2021 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 199owner reports
- 9,000median miles
- $4,500median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Aug 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
470 of the 679 complaints on this car are about the engine. 199 of those describe stalling, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2021 1500.
Tick what matches of 199 reports
Stalling 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
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (18 reports), the fuel pump (16 reports), the throttle body (9 reports) and the alternator (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The powertrain control module software may cause an incorrect fuel mixture condition in the engine, and result in an engine stall.
The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
All 15 recalls on the 2021 Ram 1500, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the 1500
Post recall remedy brake transmission shift interlock (btsi) failure. Open.
Engine stall with intermittent restart. Open.
High pressure fuel pump failure. Open, led to recall 24V-957.
Vehicle rollaway. Closed jan 25, 2024.
Software security vulnerability. Closed jan 5, 2016, led to recall 15V-508.
Totally integrated power module failure. Closed jul 24, 2015.
Rear differential failure. Closed mar 5, 2013, led to recall 12V-474.
What owners paid
8 of the 199 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $4,000 to $6,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 2,600 and 30,000 miles, from the 52 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 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.
Navigation (NAV) Reboot When MOTA Fails The customer may describe one of more of the following: ? Radio navigation continues to reboot after a Map Update (MOTA). ? Navigation regularly cuts out and back on again.
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the PCM with the latest available software.
Start/Stall And Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illumination After Replacement Fuel Line Chassis Bundle Installation
What owners wrote
“The truck shut off while driving. Driving and taking turns between 5-15mph Truck just shuts down and engages the parking brake.I almost got hit 2 times. The truck is brand new with 4,000 mikes on it. The first time it happened I had 2,000 miles on it. After reading online this is a big problem and someone is going to be killed. This need ti be addressed”
Filed Feb 16, 2022 · 2,000 miles
“This following has now happened twice, first time 9/7/21- second time 11/12/21. While slowing from approximately 35-40 MPH to make a right hand turn the vehicle shuts off - auto braking engages - must restart the vehicle. As stated, this has now happened twice (truck has 10K miles) - vehicle shutting off in traffic and applying auto braking is highly dangerous and placing myself and my passengers at risk.”
Filed Nov 13, 2021 · 10,000 miles
“Driving 8-10mph in traffic when truck engine died. Truck stopped and engaged emergency parking brake. Was able to restart truck and go on my way. 2600miles on odometer, I have read many other owners experiencing exact same issue with eTorque.”
Filed Nov 12, 2021 · 2,600 miles
“Was backing out of a parking spot truck shut off when restarted it was limited power and check engine light. 1920 miles.”
Filed Oct 22, 2021 · 1,920 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 199 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
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 73 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