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2001 Dodge RAM 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 275.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

319 reports with mileage · 150 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 181 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports11 fire reports15 injury reports

Steering complaints

69 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2001
Steering

WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A STANDING POSITION STEERING WHEEL IS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO FILING THIS COMPLAINT, AND WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE NEEDED A LARGER POWER STEERING PUMP. CONSUMER HAD THIS REPAIR DONE, AND IS STILL EXPERIENCEING SAME PROBLEM. DEALER / MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. PLE…

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WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A STANDING POSITION STEERING WHEEL IS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO FILING THIS COMPLAINT, AND WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE NEEDED A LARGER POWER STEERING PUMP. CONSUMER HAD THIS REPAIR DONE, AND IS STILL EXPERIENCEING SAME PROBLEM. DEALER / MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHUR DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #891322

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2001
SteeringCrash

IMPROPERLY HARDENED SHAFT USED IN THE STEERING COMPONENT. ROCKWELL HARDNESS NOT UP TO SPECS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #744929

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2001
SteeringSuspension

VEHICLE WANDERS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE, AND CLAIMS VEHICLE IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS.*AK CONSUMER STATES IT TAKES TOO MUCH MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEPT HE VEHICLE ON COURSE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #885218

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2001
SteeringSuspension

WHEN TOWING VEHICLE HAS JUMPED FROM SIDE TO SIDE, CHANGING LANES, WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. HAS BEEN TO DEALER TWICE. DEALER REPLACED FRONT END AND POWER STEERING. DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK IT IS HARD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT BUT THE CAUSE WAS NOT STILL FOUND. *YH

NHTSA ODI #882204

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2001
SteeringSuspension

VEHICLE HAS A WANDERING PROBLEM. 1ST TRIP TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS THEY SAID THEY ADJUSTED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. THAT DID NOT HELP. 2ND TRIP TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. IT NOT TURNS EASIER BUT STILL WANDERS AND ALSO HAS A GROWLING SOUND FROM STEERING GEAR WHEN TURNING. I WILL BE VISITING DEALER AGAIN CONCER…

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VEHICLE HAS A WANDERING PROBLEM. 1ST TRIP TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS THEY SAID THEY ADJUSTED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. THAT DID NOT HELP. 2ND TRIP TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. IT NOT TURNS EASIER BUT STILL WANDERS AND ALSO HAS A GROWLING SOUND FROM STEERING GEAR WHEN TURNING. I WILL BE VISITING DEALER AGAIN CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. I BELEAVE THIS IS NOT A SMALL PROBLEM. IT COMPROMISES MY AND MY FAMILYS SAFETY. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM PLEASE SEE HTTP://WWW.TURBODIESELREGISTER.COM/UBB//FORUM17/HTML/000822.HTML AND YOU WILL SEE AN ADDITION 115+ PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. I DO HOPE TO SEE A RECALL ON THIS STERRING WANDER/PLAY/LACK OF RESPONCE PROBLEM. THANK YOU.*AK

NHTSA ODI #741989

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2001
Steering

FROM THE DAY THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN OFF THE LOT, STEERING ACTION WAS NOTICEABLY "LOOSE". EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING IS APPROXIMATELY 5" BEFORE THE TRUCK WOULD START TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THIS CREATES WANDERING ON THE HIGHWAY REQUIRING CONSISTANT CORRECTION IN STEERING. ACCORDING TO SOME OTHER OWNERS ON INTERNET MESSA…

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FROM THE DAY THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN OFF THE LOT, STEERING ACTION WAS NOTICEABLY "LOOSE". EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING IS APPROXIMATELY 5" BEFORE THE TRUCK WOULD START TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THIS CREATES WANDERING ON THE HIGHWAY REQUIRING CONSISTANT CORRECTION IN STEERING. ACCORDING TO SOME OTHER OWNERS ON INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS, THE WANDERING PROBLEM IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH POSSIBLY THE GEAR BOX. IT IS SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE TRUCK TO DRIFT INTO THE ADJACENT LANE OR SHOULDER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #740989

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2001
Steering

VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL IS OFF CENTER, STEERING DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER, STEERING DRIFTS RIGHT AND LEFT AT ALL SPEEDS, CONSTANTLY HAVE TO CORRECT STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. STEERING GEAR BOX SEAMS TO BE TO SENSITIVE AS YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY WORK AT KEEPING THE VEHICLE ON YOUR SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT HAS THE SAME SYMP…

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VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL IS OFF CENTER, STEERING DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER, STEERING DRIFTS RIGHT AND LEFT AT ALL SPEEDS, CONSTANTLY HAVE TO CORRECT STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. STEERING GEAR BOX SEAMS TO BE TO SENSITIVE AS YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY WORK AT KEEPING THE VEHICLE ON YOUR SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT HAS THE SAME SYMPTONS ON ALL ROAD SURFACES. I HAD THIS VEHICLE BACK TO DODGE COUNTRY ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED AND THEY TELL ME EVERYTHING IS WITH-IN SPECS.I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN INVESTIGATING THIS MATTER AS THIS VEHICLE IS HARD TO DRIVE THIS WAY. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP, JIM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #740310

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2000
SteeringSuspension

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WANDERED SIDE BY SIDE AND LOST CONTROL.ALSO, THE STEERING BOX HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE FOR LACK OF STEERING.

NHTSA ODI #871774

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2000
Steering

THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE STEERING THAT TENDS TO DART TO THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT CAUSED BY STEERING GEAR BOX. YH

NHTSA ODI #551325

Official recalls

1

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

1

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.