2021 Ram 1500 Classic Review

Price Range: $12,000 - $35,998

Ram 1500 Classic Express Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

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2021 Ram 1500 Classic Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

Smooth-riding suspension provides plenty of comfort
Quiet and attractive cabin
Smooth, efficient eight-speed automatic transmission

Cons

Limited availability of features compared to current 2021 Ram
Missing many of the latest driver assist technologies
Limited selection of trim levels

What's new

No changes to 2021 Ram 1500 Classic
Part of the fourth Ram 1500 generation introduced for 2009

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Year

Make

Model

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Reliability

The 2021 Ram 1500 Classic has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, ranks it #1 out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4.5 out of 5 stars4.5/5Excellent

#1 out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$522/yr

vs. $752/yr
for Average Fullsize Truck

Frequency

0.4x/yr

vs. 0.98x/yr
for Average Fullsize Truck

Severity

8.1%

vs. 19.9%
for Average Fullsize Truck

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2021 Ram 1500 Classic

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles

Ram 1500 Classic Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.3

32 reviews

5(72%)

4(6%)

3(6%)

2(6%)

1(10%)

See all 32 reviews of the Ram 1500 Classic

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Ram Classic now most-reliable by Consumer Reports.

Walt C, 02/02/2021

2020 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman 4dr Quad Cab SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

Why buy the new-generation Ram 1500, when the classic version of this is rated more-reliable by Consumer Reports. In fact, Ram 1500 Classic is currently rated most-reliable Big 3 American pickup, better than Ford and GM. That's all consumers need.

2020 ram classic

Paul, 10/16/2021

2020 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.6 ft SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

I've got 24700 miles on it so far. And I have looked to try and find something wrong with it and so far nothing found. I'm one of those guys the dealer hates. I don't believe the " it's normal line" . So far this has been a great truck. Fuel mileage is as rated and it sure does ride good. Update: I've had the truck going on a year now. No issues what so ever. The fuel mileage is still … good, still rides good,tires are wearing fine, doesnt use any oil between changes, no complaints. Now I do have some things that I wished I would have bought on the truck but this isnt a reflection of the truck, this is on me. A larger backup camera viewer would be nice, and I might could have splurged for a better radio and maybe one more interior light and a glove box light. I know all this was available, but it was probably in some thousands of dollar package that I didnt want to spring for. I would still buy the truck again. Update #2 The truck is still doing fine, no complaints. Mileage is at almost 13,000. No mechinical issues, no oil burning, no issues what so ever. Everytime I get in my truck I am still amazed at just how well this pickup rides. This is one of the biggest reasons I bought this truck to start with. Now since,I have some more milieage on the truck, the engine is running smoother, and has more power. Fuel mileage is fantastic for a 4x4 truck. Back when I was much younger I remember Dodge was known for poor fuel ecomomy. I remember the w100 back in the day was rated at 12 in town 18 on the interstate. And now I can easily get 23+ on the interstate. I reallly appreciate Chrysler comitment to fuel ecomomy. Update #3 My wife and I have started using this truck to take vacations. Any drawbacks ? Yes, a little tough to park in smaller parking spots, thats it. Trucks is still performing great. On long trips, consistently getting 23+ mpg on the interstate, which I still consider phenomenal for a 4x4 truck. Again, fantasic ride, and the interior room is great. This is probably one of my best purchases in many years. I know that the pentastar engine has caught some flack for mechanical issues o er the years, however Chrysler has made over 10 million of these engine, and they use it in almost every model in their lineup. Standing outside of the truck you cant even hear this engine run and is extremely smooth, still impressed to this day. Say what you want, but in my opinion Chrysler outdone the competition, for what I needed a truck for. Yes, I would still buy it again.

2021 RAM 1500 No Quality Control at Factory

2021 RAM LEMON, 07/06/2021

2021 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman 4dr Quad Cab SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

I bought a 2021 RAM on 23 Apr 2021 and had it towed back to the dealership on 27 Apr (137 miles) because it would shut down in the road. They found no issues and by then it was running again. On 29 Apr (202 miles) it shut down on the side of the highway and set there for over 3 hours in the hot sun waiting for the Dodge Raodisde Service so to show up, They kept it 2 days and found the …

Excellent Truck, very pleased

Mike, 06/27/2022

2021 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.3 ft SB (5.7L 8cyl 8A)

Great truck, 4x4 with Hemi even with a 3.92 gear still delivers great mileage. Plenty of power, well built. Only complaint is never open door when moving, such as backing up, goofy safety feature slams it into park.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Ram 1500 Classic, so we've included reviews for other years of the 1500 Classic since its last redesign.

2021 1500 Classic Highlights

Type:

Quad Cab

Trim:

Tradesman

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$32,595
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$174/month
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	10,520 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Key safety features on the 1500 Classic include:

Back-up camera
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Post-collision safety system

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover19.8%

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2021 Ram 1500 Classic Review

Price & Payment

2021 Ram 1500 Classic Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Recalls

Warranty

Ram 1500 Classic Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Ram Classic now most-reliable by Consumer Reports.

2020 ram classic

2021 RAM 1500 No Quality Control at Factory

Excellent Truck, very pleased

2021 1500 Classic Highlights

Safety

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