2021 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 73owner reports
- 36,000median miles
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Aug 2, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
73 of the 679 complaints on this car describe brake wear. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 73 reports
Brake wear on other 1500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2024, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (16 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the brakes cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Due to a software malfunction, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module may disable the electronic stability control system.
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.
All 15 recalls on the 2021 Ram 1500, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 31,000 and 50,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 7 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Ram 1500 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C0050-00-Brake System Hydraulic Leak Set After Recent Repair.
Antilock Brake (ABS) Light On. Intermittent Or Implausible Wheel Speed Sensor Signal Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)
ESC Light Illuminated. DTC C1252-92 VACUUM PUMP CONTROL CIRCUIT And Or P258B ELECTRONIC VACUUM PUMP PERFORMANCE
Squeak Noise From Brake Pedal When Pressed And Or Released.
3 more on the 2021 Ram 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“Was making a slow 10-15mph right hand turn out of my neighborhood and the truck stalled. Power was still on, park brake came on while in motion. Had to shift back to park to restart. Once restarted, no caution or warning lights on the dash.”
Filed Nov 22, 2022
“The parking brake started displaying not available on the heads up display. It did this several times within 5 minutes. When I was coming to a stop at around 5 mph the vehicle shifted into Park and set the parking brake and stopped. The engine stopped as well. I had to restart the vehicle to get it going and the check engine light was on after that.”
Filed May 4, 2022
“Engine shut off from a quick stop. After I pressed the gas to go again rolled through intersection and stopped. Had to be put in park restarted and take the e-brake off to get to go again”
Filed Mar 31, 2022
“I was making a turn at a slow speed and the the truck just stopped. Parking brake went on and basically had to restart my truck. From what Im reading online, this is a very common issue. I was in a very busy intersection and definitely put me at high risk.”
Filed Mar 18, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 73 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 199 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 58 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 42 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 32 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 29 reports
- Fuel pump failure 27 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 27 reports