FaultScore

2021 RAM 1500 headlight problems

13 of the 1,130 complaints about the 2021 RAM 1500 are about the lighting — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 29,300 miles.

A

13

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Exterior Lighting 11 84.6%
Headlights 1 7.7%
Brake Lights 1 7.7%

Lights across every RAM 1500 year

2013 33 12.2%
2014 39 14.4%
2015 27 10.0%
2016 18 6.7%
2017 12 4.4%
2018 10 3.7%
2019 22 8.1%
2020 19 7.0%
2021 13 4.8%
2022 13 4.8%
2023 13 4.8%
2025 51 18.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 147,000 miles Hickman, TN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

The contact owns a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the high beam headlights failed to illuminate while the button was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the CSSM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

NHTSA complaint #11752021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Hampton, CT

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Alt/Gen failure stopped the truck in the middle of an intersection No transmission power steering lights. Had to walk back home to charge the battery in a driving rain storm leaving the truck in the intersection.

NHTSA complaint #11711461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Smyrna, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

When the turn signal bar is in the neutral position, the right turn signal stays on. When the turn signal bar is in the left position, the right turn signal turns off, but the left turn signal stays off. This makes it impossible to signal left, and often causes the right turn signal to come on, which can be misleading to other drivers.

NHTSA complaint #11678189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Middletown, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Went to start the vehicle with the key fob and the vehicle would not start. Had it towed to ram dealership and was told that the RF hub module needed to be replaced due to being damaged from water at leaked in from the rear window. Upon researching online forums, this seems to be an ongoing problem for this making model because of where the module is located. If there is not already in the works, there should be because this will continue to happen, especially where it rains a lot.

NHTSA complaint #11677228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Inver Grove Heights, MN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

After a simple battery replacement, the entire infotainment system and computer for the vehicle crashed. Safety systems and other safety systems for the vehicle connected to the main computer can no longer be controlled, including parking sensors and other equipment and the battery continues to go dead. Many other owners are having the same issue.

NHTSA complaint #11663701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,700 miles Macon, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated there was rainwater leaking into the rear passenger’s side cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who replaced the third brake light and applied sealant; however, the leak persisted. The contact was informed by the dealer that the leak failure may be caused by a faulty frame or window. No further information was available. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a ticking sound coming from the engine, and while at the dealer the contact was informed that the exhaust manifold was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact was informed by an independent mechanic that the bolts inside the exhaust manifold were inadequate and were prone to failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,700. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11654707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Duluth, MN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

LEFT HAND TURN SINGLE WILL NOT CANCEL/TURN OFF. I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT MY TRUCK WAS/IN NOT PART OF IT

NHTSA complaint #11643087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,300 miles Pittsburgh, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that there was water leaking into the cabin of the vehicle near the windshield on the upper left and right corners. The third brake light on the rear windshield had moisture inside the housing, causing the leak into the cabin of the vehicle. The contact noticed the floorboard was wet. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 29,300.

NHTSA complaint #11618736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stockbridge, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

NHTSA complaint #11567978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brandon, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Turn signal does not turn off after making a turn. It is on the left turn signal. You can make a turn but the light still stays on. After a while you get the notification on the dash that your turn signals on

NHTSA complaint #11558851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philadelphia, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #11513307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles Lewis, IA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the car wash, he noticed that the headliner had turned blue. The contact stated that the inside of the rear end of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that water was leaking through the rear taillight on top of the cab into the headliner and rear end of the vehicle. The dealer installed silicon in the gap between the rear subframe and the rear taillight; however, the failure had been recurring. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately was 3,000.

NHTSA complaint #11446345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,000 miles Spiro, OK

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA ONLY SHOWED A RED BLUR WHILE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ONLY EXPERIENCED AT NIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE LED LIGHT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS TOO DIM TO ASSIST WITH PROVIDING A CLEAR VISUAL OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE CAMERA FOR REARVIEW PURPOSES. BREEDEN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (5900 HIGHWAY 71 S, FORT SMITH, AR 72908; (479) 646-4731) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED ADDITIONAL LED LIGHTS TO FIX THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BY THE MANAGER AT THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 26,000.*LN

NHTSA complaint #11375264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2021 RAM 1500 problems

← Full 2021 RAM 1500 report