this model year (11% of everything owners filed about it), and 2 recalls 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 brakes on the 2021 Ram 1500?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 24V653000, 21V037000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the 2021 Ram 1500?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 36,000 miles; half of them between 31,000 and 62,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.