2021 Ram 1500 Steering Control Module Recall (21V918)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · 38,157 vehicles · Reported November 23, 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling 38,157 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles. The Trailer Reverse Steering Control Module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility." A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Contact a dealer about the recall repair.
Recall 21V918 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V918000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Y80 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | November 23, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Vehicles | 2021 Ram 1500 |
| Units affected | 38,157 |
| Component | Steering > Steering Control Module |
| Safety risk | A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Ram 1500 in recall 21V918?
The Trailer Reverse Steering Control Module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The Trailer Reverse Steering Control Module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Is it safe to drive a 2021 1500 with recall 21V918?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the steering control module.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V918?
Recall 21V918 covers 38,157 vehicles: 2021 Ram 1500.
NHTSA lists 38,157 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 steering control module recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the TRSCM software.
Dealers will update the TRSCM software. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on January 19, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 22, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y80. This recall was superseded by 23V-059.
When was recall 21V918 announced?
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) reported recall 21V918 to NHTSA on November 23, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| November 23, 2021 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V918000. |
| January 19, 2022 | Interim owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
| February 22, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 59 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 21V918?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V918 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 21V918000. 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 21V918?
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 21V918000 applies to your 1500.
- 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 steering control module 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, 49 of them about the steering.
Since recall 21V918 was reported on November 23, 2021, owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA about the steering on these vehicles. 8 of them (18%) 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 steering and were received on or after November 23, 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 steering 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 49 of them involve the steering. 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, 49 about the steering
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
Steering wheel/power steering sticks at a certain point when steering to the left on road curves at a lower speed. Power steering also makes grinding noise on cold start and very stiff prior to vehicle warming up.
2021 Ram 1500 owner, WA, NHTSA complaint 11634079, filed January 4, 2025
While driving the power steering cuts out and flashes on the dash power steering unavailable, service required. It happens intermittently, but when it happens the steering wheel locks up while driving. I have had it to the Ashland Chrysler dealership, they charged me to say that it happened because it was cold outside.
2021 Ram 1500 owner, WI, NHTSA complaint 11639496, filed January 29, 2025
Left hand turn single will not cancel/turn off. I see that there was a recall on this but my truck was/in not part of it…
2021 Ram 1500 owner, MN, NHTSA complaint 11643087, filed February 17, 2025
Can recall 21V918 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.
Owners often ask whether this steering control module recall means their 1500 qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
A steering problem on the 2021 Ram 1500 is the kind of safety defect that California law treats seriously. Fewer repair attempts may be needed for a claim than with a comfort or convenience defect.
This is not the first recall for this problem. When a manufacturer has to recall the same steering control module again, that suggests the earlier fix did not work. If your 2021 Ram 1500 has had this repair more than once, keep every repair order.
Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 23V059000.
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 21V918
Did the recall 21V918 fix work?
Since recall 21V918 was reported on November 23, 2021, owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA about the steering on these vehicles. 8 of them (18%) 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 21V918000 recall repair free?
Safety recall repairs are normally free at authorized dealers. Check the owner letter or ask the dealer to confirm before work begins.
How do I know if my 1500 is part of recall 21V918000?
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 21V918000 (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.