IllustrationDASHBOARD OF MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKING ALL OVER. I AM WORRIED THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY IF NEEDED. HEAD LIGHTS ARE NO LONGER STAYING PUT, IF I HIT A BUMP THEY MOVE. *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
Visibility complaints
12 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER IS INOPERATIVE, WHICH REDUCES HER VISIBILITY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR BOX. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RESURFACED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER IS INOPERATIVE, WHICH REDUCES HER VISIBILITY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR BOX. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RESURFACED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. CURRENTLY, THE REMEDY HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED TO PROPERLY CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HER TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK HAS CRACKED AND I BELIEVE MAY BE AFFECTING MY CONTROL PANEL (ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER). I WENT TO DRIVE MY TRUCK ONE AFTERNOON AND THE WHOLE CONTROL PANEL WASN'T WORKING. I ALSO HAVE SOME KIND OF FUMES COMING FROM MY VENTS WHENEVER I TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONING, HEAT OR DEF…
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THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK HAS CRACKED AND I BELIEVE MAY BE AFFECTING MY CONTROL PANEL (ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER). I WENT TO DRIVE MY TRUCK ONE AFTERNOON AND THE WHOLE CONTROL PANEL WASN'T WORKING. I ALSO HAVE SOME KIND OF FUMES COMING FROM MY VENTS WHENEVER I TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONING, HEAT OR DEFROST WHICH MAY BE RELATED TO THE DASHBOARD ALSO. MY DEFROST DOESN'T WORK AT ALL DUE TO THE CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD BECAUSE THE AIR ISN'T GOING WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO GO.
2001 DODGE RAM 1500 CRACKED, FALLING IN DASH HEATER CORE FAILURE DUE TO GROUND WIRE NEVER BEING SECURED FROM FACTORY REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN BY USING INSIDE DOOR HANDLE ELECTRIC LOCK SWITCH FAILURE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR HOOD HINGES BROKE ON BOTH SIDES TAILGATE CABLE SUPPORT DRIVERS SIDE REPLACED TWICE
PURCHASED NEW 2001 DODGE RAM PAID CASH PMT FOR IT 28,000 ALSO A CHEVY TRUCK MIND YOU NEVER NO BIG ISSUES WITH THE CHEVY ON THE OTHER HAND THE DODGE ISSUE AFTER ISSUE NOW THE SERIOUS PROBLEM CRACKED COLLAPSING DASHBOARD I USE ONLY MEGUIRE PRODUCTS O THE DODGE TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF IT I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER …
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PURCHASED NEW 2001 DODGE RAM PAID CASH PMT FOR IT 28,000 ALSO A CHEVY TRUCK MIND YOU NEVER NO BIG ISSUES WITH THE CHEVY ON THE OTHER HAND THE DODGE ISSUE AFTER ISSUE NOW THE SERIOUS PROBLEM CRACKED COLLAPSING DASHBOARD I USE ONLY MEGUIRE PRODUCTS O THE DODGE TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF IT I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER IS NOT FIXING THESE PROBLEMS THERE IS A BIG HISTORY OF THIS ISSUE WITH THE 01 I SEE THEY DO NOT BACK UP THE NAME DODGE WHEN I AM READY FOR A NEW TRUCK AGAIN I HIGHLY DOUBT LOOK AT ANOTHER DODGE TRUCK EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE PRETTY TRUCKS BUT LIKE I SAID I HAVE HAD A BIG HISTORY OF ISSUES ON MY RAM FOR IT BEING BOUGHT NEW DISAPPOINTED DODGE RAM OWNER AND THIS RAM HAS BEEN TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF. *TR THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING AND THE ENGINE CONSUMED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL AND THERE WAS NO WARNING TO INDICATE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. UPDATED IVOQ 03/11/11
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
DRIVER'S MIRROR DOES NOT HEAT UP TO MELT SNOW/ICE IN WINTER. *NM
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER HEAT SUPPLY WAS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO MELT SNOW AND SLEET BEFORE IT ACCUMULATED. WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY. *AK THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. HEAT DUCTING IN THE DASH WAS DUE TO POOR DESIGN. ICE AND SNOW ACCUMULATION RESTRICTED THE DRIVERS VISION. *SCC *JB
THERE IS VIBRATION WHEN HITTING A BUMP AT 60-65 MPH. DEALER HAS REPLACED FRONT TIE ROD.BUT, IT HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM.*AKCONSUMER ADDS THAT THIS IS NOT JUST VIBRATIONS BUT INTENSE ASCILLATIONS THAT ALTERNATE LEFT TO RIGHT. THE BOUNCING MAKES THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND WILL NOT SUBSIDE UNTIL BROUGHTR TO A COMPLE…
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THERE IS VIBRATION WHEN HITTING A BUMP AT 60-65 MPH. DEALER HAS REPLACED FRONT TIE ROD.BUT, IT HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM.*AKCONSUMER ADDS THAT THIS IS NOT JUST VIBRATIONS BUT INTENSE ASCILLATIONS THAT ALTERNATE LEFT TO RIGHT. THE BOUNCING MAKES THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND WILL NOT SUBSIDE UNTIL BROUGHTR TO A COMPLETE STOP. UPON CHECKING SEVERAL TIMES, THE TIRES WERE CHOPPY AND NEEDED REPLACING, THE TRACK BAR NEEDED REPLACING, AND A SPECIAL PART FOR THE TIE ROD WAS ORDERED, ALSO THE LEFT MIRROR WAS NOT HEATING, ALSO THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED, ALSO TIRES WERE SHOWING WEAR.. *JG
WHILE PARKED VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 01-6315-258. *SLC
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.