PLASTIC DASH IS CRACKING AND LOOSE SHARP PIECES HAVE BEEN COMING OFF INTO THE CABIN
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.
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
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.
Structure complaints
31 reportsTHE 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?
I TRY TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 3500 .AND WHEN THE MECHANIC START TO REMOVE THE DASH BOARD THIS START TO FALLING IN PARTS .SO HE TRY TO PUT THOSE PARTS BACK UNTIL HE EXPLAIN ME WHAT HAPPEN .I TRY TO FIND AN AFTERMARKET DASH AND PEOPLE ON THE STORE LET ME KNOW .THEY BELIEVE IT'S A OPEN RECALL FOR THIS FAIL…
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I TRY TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 3500 .AND WHEN THE MECHANIC START TO REMOVE THE DASH BOARD THIS START TO FALLING IN PARTS .SO HE TRY TO PUT THOSE PARTS BACK UNTIL HE EXPLAIN ME WHAT HAPPEN .I TRY TO FIND AN AFTERMARKET DASH AND PEOPLE ON THE STORE LET ME KNOW .THEY BELIEVE IT'S A OPEN RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE DASH ON ALL MODELS ON RAM .SO I CALL TO NORTHWEST DODGE ON HOUSTON TEXAS AND THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS SEVERAL YEARS AGO ..FOR THAT REASON THEY CAN'T FIXED .AFTER A RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FIND THIS PLACE TO FILE A COMPLAINT.BECAUSE FOR ME IT'S DANGEROUS HAVE A DASHBOARD CRACKED WITH A SHARP PIECES .MY DASH COVER FALLS IN AROUND 20 PCS .AND THE BASE OF THE WHOLE DASH IN SEVERAL CRACKED PIECES ..AND CAN'T REPLACE MY HEATER CORE ..UNTIL I HAVE THE DASHBOARD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THE PLASTIC WAS WARPED AND CAVED INTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING AND COMPONENTS INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ALSO LOW AND THE CONTACT HAD ATTEMPT TO USE THE DIMMER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THE PLASTIC WAS WARPED AND CAVED INTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING AND COMPONENTS INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ALSO LOW AND THE CONTACT HAD ATTEMPT TO USE THE DIMMER TO NO AVAIL. ALSO, THE SERVICE ENGINE AND AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE DASHBOARD COULD BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000
2001 DODGE RAM 3500 DASHBOARD FAILURE!! DASH STARTED GETTING LARGE CRACKS IN IT SEVERAL YEARS AGO, NOW I REMOVED IT TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE AND THE DASH FELL APART INTO, LITERALLY 22 PIECES. AFTER TRYING TO FIND ONE I GO TO REALIZE THIS IS A COMMON AND MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND AFTER PHONE CALLS TO THE DODGE DEAL…
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2001 DODGE RAM 3500 DASHBOARD FAILURE!! DASH STARTED GETTING LARGE CRACKS IN IT SEVERAL YEARS AGO, NOW I REMOVED IT TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE AND THE DASH FELL APART INTO, LITERALLY 22 PIECES. AFTER TRYING TO FIND ONE I GO TO REALIZE THIS IS A COMMON AND MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND AFTER PHONE CALLS TO THE DODGE DEALER AND TO DODGE THEMSELVES THEY DO NOT CARE NOR DO THEY WANT TO HELP AND GOOD LUCK AFFORDING A NEW ONE. ONLY THING I CAN FIND THAT IS REASONABLY PRICED IS A DASH `COVER` BUT I DO NOT EVEN HAVE ENOUGH LARGE PIECES OF DASH TO REINSTALL TO EVEN COVER IT. *TR
APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE IS NOT ACCURATE. THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH TWO LENGTHWISE CRACKS YEARS AGO FROM WINDSHIELD TOWARDS DRIVER AND PASSENGER. WITHIN THE PAST TWO MONTHS THE ONCE RIGID-PLIABLE DASH UNIT HAS CRACKED INTO BRITTLE PIECES WITH SOME FALLING INTO DASH INTERIOR. SOME PIECES ARE JAGGED AND POINTED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 3500.THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD SLOWLY DISINTEGRATED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT NO REPAIR WAS PERFOEMED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE DASHBOARD COVERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 182,00…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 3500.THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD SLOWLY DISINTEGRATED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT NO REPAIR WAS PERFOEMED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE DASHBOARD COVERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 182,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE DASH IN MY TRUCK IS FALLING APART, THERE IS A LARGE HOLE IN MY DASH THAT IS A HUGE DISTRACTION WHILE I'M DRIVING, THE REST OF MY DASH IS GOING TO FALL APART AT ANY TIME NOW. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE ABOUT THIS, THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT, I BELIEVE IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. AND THUS SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I DO…
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THE DASH IN MY TRUCK IS FALLING APART, THERE IS A LARGE HOLE IN MY DASH THAT IS A HUGE DISTRACTION WHILE I'M DRIVING, THE REST OF MY DASH IS GOING TO FALL APART AT ANY TIME NOW. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE ABOUT THIS, THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT, I BELIEVE IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. AND THUS SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY OTHER MANUFACTURER THAT HAS THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. *TR
PIECES OF DASH FELL DOWN UNDER DASH AND CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO TRIGGER. PUT IN A NEW PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DASH AND 4 YEARS LATTER ALL CRACKED UP AND A PIECE HAS CAUSED A COOLANT LEAK IN HEATER CORE UNDER THE DASH. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT THE DASH PIECES CUT WIRES AND SET IT ON FIRE. *TR
THE ENTIRE DASH PANEL STARTED FALLING APART IN 2006 ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM. PARTS STARTED FALLING DOWN INSIDE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE DASH ASSEMBLY AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS FALLING IN. *TR
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.
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