IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 TO 45 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE "DEATH WOBBLE". THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ *CN
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
90–25K
1025–50K
1450–75K
1575–100K
15100–150K
15150K+
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
Suspension complaints
14 reports2001 DODGE RAM 3500 2 WHEEL DRIVE. FRONT END "DEATH WOBBLE". HAPPENS OVER 40 MPH WHEN YOU HIT A LARGE BUMP. WON'T STOP TILL YOU SLOW DOWN. HAVE HAD SINCE NEW AND STARTED TO FAIL AFTER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED. HAVE CHANGED BALL JOINTS AND IDLER ARM AND HAS BEEN TO SEVERAL FRONT END SHOPS SAYING NOTHINGS WRONG. CURRENTLY THE …
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2001 DODGE RAM 3500 2 WHEEL DRIVE. FRONT END "DEATH WOBBLE". HAPPENS OVER 40 MPH WHEN YOU HIT A LARGE BUMP. WON'T STOP TILL YOU SLOW DOWN. HAVE HAD SINCE NEW AND STARTED TO FAIL AFTER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED. HAVE CHANGED BALL JOINTS AND IDLER ARM AND HAS BEEN TO SEVERAL FRONT END SHOPS SAYING NOTHINGS WRONG. CURRENTLY THE TRUCK HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT END OF THE DODGE 3500 ARE DRY AND WEAR QUICKLY CAUSING STEERING TO BE DIFFICULT. *NM
MY HUSBAND NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, TOOK TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, TOLD ME IT NEEDED TRACK BAR AND PISTON, I QUESTIONED THE COST HE THEN TOLD ME ONLY NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, WENT TO REPAIR FACILITY RECOMMENDED BY DEALER, SPECIALIST WOULDN'T DO WORK BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER THEY REFUSED TO WORK …
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MY HUSBAND NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, TOOK TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, TOLD ME IT NEEDED TRACK BAR AND PISTON, I QUESTIONED THE COST HE THEN TOLD ME ONLY NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, WENT TO REPAIR FACILITY RECOMMENDED BY DEALER, SPECIALIST WOULDN'T DO WORK BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE. TOOK TRUCK TO ANOTHER DODGE DEALER, BALL JOINTS WERE SO BAD THEY WERE DANGEROUS, TRACK BAR, INNER TIE ROD, AND THE HUB BEARINGS CRUMBLED WHEN THEY WERE REMOVED. THIS VEHICLE HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT IS ONLY COVERING THE BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 DODGE 3500 4X4 DUALLY, THAT HAS NEVER BEEN OFF PAVED ROADS IT IS NOT ABUSED AND ONLY HAS 49000 MILES ON IT AND CHRYSLER WILL NOT HELP I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANUFACTURING QUALITY. *JB
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING BECAME INOPERABLE, AND THE WHEEL DISENGAGED COMPLETELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF TWO TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
AFTER DRIVING OVER A COMMON HIGHWAY PROTUBERANCE, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHOOK UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPEN ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS DUE TO UNEVEN FRONT TIRE PRESSURE. THE THIRD TIME, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS CAUSIN…
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AFTER DRIVING OVER A COMMON HIGHWAY PROTUBERANCE, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHOOK UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPEN ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS DUE TO UNEVEN FRONT TIRE PRESSURE. THE THIRD TIME, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS A RANDOM OCCERANCE THAT CAN NOT BE EASILY DUPLICATED. *AK
UPPER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED. *AK
NAR 03/17/2003 IN REFERENCE TO A PRODUCT EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE BY CORRECT TRACK INC (REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT SYSTEM) CORPORATION. *CB *JB
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BOLT JOINTS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND HAVE STATED THAT SOME OF THE VEHICLES HAVE THAT PROBLEM AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. TS
WHEN DRIVING, THE FRONT END WOULD SHAKE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MAKE A JERKING MOTION. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED AT SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. MR JG *JB
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.