IllustrationI HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 THAT I BOUGHT USED 2 YEARS AGO. TRUCK WAS FLAWLESS NOW HAS 2 LARGE CRACKS FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO MIDWAY BACK ON THE TOP OF THE DASH. NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HI BEAM 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 reportsI OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP. THE DASHBOARD IS BADLY CRACKED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS. NO ACTION HAS YET BEEN TAKEN TO CORRECT HE DEFECT. *TR
I AM ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE 2001 DODGE RAM DASH BOARD CRACK UP. THIS STARTED IN 2003 AND CONTINUES TODAY. THE DEALER SAYS I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE PLASTIC PIECES OF DASH BOARD FALLING INTO MY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I WORRY WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN/IF I GET INTO A MISHAP. WHEN IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO RECALL THESE DASHES…
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I AM ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE 2001 DODGE RAM DASH BOARD CRACK UP. THIS STARTED IN 2003 AND CONTINUES TODAY. THE DEALER SAYS I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE PLASTIC PIECES OF DASH BOARD FALLING INTO MY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I WORRY WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN/IF I GET INTO A MISHAP. WHEN IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO RECALL THESE DASHES? DOES IT TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED? IF THERE IS A RECALL, I CANNOT FIND IT BUT KNOW I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *TR
I BOUGHT A 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP BRAND NEW FROM A DODGE DEALER. THE DASHBOARD HAS COMPLETELY COME APART. TONS OF CRACKS IN IT. *TR
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS FALLEN IN ON ITSELF. ONE DAY AS I WAS DRIVING A CRACK STARTED. A FEW MONTHS LATER ONE PIECE FELL IN AND 2 YEARS LATER MOST OF THE DASH IS BROKEN DOWN. THERE ARE SHARDS OF BROKEN PLASTIC EVERYWHERE UNDER WHERE IT WAS LOCATED. THERE ARE NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE AS ALL OF THAT MODEL HAV…
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THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS FALLEN IN ON ITSELF. ONE DAY AS I WAS DRIVING A CRACK STARTED. A FEW MONTHS LATER ONE PIECE FELL IN AND 2 YEARS LATER MOST OF THE DASH IS BROKEN DOWN. THERE ARE SHARDS OF BROKEN PLASTIC EVERYWHERE UNDER WHERE IT WAS LOCATED. THERE ARE NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE AS ALL OF THAT MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IF THERE IS EVER A CRASH SHARP SHARDS OF PLASTIC WILL BE FLYING EVERYWHERE. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT I CAN FIND. PARTS THAT I CAN FIND ARE $300-$500 IN COST WHICH I WILL NOT PAY IN THAT EXCESS. IF I COULD FIND IT FOR $100 I WOULD REPLACE IT. *TR
2001 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK: THE DASH IS CRACKING AND FALLING IN ALL AT THE BASE OF THE WINDOW. THE PLASTIC PIECES ARE SHARP AND LOOSE INSIDE THE DASH. THESE PIECES CAN GET LODGED IN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OR FANS CAUSING SHORTS AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS. DODGE IS NOT OFFERING TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THIS DEFECT. *TR
THE DASHBOARD OF MY DODGE 2001 RAM 1500 QUAD CAB IS COMPLETELY CRACKED. I KEEP A SUN VISOR ON IT BUT IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. IT IS SO EVIDENT IT IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. EVERY DODGE TRUCK I SEE ON THE ROAD IN MY AREA THAT IS LIKE MINE HAS THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA THAT HAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD. I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE ARE OVER A 100 PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY IF YOU HIT A BUMP OR A POTHOLE TOO HARD. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR DODGE TO RECALL THESE AUTOMOBILE, MAYBE SOMEBOD…
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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DAKOTA THAT HAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD. I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE ARE OVER A 100 PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY IF YOU HIT A BUMP OR A POTHOLE TOO HARD. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR DODGE TO RECALL THESE AUTOMOBILE, MAYBE SOMEBODY DYING. *TR
PLASTIC DASH HAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY FROM FRONT TO REAR OF DASH IN FRONT OF STEERING WHEEL.*TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS BEGINNING TO CRACK INTO PIECES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
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.