IllustrationDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS ARE WORN THEREFORE THE VEHICLE CANNOT PASS THE STATE INSPECTION. THE DEALER ALERTED THE CONTACT THAT VEHICLES OF THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE IN REGARDS TO STEERING. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 2500 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
220–25K
5125–50K
5450–75K
7275–100K
71100–150K
49150K+
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
Suspension complaints
39 reportsDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED SPUTTERING AND SMOKING RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE INJECTION PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. ALSO, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE TIE RODS WERE PUL…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED SPUTTERING AND SMOKING RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE INJECTION PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. ALSO, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE TIE RODS WERE PULLING APART ON THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT TIE RODS AND BALL JOINTS. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED.
HAD TO REPLACE BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS DUE TO WEAR.*AK THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 40000 MILES WHEN THE BALL JOINT FAILED. *NM
JUST AFTER THE POWER TRAIN WARRENTY WAS UP THE TRANS STARTED TO SLIP. I CHECK FLUID. IT WAS OKAY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REBUILT THE TRANS AT MY COST OF 2500. IT STILL DIDN'T SHIFT RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS FINE. LAST YEAR I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANS REBUILT AGAIN AT 2500. IT RAN FINE FOR EXACTLY 12 MONT…
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JUST AFTER THE POWER TRAIN WARRENTY WAS UP THE TRANS STARTED TO SLIP. I CHECK FLUID. IT WAS OKAY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REBUILT THE TRANS AT MY COST OF 2500. IT STILL DIDN'T SHIFT RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS FINE. LAST YEAR I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANS REBUILT AGAIN AT 2500. IT RAN FINE FOR EXACTLY 12 MONTHS. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AGAIN TO HAVE THE TRANS REBUILT FOR THE THIRD TIME BY A LICENCED FACILITY. I HAD IT FIXED ONE TIME BY A FRIEND ALSO. THE TRANS SHOP WILL WARRENTY THE LABOR THIS TIME BUT, THEY WANT OVER 1600 FOR PARTS. THIS TRUCK WAS $40,000 AND 2,500 PER TRANS PER YEAR AND THE FRONT END REDONE 3 TIMES ALSO. THE ENGINE IS TOO HEAVY AND POWERFUL FOR THE TRUCK AND TRANS. A FAULT BY ENGINEERS AT CHRYSLER SHOULD NOT BE A CONSTANT HEAD ACHE FOR MYSELF AND MY WALLET. I HAVE REPLACED NEARLY EVERY PART ON THIS TRUCK X 3. THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT THIS TRUCK IS THE MOTOR AND IT'S BECAUSE IT'S A CUMMINS.
DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES 2001, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS CONSTANTLY OVERCORRECTING THE VEHICLE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONSUMER HAD MANY ALIGNMENTS DONE BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ALL THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST AND NO LUBRICATION, THE STEER…
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DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES 2001, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS CONSTANTLY OVERCORRECTING THE VEHICLE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONSUMER HAD MANY ALIGNMENTS DONE BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ALL THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST AND NO LUBRICATION, THE STEERING SHAFT AND TRAC BAR WAS REPLACED AND THE STEERING BOX WAS ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND IN HIS OPINION ALTERNATE VALVE LOCATED IN THE STEERING WAS NOT PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD, WHEN THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE VALVE IT EXTREMELY BURNT FROM OVERHEATING. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NO LONGER HAS ANY PROBLEMS STEERING THE VEHICLE. *JB
DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES 2001, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TAKING A 2 MILE DRIVE, HE NOTICE HE HAD TO CONSTANTLY OVERCORRECT TO THE LEFT AND THEN THE RIGHT. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONETS ON THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE STEERING PROBLEM, THE REPLACED ALL THE BALL…
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DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES 2001, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TAKING A 2 MILE DRIVE, HE NOTICE HE HAD TO CONSTANTLY OVERCORRECT TO THE LEFT AND THEN THE RIGHT. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONETS ON THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE STEERING PROBLEM, THE REPLACED ALL THE BALL JOINTS WHICH WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND HAD NO GREASE, THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED, THE TRAC BAR WAS REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE MOVEMENT. IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED THAT A ALTERNATE VALVE IN THE STEERING BOX WAS NOT PERFORMING AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO, WHEN THE MECHANIC TOOK THE VALVE OUT IT WAS BURNED FROM OVERHEATING. *JB
FRONT END VIBRATION, AND VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE FRONT BALL JOINTS ARE DEFECTIVE.*AK *TC
THE CONSUMER STATES AT 45,000 MILES THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH FAILED. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SENDER UNIT FOR THE FUEL WAS NOT WORKING AND NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE BALL JOINTS WENT OUT ALONG WITH THE CLUTCH. AT THE 200 MILE MARK THE ROD WHICH WHEN PUSHED ACTIVATES THE CLUTCH WENT OUT. *TC *JB
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Official recalls
101V153000 · 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
1PE08047 · 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.