IllustrationTHE DASHBOARD BEGINNING TO DISINTEGRATE. IF A CRASH WERE TO HAPPEN SHARDS OF PLASTIC COULD BE THROWN AT THE PASSENGERS. HAVE HEARD INCIDENTS OF FALLING SHARDS OF PLASTIC AFFECTING ELECTRICAL SUCH AS LIGHTS. *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
What owners actually said
1,112 reportsWAS IN A COLLISION WITH FRONT END IMPACT AT 45 MPH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS ON TRUCK DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUFFERED A FRACTURED STERNUM WITH SWELLING FROM IIMPACTING STEERING WHEEL. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEATBELT AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT. *TR
MY FATHER BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW IN 2001, AND I BOUGHT IT FROM HIM IN 2008. ABOUT 20000 MILES ON THE UNIT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IN 2008, THE DASH STARTED CRACKING AND BECAME VERY BRITTLE, PIECES BEGAN TO BREAK OUT AND HAS CONTINUED TO CRACK AND BREAK. IT IS NOW 2014, ABOUT 32000 MILES ON THIS UNIT, AND I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE T…
Read full complaint
MY FATHER BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW IN 2001, AND I BOUGHT IT FROM HIM IN 2008. ABOUT 20000 MILES ON THE UNIT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IN 2008, THE DASH STARTED CRACKING AND BECAME VERY BRITTLE, PIECES BEGAN TO BREAK OUT AND HAS CONTINUED TO CRACK AND BREAK. IT IS NOW 2014, ABOUT 32000 MILES ON THIS UNIT, AND I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD WITH AN AFTERMARKET PRODUCT. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS, I WOULD BELIEVE THAT THE MATERIALS USED IN THE ORIGINAL DASH WERE BELOW ACCEPTABLE QUALITY. NO FRONT END ZERK FITTINGS FOR STEERING COMPONENTS- CHEAP DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. I HAD TO HAVE NEW FRONT END ASSEMBLIES WITH ZERK FITTINGS, AT A COST OF ABOUT $1400.00. (BECAUSE CHRYSLER/DODGE WENT CHEAP IN CONSTRUCTION.) MY LAST DODGE VEHICLE, I THINK I CAN DO BETTER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FUEL TANK STRAP, THE BOLTS AND THE NUTS NEEDED TO BE REPL…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FUEL TANK STRAP, THE BOLTS AND THE NUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 EQUIPPED WITH NITTO MUDGRAPPLER TIRES (NA), SIZE 33X12.50R17 LT. THE DOT NUMBER WAS 73BDED54311. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES WAS DRY ROTTED. THE TIRES HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED.…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 EQUIPPED WITH NITTO MUDGRAPPLER TIRES (NA), SIZE 33X12.50R17 LT. THE DOT NUMBER WAS 73BDED54311. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES WAS DRY ROTTED. THE TIRES HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,739.
I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WITH THE DASH FALLING APART, THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN THE BEZEL JUST FELL OFF OF THE DASH ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY. I HAD TO TRY AND STEER WITH ONE HAND WHILE USING THE OTHER TO DISLODGE THE BEZEL AND HOLD IT AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL I …
Read full complaint
I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WITH THE DASH FALLING APART, THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN THE BEZEL JUST FELL OFF OF THE DASH ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY. I HAD TO TRY AND STEER WITH ONE HAND WHILE USING THE OTHER TO DISLODGE THE BEZEL AND HOLD IT AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. SINCE THEN MY GLOVE BOX HAS FALLEN OFF ALONG WITH THE DRINK HOLDER. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIR BAGS MAY BE DEPLOYED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WILL CAUSE THE DASH TO EXPLODE AND SEND PLASTIC SCHRAPNEL INSIDE THE CAB. THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE OR DEATH FOR THE PASSENGER AND\OR DRIVER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD WOBBLE AND JERK VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL OR REACH THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE QUICKLY TURNED SIDE WAYS, TRAVELED UP ON THE FRONT WHEELS AN…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD WOBBLE AND JERK VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL OR REACH THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE QUICKLY TURNED SIDE WAYS, TRAVELED UP ON THE FRONT WHEELS AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS NOT INJURED, WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DITCH AND PROCEED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY FAILURES THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY HOOD CAME UNLATCHED AND FOLDED UP ONTO MY WINDSHIELD BREAKING THE HOOD SPRINGS. *TR
I PURCHASED THE 2001 DODGE RAM NEW AND IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING ACROSS A RAILROAD CROSSING AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 30 MPH. THIS CROSSING IS NOT ROUGH. FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM THE DASH EXPLODED. PIECES OF THE DASH HIT ME IN THE FACE AND PIECES WERE ALL OVER THE FRONT SEAT. THE DASH IS …
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED THE 2001 DODGE RAM NEW AND IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING ACROSS A RAILROAD CROSSING AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 30 MPH. THIS CROSSING IS NOT ROUGH. FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM THE DASH EXPLODED. PIECES OF THE DASH HIT ME IN THE FACE AND PIECES WERE ALL OVER THE FRONT SEAT. THE DASH IS ESSENTIALLY GONE NOW EXPOSING THE AIRBAG MODULE, ELECTRONICS AND SHARP METALS THAT SHOULD BE 'UNDER THE DASH'. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT, EITHER FROM THE DASH FAILURE CAUSING THEM TO LOOSE CONTROL WHEN IT FAILS, THE PIECES CAUSING A FIRE OR BECAUSE THE SHARP AREAS ARE EXPOSED THAT COULD CAUSE ADDITIONAL INJURIES IN A CRASH. *TR
DASH CRACKED ABOVE AIRBAG WHICH COULD CAUSE SHARP PLASTIC TO IMPALE PASSENGER IF AIRBAG DEPLOYS. *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.