Problems · by component

2021 Ram 1500 TRX power train problems

99 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX cite power train, 14% of all 683 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
99
14% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11759110
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 23, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11752289
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 19, 2026Power trainODI 11751341
“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 NHTSA 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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2026Power trainODI 11748408
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11747300
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 26, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11733891

Showing 6 of 99 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.