2021 Ram 1500

large pickup / Crew cab pickup

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights

2021 Ram 1500 Crew cab pickup

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteriaRating
Small overlap front: driver-side
G
Small overlap front: passenger-side
G
Moderate overlap front: original test
G
Side: original test
G
Side: updated test
G
Roof strength
G
Head restraints & seats
G

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteriaRating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
GM
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Optional system
Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteriaRating
LATCH ease of use
M

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning
  • Optional lane departure prevention
  • Optional rear automatic braking

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2019-24 models built after July 2018

Tested vehicle: 2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 2wd

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab was redesigned for the 2019 model year. The earlier design remained in production for the 2019-20 model years and was called the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Classic.

For the redesigned pickup beginning with 2019 models built after July 2018, the cab mounts to the vehicle frame at the C-pillars were strengthened to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)

Two tests of the Ram 1500 Crew Cab were conducted by the Institute; vehicle specifications for the two trucks were identical. In the first test, Fiat Chrysler identified possible prior dummy ankle damage that may have caused elevated injury measures on the left lower leg. In the second test with a new ankle assembly installed, there were also indications of elevated left lower leg injury. Therefore, the ratings are based on combined results from both tests.

Evaluation criteriaRating
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
M
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G

Action shot taken during the second of two driver-side small overlap frontal crash tests.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well (second test shown).

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury (second test shown).

Forces on the left lower leg were high enough to indicate a likely risk of injury in the first test (shown) and a moderate risk in the second test.

Technical measurements for this test

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2019-24 models built after July 2018

Tested vehicle: 2019 Ram1500 Tradesman Crew Cab 2wd

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab was redesigned for the 2019 model year. The earlier design remained in production for the 2019-20 model years and was called the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Classic.

For the redesigned pickup beginning with 2019 models built after July 2018, the cab mounts to the vehicle frame at the C-pillars were strengthened to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
A
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G

Action shot taken during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger’s survival space was maintained reasonably well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

Despite intrusion of the toepan and dashboard, risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 2wd

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab was redesigned for the 2019 model year. The earlier design remained in production for the 2019-20 model years and was called the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Classic.

Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Fiat Chrysler.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Leg/foot, left
G
Leg/foot, right
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Technical measurements for this test

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2019-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 2wd

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab was redesigned for the 2019 model year. The earlier design remained in production for the 2019-20 model years and was called the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Classic.

Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Fiat Chrysler.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Driver head protection
G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Rear passenger head protection
G
Technical measurements for this test

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4wd

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab was redesigned for the 2019 model year. The earlier design remained in production for the 2019-20 model years and was called the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Classic.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis
G
Driver head protection
G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis
G
Rear passenger head protection
G

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2019-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 2wd

Rating applies to both the Ram 1500 Crew Cab (tested) and the structurally similar Ram 1500 Quad Cab.

Overall evaluation
G
Curb weight5,254 lbs
Peak force22,302 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio4.24

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seat

Overall evaluation
G
Dynamic rating
G
Seat/head restraint geometry
G
Technical measurements for this test

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 4 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Laramie Longhorn trim
  • Limited trim
  • TRX trim
Evaluation criteriaRating
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
G
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Trim level(s)

  • Tradesman trim
  • Big Horn trim
  • Lone Star trim
Evaluation criteriaRating
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
M
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Trim level(s)

  • Laramie trim equipped with Laramie 1 Equipment Group package
  • Laramie trim equipped with Laramie 2 Equipment Group package
  • Laramie trim equipped with Advanced Safety Group package
  • Rebel trim equipped with Advanced Safety Group package
Evaluation criteriaRating
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
M
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp right curve, fair on the gradual right curve and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Trim level(s)

  • Big Horn trim equipped with Premium Lighting Group package
  • Rebel trim
  • Laramie trim
  • Lone Star trim equipped with Premium Lighting Group package
Evaluation criteriaRating
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
M
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp right curve, fair on the gradual right curve and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Optional Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus

Package name

  • Optional Advanced Safety Group or Level 1 Safety Group

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2019-23 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • optional Pedestrian Emergency Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2021-24 models of the following trim lines: Laramie trim equipped with Advanced Safety Group package, Tradesmen trim equipped with Level 1 Safety Group package, Big Horm trim equipped with Level 1 Safety Group package, Rebel trim equipped with Level 1 Safety Group package, Limited Longhorm trim equipped with Advanced Safety Group package, Limited trim equipped with Advanced Safety Group package, TRX trim equipped with Advanced Safety Group package

Advanced
Advanced
with optional equipment

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, this vehicle failed to slow. A warning was issued 2.4 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
M
Vehicle trimLimited Crew Cab
Seat type leather

This vehicle has 3 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
M
Vehicle trimLimited Crew Cab
Seat type leather
1 2 3
Rating iconRating
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

PositionRating
1
Tether anchor
hard-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
hard-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
3
Tether anchor
hard-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

About the child seat anchor evaluation