2021 Ram 1500 transmission problems

Filed Nov 7, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · WA

Complainant [XXX], a licensed contractor, master plumber, and master craftsman in [XXX], reports an unresolved, hazardous defect pattern on a 2021 RAM 1500 TRX (odometer: ~27,842). The vehicle features a 702-hp supercharged 6.2L V8 requiring specialized auxiliary cooling to prevent acute thermal derating, engine shutdown, and loss of motive power at highway speeds. BeginningXXX, recurring check-engine lights, "Intercooler Coolant Low" warnings, and confirmed DTCs P026E (Charge Air Cooler Coolant Pump Performance) and P0EA7 (Auxiliary Coolant Pump Control Circuit Performance) emerged, governed by Stellantis TSB 07-003-22. The vehicle was brought repeatedly to authorized dealer [XXX] CDJR ([XXX]) under Service Director [XXX] for safety remediation. Instead of curing the root electrical and cooling failures, the dealer engaged in a 5-month cycle of clearing codes, withholding Wi-Tech diagnostic logs, and holding the truck across multiple visits for over 45 cumulative days. During these extended holds, the vehicle suffered multiple deep-discharge battery cycles and parasitic drains, further degrading safety-critical electrical modules. The dealer then refused to release the vehicle without payment of an unsubstantiated $1,796.98 balance, unlawfully grounding a compromised vehicle while withholding proof of diagnostic repairs. Despite exhaustive pre-suit efforts, dealer management stonewalled all resolution. Formal complaints were logged with the WA Attorney General (File XXX), WA Dept. of Licensing (File XXX), and FTC (Report XXX). Active civil litigation is pending in Clark County Superior Court (Case XXX) with a 12-person jury pursuit. Chronic auxiliary cooling pump failure creates severe sudden shutdown risks in traffic. Federal defect investigation is urgently requested. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Transmission · SC

Transmission issues are a known problem in the 2021 Ram 1500 and have been for a while, with no recalls. Slipping of gear. Delay or jerking into reverse. Putting it in reverse and it telling me to put it into park or it auto-correcting itself into park. While driving twice and going from complete stop after the auto correcting went to pull off & the vehicle did not go into gear the RPM was raised and the truck moved forward but would not go into gear. The smell of transmission fluid and possible coolant seem to be in truck through vent. The Malfunction Indicator light came on. Had a Shop check code said it showed Valve Body. All these are known issues with the transmission and should be recalled as this is very dangerous for driving as it could stop in road, loose power going up hill on interstate and if there are leaks it could cause a fire. There should have been recalls and investigations. Manufacture knows these issues are and have been happening but does not want to spend the money to fix problems. Ignores and hopes warranty will be gone before it happens so it will be on the owner. That is what they did with me.

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Driver assistance, Transmission · UT

Rear Differential failure requiring rebuild including ring and pinion gear. The vehicle was not used to tow and was rarely used off road.

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · PA

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Service Electronic Steering Control", "Service Transmission", and the "Continue to Drive - Do not Shift or Turn off Engine" messages were displayed on the instrument panel, before the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the message "Shift to Park and Back to Drive", "Rear Braking Assist Unavailable", and "Self-Park Assist Disabled" messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under an unknown recall associated to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was unknown. The dealer stated that the failure might be electrical. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 23, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NY

MGU unit failed / car seized in the middle of the road - sent in to be repaired Unsafe to be stuck in the middle of the road, could not even put the car in neutral to push out of the road Known problem that RAM and Stellantis know about and are not placing warnings. We were told by the dealership we were 5,000 in line for a new part and that it would take a year. No warnings, truck ran perfectly before

Filed Jul 19, 2026 · Transmission · MO

Me and my 2 children and my husband were traveling to Springfield Mo . We had stopped for some snacks at Dollar general . When we all go back in the vehicle . My husband tried to start our truck he was turning the key over and over and it just wasn’t starting . Here it is 95 degrees outside with 2 small children and our truck is our only transportation . So my husband explained to AI what issue we were having and it said an issue with our Powertrain Control Module . The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is your vehicle's central computer, effectively serving as its brain. It combines the functions of the Engine Control Module (ECM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) to manage how your car moves, continually monitoring data like fuel-to-air ratios, ignition timing, and gear shifts. Ai explained to us to disconnect our negative terminal to our battery and wait a few minutes and everything would reset . After waiting we were finally able to start our truck . After we got home I called a dodge dealership near me and asked them to look up any recalls on our vehicle and they said none active . This is a safety issue because the last thing I need is to have our only vehicle stuck on the side with two small children in 95° weather heat stuck on the side of the road somewhere. Please we need to make known that this is a safety issue so no one including myself has this issue with their 2021 Laramie 1500 truck . Thank you , I am a concerned mother

Filed Jul 6, 2026 · Transmission · TX

I am experiencing a severe, life-threatening stalling issue with my 2021 Ram 1500 equipped with the 5.7L HEMI eTorque system. While driving at low speeds through a neighborhood (between 5 and 15 mph), the engine suddenly and cleanly shuts down without any prior warning, sputtering, or illumination of dashboard error lights.As soon as the engine stalls while the vehicle is in motion, the truck's transmission safety system triggers 'AutoPark' and instantly activates the electronic parking brake. This causes the truck to violently slam to a complete stop in the middle of the roadway, locking the rear wheels. After coming to a complete stop, the vehicle can be immediately restarted and will drive normally without storing any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).This exact failure mode matches the dangerous behavior outlined in the federal safety agency Recall 23V‑265 (FCA Recall 37A). However, the manufacturer's database lists this recall as 'completed' on my specific VIN. The software update either failed to permanently resolve the issue, or a hardware defect within the eTorque electrical/grounding system is mimicking the safety defect. The sudden, uncommanded braking in active traffic poses an extreme risk of a rear-end collision or crash. This has happened a few times while the vehicle was under warranty

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MA

On 6/9/2010 I was accelerating up a ramp to merge with traffic on Rt146 north . I had reached the top of the ramp and as I viewed the oncoming traffic behind in the mirror I began to shift into the right lane. Suddenly the engine light started flashing, my truck immediately lost power and slowed to 40mph. The truck that had been well behind me was suddenly swerving to avoid my truck . I nearly got rear ended by a truck which would have probably killed my daughter and I.We both were in shock , I pulled over as soon as I could .Does someone need to be killed before action is taken. Safety should prevent incidents like this . Hindsight is no good. I think my kids are precious but Dodge must think their lives are cheap . That was something the engine manufacturer should be held accountable for. The rocker arms and lifters suddenly stopped working in two cylinders because of a fault in those engines known to Dodge. The dealership diagnosed the issue and gave me a quote of $4500-$6000 to repair the extensive damage from that incident. The lady in the service department said I was a victim of the well known Pentastar Tick .I can’t afford it. To add insult they offered me $6000 to buy it. No local independent mechanic wants to tear the engine apart . So my truck is sitting in our driveway. I am paying a loan and upside down in it. I can’t fix it and I can’t sell it. I have made every payment. I am certain there are other dodge customers who have been in close calls or worse over their vehicle suddenly losing power . Isn’t this the perfect example of dangerous . I think so.

Filed Apr 26, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · MD

I was only allowed 3 components to choose from, but I want to make certain that Im including the these additional components that has been failing:Forward Collision Warning, Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System,Engine,Lane assistance/ Departure, and Lighting. There could be more to include but heres the dangerous issue I encounter everyday I utilize my vehicle,that has yet to be fixed nor addressed appropriately when I articulate EXACTLY what I feel,& see occur.My safety & everyone esle has been put at risk everyday which caused my 1st accident which I predicted was potentially likely since May 1,2025. It occurs exactly the same everytime just like the 1st terrifying experience: Id be stopped at a red light,intersection waiting for green light. With foot on brake between 5 to 10 seconds later I can feel the brake disenaging with my foot fully and physically on the brake simultaneously my vehicle screens will light up indicators erractically,(ghost touch,touch screen digitizer failure), while LUNGING FORWARD 5-7 ft on it OWNS,simultaneously screen blackout,& vehicle screen system reset followed by vehicle putting itself in emergency brake.This puts everyone around at RISKS AS MY VEHICLE OPERATES ON ITS OWN, which caused an accident at a red light where my truck plowed into the vehicle in front of me.Ive waited for an independent service contractor to evalute on 4 different occasions which they failed to appear or make contact on THEIR desired scheduled dates.The dealership has failed to reproduce due to unsatisfactory failed service repair attempts, discrepancies in verbal & documention.Absolute lack of concern for my safety or interest in issue, as at least 2 comeback services were met with breach of contract by dealer.The DEALERSHIP has been the only ones servicing my vehicle & according to their top tier diagnosis components successfully checked out in contrast to my many reoccurring service request for same issue.Prior to failure no warning lamps or messages appeared.

Filed Mar 15, 2026 · Transmission · NJ

RAM's 2023 recall addressed the engine shutdown problem in 131,700 of its half-ton 1500 RAM trucks equipped with the 5.7-liter Hemi eTorque mild hybrid engine. RAM said 1,500 5.7-liter eTorque models built between June 3, 2020, and September 12, 2021, had faulty software and needed a powertrain control module calibration update to fix the problem. Consumer complaints also exist that the RAM eTorque system has caused vehicles to shut down while in motion, which is by far the most dangerous problem attributed to it. My truck was built 08/2021