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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.

About this comparison →

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

Structure complaints

548 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 2, 2007
Structure

DASH BOARD STARTED CRACKING AT SCREWS BY WINDSHIELD. NOW HAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS AND IS FALLING INTO DASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189477

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2007
Structure

THE DASH ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM TRUCK HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DISENTERGRATED AND FALLEN IN, THE ELECTRICAL BELOW IT IS IN DANGER OF BEING COMPROMISED,POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE OR RENDERING MY LIGHT SYSTEM INOPERABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189460

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2007
Structure

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 4 X 4 I BOUGHT NEW. THE DASH IS ALL CRACKED UP WITH HOLES. I HAVE GOT NO RESULTS FROM DODGE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR TRUCK. THE LOCAL NEWS DID A SPECIAL ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189457

94,500 miles · May 1, 2007
Structure

MY DASH CRACKED AND IT APPEARS THAT IS STILL CRACKING MORE EVERY DAY. IT HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY REASON. I BELIEVE THE CRACKING HAS CAUSED THE DASH VENT NOT TO BLOW PROPERLY AND ALSO DUST IS GETTING INTO THE DASH. MORE CRACKING WILL CAUSE PARTS TO FALL INTO THE DASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189456

98,000 miles · May 1, 2007
StructureVisibility

2001 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 V8 DASHBOARD CRACKED INTO MULTIPLE PARTS. THE CRACK LITERALLY HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT SOUNDED LIKE A FIRECRACKER EXPLODED. NOTHING WAS PLACED ON THE DASH AND I USE A WINDSHILED SUN DEFLECTOR TO KEEP THE DASH FROM GETTING HOT YET IT STILL HAPPENED. ANYTHING I PLACE ON THE DASH NOW …

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2001 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 V8 DASHBOARD CRACKED INTO MULTIPLE PARTS. THE CRACK LITERALLY HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT SOUNDED LIKE A FIRECRACKER EXPLODED. NOTHING WAS PLACED ON THE DASH AND I USE A WINDSHILED SUN DEFLECTOR TO KEEP THE DASH FROM GETTING HOT YET IT STILL HAPPENED. ANYTHING I PLACE ON THE DASH NOW WILL FALL INTO THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE DASH. I HAVE HAD SOME STRANGE WIRING/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE THE INCIDENT ALL WITHIN THE DASH. WITH THE CRACKS AROUND THE VENTS, THE DEFROST DOES NOT SEEM TO BLOW ONTO THE WINDSHIELD PROPERLY, THEREFORE TAKING LONGER TO DEFROST. I HAVE PRICED THE PART AND IT WILL COST OVER $300 WITH IT INSTALLED. I CAN NOT AFFORD IT BEING A SINGLE PARENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189454

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2007
Structure

2001 DODGE RAM 1500 P/U DASHBOARD HAS CONTINUALLY FELL APART TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS A LARGE HOLE FROM DRIVERS SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE.THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED MIRROR HAS CEASED TO OPERATE SINCE A LARGE PORTION OF THE DASH FELL. I HAVE PLACED A CARPETED DASH COVER OVER THE REMAINING DASH TO HOPEFULLY PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE. *T…

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2001 DODGE RAM 1500 P/U DASHBOARD HAS CONTINUALLY FELL APART TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS A LARGE HOLE FROM DRIVERS SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE.THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED MIRROR HAS CEASED TO OPERATE SINCE A LARGE PORTION OF THE DASH FELL. I HAVE PLACED A CARPETED DASH COVER OVER THE REMAINING DASH TO HOPEFULLY PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189451

40,000 miles · May 1, 2007
Structure

THE WHOLE DASH IS CRACKED AND CAVING IN ON ITSELF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189446

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2007
Electrical SystemStructure

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

NHTSA ODI #10189444

175,000 miles · May 1, 2007
Electrical SystemStructure

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

NHTSA ODI #10189441

45,000 miles · May 1, 2007
Electrical SystemStructure

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

NHTSA ODI #10189440

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.