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2021 Ram 1500 Classic: True Cost, Problems & Verdict

666 NHTSA owner complaints · 0 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.

Reviewed by the MotorJury data desk · 2 sources · Last updated 2026-08-20
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Owner complaints: 666 filed with NHTSA

Complaints per year on the road: 133.2

Engine272Electrical System194Unknown Or Other100Power Train97Service Brakes73Fuel/Propulsion System67

What owners say

Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.

Multiple times this has happened when I engaged in reverse the screen will be blank and can't see anything. It will take a couple of times of driving,parking and turning on and off the truck before it turns back on. This is a major safety concern as i can not see anything as i reverse. This does not happen every time but does happen often. I haven't had it checked out professionally because it hasn't been permanent …
Rear window frame cracked at both corners- water leaks inside of vehicle during rain. this can affect electrical components that are at the rear cab inside the truck. i noticed this a month ago but dont know how long it has been there.
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn, and excessive force was needed to turn the steering wheel to the left or the right. The Electronic Power Steering (EPS) warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel seized …

Recalls: 0 campaigns

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True cost of ownership

Fuel (your region) $0
Maintenance band (your region) $2,333$4,908
Estimated running cost this year (age 5) $4,908

Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.

02468101214$6,758vehicle age (years)
fuel/energy + maintenance band (annual, USD, estimate)

Run your own numbers in the true-cost calculator →

FAQ

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Ram 1500 Classic?

The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (272 complaints in our indexed sample).

Is the 2021 Ram 1500 Classic a good used car to buy?

Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 40/100, computed from 666 NHTSA complaints and 0 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.

What will a 2021 Ram 1500 Classic really cost YOU per year?

Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.

Open the true-cost calculator

Data sources

Complaints & recalls: NHTSA · Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov · Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements. Last updated: 2026-08-20.

40RELIABILITY / 100
AVOID
  • 666 NHTSA complaints on record (133.2/yr of exposure)
  • 0 recall campaigns, 0 touching safety-critical systems

How this score is computed →

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