The modern truck's engine is the story. The old truck's engine is the reason to buy it.

The loudest 2021 complaint. The 5.7 Hemi's exhaust-manifold bolts snap and the manifolds crack — owners report a tick that grows louder over time and, in the worst cases, exhaust fumes leaking into the cab, with dealers acknowledging it as a known issue. It's a leak repair that gets more involved (and more expensive) the longer it's left. On the test drive, cold-start and listen for a tick that's loudest when the engine is cold and eases as it warms — the classic manifold-leak signature — distinct from the deeper valvetrain lifter tick.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2021 Ram 1500 · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (5.7 Hemi manifold/cam/lifter; eTorque MGU teardown)

On eTorque trucks, the 48-volt mild-hybrid runs off a belt-driven motor-generator unit that independent mechanics call 'notoriously known for going bad' — essentially a complex alternator-plus-motor that stop/start duty wears hard. Owners report the dealer condemning the eTorque and advising against driving. Repair costs vary widely by shop: one mechanic recounts a job another shop quoted around $5,000 (nearly totaling the truck) that an independent did for under $1,000. A separate PCM recall (23V265) covers a 5.7 eTorque fuel-mixture fault that can stall the engine. A non-eTorque Hemi or the Pentastar V6 avoids this system entirely.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2021 Ram 1500 · NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (recall 23V265; CSN W82; camera/airbag recalls) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (5.7 Hemi manifold/cam/lifter; eTorque MGU teardown)

The Hemi's valvetrain risk runs alongside the manifold issue: a worn hydraulic lifter and cam lobe tick and eventually misfire, sometimes with low oil pressure and, in the worst reports, catastrophic engine failure. Independent mechanics quote a cam-and-lifter repair at a minimum around $4,500, with engine replacement often recommended once metal shows in the oil. The recent file also carries oil-pan corrosion and stall-with-no-warning reports. Cold-start and listen for a deep valvetrain tick separate from the manifold leak.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2021 Ram 1500 · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (5.7 Hemi manifold/cam/lifter; eTorque MGU teardown)

Recall 21V-920 (Toyota 21TB10/21TA10) covers the 2007–2021 Tundra power-steering gear, which can be manufactured incorrectly, leak, and cause a sudden loss of assist; the companion 21E-103 (21TH01) covers the service parts. Both are free inspect/replace. One 2021 owner whose power steering failed around 38,000 miles was quoted over $6,000 for the assembly out of scope and noted 'they recalled a significant portion of the vehicles made in 2021' — which is exactly why you confirm the free repair shows completed by VIN.

Sources: NHTSA complaint + recall database, 2021 Tundra · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recall documents, Toyota internal codes)

Recall 21V-688 (Toyota 21TB06/21TA06) covers 2018–2021 Tundra: the headlight electrical circuit may power the high and low beams at the same time and overheat the connector, which can start a fire. Dealers modify the engine wire harness and replace any damaged bulb, connector, or headlight assembly, free. Verify by VIN — several owners noted the recall part was on backorder for a time.

Sources: NHTSA complaint + recall database, 2021 Tundra · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recall documents, Toyota internal codes)

The remaining 2021 reports are low-frequency characteristics, not failures. The combination-meter (instrument LCD) can go blank — an owner asked to be included in the 2022–2023 recall (23V-111) that covers exactly this display; check whether a fix was applied. Several owners describe the driver's seat rocking back and forth under braking or acceleration (dealers cite the seat track). Others note sunroof shatter, a front-end shimmy, windshield fragility, and TRD Pro accessory LED-light rattle. None are dealbreakers, but they shape the test drive.

Sources: NHTSA complaint + recall database, 2021 Tundra