Should I Buy a 2021 Ram 1500?

Independent vehicle analysis — no dealer commissions

out of 100

ClearCar Score Breakdown

Reliability

6.0

Resale Value

8.0

Insurance Cost

7.0

Ownership Cost

7.0

Our Verdict

The 2021 Ram 1500 is a solid choice with some trade-offs to consider.

2026 Market Alert: This vehicle retains value well (62.6%), but tariff uncertainty could accelerate depreciation. Lock in a fair price now.

Estimated Annual Ownership Costs

Insurance

$2,000 — $2,800

Maintenance

$600 — $950

Estimated Market Value

$24,429

MSRP (New)

$39,000

Vehicle Details

Year: 2021
Make: Ram
Model: 1500
Segment: Truck Fullsize
Age: 5 years
Value Retention: 62.6%
5yr Brand Retention: 58.0%
Reliability Score: 6.0/10

Known Issues

eTorque mild hybrid starter/generator failures
Tailgate handle recall

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Why ClearCar Score?

We pull data from NHTSA safety ratings, EPA fuel economy, insurance actuarials, and market depreciation curves to give you an unbiased, data-driven assessment. No dealer affiliations. No commissions. Just the numbers.

With tariff-driven market uncertainty in 2026, knowing the true value of a vehicle before you buy has never been more important. Don't overpay in a volatile market.