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Exterior lightingPart report

2021 Ram 1500 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
2%of 683 total for the year
Median mileage
29,300miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2021 Ram 1500, 2% of the 683 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,300 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“After a simple battery replacement, the entire infotainment system and computer for the vehicle crashed. Safety systems and other safety systems for the vehicle connected to the main computer can no longer be controlled, including parking sensors and other equipment and the battery continues to go dead. Many other owners are having the same issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11663701, filed 2025-05

“When the turn signal bar is in the neutral position, the right turn signal stays on. When the turn signal bar is in the left position, the right turn signal turns off, but the left turn signal stays off. This makes it impossible to signal left, and often causes the right turn signal to come on, which can be misleading to other drivers.”

NHTSA complaint #11678189, filed 2025-08

“The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated there was rainwater leaking into the rear passenger’s side cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who replaced the third brake light and applied sealant; however, the leak persisted. The contact was informed by the dealer that the leak failure may be caused by a faulty frame or window. No further information was available. …”

NHTSA complaint #11654707, filed 2025-04, 59,700 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the high beam headlights failed to illuminate while the button was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the CSSM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11752021, filed 2026-07, 147,000 miles

“The software shut down all of the systems control. Nothing can be controlled. It locks the doors windows side boards panaramic sunroof speed denominator turns the heat on can’t turn it off.tailgate opens all of this happens around 15 minutes after it has been turned on. I complained about it several times before took it in they replaced the radio. It’s currently at the dealership to do a dainostic evaluation”

NHTSA complaint #11567978, filed 2024-01

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20261010%
20256117%
202411%
2023168%
2022132%
2021132%
2020213%
2019232%
2018102%
2017121%
2016181%
2015262%
2014392%
2013312%
200913%

Other parts of the 2021 Ram 1500

Engine
276 complaints
Electrical system
198 complaints
Other or unknown
104 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
99 complaints
Fuel system
96 complaints
Brakes
75 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
52 complaints
Steering
50 complaints
Body and structure
33 complaints
Vehicle speed control
30 complaints
Air bags
27 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Ram 1500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology