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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 →
469Owner complaints

Model-year median: 275

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
225
1998313
1999211
2000469
2001155
2002661
2003582
2004
Compare all RAM 2500 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Structure
181Steering
69Suspension
39Unknown Or Other
33Power Train
28
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
26Service Brakes, Hydraulic
23Electrical System
19Air Bags
18Tires
16Fuel System, Diesel
13Fuel System, Gasoline
11Wheels
10Service Brakes
9Equipment
7Fuel System, Other
6Exterior Lighting
5Latches/locks/linkages
5Vehicle Speed Control
5Visibility
4Fuel/propulsion System
3Trailer Hitches
3Engine
2Visibility/wiper
2Electronic Stability Control
1Interior Lighting
1Parking Brake
1Seat Belts
1Seats
1Service Brakes, Electric
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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
154,000 miles · Aug 29, 2012
Service BrakesCrash

WHILE MOVING FORWARD FROM PARKED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK ROLLED INTO A FENCE. UPON INSPECTION UNDER THE TRUCK, BRAKE FLUID WAS COVERING THE FRAME RAIL UNDER THE BED, BEHIND THE FUEL TANK. UPON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MULTIPLE VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED BRAKE LINE CORROSION IN THIS SAM…

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WHILE MOVING FORWARD FROM PARKED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK ROLLED INTO A FENCE. UPON INSPECTION UNDER THE TRUCK, BRAKE FLUID WAS COVERING THE FRAME RAIL UNDER THE BED, BEHIND THE FUEL TANK. UPON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MULTIPLE VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED BRAKE LINE CORROSION IN THIS SAME AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472861

12,000 miles · Aug 22, 2012
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 PICK UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE WINDOW FOGGED UP AND CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOW CAUSING HIS VISIBILITY TO BE BLOCKED. THE CONTAC MENTIONED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER ONLY WORKED ON THE BOTTOM VENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 PICK UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE WINDOW FOGGED UP AND CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOW CAUSING HIS VISIBILITY TO BE BLOCKED. THE CONTAC MENTIONED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER ONLY WORKED ON THE BOTTOM VENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE LINK FOR THE BLEND AIR DOOR FRACTURE. AS A RESULT, THE A/C HEATER BLEND DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED A CRACKED WHICH WAS CAUSE BY THE REPAIRS DONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #10471935

50,000 miles · Aug 15, 2012
Structure

I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF ONE 2001.5 DODGE 2500, IN 1997 THE DASH HAS STARTED TO DEVELOP CRACKS, TODAY ITS IN LITTLE PIECES, I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS THE DASH MIGHT COLLAPSE ENTIRELY O THE WIRING CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I TURNED TO CHRYSLER FOR HELP AND WAS TOLD THEY TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY WHATSOEVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470697

45,000 miles · Aug 14, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PIECES DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. ..UP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PIECES DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. ..UPDATED 09-21-12*BF

NHTSA ODI #10470636

129,329 miles · Jul 24, 2012
Service Brakes

THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE REAR BRAKE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS ROTTED OUT AND BUSTED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE DODGE RAM TRUCKS . I HAVE CARS FROM THE 1960'S AND THE BRAKE LINES HAVE NOT RUSTED AT ALL AND THIS TRUCK IS 11 YEARS OLD. THIS HAPPENS A LOT ON THESE TRUCKS AND IM SURE THIS IS NOT …

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THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE REAR BRAKE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS ROTTED OUT AND BUSTED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE DODGE RAM TRUCKS . I HAVE CARS FROM THE 1960'S AND THE BRAKE LINES HAVE NOT RUSTED AT ALL AND THIS TRUCK IS 11 YEARS OLD. THIS HAPPENS A LOT ON THESE TRUCKS AND IM SURE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT AGAINST THEM. MAYBE A RECALL SHOULD BE ORDERED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467567

230,000 miles · Jul 23, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE PITMAN ARM FRACTURED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO THE POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT CALLED THREE DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE PITMAN ARM FRACTURED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO THE POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT CALLED THREE DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 230,000. ..UPDATED 09/04/12 *BF ..UPDATED 09/07/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE POINT OF FAILURE WAS THE SECTOR SHAFT ON THE ROD AND A DAMAGED STEERING BOX. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITY. UPDATED 09/11/12 UPDATED 09/17/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10467047

70,400 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Structure

THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND DISINTEGRATING BEFORE MY VERY EYES. EVERY DAY THE CRACKS WIDEN AND SPREAD, AND EVERY DAY ANOTHER PIECE OF THE DASHBOARD BREAKS COMPLETELY OFF. THE SHARDS OF PLASTIC ARE SHARP AND JAGGED, AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465131

125,654 miles · Jul 8, 2012
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING AND SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND STOPPED AND I WENT TO HIT MY BRAKES AND THEY WENT COMPLETELY OUT . IT WAS THE REAR MAIN BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS BEHIND THE GAS TANK. THE NEXT TIME I WAS COMING DOWN A HILL TO A STOP SIGN WITH SOME STEEL IN THE BED AND A DIFFERENT BRAKE LINE AFTER THE ONE BEHIND THE GAS TANK BL…

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I WAS DRIVING AND SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND STOPPED AND I WENT TO HIT MY BRAKES AND THEY WENT COMPLETELY OUT . IT WAS THE REAR MAIN BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS BEHIND THE GAS TANK. THE NEXT TIME I WAS COMING DOWN A HILL TO A STOP SIGN WITH SOME STEEL IN THE BED AND A DIFFERENT BRAKE LINE AFTER THE ONE BEHIND THE GAS TANK BLEW OUT AND SENT ME THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464644

200,000 miles · Jul 8, 2012
Structure

DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED AND NOW CAVING IN SHOWING ALL OF THE INSIDE COMPONENTS. HOPE THE SUN WON'T MELT THE WIRES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464606

150,000 miles · Jul 6, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 5 CALIFORNIA THE TRUCK JUST DIED ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS STUCK IN 105 DEGREE HEAT FOR 2 HOURS BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK GOT THERE. I HAD NO WATER AND I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR. I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY ILL EVER SINCE. VERY TIRED AND I HAVE NO APPETITE. 4,200 HUNDRED TRUCK REPAIR BILL. I HAD TO PAY BECAU…

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I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 5 CALIFORNIA THE TRUCK JUST DIED ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS STUCK IN 105 DEGREE HEAT FOR 2 HOURS BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK GOT THERE. I HAD NO WATER AND I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR. I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY ILL EVER SINCE. VERY TIRED AND I HAVE NO APPETITE. 4,200 HUNDRED TRUCK REPAIR BILL. I HAD TO PAY BECAUSE I HAVE NO OTHER TRANSPORTATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464513

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.