2021 Ram 1500: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Electrical, Visibility · PA

Original incident occurred in March 2026. While traveling at highway speeds my 2021 Ram 1500 lost all power and engine shutoff. I was able to get the truck to the side of the interstate due to it's momentum. Once I come to a stop, the e-brake is automatically applied and the vehicle will not restart or respond to any inputs from the keyfob. Vehicle is towed to nearest dealer, am told that the issue is related to an open recall that they have fixed and is now operating as normal. Less than one week later, the exact same thing occurs again, once again while traveling at highway speeds. Is towed into another dealer for service, and it is identified that the RF Module/Hub will need replaced due to a water leak. Repair is completed and vehicle returns to normal operation. 10/16/26 I attempt to start the vehicle with no success. After evaluating for a dead battery the vehicle is once again towed to a dealer (the same one that serviced it the first time). It is again identified that the RF Module/Hub will need replaced again due to a water leak around the back glass. I point out the Warranty Bulletin D-23-17 that would cover my vehicle and pertains to back glass water leaks. Am told by the dealer and Ram customer care that it does not in fact apply to my vehicle based on manufacturing date, despite it directly conflicting with the dates reflected on the notice. The TSB and the Warranty Bulletin appear to have conflicting dates for manufacture on them. This is incredibly deceptive behavior by Ram and should be looked into further. I have identified at least 8 previous complaints submitted to the federal safety agency pertaining to the water leak/RF Module issue within the last 18 months along with acknowledgement from multiple service advisors at the dealerships that it is a known issue, yet no recall has been issued for it. Due to the potential and documented history of this leading to sudden power loss, it is merely a matter of time before this results in severe injury or loss of life.

Filed Jul 30, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · NY

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.

Filed Feb 13, 2025 · Electrical · 61,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V653000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC). The contact stated that water had entered the vehicle through the rear window. The contact stated that the radiofrequency (RF) module had short-circuited. The contact stated that the key fob failed to function as intended and the steering wheel and brakes seized. The contact used the physical key to unlock the door. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the radiofrequency module (RF) had short-circuited. The radio-frequency module was replaced, and the key fob was reprogrammed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2024 · Electrical · AL

On [XXX], my husband tried to start the truck and nothing would happen. We originally thought the key fob battery was bad, changed the battery and the truck still would not start. We had it towed to the Singing River Chrysler dealership in Florence, Alabama and they told us the Radio Frequency Hub/wireless receiver (located in the back of the cab) was bad due to a water leak. This truck is kept under a carport when it is not driven it was a shock to us that water could have caused the issue. They also informed us there was a bulletin posted on how to fix it. This problem causes the vehicle to shut down, with no steering, with no brakes, if an individual is driving in the rain and this happens it would cause an accident and potentially lives lost. There needs to be some kind of recall to have it fixed. At this time it is going to cost $1,000.00 to fix a manufacturer defect that I should not have to pay for. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 26, 2024 · Electrical · NC

I was driving down the road at/near the speed limit. The ignition cut off. In order to 'restart' the engine, the truck must be stopped and placed into park. I coasted to the side of the road and restarted and continued driving. The same thing happened a second time. I repeated the process and continued driving. After the third time, the truck would not restart and was stalled on the roadway at a stop light, unable to move. It was towed to a dealer. The ultimate cause was determined to be a water leak at the rear window and the third brake light. The module that controls the key fob/ignition is located directly beneath the rear window (behind the back seat). Water damaged the module and caused the erratic ignition system behavior.

Filed Apr 5, 2024 · Body, Electrical · PA

Rear window is leaking into truck came home from vacation and it rained while vehicle parked outside found both my key fob could not be detected and UCONNECT would not respond to commands thru phone. Vehicle totally inoperable could not start. Had towed to Shivley Motors where it currently sits. Found out that water leak could ruin the rf module and electrical componets behind rear seat to include not limited to airbag, carpet, interior. Car totally inoperable no lights signals all it does is alarm goes off. Went to dealer to lift rear seats and found my black carpet to be white with mold which is health hazard being i have allergies to certain mold so now my car is a health risk to myself and my child whom has a heart condition. Have contacted RAM CARES and got them involved but waiting as the dealer has not specified a date they will look at the vehicle. My vehicle just went over the 36K bumper to bumper with it having at time of tow 36,133 miles. I also started to notice over the winter months (DEC, JAN) moisture on the inside windows in the morning but never had the electrical issue til it rained on it while it sat. So this issue technically begun under my warranty just never took it in since had no issues other than the moisture inside car which i shrugged off.

Filed Dec 29, 2023 · Body, Electrical · CA

Truck leaks water from rear windshield, water runs down to receiver module for the key FOBs and causes truck not to turn off. Leaks from headliner into safety eq on windshield causing GPS issues, visability as water runs down inside of windshield. RAM will not fix under warranty. truck is well withing 3yr /36K miles

Filed Feb 18, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · MI

The truck’s push button start system was turned on to start the car, the keys were removed from inside the vehicle cabin but the truck was still able to be driven without the keys being inside. I started the truck to warm it up, then went inside my home, when I had to leave I changed my coat and forgot the truck keys in my other coat. I got in the truck and was able to drive as if I had the keys on me. When I reached my destination 5 miles away, I turned the truck engine off, and then realized I did not have the keys with me. The truck should NOT be able to be driven if the keys are not sensed inside the truck cabin. This is a safety risk, trucks can be stolen easily in this way.

Filed Feb 17, 2023 · Body, Electrical · CA

After intense rainstorms, we tried to start our Ram 1500. All key fobs won’t work but there was battery life in all of them. We could not get into our truck or start it with the key fobs. Only way inside the truck was with the emergency physical key inside key fob, but then the truck alarm kept going off with no way to turn it off. Our safety was put at risk since we couldn’t operate our truck. After talking to service department through our dealership, they suggested towing the truck to them for diagnostic testing since we couldn’t even start or place car into neutral. After diagnostic testing, the dealership confirmed our RF module located behind the rear seats was damaged by water damage and showed water was still in the module. The dealership confirmed this was their 6th case like this. Problem is they suspect the rear glass leaks to cause damage to the RF module. However, the antenna and brake light could also be the water leak issue. The dealership will confirm where water is leaking from and attempt to fix. No warning lights or messages were displayed before this problem occurred

Filed Jun 13, 2022 · Engine · 15,319 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated while making a right turn the vehicle shut off and independently shifted into park(P). The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The key fob was replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact filed a complaint. The failure mileage was 15,319.

Filed Jul 14, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · FL

While driving at any speed the engine will shut off an I will lose all communication to the 2 key fobs. After the vehicle stops it will engage the parking break and will not restart. I have had the vehicle towed 3 times for this issue and all three times were on a busy dangerous road. Local police had to come and stop traffic for a safe tow hook. Also makes it very difficult to exit heavy traffic on the highway with no ability to control the speed of the vehicle. Dealer has claimed to fix it 3 times, but all 3 times have failed. Dealer has test drove the vehicle and can reproduce the problem. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine/Electrical system, yes it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Engine stalls without warning at any speed. lose or power steering, breaks and engine power makes it extremely dangerous to merge at highway speeds or on narrow busy intersections. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes confirmed and reproduced by a dealer. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, not yet. Only by a dealer Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warnings prior to incidents

Filed Jun 13, 2021 · Engine · IA

I started the truck and drove about a 1/4 mile in my neighborhood. I never got over 20 mph. I approached a red stop light to turn right. I stopped at the light to check for traffic. I then proceeded to turn right and 1/2 way through the turn the truck shut off without warning and it automatically applied the emergency brake. Luckily there were no cars coming in the right hand lane else we could have been hit. I am taking it to the dealership tomorrow for inspection. The info screen notified me that the emergency brake had been applied and that the transmission had been autoset to park. It said to apply the brake to start the truck (it has push button start). I did so and the truck started. I disengaged the emergency brake and the truck then drove normally the rest of the trip.