IllustrationWHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BOLT BECAME LOOSE. THE STEERING WHEEL JUMPED AROUND WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM
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 reportsWHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION IT CATCHES AND SOMETHING POPS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALER HAS TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK
THE STEERING IN THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN HORRIBLE SINCE THE DRIVE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP . IT IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THIS TRUCK IN YOUR LANE, IT WANDERS AND GOES WHERE IT [XXX] WELL PLEASES. I'VE HAD THE TRUCK IN THE SHOP FOR THE STEERING PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED STEERING LINKAGE AND THE BALL JOINTS. THIS DID NOT HELP …
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THE STEERING IN THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN HORRIBLE SINCE THE DRIVE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP . IT IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THIS TRUCK IN YOUR LANE, IT WANDERS AND GOES WHERE IT [XXX] WELL PLEASES. I'VE HAD THE TRUCK IN THE SHOP FOR THE STEERING PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED STEERING LINKAGE AND THE BALL JOINTS. THIS DID NOT HELP ONE BIT. WITH ONLY 28,000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK (95% FREEWAY MILES) THE TIRES SHOW SIGNIFICANT WEAR. A SERVICE MANAGER AT ONE OF THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS SAID THIS IS THE LARGEST COMPLAINT ON THIS VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *PH INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED A FRONTAL COLLISION BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK THE STEERING COLUMN HAD BROKE AS WELL. *SCC *JB
LIFT PUMP FAILURE: MY FUEL TRANSFER PUMP DIED DURING ACCELERATION. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN AND ALSO CAUSED THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES TO SHUT DOWN AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *PH
MY COMPLAINT CONCERNS MY VEHICLE AND SEVERAL THOUSAND OTHERS THAT BELONG TO MEMBERS OF THE TURBO DIESEL REGISTER. THE REASON I'M WRITING IS IN HOPES THAT WE CAN GET A SAFETY ISSUE ADDRESSED, AND CORRECTED ONCE AND FOR ALL. THERE HAS BEEN A REPEATED TREND OVER SEVERAL YEARS NOW CONCERNING THE LIFT PUMP (FUEL TRANSFER PUMP) UTILIZ…
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MY COMPLAINT CONCERNS MY VEHICLE AND SEVERAL THOUSAND OTHERS THAT BELONG TO MEMBERS OF THE TURBO DIESEL REGISTER. THE REASON I'M WRITING IS IN HOPES THAT WE CAN GET A SAFETY ISSUE ADDRESSED, AND CORRECTED ONCE AND FOR ALL. THERE HAS BEEN A REPEATED TREND OVER SEVERAL YEARS NOW CONCERNING THE LIFT PUMP (FUEL TRANSFER PUMP) UTILIZED IN THE 2500/3500 CUMMINS DIESEL APPLICATION. I AM A MEMBER OF THE FAILED LIFT PUMP CLUB AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS LIFT PUMP PROBLEMS ON MY 2001 2500 DODGE CTD. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE TRUCK TO LOOSE POWER AND SOMETIMES DIE. THIS CAN BE LIFE THREATENING IF THE TRUCK OWNER IS ON THE HIGHWAY TOWING A LOADED TRAILER. I WOULD LIKE THIS DESIGN PROBLEM CORRECTED. I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS CONCERN, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF 1998.5 - 2002, 24 VALVE CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL OWNERS THAT ARE CONCERNED AND HAVE COMPLAINED TO DODGE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH NO RESOLUTION. THIS CAN BE DOCUMENTED BY GOING TO THE TURBO DIESEL REGISTER ON THE WEB. HTTP://WWW.TURBODIESELREGISTER.COM/...15&PAGENUMBER=2 *PH
2001 DODGE DIESEL LIFT PUMP FAILURES. MINE HAS DIED TWICE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. 55,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK. THE SECOND ONE LEFT ME IN THE # 2 LANE OF THE 405 FREEWAY IN SO. CALIF. DEAD HAD TO BE PULLED OFF. *NLM
LIFT PUMP FAILURE ON 2001 DODGE CUMMINS DIESEL PICKUP. *NLM
DEFECTIVE TIRES. *NLM
STEERING WANDERS ALL OVER THE PLACE. 2001 RAM PICKUP 2500 WITH ONLY 19,224 MILES ON IT PROBLEM FIRST SURFACED AROUND 15,000 MILES. DEALER SERVICED AT 17,207 MILES AS A LICENSED INSPECTION MECHANIC, THIS VEHICLE WILL FAIL THE STATE INSPECTION STICKER TEST WHEN IT IS DUE. THE AMOUNT OF PLAY AT THE STEERING WHEEL IS CURRENTLY AT…
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STEERING WANDERS ALL OVER THE PLACE. 2001 RAM PICKUP 2500 WITH ONLY 19,224 MILES ON IT PROBLEM FIRST SURFACED AROUND 15,000 MILES. DEALER SERVICED AT 17,207 MILES AS A LICENSED INSPECTION MECHANIC, THIS VEHICLE WILL FAIL THE STATE INSPECTION STICKER TEST WHEN IT IS DUE. THE AMOUNT OF PLAY AT THE STEERING WHEEL IS CURRENTLY AT 5+ INCHES AND GETTING WORSE. INSPECTION PROCEDURES REQUIRE THE PLAY TO BE MEASURED WHILE OBSERVING THE TIRE MOVEMENT. ( EXAMPLE : TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT UNTIL VISABLE MOVEMENT OF THE TIRE IS SEEN, MARK A REFERENCE POINT ON THE STEERING WHEEL, NOW TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT UNTILL VISABLE MOVEMENT OF THE TIRE , NOW MEASURE THE DISTANCE THE MARK ON THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TRAVELED. ANYTHING OVER A 2 1/2 " TRAVEL IS CAUSE FOR FAILING THE STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION STICKER. DEALER HAS ALREADY REPLACED THE TRACK BAR BUT THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AM AWAITING ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE STEERING ISSUES. THE VEHICLE ALWAYS NEEDS TO BE " CHASED " LEFT AND RIGHT TO KEEP IT TRACKING STRAIGHT AHEAD.IT IS MY OPINION THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING BOX. THE STAE OF MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE DIVISION FORCED A BUYBACK OF THESE SAME TRUCKS BECAUSE OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. IF THEY ARE NOT SAFE FOR OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT THEN THEY ARE SURE NOT SAFE FOR THE AVERAGE CONSUMER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CAN NOT BE IGNORED. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN IN MAINE. *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.