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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

What owners actually said

469 reports
90,000 miles · Dec 29, 2010
Structure

ENTIRE DASH AND DASH BEZEL FELL APART. NO DAMAGE DONE TO THE DASH, IT JUST FELL APART. WIRES AND DUCT WORK ARE NOW OPEN TO THE SUN AND FOREIGN MATERIALS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373379

186,000 miles · Dec 22, 2010
Structure

DASHBOARD PLASTIC, DASHBOARD PAD SECTION BREAKS, FALLS APART IN 1999 TO 2006 MODEL YEAR DODGE RAM 1500 AND DODGE RAM 2500 PICKUPS AND MAY CUT WIRING INSIDE DASH, POSSIBLY CREATING A HAZARD. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT ONLINE. DODGE APPEARS TO BE UNCONCERNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10372136

60,000 miles · Dec 13, 2010
Structure

THE DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART INTO SEVERAL SHARP PIECES. I HAD A 4"X5" PIECE FALL INTO THE DASHBOARD THIS WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370495

193,000 miles · Dec 6, 2010
Structure

MY DASHBOARD HAD A SMALL CRACK THAT HAS TURNED IN TO A MASSIVE SINKHOLE. MY FEAR IS POSSIBLE LIFE THREATENING INJURY/ PERMANENT DISABILITY TO MYSELF OR A PASSENGER AS A RESULT OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT THAT WOULD CAUSE THE REMAINING PIECES OF PLASTIC TO BECOME PROJECTILES. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN…

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MY DASHBOARD HAD A SMALL CRACK THAT HAS TURNED IN TO A MASSIVE SINKHOLE. MY FEAR IS POSSIBLE LIFE THREATENING INJURY/ PERMANENT DISABILITY TO MYSELF OR A PASSENGER AS A RESULT OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT THAT WOULD CAUSE THE REMAINING PIECES OF PLASTIC TO BECOME PROJECTILES. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED SO THEY WILL NOT TAKE ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369395

110,000 miles · Nov 28, 2010
Structure

DASHBOARD CRACKING/FAILING , RELATED ELEC. PROPLEMS W/ HEADLIGHT DIMMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368067

28,500 miles · Oct 30, 2010
Structure

HARD PLASTIC DASH BOARD CRACKS INTO LOTS OF HARD SHARP PIECES THAT CAN BECOME DEADLY PROJECTILES IN A CRASH. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEZEL ALSO BECOMES BRITTLE AND CAN POSE A SEVERE LACERATION RISK IN A COLLISION SITUATION. ALSO, AS THE DASH DEGRADES, LARGE CHUNKS CAN BECOME DISLODGED DURING DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS OR WHEN HITTING A…

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HARD PLASTIC DASH BOARD CRACKS INTO LOTS OF HARD SHARP PIECES THAT CAN BECOME DEADLY PROJECTILES IN A CRASH. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEZEL ALSO BECOMES BRITTLE AND CAN POSE A SEVERE LACERATION RISK IN A COLLISION SITUATION. ALSO, AS THE DASH DEGRADES, LARGE CHUNKS CAN BECOME DISLODGED DURING DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS OR WHEN HITTING A BUMP. THESE CHUNKS CAN SLIDE AND MOVE ABOUT THE CAB AND EITHER CAUSE A DANGEROUS DISTRACTION RESULTING IN A CRASH, OR, CAN FLY ABOUT AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS DUE TO THE SHARP EDGES. PLEASE PROVE THAT THE NHTSA IS NOT JUST ANOTHER BLOATED GOVERNMENT AGENCY IN THE POCKET OF THE AUTO MANUFACTURERS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE THAT HAS PLAGUED DODGE TRUCK OWNERS FOR YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363011

55,400 miles · Oct 25, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure

2001 DODGE RAM 2500 4X4, BRAKE LINE DIRECTLY BEHIND GAS TANK ABOVE REAR AXLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE RUSTS/CORRODES WHICH CAUSES A MAJOR BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND CAUSES LOSS OF BRAKES. THIS AREA IS HIDDEN FROM IMMEDIATE SIGHT BY THE SPARE TIRE AND APPARENTLY BUILDUP DOESN'T GET WASHED AWAY IN THE CARWASH OR WHEN IT RAINS OR FROM ROAD SPR…

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2001 DODGE RAM 2500 4X4, BRAKE LINE DIRECTLY BEHIND GAS TANK ABOVE REAR AXLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE RUSTS/CORRODES WHICH CAUSES A MAJOR BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND CAUSES LOSS OF BRAKES. THIS AREA IS HIDDEN FROM IMMEDIATE SIGHT BY THE SPARE TIRE AND APPARENTLY BUILDUP DOESN'T GET WASHED AWAY IN THE CARWASH OR WHEN IT RAINS OR FROM ROAD SPRAY ETC. I HAVE NEVER SEEN BRAKE LINES RUST SO BAD. THEY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE THEY SWELL AS THEY RUST AND SCALE. THE REST OF THE VEHICLES UNDERCARRAGE IS 90% BLACK PAINT FROM THE FACTORY, BUT THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTING. MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE USED STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINE MATERIAL OR AT LEAST A COATED TYPE BRAKELINE. LOSS OF BRAKES IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE NO WARRANTY PERIOD ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS, THEY SHOULD BE THE LAST THING TO GO ON THE VEHICLE. THERE SHOULD BE A PAID IN FULL RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362320

122,000 miles · Oct 21, 2010
Structure

2001 DODGE RAM 2500 DASHBOARD CRACKED IN SO MANY PLACES THAT IT CAVED IN AND AFFECTED THE HIGH/LO BEAM SWITCH. I TURNED THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH ON AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OFF. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SOMEHOW GOT THE LO BEAMS BACK ON. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT CAN PUT INNOCENT LIVES IN GRAVE DANGER. PL…

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2001 DODGE RAM 2500 DASHBOARD CRACKED IN SO MANY PLACES THAT IT CAVED IN AND AFFECTED THE HIGH/LO BEAM SWITCH. I TURNED THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH ON AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OFF. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SOMEHOW GOT THE LO BEAMS BACK ON. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT CAN PUT INNOCENT LIVES IN GRAVE DANGER. PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BEFORE ANYTHING BAD HAPPENS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361664

50,000 miles · Oct 20, 2010
Steering

PROBLEMS WITH STEERING, AND VIBRATION/WOBBLE IN THE FRONT OF OUR 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. NO RESOLUTION AS OF YET. DODGE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. REPLACED TRACK BAR, BUT PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. STEERING WANDERS, HARD TO KEEP TRUCK ON THE ROAD. VIBRATION IN FRONT RETURNED ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE HEARD THERE IS AN AFTER MARKET STEERING…

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PROBLEMS WITH STEERING, AND VIBRATION/WOBBLE IN THE FRONT OF OUR 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. NO RESOLUTION AS OF YET. DODGE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. REPLACED TRACK BAR, BUT PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. STEERING WANDERS, HARD TO KEEP TRUCK ON THE ROAD. VIBRATION IN FRONT RETURNED ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE HEARD THERE IS AN AFTER MARKET STEERING STABILIZER THAT CAN TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. WHY DOESN'T DODGE FIX IT WITH THIS STEERING STABILIZER? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361437

95,000 miles · Oct 20, 2010
Structure

2001 DODGE RAM 2500 - CRACKED DASH. DASH HAS BEEN CRACKED FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS NOW AND IT IS COMPLETELY FALLING APART ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD. DODGE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361434

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.