Illustration65,000 miles · Dec 29, 2002
Fuel System, Other
FUEL LEAK
NHTSA ODI #10000414
2000 Dodge RAM 3500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2000 Dodge RAM 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 3500 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
30–25K
325–50K
450–75K
775–100K
11100–150K
3150K+
31 reports with mileage · 27 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.
- Suspension. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports5 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
58 reportsFUEL LEAK
WHILE DRIVING OVER 50 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOOSENED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL.*AK
A FIRE STARTED WHILE AT A STOP SIGN. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, AND INFORMED THAT IT WAS DUE TO WIRE HARNESS FALLING ONTO ENGINE AND CATCHING ON FIRE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK
CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE STEERING PROBLEMS SUCH AS VEHICLE STEERS HARD. VEHICLE WANDERING ON ROAD. EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING BOX. DEALER FOUND BENT STEERING DAMPER, REPLACED STEERING BOX, AND TRACK BAR. CONSUMER STATES STEERING IS TOO TIGHT. DEALER ADJUSTED BOX TO REDUCE STEERING EFFORT. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STILL…
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CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE STEERING PROBLEMS SUCH AS VEHICLE STEERS HARD. VEHICLE WANDERING ON ROAD. EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING BOX. DEALER FOUND BENT STEERING DAMPER, REPLACED STEERING BOX, AND TRACK BAR. CONSUMER STATES STEERING IS TOO TIGHT. DEALER ADJUSTED BOX TO REDUCE STEERING EFFORT. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STILL WANDERS. *TT
CONSUMER STATES THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR PROBLEM THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THE ENGINE, IN MARCH THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT, THE OIL WAS CHANGED 1-2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED FROM THE ALTERNATOR, THE FIRE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO MELT AND ACID GOT ALL OVER, THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTME…
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CONSUMER STATES THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR PROBLEM THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THE ENGINE, IN MARCH THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT, THE OIL WAS CHANGED 1-2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED FROM THE ALTERNATOR, THE FIRE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO MELT AND ACID GOT ALL OVER, THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 16-N124-673. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WIRING HARNESS AND FIREWALL WERE BURNED, CLAIM 16-N185-992. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE IN EXTREMLY WINDY CONDITIONS, VEHICLE WOULD WANDER FROM SIDE TO SIDE MAKING STEERING A REAL PROBLEM, VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND A ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AS WELL AS REPLACING FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS, SET AIR BAGS, AND INSTALLED SWAY …
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WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE IN EXTREMLY WINDY CONDITIONS, VEHICLE WOULD WANDER FROM SIDE TO SIDE MAKING STEERING A REAL PROBLEM, VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND A ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AS WELL AS REPLACING FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS, SET AIR BAGS, AND INSTALLED SWAY BAR IT WAS ALSO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERWEIGHT WHICH WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *JB
VEHICLE WANDERS ALL OVER ROAD WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH. DEALER REPLACED STRUT, BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY SITUATION. *AK CONSUMER STATES HE KNOW LONGER OWNS THIS VEHICLE.*JB
VEHICLE WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALERS HAVE TRIED WHEEL ALIGNMENT 3 TIMES AND DIFFERENT SHOCKS. NOTHING SEEMS TO REMEDY PROBLEM.*AK
VEHICLE WANDERS ACROSS ROAD AT 50 OR MORE MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *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
2PE08047 · 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.
PE02049 · Tire Valve
Opened Jun 3, 2002 · Closed Oct 1, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires
No summary supplied.