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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Seat Belts complaints

8 reports
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171,000 miles · Dec 28, 2011
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE ABNORMALLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CHIN AND MOUTH, REQUIRING 24 STITCHES. THE CONTACT WAS IMMEDIATLEY TAKEN FOR ME…

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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE ABNORMALLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CHIN AND MOUTH, REQUIRING 24 STITCHES. THE CONTACT WAS IMMEDIATLEY TAKEN FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000. KMJ UPDATED 02/01/12 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELTS DIDI NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED. UPDATED 02/10/12

NHTSA ODI #10441473

106,190 miles · Oct 19, 2008
Seat BeltsStructureCrash

LAST NOVEMBER ON MY WAY TO SCHOOL, I WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT WHILE GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE ROADS WERE BAD AND EXTREMELY ICY. HOWEVER, I LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK WHILE GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, PUT IT INTO 4X4 AND CORRECTED MYSELF, THEN THE 4X4 WENT OUT (WHICH COMMONLY HAPPENED), LOST CONTROL, HIT THE MEDIAN SI…

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LAST NOVEMBER ON MY WAY TO SCHOOL, I WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT WHILE GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE ROADS WERE BAD AND EXTREMELY ICY. HOWEVER, I LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK WHILE GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, PUT IT INTO 4X4 AND CORRECTED MYSELF, THEN THE 4X4 WENT OUT (WHICH COMMONLY HAPPENED), LOST CONTROL, HIT THE MEDIAN SIDEWAYS, AND ROLLED THE TRUCK. THE PROBLEM WAS DURING THE ROLLOVER, 1. I HAD TO PUSH MYSELF BACK INTO THE SEAT TO ENGAGE MY SEATBELT, AND 2. THE BACK TWO IN ROOF ROLL GUARDS BROKE. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 20 - 25MPH WHEN I ROLLED AND THE BACK WINDOW SMASHED DOWN SEVERAL INCHES. THE COLLAPSING OF THE ROOF SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AS BAD. THE MEDIAN HAD OVER 6" OF SNOW IN IT. IF A PERSON WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT, HE/SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. TRUCK IS CONSIDERED TOTALED. MODEL IS A 2001 DODGE 1500 4X4 QUAD CAB SHORT BOX SLT/LARAMIE W/THE 5.2L MAGNUM V8. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246057

65,000 miles · Nov 28, 2006
Seat Belts

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT LATCH ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. THE BUCKLE WAS FREE OF DIRT AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT REPLACED. UPDATED 12/18/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174604

95,000 miles · Nov 22, 2004
Seat Belts

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10101521

51,000 miles · Mar 29, 2004
Seat Belts

TRUCK HAS SEAT BELTS BUILT INTO THE SEAT. THE BELT IS IN A TRACT WITH A PLASTIC HOUSING WITH SMOOTHED SIDES OVER THE MECHANISM'S SHARP EDGED SIDES. THE BELT HAS BEEN ABLE TO BECOME FRAYED FROM NORMAL USE AND THE PLASTIC HOUSING HAS NOT PROTECTED THE BELT. DID DISCUSS WITH COMPANY BUT TOLD THAT IT IS "OUT OF WARANTEE" AND THE DID…

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TRUCK HAS SEAT BELTS BUILT INTO THE SEAT. THE BELT IS IN A TRACT WITH A PLASTIC HOUSING WITH SMOOTHED SIDES OVER THE MECHANISM'S SHARP EDGED SIDES. THE BELT HAS BEEN ABLE TO BECOME FRAYED FROM NORMAL USE AND THE PLASTIC HOUSING HAS NOT PROTECTED THE BELT. DID DISCUSS WITH COMPANY BUT TOLD THAT IT IS "OUT OF WARANTEE" AND THE DID NOT OFFER TO INVESTIGATE IF THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS ALLOWED THE BELT TO BECOME PREMATURELY FRAYED. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE BELT MAY NOT BE STRUCTURELY SAFE. FEEL IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10064093

36,500 miles · Dec 17, 2002
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, SEATBELT DIDN'T LOCK UP. TS

NHTSA ODI #10000193

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2002
Seat BeltsInjury

WHILE TRAVELLING AT AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 45/50, I HAD REASON TO RAPIDLY DECREASE FORWARD AND APPLY MORE THAN NORMAL BRAKE ACTION TO AVERT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD OVERRUN A STOP SIGN. MY WIFE, WHO WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND PROPERLY BELTED, WAS THRUST FORWARD TO A POINT WHERE HER RIGHT SHOULDER MADE CONTACT WITH THE…

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WHILE TRAVELLING AT AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 45/50, I HAD REASON TO RAPIDLY DECREASE FORWARD AND APPLY MORE THAN NORMAL BRAKE ACTION TO AVERT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD OVERRUN A STOP SIGN. MY WIFE, WHO WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND PROPERLY BELTED, WAS THRUST FORWARD TO A POINT WHERE HER RIGHT SHOULDER MADE CONTACT WITH THE DASHOARD AND HER HEAD MADE LIGHT CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. SHE WAS SHAKEN BUT HAD NO NOTICEABLE INJURY AT THAT TIME.WE DROVE HOME, AND DURING THAT 7 MILE TRIP WE DECIDED TO RECHECK THE BELT ACTION. ON SEVERAL INSTANCES WE ACCELERATED TO 45/50 AND COMMENCED HARD BRAKING ACTION TO CHECK WHETHER WE COULD DUPLICATE THE PREVIOUS SEAT BELT FAILURE. OF THE TIMES THAT WE PERFORMED THIS ACTION, THE SEAT BELTS FAILED OVER HALF THE TIME. THIS TIME I REALIZED THAT THE DRIVERS BELT WAS ALSO FAILING.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE. NLM

NHTSA ODI #759914

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2002
Seat Belts

DRIVERS SHOULDER BELT LOCKS UP ALMOST EVERY MOVEMENT, SHOULDER BELT HAS BECOME A DRIVING DISTRACTION. CONSUMER HAS TO SOMETIMES PULL OVER AND UNBUCKLE THE BELT AND CONNECT SEATBELT.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #8001702

Official recalls

2

03V504000 · 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

2

PE08047 · 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.