Ram1500 Classic2021Overview/ram/1500-classic/2021/base/

2021 Ram 1500 Classic

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 1500 Classic.

The 2021 Ram 1500 Classic calls for 6.0 quarts of 5W‑20 oil, and its reliability record shows 655 owner complaints with the engine cited as the top concern and 14 recalls issued. Across the 2019‑2021 window, complaint volume peaked at 1,449 in 2019 and bottomed out at 610 in 2020, placing the 2021 model year between those extremes. This mid‑range complaint count suggests the 2021 Classic is less troubled than the 2019 launch year but not as quiet as the 2020 iteration, indicating a modest improvement in reliability.

Model year20242023202220212020

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque130 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI H7 · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04892339BE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI H7 · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265/70R17 113ROEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0, Optional: 8.0-9.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE alt 68191349AC
Engine air filter68441763AA alt 68386779AA
Spark plugSP143877AB alt SP149125AF
Battery56029635AC
Front wiper blades55277446AC
Thermostat52028898AJ alt 04893865AC
Cabin air filter68535623AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length226 in
Overall width79.1 in
Overall height76.8 in
Wheelbase140.6 in
Curb weight4949 lb
Track (front / rear)68.1 / 67.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 engine oil, 75W-85 · Synthetic · 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 · DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 130 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.98 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.77 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4 · DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · Synthetic · 75W-90
Engine Coolant Capacity13.7 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity18.3 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)21.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.14 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper BoltsVibration Damper: 127.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)22.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)37.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug52.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug52.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts130 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugBW44-44: 18.0 ft-lbs; BW44-45: 15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugBW44-44: 18.0 ft-lbs; BW44-45: 15.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugDrain: 6.67 ft-lbs, Fill: 26.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMopar
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.13 lbs.; Refer to underwood AC specification label. If R-134-a is specified
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND-12
Oil Capacity6.0 oz
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.13 lbs.; Refer to underwood AC specification label. If R-134-a is specified
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum56.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum60.0 psi
Engine Oil Pressure4.0 minimum psi @ Curb idle speed. psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM25.0-110.0 psi @ 3,000 rpm's rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 55.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 25.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueRear: 74.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.9
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.118; Rear: .803
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006"
Maximum Rotor Runout.0008"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Upper) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Place jack stands as far out as possible under both lower control arms. Step 3: The vehicle can now be lowered onto the jack stands supporting as much weight as possible. Step 4: Remove front tires. Step 5: Place plunger on upper side of upper ball joint making sure that it is perpendicular to boss machined surface. Step 6: Use a pry bar between upper control arm and knuckle to pry upward. Step 7: Document movement from the dial indicator. Step 8: Replace upper control arm and ball joint if travel exceeds specifications.
Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Use a vehicle lift to raise and safely support the vehicle. Step 20.02 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°.15 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°15 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 125° without using a torque wrench. Step 5: Loosen all fasteners. Step 6: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 7: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 8: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 9: 130° without using a torque wrench.22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M12 Bolts 1-1025 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
19.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.49 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18.018 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (adjust) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 30,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Ram 1500 Classic follows a significant downward trend in consumer complaints, which dropped from 1,449 in 2019 to 610 in 2020. For the 2021 model year, complaints remained relatively stable at 655, with 14 recalls and one investigation, mirroring the 2020 figures of 13 recalls and one investigation. Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) have remained consistently high across the generation, with 2021 recording 1,118 compared to 1,219 in 2020 and 1,169 in 2019. The most frequent complaints for the 2021 model center on the engine (83 reports), followed by "Unknown Or Other" (47) and the electrical system (44). The 2021 model also recorded 26 crash complaints and four fire complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes for these incidents. Given the stabilization of complaints and recalls compared to the 2019 peak, this is a good year to buy.

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1118
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
655
Owner complaints
26 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 655 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine83
Unknown Or Other47
Electrical System44
Power Train42
Electrical System,Engine36
Fuel/Propulsion System30
Steering24
Fuel System, Gasoline,Engine22

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1118 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1131232026-06-29Service BrakesSPRING KIT - DISC BRAKE PAD
1130702026-06-29Electrical SystemSWITCH – HEADLAMP
1130692026-06-29Electrical SystemSWITCH – HEADLAMP
S2208000045 REV.D2026-06-26StructureBackup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
1130652026-06-25Unknown Or OtherOUTLET - AIR CONDITIONING & HEATER

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 1500 Classic. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 1500 Classic take?

6.0 qt of Mopar 5W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 1500 Classic have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.