IllustrationDASH BOARD CRACKED UP AND BROKE IN TO SHARP PIECES VERY DANGEROUS COULD CUT OR STAB A PERSON. " A KNOWN PROBLEM". *TR
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
What owners actually said
130 reports2001 DODGE 3500 PICKUP, BOUGHT USED 2 YEARS AGO WITH ONE SMALL CRACK IN THE DASH COVER. NOW THE COVER HAS DISINTEGRATED OVER THE STEERING WHEEL LEAVING A LARGE HOLE IN THE COVER. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT YET BUT THERE IS THE POTENTIAL IF LEFT AS IT IS FOR DAMAGE TO WIRING/COMPONENTS BEHIND THE DASH THAT WERE NOT MEANT TO BE EX…
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2001 DODGE 3500 PICKUP, BOUGHT USED 2 YEARS AGO WITH ONE SMALL CRACK IN THE DASH COVER. NOW THE COVER HAS DISINTEGRATED OVER THE STEERING WHEEL LEAVING A LARGE HOLE IN THE COVER. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT YET BUT THERE IS THE POTENTIAL IF LEFT AS IT IS FOR DAMAGE TO WIRING/COMPONENTS BEHIND THE DASH THAT WERE NOT MEANT TO BE EXPOSED. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. *TR
2001 DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES *TGW THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT EACH TIME HE TRIED TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD FLUCTUATE AND THEN LOCK UP. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK OFF THE HIGHWAY, BUT THE BRAKES WERE STILL LOCKED. THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTE…
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2001 DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES *TGW THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT EACH TIME HE TRIED TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD FLUCTUATE AND THEN LOCK UP. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK OFF THE HIGHWAY, BUT THE BRAKES WERE STILL LOCKED. THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
2001 DODGE RAM 3500, VEHICLE LOST ONE TIRE WHILE DRIVING. *BF THE WHEEL SEPARATED AND CONTINUED ROLLING INTO THE PATH OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. OHIO CRASH REPORT 10-0712-90 UPDATED 06/15/10 *BF THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/02/10*JB
FUEL GAUGE READS HALF FULL AND IT IS EMPTY. I HAVE PUT IN 6 FUEL SENDING UNITS AND IT WILL LAST 6 TO 9 MONTHS AND THE GAUGE WILL SLOWLY START TO SHOW FUEL IN TANK AND IT IS EMPTY. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL DIESELS. LAST TIME I WAS RAN OUT OF FUEL IN THE FAST LANE OF I-75 IN FLORIDA. CARS WOUND UP IN THE MEDIAN AND S…
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FUEL GAUGE READS HALF FULL AND IT IS EMPTY. I HAVE PUT IN 6 FUEL SENDING UNITS AND IT WILL LAST 6 TO 9 MONTHS AND THE GAUGE WILL SLOWLY START TO SHOW FUEL IN TANK AND IT IS EMPTY. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL DIESELS. LAST TIME I WAS RAN OUT OF FUEL IN THE FAST LANE OF I-75 IN FLORIDA. CARS WOUND UP IN THE MEDIAN AND SHOULDER CAUSE MY TRUCK WAS DEAD IN THE FAST LANE. GAUGE READ A LITTLE OVER HALF A TANK OF FUEL. THIS IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED. *TR
2001 DODGE RAM 3500 DASH CRACKING AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG. SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH DODGES. *TR
BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT A INTERSECTION NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED BUT USE OF EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NEEDED. WHEELWORKS FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A LEAKING HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST ABOUT 250 DOLLARS. *TR
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
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE 3500 LARAMIE SLT. THE DASH IS BROKE ALL TO PIECES. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALOT OF DODGE VEHICLES IN CERTAIN YEARS. I AM A 49 YEAR OLD BLIND IN ONE EYE MALE. I HAVE TO WEAR GLASSES AS PIECES OF THE DASH BREAKS OFF AND FLIES IN THE AIR IN MY TRUCK. I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP MY OTHER EYE IN WORK…
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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE 3500 LARAMIE SLT. THE DASH IS BROKE ALL TO PIECES. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALOT OF DODGE VEHICLES IN CERTAIN YEARS. I AM A 49 YEAR OLD BLIND IN ONE EYE MALE. I HAVE TO WEAR GLASSES AS PIECES OF THE DASH BREAKS OFF AND FLIES IN THE AIR IN MY TRUCK. I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP MY OTHER EYE IN WORKING ORDER AS I AM DISABLED AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THE DASH OR PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT CAUSES MY WINDOWS TO FOG AND I CAN NOT GET THEM UNFOGGED AS TO DRIVE IN THE COLD. I CAN NOT SEE OUT THE WINDOWS AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY WITH ON COMING HEAD LIGHTS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS. THIS IS A MATTER THAT YOU SHOULD REALLY ADDRESS. IT IS TIME THAT YOU MAKE A STAND FOR THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE DODGE STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. YOU SAY YOU WILL NOT DO A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD WELL I AM HERE TO TELL YOU TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT AND HELP WITH THIS MATTER NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT, THE REST OF AMERICA THAT LIVES WITH THIS PROBLEM. LOOK AROUND AND READ THE MILLIONS OF COMPLAINTS WHERE THIS IS CONCERNED. *TR
THE DASHBOARD CRACKS AND FALLS APART LEAVING SHARP AREAS THAT CAN CUT OPEN SOMEONE'S FOREHEAD IN A CRASH. *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.