← New search

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

What owners actually said

1,112 reports
60,000 miles · Sep 10, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH WHEN THEY WERE CUT OFF AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF AN ON-COMING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANIES STORAGE FACILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO PR…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH WHEN THEY WERE CUT OFF AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF AN ON-COMING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANIES STORAGE FACILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60000. UPDATED 12/15/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 12/27/10

NHTSA ODI #10354839

89,000 miles · Sep 5, 2010
StructureInjury

THE FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD IN MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE WAS NOT ANY PARTICULAR EVENT LEADING TO ITS FAILURE. ONE DAY I WAS CLEANING THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND DID NOT NOTICE THE LARGE CRACK UNTIL I SLICED MY ARM ON IT. IT CONCERNS ME THAT THIS INJURY OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOT…

Read full complaint

THE FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD IN MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE WAS NOT ANY PARTICULAR EVENT LEADING TO ITS FAILURE. ONE DAY I WAS CLEANING THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND DID NOT NOTICE THE LARGE CRACK UNTIL I SLICED MY ARM ON IT. IT CONCERNS ME THAT THIS INJURY OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. I CAN NOT EVEN IMAGINE THE INJURIES THAT COULD OCCUR AT HIGH SPEEDS FROM THE FAULTY PLASTIC. THE FACT REMAINS THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE CURRENT PLASTIC AS WELL AS THE "REPLACEMENT DASH." I MEAN A REPLACEMENT DASH THAT WILL EVENTUALLY CRACK AND INFLICT THE SAME INJURIES AS BEFORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353942

220,000 miles · Sep 2, 2010
Structure

MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH HAS BEEN CRACKING AND I HAVE TRIED TO KEEP UP WITH THE LOOSE PARTS OF IT AFTER THEY BREAK OFF BUT WHILE DRIVING LAST WEEK A PIECE BECAME LOOSE AND IN THE TURBULENCE INSIDE THE TRUCK, WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN, A PIECE OF THE DASH CAME OFF AND FLEW INTO MY RIGHT EYE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK STOPPED AN…

Read full complaint

MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH HAS BEEN CRACKING AND I HAVE TRIED TO KEEP UP WITH THE LOOSE PARTS OF IT AFTER THEY BREAK OFF BUT WHILE DRIVING LAST WEEK A PIECE BECAME LOOSE AND IN THE TURBULENCE INSIDE THE TRUCK, WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN, A PIECE OF THE DASH CAME OFF AND FLEW INTO MY RIGHT EYE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK STOPPED AND AFTER ABOUT 15 MIN I WAS ABLE TO GET THE PIECE OUT OF MY EYE AND CONTINUE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353607

88,000 miles · Sep 2, 2010
Air BagsStructure

DASH BOARD IS CRACKING INTO PIECES ACTUALLY DISINEGRATING. IF BY CHANCE CUTS ANY WIRING IT COULD CUT MY LIGHTS OUT OR SOMETHING ELSE I AM NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH THE ELECTRONICS OF AN AUTOMOBLBILE. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353546

126,000 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AFTER SHE DEPRESSED IT. SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE PEDAL WAS STUCK. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AFTER SHE DEPRESSED IT. SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE PEDAL WAS STUCK. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A RELATIVE WHO STATED THAT THE GASKET FROM THE CARBURETOR BECAME STUCK INSIDE THE CARBURETOR WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

NHTSA ODI #10353057

210,000 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Electrical SystemFire

TRUCK WAS RUNNING JUST FINE. WHEN TRUCK WAS PARKED FOR LESS THAN 10 MINUTES, WITH ENGINE OFF IT SUDDENLY IGNITED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE TRUCK WAS A COMPLETE LOSS. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THE EVENT TOOK PLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352164

100,000 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Structure

DODGE DASHBOARD FALLING APART ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351971

80,000 miles · Aug 24, 2010
SteeringSuspension

I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4X4. WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP OR POT HOLE AT 50MPH OR FASTER THE WHOLE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY SO BAD THAT YOU BARELY HAVE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT DOES NOT STOP UNTIL YOU CAN SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN..WHICH IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. IT HAPPENED TO ME 3 OR 4 TIMES ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRA…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4X4. WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP OR POT HOLE AT 50MPH OR FASTER THE WHOLE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY SO BAD THAT YOU BARELY HAVE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT DOES NOT STOP UNTIL YOU CAN SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN..WHICH IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. IT HAPPENED TO ME 3 OR 4 TIMES ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW IT DOWN CAUSING PEOPLE AROUND ME TO ALMOST GET IN TO ACCIDENTS TRYING NOT TO SLAM INTO ME BECAUSE IN HAD NO CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. I HAVE PUT IN UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS,TRAC BAR .STEERING COLUMN..NOTHING HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM AND DODGE WANTS TO KNOW NOTHING.SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED IF THIS NPROBLEM ISN'T FIXED BY DODGE. THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND ALSO FROM MECHANICS AND PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO. EVERYONE WHO OWNS A DODGE TRUCK CAN TELL YOU ABOUT THE "DEATH WOBBLE". I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND OUT IT COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THATS NEXT FOR ME TO TRY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351608

30,000 miles · Aug 23, 2010
Structure

DASH IN 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 FALLING APART, CRACKS AND SHARP PIECES STICKING UP. THE DASH IS STARTING TO FALL IN. DODGE WILL NOT DO ANY THING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351202

75,000 miles · Aug 22, 2010
Structure

THE DASH IN MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP IS CRACKING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND PIECES ARE FALLING OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351177

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.