← New search

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
77,000 miles · Aug 24, 2004
Tires

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE P265/75R16 114S ON A 2001 DODGE RAM CREW CAB 4WD VEHICLE - TREAD CAME OFF OF TIRE AT 55 MPH.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10088476

78,000 miles · Aug 5, 2004
Structure

ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO THE DASH ON MY 2001 DODGE 2500 PICK UP SPLIT APART OVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT, THEN TODAY THE DASH SPLIT APART OVER THE DRIVER SIDE GAGES. DODGE SAID THIS IS NOT A DEFECT BUT I BELIEVE THIS IS A FLAW IN THE MATERIA AND THE FORMATION OF THE DASH. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IS YOU HAVE ANY OT…

Read full complaint

ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO THE DASH ON MY 2001 DODGE 2500 PICK UP SPLIT APART OVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT, THEN TODAY THE DASH SPLIT APART OVER THE DRIVER SIDE GAGES. DODGE SAID THIS IS NOT A DEFECT BUT I BELIEVE THIS IS A FLAW IN THE MATERIA AND THE FORMATION OF THE DASH. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IS YOU HAVE ANY OTHER COMPLAINT ON THIS ITEM. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10086241

37,000 miles · Jul 14, 2004
Steering

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING. VEHICLE HAD A 5 1/2 INCH SLACK/PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED OF 50 MPH OR MORE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND HAD THE TRACK BAR REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *TC

NHTSA ODI #10081979

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2004
Power Train

WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHCILE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSON FAILED.*AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10073874

38,126 miles · Jun 23, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT SMOKED WAS COMING FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO CLEANING SENSORS. *JB THE CONSUMER IND…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT SMOKED WAS COMING FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO CLEANING SENSORS. *JB THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM STARTED AFTER PULLING A TRAILER FOR 200 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE REPLACED THE INJECTOR PUMP. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10073822

30,000 miles · Jun 12, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

2001 DODGE RAM 2500 PICKUP TRUCK. THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS IN THREE WAYS. 1) IT WILL TURN ITSELF ON AND START TO ACCELERATE. 2) IT WILL RESUME ON ITS OWN AFTER BEING TAPPPED OUT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. 3) IT HAS TURNED ITSELF OFF. UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, EITHER OF THOSE THREE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDEN…

Read full complaint

2001 DODGE RAM 2500 PICKUP TRUCK. THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS IN THREE WAYS. 1) IT WILL TURN ITSELF ON AND START TO ACCELERATE. 2) IT WILL RESUME ON ITS OWN AFTER BEING TAPPPED OUT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. 3) IT HAS TURNED ITSELF OFF. UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, EITHER OF THOSE THREE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT SUSAN SCHEIN DODGE TRUCKS, IN PELHAM, ALABAMA, THE PROBLEM WAS "SERVO FAILURE." I PAID THEM TO PUT A NEW SERVO ON MY VEHICLE. ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE SHOP, THE CRUISE RESUMED ON ITS OWN TWICE BEFORE I GOT HOME. I HAVE ADVISED CHRSYLER OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY REFUSE TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON THEIR OWN. ANOTHER DODGE 2001 OWNER TOLD ME, HE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND IT WAS THE VEHICLE COMPUTER. HE SAID CHRYSLER FIXED HIS TRUCK AND HE WAS OF THE OPINION A "RECALL" HAD BEEN ORDERED. IF SO I WAS NOT ADVISED AND NEITHER CHRYSLER NOR THE DEALER HAVE AGREED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. [AS FOR AN EXACT DATE OF INCIDENTS, I CAN'T BE SURE. I KNOW IT TURNED ITSELF ON IN MAY, 2004, AND IN SEPTEMBER, 2003. THOSE TWO TIMES ARE VERY SPECIFIC IN MY MIND! AS FOR RESUMING ON ITS OWN, THAT STARTED IN LATE 2002, OR EARLY 2003. THE NUMBER OF FAILURES LISTED IS A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE.] OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THE PROBLEM IS THE VEHICLE COMPUTER. I'VE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE A/C WORKING PROPERLY AND WITH THE O/D KICKING IN. PEOPLE WITH MORE MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE THAN I POSSESS SAY, "THE COMPUTER IS FOULED UP!. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075264

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2004
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HIT A BUMP AND VIBRATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION INDICATOR *AK

NHTSA ODI #10073464

46,480 miles · May 10, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

THERMOSTAT CLOSED, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, BOILING THE COOLANT OUT OF THE COOLING SYSTEM OUT OF THE OVERFLOW PIPE, PAST THE RADIATOR CAP, THROUGH THE COOLANT RECOVERY BOTTLE. POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES: DESTRUCTION OF ENGINE THROUGH OVERHEATING, POSSIBLE FIRE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE DID NOT FUNCTION DUE TO LOSS OF COOLANT. SERVIC…

Read full complaint

THERMOSTAT CLOSED, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, BOILING THE COOLANT OUT OF THE COOLING SYSTEM OUT OF THE OVERFLOW PIPE, PAST THE RADIATOR CAP, THROUGH THE COOLANT RECOVERY BOTTLE. POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES: DESTRUCTION OF ENGINE THROUGH OVERHEATING, POSSIBLE FIRE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE DID NOT FUNCTION DUE TO LOSS OF COOLANT. SERVICE DEALER AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER STATE THAT THE THERMOSTAT IS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM, EVEN THOUGH NOTHING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE EXTENDED WARRANTY CONTRACT OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENTATION THAT I HAVE STATES THIS. INSTEAD. DAIMLER CHRYSLER COVER THE CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE AND ALL INTERNAL COMPONENTS. THIS IS AND WAS INTERPRETED BY THIS OWNER AS MEANING THAT THE THERMOSTAT, BEING AN INTERNAL ENGINE PART, SHOULD BE COVERED, AND ALL LITERATURE SUPPLIED ME AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE IMPLY THIS. FAILURE OF THIS PART COULD RESULT IN A FIRE OR ENGINE DESTRUCTION. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10072349

35,000 miles · Apr 30, 2004
Steering

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WANDERED ON IT'S OWN. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE GEAR BOX NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10071958

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2004
Suspension

THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION; THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAD FAILED. THE CONSUMER WILL HAVE THE SUSPENSION REPLACED. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10071861

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.