IllustrationDASHBOARD COLLAPSING AFTER CRACKING AND PROBLEM WITH TURNING ON THE BRIGHT LIGHTS AND THE LIGHTS GOING OFF. *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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT OBSERVED TWO SMALL CRACKS AROUND THE VENTS ATTACHED TO THE DASHBOARD. TWO MONTHS LATER CRACKS WERE PRESENT NEAR THE WINDSHIELD ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DASHBOARD AND IN THE CENTER WITH EXPOSED WIRES. THE DASHBOARD WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT''S EXPENSE. ALSO, THE AIR CONDITI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT OBSERVED TWO SMALL CRACKS AROUND THE VENTS ATTACHED TO THE DASHBOARD. TWO MONTHS LATER CRACKS WERE PRESENT NEAR THE WINDSHIELD ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DASHBOARD AND IN THE CENTER WITH EXPOSED WIRES. THE DASHBOARD WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT''S EXPENSE. ALSO, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT''S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT FILED COMPLAINT # 16254734 ON MAY 1, 2007 WITH DODGE DUE TO NEWS BROADCAST STATING THAT THE DASHBOARDS ON THE VEHICLES WERE CRACKING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.*AK UPDATED 05/21/07 *TR
2001 DODGE RAM DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY CRACKED. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS OR SO, PROGRESSIVELY GETTING MUCH WORSE. *TR
2001 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND LEAVING A BIG HOLE IN THE DASHBOARD. *TR
2001 DODGE RAM DASHBOARD CRACKING ENDING UP WITH GAPING HOLES IN DASH AND EVENTUAL DASH REPLACEMENT AT MY EXPENSE DUE TO SAFETY AND COSMETIC CONCERNS. *TR
FACIA OR EDGE OF DASH CRACKED IN 2 PLACES (1 PIECE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR FEEL OUT) AND MAIN DASH COVER HAS LARGE CRACKS IN 4 PLACES, 2 OF WHICH RUN THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE DASH FRONT TO BACK. (2 OF THE THEM ON THE MAIN DASH APPEARED IN THE LAST WEEK. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE 1500 PICKUP TRUCK WHICH HAS NUMEROUS CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. I AM WORRIED ABOIT MY DASHBOARD FALLING IN AND DAMAGING MY WIRING.*AK
I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN MY DASH RIGHT BEHIND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. NOW, I HAVE THREE CRAKS IN THE DASH, TWO OF THEM ARE ABOUT SIX INCHES LONG AND THE ONE ABOVE THE AIRBAG NOW GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN THE DASH. I FEEL THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED DUE TO THE FACT THAT …
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I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN MY DASH RIGHT BEHIND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. NOW, I HAVE THREE CRAKS IN THE DASH, TWO OF THEM ARE ABOUT SIX INCHES LONG AND THE ONE ABOVE THE AIRBAG NOW GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN THE DASH. I FEEL THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE SECOND GENERATION DODGE RAMS. ALSO, IT SHOULD VERY EASILY BE A SAFETY CONCERN AS FAR AS POSSIBLY RIPPING AN AIRBAG UPON DEPLOYMENT, OR SENDING LOOSE PIECES OF JAGGED PLASTIC FLYING IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AUTOMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35 OR 70 MPH. WEATHER AND SPEED WERE NOT FACTORS. ALSO, WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL BEFORE IT COMPLETELY STOPPED. THERE WAS SAFETY RECALL # 06E024000 CONC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AUTOMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35 OR 70 MPH. WEATHER AND SPEED WERE NOT FACTORS. ALSO, WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL BEFORE IT COMPLETELY STOPPED. THERE WAS SAFETY RECALL # 06E024000 CONCERNING ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 93,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGES NOT ONLY BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 35 TO 75 BUT ALSO WHILE IN PARK. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL IT SEEMS TOO COINCIDENTAL THAT IT IS EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER STATED UNSAFE DUE TO THE FACT OF A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT WITH THIS DEFECT. UPDATED 07/06/07 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE AHEAD SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP, AND WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE AHEAD SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP, AND WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE , THEN TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTION STATION. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE RATE OF DECELERATION REQUIRED TO ACTIVATE THE AIR BAGS WAS NOT PRESENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 75,000. *AK
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.