2021 Ram 1500 Master Cylinder Recall (21V037)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · 683 vehicles · Reported February 1, 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling 683 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles. Certain vehicles were built without the retaining clip that secures the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal, which can cause the brake pedal to separate from the brake system. A separated brake pedal can result in the driver being unable to apply the service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash. The manufacturer is telling owners not to drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done.
Recall 21V037 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V037000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Y04 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 1, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Vehicles | 2021 Ram 1500 |
| Units affected | 683 |
| Component | Service Brakes, Hydraulic > Foundation Components > Master Cylinder |
| Safety risk | A separated brake pedal can result in the driver being unable to apply the service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Ram 1500 in recall 21V037?
Certain vehicles were built without the retaining clip that secures the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal, which can cause the brake pedal to separate from the brake system.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ram 1500 Classic SLT trucks. Certain vehicles were built without the retaining clip that secures the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal, which can cause the brake pedal to separate from the brake system.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 1500 with recall 21V037?
No. NHTSA lists recall 21V037 as a Do Not Drive recall. Leave the vehicle parked until the repair is done.
NHTSA lists this as a Do Not Drive recall. The manufacturer is telling owners not to drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done. Call the dealer and ask for a tow and a loaner or rental.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A separated brake pedal can result in the driver being unable to apply the service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V037?
Recall 21V037 covers 683 vehicles: 2021 Ram 1500.
NHTSA lists 683 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ram | 1500 |
What is the fix for the 1500 master cylinder recall?
Yes. Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they receive instructions on the inspection and repair, as necessary.
Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they receive instructions on the inspection and repair, as necessary. FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install the push rod clip, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US number for this recall is Y04.
When was recall 21V037 announced?
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) reported recall 21V037 to NHTSA on February 1, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 1, 2021 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V037000. |
This recall was filed 68 months ago. If your 1500 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my 1500 is part of recall 21V037?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V037 is open on your 1500, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V037000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should 1500 owners do about recall 21V037?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V037000 applies to your 1500.
- Do not drive the vehicle. Ask the dealer to arrange a tow and a loaner.
- Call a Ram dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any master cylinder symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are 1500 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 679 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 75 of them about the brakes.
Since recall 21V037 was reported on February 1, 2021, owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about the brakes on these vehicles. 14 of them (19%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the brakes and were received on or after February 1, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related brakes issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 679 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 75 of them involve the brakes. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Ram 1500: 679 complaints in total, 75 about the brakes
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
Steele North Star texted me about a Recall for ABS module on my RAM truck. “Steele North Start CJDR – Service Hi [XXX] , this is Steele North Star Dodge. We are contacting you to let you know that there is a recall on your 2021 Ram 1500. This recall is for ABS Module Configuration.
2021 Ram 1500 owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11634017, filed January 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearings had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred.
2021 Ram 1500 owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11653443, filed April 8, 2025
The first time, the vehicle was, in effect, "dead," as nothing worked. After 24 hours it started without any codes being present. The second time, the vehicle stopped, shut down and engaged the e-brake. Nothing was thereafter operational.
2021 Ram 1500 owner, NY, NHTSA complaint 11662911, filed May 24, 2025
Can recall 21V037 make my 1500 a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
If the 2021 Ram 1500 brakes have needed more than one trip to the dealer, keep every repair order. Brake defects are treated as serious safety problems under California law.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Ram 1500 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the 1500 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your 1500 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ram 1500 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V037
Did the recall 21V037 fix work?
Since recall 21V037 was reported on February 1, 2021, owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about the brakes on these vehicles. 14 of them (19%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 21V037000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my 1500 is part of recall 21V037000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V037000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ram. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.