IllustrationFRONT END VIBRATION, AND VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE FRONT BALL JOINTS ARE DEFECTIVE.*AK *TC
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
What owners actually said
469 reportsTHE 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
2001 DODGE RAM 2500. REMOVED LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER DUE TO A SQWEAK THAT COULD BE HEARD AT LOW SPEED. ONE BRAKE PAD HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE METAL BACKING. WHEN INSPECTING OTHER 3 BRAKES, AT LEAST ONE PAD IN EACH CALIPER SHOWS SIGNS OF BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. PADS HAVE A MINIMUM OF 1/2" OF MATERIAL LEFT. VEHICAL MILEAG…
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2001 DODGE RAM 2500. REMOVED LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER DUE TO A SQWEAK THAT COULD BE HEARD AT LOW SPEED. ONE BRAKE PAD HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE METAL BACKING. WHEN INSPECTING OTHER 3 BRAKES, AT LEAST ONE PAD IN EACH CALIPER SHOWS SIGNS OF BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. PADS HAVE A MINIMUM OF 1/2" OF MATERIAL LEFT. VEHICAL MILEAGE IS 41966. ALL PADS WERE REPLACED. THE OLD ONES ARE AVAILABLE.*AK
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
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. AS I STARTED A 215 MILE TRIP TO BOULDER CO NOTICED SOME TYPE OF FASTENER ON THE FLOOR BOARD. AT THE 200 MILE MARK THE ROD WHICH WHEN PUSHED ACTIVATES THE CLUTCH WENT OUT! THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO EASE THE TRUCK TO THE RIGHT LANE, MADE AN ILLEGAL RIGHT TURN AT THE LIGHT, AND KILLED THE ENGINE AS …
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COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. AS I STARTED A 215 MILE TRIP TO BOULDER CO NOTICED SOME TYPE OF FASTENER ON THE FLOOR BOARD. AT THE 200 MILE MARK THE ROD WHICH WHEN PUSHED ACTIVATES THE CLUTCH WENT OUT! THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO EASE THE TRUCK TO THE RIGHT LANE, MADE AN ILLEGAL RIGHT TURN AT THE LIGHT, AND KILLED THE ENGINE AS I PARKED IT AT A GAS STATION. BUT WHAT IF THAT HAD HAPPENED WHILE I WAS GOING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY? I MANAGED TO FIGURE OUT THE USE OF THE FASTENER, AND REPLACE IT ON THE ROD. AT THIS POINT I WILL BE GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP MANAGEMENT AS SUGGESTED BY THE BOOKLET PROVIDED ENTITLED CUSTOMER ARBITRATION PROCESS. I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING MORE SUBSTANTIAL THAN JUST A PART REPLACEMENT. I DO NOT TRUST THE FASTENER TO PROVIDE THE SAFETY. I WORK AS A SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST FOR BOULDER VALLEY SCHOOLS. WHEN WE GET A SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL I USE THE VEHICLE FOR TRAVEL. MY CONCERN IS HAVING AN ACCIDENT IN THE PARKING LOT, WHERE IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR STUDENTS TO MINGLE IN THE PARKING LOT. *AK
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
THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS ALSO THE POWER ASSIST FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER HAD NO STEERING AND NO BRAKES. *SC *JB
FAN BLADE CLUTCH BROKE AND ASSEMBLY CAME OFF AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO RADIATOR, SHROUD, HOSES, PULLIES, BELT AND FAN BLADE. ALL ITEMS HAD TO BE REPLACE AND TOTAL COST OF REPAIR IS $1200.00. *AK
1. STEREING WHEEL WOULD NOT CENTER UP, VEHICLE DROVE STRAIGHT. DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL TO COMPENSATE FOR TORQUE, NO WARRANTY REPAIR, TOOK TO A SUSPENSION SHOP FOR REPAIR $ 1200.00 (SEE DETAILS BELOW). 2. TRANSMISSION SHUDDERED IN TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK UP. DELAER FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, BUT CONFIRMED THE PROB…
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1. STEREING WHEEL WOULD NOT CENTER UP, VEHICLE DROVE STRAIGHT. DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL TO COMPENSATE FOR TORQUE, NO WARRANTY REPAIR, TOOK TO A SUSPENSION SHOP FOR REPAIR $ 1200.00 (SEE DETAILS BELOW). 2. TRANSMISSION SHUDDERED IN TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK UP. DELAER FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, BUT CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM. $ 2200.00 FOR NEW HD TORQUE CONVERTER AND HP VALVE BODY (SEE DETAIL BELOW) **ACCELERATOR STUCK WIDE OPEN WHILE TRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE, HAD TO PUSH HARD ON BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN TO MERGE TO SHOULDER, PLACE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REVVED TO RED LINE, SHUT DOWN THE MOTOR. MOTOR WOULD NOT START ONLY CRANK. DEALER SAID THE INJECTOR PUMP AND CONTROLLER AWERE BAD, $ 3000.00 FOR REAPAIR. REPLACED BALL JOINT 6/2002, REPLACED TRANSMISSION 10/2004, REPLACED FUEL INJECTOR PUMP 12/04. SUM TOTAL OF REPAIRS $ 6600.00.*AK
FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE WORN OUT AND NEED REPLACING. TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN USED OFF ROAD AND MOST MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES. DEALER SUGGESTED I CONTACT DODGE BUT WHEN I DID THEY REFUSED ANY HELP. LATER THAT EVENING ISAW AN ARTICLE IN THE PAPER ABOUT DODGE HAVING BALL JOINT RECALLS ON DURANGOS AND DAKOTAS.THIS COULD BE RELATE…
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FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE WORN OUT AND NEED REPLACING. TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN USED OFF ROAD AND MOST MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES. DEALER SUGGESTED I CONTACT DODGE BUT WHEN I DID THEY REFUSED ANY HELP. LATER THAT EVENING ISAW AN ARTICLE IN THE PAPER ABOUT DODGE HAVING BALL JOINT RECALLS ON DURANGOS AND DAKOTAS.THIS COULD BE RELATED AND REPORTED.*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.