IllustrationCRACKS AND HOLES IN THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY DODGE, SHAME ON THEM. *TR
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
Structure complaints
548 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED FOR ALMOST NINE YEARS WITH SHARP PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD EXPOSED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD PUNCTURE THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED FOR ALMOST NINE YEARS WITH SHARP PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD EXPOSED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD PUNCTURE THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.
THE DASH CONTINUES TO FALL APART, THE DASH BEZEL SURROUNDING THE GAUGES IS FALLING DOWN ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DASH WENT FROM A FEW MINOR CRACKS, TO HOLES IN THE DASH, TO A FULL COLLAPSE. EVERY BUMP ON THE ROAD ANOTHER PIECE FALLS OFF. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE BROKEN PIECES FLYING TOWARD MY PASSENGERS OR MYSELF IN THE EVENT…
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THE DASH CONTINUES TO FALL APART, THE DASH BEZEL SURROUNDING THE GAUGES IS FALLING DOWN ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DASH WENT FROM A FEW MINOR CRACKS, TO HOLES IN THE DASH, TO A FULL COLLAPSE. EVERY BUMP ON THE ROAD ANOTHER PIECE FALLS OFF. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE BROKEN PIECES FLYING TOWARD MY PASSENGERS OR MYSELF IN THE EVENT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR OTHER DRIVING HAZARDS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET TO CORRECT THE FAILURE YET, I HAVE BEEN USING AN ALTERNATE VEHICLE. DODGE NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT AND FIX IT. *TR
DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRACK NEAR DEFROST VENTS. EVENTUALLY THEY WORKED THEIR WAY UP. DRIVER SIDE IS CRACKED AND THERE IS A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH. PASSENGER SIDE IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY UP TO THE TOP OF THE AIRBAG HOUSING. THERE IS ALSO A HOLE ON THAT SIDE AS WELL. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IF THE AIRBAG GOES OFF …
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DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRACK NEAR DEFROST VENTS. EVENTUALLY THEY WORKED THEIR WAY UP. DRIVER SIDE IS CRACKED AND THERE IS A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH. PASSENGER SIDE IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY UP TO THE TOP OF THE AIRBAG HOUSING. THERE IS ALSO A HOLE ON THAT SIDE AS WELL. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IF THE AIRBAG GOES OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE PLASTIC PIECES FILL FLY AROUND INSIDE THE CAB CAUSING INJURY. *TR
DASH IS CRACKING AND FALLING APART. *TR
A SERIOUSLY CRACKED AND DANGEROUS DASH BOARD. 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. HAVE TO RUN WITH THE AIR BAG OFF IN FEAR OF THE AIR BAG GOING OFF AND SENDING SHRAPNEL THROUGH MY CHILDREN. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 4X4 1500 TRUCK. A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE DASH BOARD STARTED TO CRACK FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. NOW MY DASH HAS BIG HOLES IN IT WHERE THE DASH IS JUST FALLING APART. PARTS OF THE DASH HAVE FELL THROUGH INTO THE VENTS AND THEN JUST CRACKING OFF IN BIG PIECES. WHICH LEAVES THE AREA EXPOSED. …
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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 4X4 1500 TRUCK. A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE DASH BOARD STARTED TO CRACK FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. NOW MY DASH HAS BIG HOLES IN IT WHERE THE DASH IS JUST FALLING APART. PARTS OF THE DASH HAVE FELL THROUGH INTO THE VENTS AND THEN JUST CRACKING OFF IN BIG PIECES. WHICH LEAVES THE AREA EXPOSED. I HAVE BEEN CUT WHEN THE PIECES JUST CRACK OFF AND THEY HAVE VERY SHARP EDGES. I ALSO HAVE A SON THAT WAS INJURED WHEN HE APPLIED A SMALL AMOUNT OF PRESSURE, TRYING TO GET INTO THE TRUCK AND HIS HAND WENT THROUGH IT WHERE IT WAS SO BRITTLE AND JUST BROKE. HE WAS CUT PRETTY GOOD. I HAVE A BIG PIECE UNDER MY SEAT. MY DASH IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. THE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF BECAUSE I DON'T WANT SHARP PIECES TO HURT ANYONE IF I HAVE A WRECK. ALSO THEIRS NOT A DASH THERE FOR ANY SUPPORT. THESE SHARP PIECES POSE A SAFETY CONCERN. I CAN'T REPLACE THE DASH DUE TO THE FACT ALL THE OTHER DASHES WERE MADE OUT OF THE SAME PRODUCT AND IT WILL JUST CRACK OVER TIME TOO. THE DASH IS STILL IN MY TRUCK, WELL WHAT'S LEFT OF IT. *TR
MY DASH IN MY 2001 DOGE RAM 1500 HAS CAVED IN. ALL MY WIRING IS EXSPOSED TO THE SUN. IT HASNT CAUSED TO BIG OF A SHORT YET BUT WHY WAIT TIL SOMEONE GETS KILLED BEFORE YOU TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. YOU CAN LOOK MY TRUCK IS NOT THE ONLY ONE. *TR
MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRACK AROUND 2003, AND IS STILL CRACKING NOW. I HAD THE TRUCK INSPECTED, AND WHEN THE TECH PUT THE STICKER ON THE WINDOW HIS HAND WENT THROUGH THE DASH BOARD, AND NOW THERE IS A BIG FIST SIZED HOLE IN MY DASH BOARD. WHEN IT IS COLD MY WINDSHIELD FOGS UP SO BAD THAT I NEED TO PULL OVER…
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MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRACK AROUND 2003, AND IS STILL CRACKING NOW. I HAD THE TRUCK INSPECTED, AND WHEN THE TECH PUT THE STICKER ON THE WINDOW HIS HAND WENT THROUGH THE DASH BOARD, AND NOW THERE IS A BIG FIST SIZED HOLE IN MY DASH BOARD. WHEN IT IS COLD MY WINDSHIELD FOGS UP SO BAD THAT I NEED TO PULL OVER AND STOP. THIS IS DUE TO THE BIG CRACKS, AND HOLES IN MY DASH BOARD. I ALMOST ORDERED A MOLDED DASH CAP, BUT I THOUGHT GLUING THIS CAP TO A BAD FOUNDATION (DASHBOARD) IS A BAD IDEA. DODGE NEEDS TO REPLACE MY DASHBOARD, BECAUSE I THINK EVENTUALLY SOMETHING WILL GO WRONG. THIS IS A DEFECT BECAUSE THERE IS EVIDENCE OF MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *TR
MY 2001 DODGE RAM TRUCK DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CRACKING OVER LAST FEW YEARS AND NOW IS BASICALLY IMPLODING. I'M AFRAID THAT THE PIECES WILL GET STUCK INTO CRITICAL MECHANISM OR DAMAGE THE AIRBAG. ALSO, IF I WAS TO GET INTO AND ACCIDENT THERE WILL BE SHARP PLASTIC FLYING EVERYWHERE. *TR
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.