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 2024-01Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 10% |
| 2025 | 61 | 17% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 16 | 8% |
| 2022 | 13 | 2% |
| 2021 | 13 | 2% |
| 2020 | 21 | 3% |
| 2019 | 23 | 2% |
| 2018 | 10 | 2% |
| 2017 | 12 | 1% |
| 2016 | 18 | 1% |
| 2015 | 26 | 2% |
| 2014 | 39 | 2% |
| 2013 | 31 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2021 Ram 1500
276 complaintsElectrical system
198 complaintsOther or unknown
104 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
99 complaintsFuel system
96 complaintsBrakes
75 complaintsForward collision avoidance
52 complaintsSteering
50 complaintsBody and structure
33 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsVisibility (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