IllustrationVEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON WET ROADS AND HYDROPLANED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. METAL BRACKET OF STEERING WHEEL BROKE UPON IMPACT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT DEALER. PLEAS ADD THE VIN #, MILEAGE AND ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THIS INCIDENT.*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
What owners actually said
469 reportsTHIS VEHICLE LEAKS OUT A SUBSTANCIAL AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL THRU THE BREATHER TUBE WHEN DECENDING A GRADE STEEPER THAN 25 DEGREES. THIS CAUSES THE HOT OIL TO HIT THE ENGINE FAN WHERE IT IS FLUNG ALL OVER THE HOT ENGINE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD CREATING A EXTREME FIRE DANGER. THIS CONDITION ALSO COATS THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH OIL C…
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THIS VEHICLE LEAKS OUT A SUBSTANCIAL AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL THRU THE BREATHER TUBE WHEN DECENDING A GRADE STEEPER THAN 25 DEGREES. THIS CAUSES THE HOT OIL TO HIT THE ENGINE FAN WHERE IT IS FLUNG ALL OVER THE HOT ENGINE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD CREATING A EXTREME FIRE DANGER. THIS CONDITION ALSO COATS THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH OIL CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE BRAKING CAPACITY WHEN DECENDING STEEP HILLS. THIS CONDITION CAN AND WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO LOSE ALL OF ITS OIL RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE AND/OR FIRE, AND LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE. DODGE SAID THEY ARE AWARE OF IT, BUT RECOMMENDED I AVOID DECENDING STEEP GRADES. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE ANSWER. THEY OFFER NO OTHER SOLUTION. THE GRADES IN QUESTION ARE NOT EXCESSIVELY STEEP, AND ARE WELL WITHIN THE OPERATING PARAMETERS OF THIS VEHICLE. THE ONLY REASON I DID NOT SUSTAIN A SERIOUS INJURY OR FIRE IS DUE TO MY EXTENSIVE OFF ROAD DRIVING EXPERIENCE. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP.
CONSUMER WAS DISCONNECTING TRAILOR FROM THE HITCH, AND NOTICED THAT HOLE ON ONE SIDE WAS WORN OUT, CAUSING THE PIN TO MUSHROOM OUT. WEIGHT OF TRAILOR COULD BREAK THE PIN, LOSING ALL CONNECTIONS TO HITCH.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING AT OR ABOVE 45 MPH, VEHICLE WILL "DRAG" OR PULL TO LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND STATED THAT SINCE THERE IS NO TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM, THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *AK *SLC
WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A STANDING POSITION STEERING WHEEL IS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO FILING THIS COMPLAINT, AND WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE NEEDED A LARGER POWER STEERING PUMP. CONSUMER HAD THIS REPAIR DONE, AND IS STILL EXPERIENCEING SAME PROBLEM. DEALER / MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. PLE…
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WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A STANDING POSITION STEERING WHEEL IS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO FILING THIS COMPLAINT, AND WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE NEEDED A LARGER POWER STEERING PUMP. CONSUMER HAD THIS REPAIR DONE, AND IS STILL EXPERIENCEING SAME PROBLEM. DEALER / MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHUR DETAILS.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON A DOWN GRADE VEHICLE WAS PICKING UP SPEED WHILE CONSUMER HAD BRAKES APPLIED. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE BECAUSE OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING, WHICH CAUSED DRIVER TO SUSTAIN FOOT, LOWER LEG, NECK, AND BA INJURIES, WHILE PASSENGER SUFFERED BACK AND MUSCLE INJURIES. INSURANCE …
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WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON A DOWN GRADE VEHICLE WAS PICKING UP SPEED WHILE CONSUMER HAD BRAKES APPLIED. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE BECAUSE OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING, WHICH CAUSED DRIVER TO SUSTAIN FOOT, LOWER LEG, NECK, AND BA INJURIES, WHILE PASSENGER SUFFERED BACK AND MUSCLE INJURIES. INSURANCE COMPANY EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED VEHICLE TO BE A TOTAL LOSS.*AK *SLC
SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE CLOCK SPRING IN MODEL YEARS 1999 -2001. *AK
WHEN YOU START IT AND PUT IT IN DRIVE THE TACK WINDS OUT AND THE TRANI SLIPS REAL BAD AND WHEN IT DOES CATCH IT KILLS THE MOTOR I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES . THE SAD TRUTH IS THEY SOLD ME A LEMON THIS WAS A SPECIAL ORDER VEHICLE I HAD TO WAIT THREE MONTHS FOR THIS. I PAID $35000 FOR A LEMON CAN YOU HELP ME?
WHEN YOU START THE MOTOR AND PUT IT IN DRIVE THE TACK WINDS OUT AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS REAL BAD AND WHEN IT DOES GRAB THE MOTOR STALLS I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THE SAD TRUTH IS THEY SOLD ME A LEMON IS THERE ANY CHANCE FOR A REFUND. THIS WAS A SPECIAL ORDER VEHICLE I HAD TO WAIT THREE MONTHS FOR THIS. I …
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WHEN YOU START THE MOTOR AND PUT IT IN DRIVE THE TACK WINDS OUT AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS REAL BAD AND WHEN IT DOES GRAB THE MOTOR STALLS I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THE SAD TRUTH IS THEY SOLD ME A LEMON IS THERE ANY CHANCE FOR A REFUND. THIS WAS A SPECIAL ORDER VEHICLE I HAD TO WAIT THREE MONTHS FOR THIS. I PAID $35000 FOR A LEMON CAN YOU HELP ME?*AK
IMPROPERLY HARDENED SHAFT USED IN THE STEERING COMPONENT. ROCKWELL HARDNESS NOT UP TO SPECS.*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.