2021 RAM 1500 electrical problems

Moisture or water entering through the rear sliding glass window and/or rear brake light assembly seeps into the Radio Frequency (RF) Module located behind the rear seats or into the Body Control Module (BCM). This causes electrical short-circuits, disabling key fobs, ignition systems, and all vehicle electronics including power steering and brakes.

When: At various mileages, as early as 45,000 miles; incidents often occur during or after rainy weather

Symptoms owners cite: Key fobs will not work despite battery life; Vehicle will not start or unlock; Complete electrical shutdown mid-drive; Power steering and brakes go out; Steering wheel seizes; All wheels lock up; Parking brake engages involuntarily; Hazard lights blink but won't turn on; Wet carpet and mold formation inside cabin; Interior electronics black out, no gauges or displays

Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 24V653000

Repairs/costs cited: RF Module replacement costs around $1,000 reported by owners. Rear window/brake light assembly redesigned with improved weather stripping in newer model year units. Dealers quote around $2,000 for full repair in some cases. RAM issued MOPAR Warranty Bulletin XL1 extending coverage to 8 years/150K miles for eligible VINs, though some owners report denials. Water must be dried from components; epoxy sealing attempted by some owners without lasting success.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM confirmed the issue exists and redesigned rear tail light assemblies with better weather stripping for newer model years. MOPAR Warranty Bulletin XL1 issued extending warranty to 8yr/150K miles for eligible vehicles. Dealers note this is a known issue. However, coverage appears inconsistent; some claims denied despite meeting criteria. No formal recall issued.

The MGU (motor generator unit), part of the eTorque hybrid system, fails due to bearing degradation. This prevents proper battery charging and can result in sudden loss of all electrical power while driving. Part shortages nationwide delay repairs for months.

When: Between 40,000 and 95,000 miles; grinding/whirring noise typically precedes failure by weeks to months

Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent grinding or whirring noise increasing in intensity; Battery voltage remains low during driving (stays at 13.0-13.4V instead of reaching 14V+); Vehicle loss of all electrical power while driving; Engine stalls without warning; Vehicle will not restart; All dash lights and gauges go dark; Hazard lights inoperative; Power steering loss; No fault codes logged despite failure

Codes mentioned: TSB S2208000009 (issued 1/1/2022)

Repairs/costs cited: MGU replacement cost reported as $4,000 in one case. Multiple owners report MGU parts on national backorder with no estimated time for delivery. Dealers unable to provide loaner vehicles while waiting for parts; repairs can take 2-3 months or longer. Some owners resort to nightly battery charging to operate vehicle. One owner attempted external rebuild of failed MGU unit, but rebuilt unit could not restore charging function.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM issued Technical Service Bulletin S2208000009 on 1/1/2022 addressing bearing noise and MGU failure. No recall issued. Warranty coverage exists (8yr/80K mile standard plus extended MaxCare options) but parts availability is critical bottleneck. Dealer states 4,379 vehicles in same condition. Class action lawsuit mentioned by one owner.

Engine suddenly shuts off without warning during low-speed driving, particularly when accelerating from stops or making turns. Emergency brake engages automatically. This occurs multiple times throughout vehicle ownership and is not reproducible by dealers.

When: Typically within first 1,000 miles to several years of ownership; recurring issue in same vehicle across multiple incidents

Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning while accelerating from stop or making turn; No warning lights or messages before stall; Automatic emergency brake engagement; Erratic dashboard gauges; Loss of power steering momentarily; Vehicle shifts to park automatically in some cases; Engine dies mid-intersection creating traffic hazard

Codes mentioned: No codes logged; 'scan comes up clean' per owners

Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to reproduce issue. One owner reports dealer replaced MGU and stalling stopped (temporary fix for that vehicle). Another reports dealer performed software update on eTorque engine computer with no guarantee of resolution. No permanent repair documented across narratives. Owners continue experiencing recurring stalls after dealer visits.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM dealer attempted software update on eTorque engine computer without guarantee of success. TSB-08-014-21 mentioned by one owner as potentially related. No formal recall or service bulletin specifically addressing this stalling pattern documented in narratives.

Engine unexpectedly shuts down completely while vehicle is in motion at various speeds, from low-speed turns to 65+ mph highway driving. Vehicle loses power, steering, and brakes. Loss of communication with key fobs occurs in some cases. This is a separate phenomenon from the low-speed stalling issue.

When: Various mileages and driving conditions; can occur during rain or in cold/wet weather; some incidents within first few months of ownership

Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning at any speed; Complete loss of electrical power; Loss of power steering; Loss of hydraulic brakes; Parking brake engages automatically; All dashboard lights and gauges go out; Key fob communication lost; Some warning lights flash briefly before shutdown; Vehicle must be placed in park and restarted manually

Codes mentioned: No codes in most cases; one owner reported 59 fault codes after disconnecting battery as reset method

Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to reproduce in many cases despite test drives. Multiple towing incidents reported due to vehicle stalling in traffic. No consistent repair identified. One owner reports vehicle traded in for different brand rather than continue ownership. RF hub replacement was attempted in some related cases but did not resolve highway stalling.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer informed one owner that software update was available for eTorque engine computer but could not guarantee it would resolve issue. Owner stated dealer 'confirmed this is an issue.' No formal recall issued. Owners report this is common on RAM forums.

Interior and engine bay fuses vibrate loose from normal driving vibration, disrupting multiple electrical circuits. This can disable safety systems including airbags and electronic steering. Issue appears to be design/assembly defect in fuse positioning.

When: Occurs during normal vehicle operation; one owner noticed issue around 26,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: 115V cargo outlet flickering despite no outlet option on vehicle; Radio intermittently inoperative (black screen); Loose fuses when inspected; Multiple electrical functions intermittently failing; Dashboard gauge cluster inoperative

Repairs/costs cited: Temporary fix: disconnect negative battery cable, reseat all fuses by pushing down firmly, reconnect battery. One owner reports this fixed the issue temporarily. No permanent solution documented. Owners report this is known issue on RAM forums and Reddit.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in narratives.

Alternator or generator fails to charge battery to proper voltage (12.7V at rest, 14V+ while driving). Part fails prematurely and requires complete replacement. Shortage of replacement parts delays repairs.

When: Can occur early in vehicle ownership (one owner at 60,000 miles; another at 78,000 and again at 95,000 miles)

Symptoms owners cite: Low resting voltage (12.7V or lower); Low driving voltage (below 14V, stays at 13.4V or lower); Whirring noise when accelerating, increases with throttle; Noise gets progressively louder over time; Battery does not fully charge overnight

Repairs/costs cited: Replacement alternator cost reported as $4,000 in one case. Replacement parts frequently on backorder with no estimated delivery time. One owner had alternator fail twice, second failure at 95,000 miles. Second repair covered under warranty. Owner reports independent mechanic advised alternator is very expensive and on backorder.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class action lawsuit mentioned by one owner regarding alternator failures. No recall issued. Warranty covers repairs but parts availability is critical limitation.

Power windows malfunction with auto-up/down function, operating erratically or affecting unintended windows. Door locks fail to respond. Side steps deploy/stow unpredictably. Affects both driver and passenger sides.

When: Issues present from purchase in some cases; recurring across multiple 2019-2023 model years

Symptoms owners cite: Driver window goes up 1/4 inch then reverses back down; Auto window function opens/closes wrong windows simultaneously; Door locks inoperative or slow to respond; Automatic side steps deploy at wrong times or fail to deploy when needed; Side steps remain deployed when vehicle is locked and parked; Side steps stow prematurely while passenger exiting; Warning message 'side steps obstructed' on dashboard

Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced door latches, door modules, and controllers without resolving issue in one documented case (six repair attempts). Temporary workaround found by one owner: close door immediately and reopen to trigger step deployment. Window issue remains unresolved across service visits.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers acknowledge this is a 'known problem.' One dealer scheduled appointment with district engineer to troubleshoot. Service information mentioned but no recall or TSB documented in narratives.

Hairline crack or moisture in blind spot sensor housing (or rear brake light assembly in proximity) allows water intrusion. This triggers blind spot disabled warning and causes cascading failure of all connected electronics including infotainment, climate control, and drive controls.

When: Can occur early in vehicle ownership; one documented case at low mileage with hairline crack visible

Symptoms owners cite: Blind spot detection disabled warning on center cluster; 115 volt cargo power outlet shows as on; All electronics and controls disabled shortly after warnings; Black screens on infotainment displays; Climate control (AC/heat) inoperative; Window controls inoperative (except specific windows); Panoramic sunroof inoperative; Driver side mirror inoperable; Speedometer still functions but all other gauges dark

Codes mentioned: Blind Spot Detection Disabled, 115 Volt Cargo Power Outlet On

Repairs/costs cited: Affected brake light housing removed and inspected; hairline crack found with internal moisture/condensation. Epoxy applied over crack and reassembled. Temporary improvement (1.5 hours of operation restored most functions) but failure returned upon reinstallation. Humidity removal attempts unsuccessful. Owner found numerous similar complaints on RAM forums. RAM confirmed issue and redesigned units with improved weather stripping for newer models.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM confirmed the issue exists and redesigned rear brake light assemblies with better weather stripping in newer model years. Quotes around $2,000 for repair. Dealers reluctant to cover under warranty despite acknowledging design flaw.

BCM fails, producing 59 fault codes and causing complete loss of vehicle electrical function. Symptoms include erratic gauges, self-activating wipers, flashing dash lights, and complete electrical shutdown. Water intrusion noted as possible cause in related cases.

When: Occurred during road trip far from home; one case involved water damage from rear window leak

Symptoms owners cite: Message 'problem with shift positioner' appears then clears; Dashboard lights flashing for no reason, worse when hitting bumps; All gauges on instrument cluster fluctuating up and down; Windshield wipers activating by themselves; Dash lights flashing on and off; Vehicle loses power and engine dies while driving; Engine will not restart immediately; Dash lights continue flashing even after key turned off; 59 fault codes present when scanned (unusual quantity)

Codes mentioned: 59 fault codes logged (specific codes not itemized)

Repairs/costs cited: One dealer had never seen 59 codes on any vehicle before. Battery fully charged and normal. Diagnosis: bad Body Control Module. No repair details provided. In water-damage related BCM failure, water found inside passenger compartment, mold on carpet. BCM replacement likely required but not specified in narrative.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented. Owner researched and found this is a common problem with RAM trucks. Stated issue 'should be a recall item.'

Heater core develops failure allowing engine coolant to leak directly into the passenger compartment and HVAC system. Requires extensive dashboard and HVAC disassembly for repair. Secondary damage to heating actuator noted.

When: Occurred at unspecified mileage; vehicle properly maintained per manufacturer recommendations

Symptoms owners cite: Coolant odor in cabin; Coolant fluid visible inside cabin; Loss of cabin heating; Loss of windshield defogging capability; Driver distraction from odor fumes

Repairs/costs cited: Total repair cost exceeded $5,300. Two separate repair visits required; first visit replaced heater core, second visit found driver-side actuator damaged by ongoing coolant leak and repaired it. Owner notes this is excessive cost for vehicle age and mileage.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership could not examine issue during prior oil change due to time constraints. No recall or design change noted. Owner submitted detailed documentation raising concern about design, material, or manufacturing defect.

Cruise control system becomes mechanically or electronically stuck at set speed. Button, brake, and neutral shift cannot disengage system, causing vehicle to continue accelerating beyond intended speed.

When: Occurred while driving on highway with cruise control engaged

Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control cannot be cancelled with cancel button; Tapping brakes does not disengage cruise; Shifting to neutral does not disengage cruise; Vehicle continues accelerating beyond set speed; No warning lights or messages before incident

Repairs/costs cited: Owner regained control after repeatedly braking and forcing vehicle into neutral. Not yet diagnosed by dealer. Owner contacted RAM customer service and was instructed to take vehicle to dealership for diagnostics at own expense.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM instructed owner to have vehicle diagnosed at dealership at owner's expense. No other information provided.

Vehicle loses complete acceleration capability and engine shuts down. Dashboard displays 'electronic throttle control' message. Multiple occurrences during same trip, each time recovering only after 10+ minute delay.

When: Occurred during highway driving; happened 4 times total with second occurrence within same evening

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle loses complete acceleration/throttle power; Engine shuts down; Dashboard message 'electronic throttle control' appears; Vehicle can be coasted to roadside safely; 10+ minute wait before restart possible; Engine runs normally after restart

Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control message

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to shop twice for this issue and other problems. Dealership does not appear to understand severity. No permanent fix documented.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific manufacturer response documented. Dealership visit scheduled but outcome unknown.

Radio Frequency hub module (wireless receiver located behind rear seats) fails due to water leak from rear sliding window or brake light assembly. Causes key fob communication loss, inability to start vehicle, and potential complete electrical shutdown while driving.

When: Can occur at various mileages (45,000 to 78,000+ miles); often triggered by rainy weather or heavy rain

Symptoms owners cite: Key fobs will not work; Vehicle will not start or unlock with remote; Vehicle alarm continuously sounds with no way to disable; Complete vehicle shutdown while driving; Loss of power steering and brakes while driving; Engine stalls mid-drive; Parking brake engages involuntarily; Steering wheel seizes; All four wheels lock up; Water visible in RF module; Wet carpet under back seat

Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 24V653000

Repairs/costs cited: RF Module replacement cost approximately $1,000. One dealership handled 6 similar cases and confirmed rear glass or antenna/brake light as suspected leak source. Warranty coverage inconsistent; some denials despite MOPAR Warranty Bulletin XL1 extending coverage. Parts replacement accompanied by key fob reprogramming.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM issued NHTSA Campaign 24V653000 for Service Brakes/Hydraulic and ESC related to this issue. MOPAR Warranty Bulletin XL1 extended warranty to 8yr/150K miles for eligible vehicles but some owners report VINs don't qualify despite meeting criteria. No recall issued for RF module failure itself.

During Over-The-Air firmware update, vehicle battery drains completely, causing update failure and resulting in 'bricked' infotainment head unit. Head unit cannot boot or function. Screen displays update failure message. Backup camera system also fails.

When: Occurred overnight during automated OTA update; vehicle unusable next day

Symptoms owners cite: Battery drained completely during OTA update overnight; Head unit displays 'Software Update failed. Please re-insert USB Device' message; Head unit will not boot or respond; Infotainment screen permanently black; Backup camera system inoperative; Radio/music functionality lost; Error code for firmware failure appears on dash

Codes mentioned: Firmware failure

Repairs/costs cited: Head unit requires full replacement. Replacement units not available for order. Prescribed troubleshooting steps ineffective. Vehicle remains inoperable with no path to repair.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to repair; replacement parts unavailable. No manufacturer response documented regarding OTA update issue.

After completion of high-pressure fuel pump recall (Z96 recall) work, vehicle develops electrical fault codes and alarms. Dealership suspects bad fuse box (TIPM) requiring full replacement. Mechanic suspects recall work was incomplete with relay or wiring not properly reinstalled.

When: Two weeks after recall work completion (12/20/23 incident after 12/4/23 recall); recall was first time dealership performed this work

Symptoms owners cite: Alarm activation upon startup; Request for anti-theft code; Multiple dashboard warning lights all illuminated; Various electrical fault messages

Codes mentioned: Multiple unspecified fault codes

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosis: bad fuse box (TIPM) requiring full replacement. Independent mechanic concern: recall work incomplete, relay or wiring not properly reinstalled. Vehicle at dealership for over 1 month with no resolution at time of complaint. Owner concerned about potential ongoing electrical issues even after fuse box replacement.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented. Dealership states recall work completed but owner disputes quality.

Rear sliding glass window and/or rear brake light assembly have design flaws allowing water intrusion during rain or while parked outside. Water seeps into vehicle interior, affecting RF module, BCM, and causing mold growth. This is a systemic issue affecting multiple 2019-2023 model year vehicles.

When: Occurs during rainy weather or extended rain; can manifest slowly over winter months with morning window condensation preceding major failure

Symptoms owners cite: Interior window condensation in morning (early warning sign); Water droplets and wet carpet under rear seat; Mold formation on carpet (white mold reported in one case); Key fob failure; Electronics cascade failure; Complete vehicle electrical shutdown

Repairs/costs cited: Requires rear window or brake light assembly replacement/repair. Some dealers report bulletin addressing improved weather stripping in redesigned assemblies. One dealership noted this is 6th similar case they've handled. Costs vary from $1,000 to $2,000+ depending on associated electrical damage. May require RF module, BCM, or other electrical component replacement.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM confirmed design issue and redesigned rear window and brake light assemblies with improved weather stripping for newer model years. MOPAR Warranty Bulletin XL1 extended coverage but inconsistently applied. No formal recall issued for the structural water intrusion issue.