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2001 Dodge RAM 3500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge RAM 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

78 reports with mileage · 52 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 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

6 reports
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72,000 miles · Aug 21, 2015
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

THE DASH ON THIS TRUCK HAS CRACKED AND FALLEN IN, EXPOSING THE WIRING INSIDE THE DASH TO THE SUN. THE WIRING INSULATION IS NOT RATED FOR EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT (UV EXPOSURE) AND IS DECOMPOSING, PUTTING THE TRUCK AT RISK OF A FIRE INITIATING INSIDE THE CAB AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, DUE TO EXPOSED WIRING SHORTING TO GROUND. DODGE …

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THE DASH ON THIS TRUCK HAS CRACKED AND FALLEN IN, EXPOSING THE WIRING INSIDE THE DASH TO THE SUN. THE WIRING INSULATION IS NOT RATED FOR EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT (UV EXPOSURE) AND IS DECOMPOSING, PUTTING THE TRUCK AT RISK OF A FIRE INITIATING INSIDE THE CAB AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, DUE TO EXPOSED WIRING SHORTING TO GROUND. DODGE REFUSES TO REMEDY IT, DESPITE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH THEM. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE, YET THE NHTSB HAS NOT FORCED CHRYSLER/FIAT INTO A RECALL, CLAIMING THAT IT ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE. DO YOU NEED TO SEE DEATH BEFORE YOU ACT?

NHTSA ODI #10750341

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering

2001 DODGE RAM 3500 CUMMINGS ENGINE (AUTO TRANS) ON STEERING/BRAKE HYDRAULIC ASSIST SYSTEM*CW THE CONSUMER STATED ON 5 OCCASIONS WHEN HE WENT TO START THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED A COMPLETE LOSS OF HYDRAULIC POWER, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. THE LOSS DISABLE BOTH THE STEERING AND BRAKING. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHIN…

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2001 DODGE RAM 3500 CUMMINGS ENGINE (AUTO TRANS) ON STEERING/BRAKE HYDRAULIC ASSIST SYSTEM*CW THE CONSUMER STATED ON 5 OCCASIONS WHEN HE WENT TO START THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED A COMPLETE LOSS OF HYDRAULIC POWER, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. THE LOSS DISABLE BOTH THE STEERING AND BRAKING. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED 245 FOR REPLACING THE BRAKE FLUID. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CONVINCE THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP OR ANY OTHER COMPONENT IN THE HYDRAULIC POWER SYSTEM. THE FAILURE SUBSEQUENTLY REPEATED ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10314321

60,000 miles · Jun 12, 2004
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK SMOKE STARTED ENTERING THE CAB SO I BEGAN TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. I BEGAN TO NOTICE BRIGHT LIGHTS FROM UNDER THE DASH. BEFORE I COULD GET OUT FLAMES BEGAN TO ENTER INTO THE CAB. I ONLY HAD TIME TO JUMP OUT OF THE TRUCK AND WATCH IT ENGULF INTO FLAMES. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT WITHOUT ANY HARM TO MYS…

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WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK SMOKE STARTED ENTERING THE CAB SO I BEGAN TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. I BEGAN TO NOTICE BRIGHT LIGHTS FROM UNDER THE DASH. BEFORE I COULD GET OUT FLAMES BEGAN TO ENTER INTO THE CAB. I ONLY HAD TIME TO JUMP OUT OF THE TRUCK AND WATCH IT ENGULF INTO FLAMES. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT WITHOUT ANY HARM TO MYSELF. THE ONLY THING LEFT IS THE BED OF THE TRUCK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075286

23,000 miles · Nov 1, 2002
Electrical System

THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE 40 AMP FUSE IN THE TRAVEL TRAILER POWERS TOO MAY PINS IN THE SEVEN WIRE TRAILER RECEPTACLE. WHEN THIS FUSE BLOWS THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS ARE LOST: 1) TRAILER MARKER AND TAIL LIGHTS 2) 12 VOLT 3) ELECTRIC BRAKE. *MR *NLM

NHTSA ODI #8022060

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE WAS WIRED TO PULL A FIFTH WHEEL, WHILE DRIVING, THE COMPUTER CHIP AND ALTERNATOR BURNED OUT AND WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THE WIRING SHORTED IT OUT, WIRE AND POWER CONTROL MODULE, APPEARS CAUSATION IS ELECTRIC BRAKE WIRE THAT WAS RUN ALONG FIREWALL COWL PLUGS FROM HITCH TO TRAILER, CLAIM 55-S270-703. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #6900901

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2000
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HEAD LIGHT SWITCH HEATS UP AFTER ONE HOUR OF OPERATION, THE DASH BOARD ABOVE THE LIGHT SWITCH BECOMES HOT TO THE TOUCH. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THE LIGHTS ARE USED LONGER THAN I HAVE HAD TO USE THEM WILL THE SWITCH FAIL? THE DEALER HAS BEEN HELPFUL BUT THIS PROBLEM I BELIEVE IS BEYOND THE DEALER AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE M…

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HEAD LIGHT SWITCH HEATS UP AFTER ONE HOUR OF OPERATION, THE DASH BOARD ABOVE THE LIGHT SWITCH BECOMES HOT TO THE TOUCH. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THE LIGHTS ARE USED LONGER THAN I HAVE HAD TO USE THEM WILL THE SWITCH FAIL? THE DEALER HAS BEEN HELPFUL BUT THIS PROBLEM I BELIEVE IS BEYOND THE DEALER AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SWITCH ONCE BUT THE NEW ONE ALSO HEATS UP. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT WHEN I START TOWING A TRAILER WITH MORE LIGHTS ON WILL THE SWITCH HEAT UP EVEN MORE AND CAUSE A FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #738153

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

2

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.

PE02049 · Tire Valve

Opened Jun 3, 2002 · Closed Oct 1, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires

No summary supplied.