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2021 Ram 1500: grinding or squealing brakes

7 of the 690 complaints about the 2021 Ram 1500 describe grinding or squealing brakes.

owner complaints
7
of this car's complaints
1%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 28 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Grinding or squealing brakes by model year

What owners say

Filed Mar 17, 2025 · Electrical · IN

I have had a grinding noise that was intermittent for several MONTHs, slowly getting worse. When I took it to the dealership, it was identified that the MGU had failed. The dealer advised that the part was not currently in stock anywhere and was not able to provide an ETA as there is a major shortage of this component. I was advised that eventually the battery voltage would drop from ~14v down below 11v and at this time the vehicle would throw engine warning lights which would lead the complete shutdown of the vehicle. This eventually happened in January 2025, where my vehicle voltage suddenly dropped, the dashboard lit up with different warning lights and the vehicle died. Fortunately it was in my driveway but now I have no vehicle and it is MARCH '25. It has been 2 months and when I contact all the local dealerships, NO ONE is able to provide an ETA and they advise they have MANY cars with similar issues waiting on the MGU part from Corporate. This is HORRIBLE. My truck was bought brand new in 2021 and has 64k miles. Fortunately it will be covered by the 8yr / 80k mile warranty, but the part needs to arrive first! I am missing work, I have an infant at home, and Ram is not able to assist with a loaner or rental!!

Filed Jan 4, 2025 · Steering · WA

Steering wheel/power steering sticks at a certain point when steering to the left on road curves at a lower speed. Power steering also makes grinding noise on cold start and very stiff prior to vehicle warming up. This has been brought up at the dealership during oil change service who stated that power steering service is not covered by warranty and wanted $300 to try and diagnose the issue. I mentioned that my wife drives the truck with 4 kids and power steering issues should not be something they should ignore but they didn't seem to care much. It seems like the noise is getting worse and I don't feel I should have to pay for a power steering issues on vehicle that's less than 4 years old and under 40,000 miles.

Filed Oct 30, 2024 · Steering · FL

The Electronic Power Steering malfunction while driving. The “Service Power Steering” warning light was illumiated and no power assisted steering was available during failure. The vehicle was nearly impossible to steer off the highway. Luckily other drivers were paying attention and were able to steer clear of me. Waited about an hour in a parking lot with the Truck off and when I restarted it Power Steering was working again. The Truck was brought to the Dealership and I was told they were unable to replicate the issue and to bring it back if it does. I also started hearing a grinding sound when making a slow right hand turn. After the 3rd occurance of losing Power Steering while driving I brought it back to the Dealer and they replaced the steering rack. After about a year the replacement rack is exhibiting the same symptoms. I tow a 5th wheel trailer and if I lose Power Steering while hauling that heavy load myself and others around me can be seriously injured.

Filed Sep 23, 2023 · Brakes, Suspension · AZ

Rpm goes up and down to 3 on 10-20 mph. back bed wiggles on 60mph lots of vibration going on! Brakes have some grinding sound.

Filed Jan 31, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · NM

When driving at speeds above 45mph the truck loses acceleration out of no where. It will make grinding/shifting/stuck noises and rapidly going to unsafe speeds. I have been in HIGH traffic EVERY time this has occurred to me. This situation has put myself and my family in harms way too many times. I assume from my research this is a transmission/powertrain issue. This truck is a 2021,I am the first and only owner purchasing in 2021 early year. By three months in I had experienced the issue thinking it was a one off. It is not. I have taken the truck to Ram dealerships in TX as well as New Mexico and no one can seem to find the issue as according to them “nothing shows up”. I have a VERY detailed video of the issue happening as I was driving in 75mph. I have show it to the dealership with no solution from them. Latest service appointment was in October 2022-dealership could not find anything. The truck has been driven no more than 15 times from late October 2022-January 2023. The truck as of today January 31,2023 is currently at a collision shop, not related to this current issue but was caused by the Ram Dealership. I received an alert this morning (MOPAR) stating that the Powertrain malfunction indicator light has come on. Other attached information was ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) WARNING LIGHT-If light is flashing when the engine is running immediate service is required and you may experience a steady RPM with no throttle control or engine stall and your vehicle may require towing. Transmission Temperature Warning Light,Charging System Warning Light also showed as concerns. I have contacted the current shop that has my truck in its possession to inquire what was done when the alerts wee received etc. Waiting on a call back from them. Bottom line, understanding that anything can happen with vehicles and not all can be replicated etc.,if Ram knows it’s a known issue fix it so your drivers/consumers don’t die. Can we enjoy our investment SAFELY Ram?

Filed Jul 24, 2022 · Steering, Suspension · FL

While starting to drive forward or backward turning, there is a shutter vibration felt slightly heard. It also has grinding shutter vibration at turn in intersection during the turn. The dealer on the 3 complaint visit replaced a front passenger CV Joint and bearing, upon picking the truck up it did it immediately again. Could not return as it was the service department closing time. There is also vibration grinding around 50 mph and up. Dealer states they can not duplicate issue. This is abnormal and concerns me as in a turn or higher speed, something breaks will put my family's lives and other motorist in danger. Also when using AC defrost vent stays open and will cause dew on the windshield.

Filed Jul 7, 2021 · Engine · MA

My vehicle's engine stalls (turns off) while driving at slow speeds. After stalling the transmission tries to put itself in park and the electronic E-brake is automatically applied causing the truck to grind and stop abruptly. This is a safety concern because the vehicle automatically and abruptly stops itself not providing an opportunity to safety move out of traffic. There is also high risk and concern of someone behind the vehicle colliding due to the abrupt stop. The vehicle has been brought to an authorized dealer with no codes or ability to duplicate the problem. No warming lights, messages, codes, or symptoms prior to or after it happening. The vehicle is brand new, happened twice with less than 4,000 miles on it.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinderReported February 1, 2021 · 683 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
A separated brake pedal can result in the driver being unable to apply the service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they receive instructions on the inspection and repair, as necessary. FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install the push rod clip, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US number for this recall is Y04.

Recall number 21V037000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2021 Ram 1500 grinding brakes

Is grinding or squealing brakes a common problem on the 2021 Ram 1500?

7 of 690 owner complaints about the 2021 Ram 1500 (1%) mention grinding or squealing brakes. The model year with the most reports is 2019.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Ram 1500?

There is 1 recall and 28 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2021 Ram 1500

Stalling 132Check engine light 51Loss of power 34Fuel pump 28ABS 21Power steering loss 19Water leak 19Backup camera 18Engine failure 17Won't start 17Key fob 12No deployment 10Screen failure 9Jerking 8Start-stop 8Warning lights 8Airbag light 7Fuel smell 7Won't shift 7Battery drain 6Overheating 6Adaptive cruise 5Fire or smoke 5Hesitation 5Steering lock-up 5Whining noise 5

All model years of the Ram 1500

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