IllustrationTHE DASHBOAR D IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES , AND ALSO A FEW PLACES HAVE CAVED IN. THERE ARE SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH DASHBOAR D ALSO.*AK
2001 Dodge RAM 1500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most RAM 1500 years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 520.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 1500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
490–25K
14125–50K
20050–75K
16575–100K
129100–150K
57150K+
741 reports with mileage · 371 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 548 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
65 crash reports34 fire reports65 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
81 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE DASHBOARD FREE OF CHARGE, BUT NOT THE FRAME OF THE DASHBOARD. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 40,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE IS UNAWARE OF HOW HIS VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD BECAME CRACKED. HE STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD IS ALSO COLLAPSING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD OF HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED AND THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE NO RECALLS WERE ISSUED FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS SINCE NOTICED ANOTHER CRA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD OF HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED AND THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE NO RECALLS WERE ISSUED FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS SINCE NOTICED ANOTHER CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 81,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
DODGE 2001 RAM TRUCK HAS A FRACTURING AND COLLAPSING DASH, I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN MADE AWARE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MODEL TRUCK EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS SHUTTING OF WHEN ALTERNATING BETWEEN HIGHS AND LOWS POSSIBLY CAUSED BY THE PIECES FALLING FROM THE DASH AND INTERRUPTING THE WIRI…
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DODGE 2001 RAM TRUCK HAS A FRACTURING AND COLLAPSING DASH, I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN MADE AWARE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MODEL TRUCK EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS SHUTTING OF WHEN ALTERNATING BETWEEN HIGHS AND LOWS POSSIBLY CAUSED BY THE PIECES FALLING FROM THE DASH AND INTERRUPTING THE WIRING. *TR
MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS A DASH WHICH BEGAN CRACKING SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. THE CRACKS HAVE GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE IN SIZE AND NUMBER. A LITTLE OVER 3 MONTHS AGO A LARGE PORTION OF MY DASH CAVED IN EXPOSING THE WIRING UNDERNEATH TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT. ALSO MORE RECENTLY, THE MOLDING AROUND MY INSTRUMENT PANEL IS CRACKING. THIS C…
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MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS A DASH WHICH BEGAN CRACKING SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. THE CRACKS HAVE GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE IN SIZE AND NUMBER. A LITTLE OVER 3 MONTHS AGO A LARGE PORTION OF MY DASH CAVED IN EXPOSING THE WIRING UNDERNEATH TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT. ALSO MORE RECENTLY, THE MOLDING AROUND MY INSTRUMENT PANEL IS CRACKING. THIS COULD BECOME A HAZARD SHOULD THE WIRING MELT DUE TO NOT BEING PROTECTED FROM SUNLIGHT. NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE BY DODGE AND I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO SPEND SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
FRONT DASH COLLAPSED, PIECES OF BROKEN DASH HAVE FALLEN INTO AREAS WHERE WIRING IS. NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL HAVE HAD EXACT SAME THING HAPPEN. CAN'T BE CONSIDERED SAFE DRIVING AROUND WITH A 24" HOLE IN THE DASH WITH PIECES LOOSE WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, TO DATE NOT CONSIDERED A RECALL ITEM BY…
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FRONT DASH COLLAPSED, PIECES OF BROKEN DASH HAVE FALLEN INTO AREAS WHERE WIRING IS. NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL HAVE HAD EXACT SAME THING HAPPEN. CAN'T BE CONSIDERED SAFE DRIVING AROUND WITH A 24" HOLE IN THE DASH WITH PIECES LOOSE WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, TO DATE NOT CONSIDERED A RECALL ITEM BY DODGE. *TR
MY 2001 DODGE RAM DASH IS CRACKING. I SEEN A SPECIAL ON MY LOCAL NEWS STATION AND THE PARTIES PRESENT ON THE NEWS CAST HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS I DID BUT WORSE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING OR LIGHTS GOING OUT. *TR
DODGE RAM 1500 CONTINUES TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR BRAKING TO SLOW ON HIGHWAYS. THE LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES OCCUR UNTIL THE TRUCK CAN BE RE-STARTED. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HEAT RELATED SINCE IT OCCURS MOST OFTEN WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS OVER 80 DEGREES AND THE CAR DRIVEN OVER 1-1/2 HRS IN DUR…
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DODGE RAM 1500 CONTINUES TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR BRAKING TO SLOW ON HIGHWAYS. THE LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES OCCUR UNTIL THE TRUCK CAN BE RE-STARTED. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HEAT RELATED SINCE IT OCCURS MOST OFTEN WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS OVER 80 DEGREES AND THE CAR DRIVEN OVER 1-1/2 HRS IN DURATION. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS AND THE MANUFACTURE HAS MADE MANY REPAIRS BUT NONE THAT HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE CHANGES SENSORS, THROTTLE BODY AND THEN CLEANED SAME. CHANGED AIR FILTER BUT NOTHING HAS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. AS RECENTLY AS LAST MONTH THE DEALER HAD THE TRUCK FOR THREE WEEKS AND COULD NOT FIND A SINGLE THING WRONG. I CAN TELL FROM THE INTERNET I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT MOST BE FIXED OR LOSS OF LIFE WILL OCCUR. *NM
2001 DODGE 4X4, 1500 QUAD CAB TRUCK. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HWY GOING 75 MPH, AT NIGHT TIME, THE HEAD LIGHT TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL YOU KEPT FLICKING THE HIGH AND LOW BEAMS. VEHILCE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE (MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH) IF THERE WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN OTHER VEHILCE DRIVNG IN FR…
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2001 DODGE 4X4, 1500 QUAD CAB TRUCK. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HWY GOING 75 MPH, AT NIGHT TIME, THE HEAD LIGHT TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL YOU KEPT FLICKING THE HIGH AND LOW BEAMS. VEHILCE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE (MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH) IF THERE WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN OTHER VEHILCE DRIVNG IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE, IT COULD OF BEEN A SERIOUS OR DEADLY CRASH WITH NO LIGHTS AT NIGHT GOING THE HWY SPEED LIMITE ON WINDING ROADWAYS. *NM
Official recalls
203V504000 · Tires
Dec 10, 2003
ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SNOW PLOW PREPARATION PACKAGE, THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT P245/75R16 TIRES TO MEET THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND ACCOMMODATE THE ADDITION OF A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SNOW PLOW AND HARDWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
01V153000 · Air Bags
May 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE08047 · 2000-2001 Dodge RAM Pickup Hood Latch
Opened Jul 25, 2008 · Closed Dec 17, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch; Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
PE00025 · Rear Safety Belt Anchorage Disengagement
Opened Jul 6, 2000 · Closed Dec 27, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:rear/other
ALLEGE THAT BOTH REAR INBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES WERE FOUND TO LACK PROPER ATTACHMENTS.