IllustrationDASHBOARD CRACKED, CONTINUES TO CRACK AND BREAK REGARDLESS OF ANY PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TAKEN. THERE ARE COUNTLESS SIMILAR COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS ISSUE BY OTHER PEOPLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE AIRBAGS WERE TO DEPLOY THERE WOULD SURELY BE DASHBOARD SHRAPNEL.
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AND COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THIS CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONER TO FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STILL FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
I BOUGHT MY DODGE RAM 1500 IN 2000 BRAND NEW ACTUALLY THE TRUCK IS 2001 GOT IT ONE YEAR AHEAD. IF I REMEMBER LIKE AROUND 2004 FOUR YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT THE TRUCK I NOTICED SOME CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD THEN BY 2005 THE DASH WAS COMPLETELY GONE EVERYTHING FALL DOWN INSIDE, I CAN EVEN HEAR THE PIECES ALL THE TIME WHEN I AM DRIVING.…
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I BOUGHT MY DODGE RAM 1500 IN 2000 BRAND NEW ACTUALLY THE TRUCK IS 2001 GOT IT ONE YEAR AHEAD. IF I REMEMBER LIKE AROUND 2004 FOUR YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT THE TRUCK I NOTICED SOME CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD THEN BY 2005 THE DASH WAS COMPLETELY GONE EVERYTHING FALL DOWN INSIDE, I CAN EVEN HEAR THE PIECES ALL THE TIME WHEN I AM DRIVING. I NEVER WANTED TO TAKE THE PIECES OUT AND UP TO THIS DATE MOST OF THE DASHBOARD IS STILL INSIDE THE DASH IN PIECES. A YEAR AGO I NOTICED THAT WHEN MY AC IS ON THE AIR KEEPS SHUTTING DOWN BUT ITS NOT THE AC THAT GETS OFF IS THE VENTS THAT CLOSES, I CAN EVEN HEAR WHEN THEY OPEN BACK THEN I START TO FEEL THE AIR BLOWING AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW IF BECAUSE ALL THE DASH PIECES ARE INSIDE ON TOP OF THE VENTS AND MAYBE SOME OF THE GOT INSIDE THE VENTS OR SOMETHING. I ALSO BOUGHT THE CUP HOLDER BECAUSE IT FALL IN PIECES AS THE DASH. ALSO THE SUNGLASSES COMPARTMENT DOOR ITS BROKEN SO I DON'T USE IT ANY MORE BECAUSE I CAN CLOSE IT. I BOUGHT A DASH COVER BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE DASH ITS VERY EXPENSIVE. EVEN THE AFTERMARKET ONE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. I WISH I COULD HAVE MY DASH REPLACE, DODGE NEEDS TO STEP UP ON THIS AND FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE, ITS EVERY SINGLE TRUCK OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HOPE TO HEAR SOON THAT THERE'S A RECALL FOR THE DASHBOARDS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-35 MPH, THE HOOD FLEW OPEN INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE SECONDARY LATCH, WHICH FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-35 MPH, THE HOOD FLEW OPEN INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE SECONDARY LATCH, WHICH FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,260. UPDATED 06/29/12 *BF UPDATED 07/09/12.*JB
TRAVELING DOWN DRIVE WAY WHEN HARD BRAKE LINE BLOW OUT, CAUSING LOSE OF BRAKES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
I COULD NOT GET PAST THE ENTER 'FAILED COMPONENT' REQUIREMENT SO I HAD TO CHOSE AIR BAGS BECAUSE IT IS THE CLOSEST COMPONENT RELATED TO THE DASH AREA I COULD FIND. I AM ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO OWNS A DODGE TRUCK WITH A SEVERELY CRACKING DASH. I REALIZE THAT THIS MAY NOT SEEM TO BE A 'SAFETY' ISSUE, BUT BELIEVE ME, …
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I COULD NOT GET PAST THE ENTER 'FAILED COMPONENT' REQUIREMENT SO I HAD TO CHOSE AIR BAGS BECAUSE IT IS THE CLOSEST COMPONENT RELATED TO THE DASH AREA I COULD FIND. I AM ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO OWNS A DODGE TRUCK WITH A SEVERELY CRACKING DASH. I REALIZE THAT THIS MAY NOT SEEM TO BE A 'SAFETY' ISSUE, BUT BELIEVE ME, WHEN YOU HAVE A DASH THAT IS CRACKED INTO PIECES WITH NUMEROUS SHARP EDGES IT SHOULD BE. I WOULD NEVER LET ANY CHILD BE IN MY TRUCK UNSUPERVISED BECAUSE THIS DASH IS SO BAD I TRULY BELIEVE AN INJURY COULD RESULT FROM CONTACT WITH THE SHARP EDGES. I REALIZE DODGE WOULD BE OUT AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM, AND I'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD THEY ARE STILL SELLING THE SAME BAD PLASTIC DASHES AS REPLACEMENTS, BUT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. AT LEAST THEY COULD OFFER A NEW DASH MADE FROM DIFFERENT MATERIAL AT A MUCH MORE AFFORDABLE COST. PLEASE FIND A WAY TO HELP THOSE OF US WHO ARE TRYING TO COPE WITH THIS PROBLEM...THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT PROVIDING ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 06/06/12 …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT PROVIDING ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 06/06/12 *BF ADDITIONAL CONCERN ARE THE DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS. UPDATED 06/20/12*LJ
ENGINE COMPLETED SEIZED, WAS TOLD SLUDGE IN ENGINE. MECHANIC STATED COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND VEHICLE. $5000 TO REPLACE ENGINE. *TR
DASHBOARD HAS COMPLETELY CAVED IN DUE TO CRACKING. *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.