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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

130 reports
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

105,000 miles · May 12, 2004
Service Brakes, AirSteering

THE CUMMINGS DIESEL ENGINE. THE VACUUM PUMP COUPLINGS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE POWER STEERING UNIT WHICH SITS ON TWO 1/4 PIECES OF STEEL AND CONTROLS THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ARE BROKEN , RESULTING IN NO STEERING AND BRAKING. CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER. HOWEVER, NO ONE WILL TALK TO CONSUMER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10073569

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2004
Seat Belts

IN GENERAL PUBLIC VEHICLE USED TO TRANSPORT 30+ PASSENGERS DAILY THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE - MALE END ON SHOULDER HARNESS HAS BROKEN ON 2 UNITS.THESE UNITS ARE IN DIFFERENT VEHICLES SO NO RELATION TO PASSENGER ABUSE. SHOULDER HARNESS NO LONGER SECURES TO LAP BELT. ATTEMPT TO GET CONVERSION COMPANY TO WARRENTY. THEY INDICATE THE MAN…

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IN GENERAL PUBLIC VEHICLE USED TO TRANSPORT 30+ PASSENGERS DAILY THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE - MALE END ON SHOULDER HARNESS HAS BROKEN ON 2 UNITS.THESE UNITS ARE IN DIFFERENT VEHICLES SO NO RELATION TO PASSENGER ABUSE. SHOULDER HARNESS NO LONGER SECURES TO LAP BELT. ATTEMPT TO GET CONVERSION COMPANY TO WARRENTY. THEY INDICATE THE MANUFACTURE WILL NOT WARRENTY BUCKLE LONGER THAN 1 YEAR. IF ACCIDENT OCCURES POTENTIAL FOR INJURY TO PASSENGER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10067843

20,000 miles · Apr 16, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE BRAKING CONSUMER EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ALL THE BRAKES WERE WORN. THE CONSUMER REFUSED SERVICE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME TO INSPECT IT. HE DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE ALRIGHT, BUT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER WAS …

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WHILE BRAKING CONSUMER EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ALL THE BRAKES WERE WORN. THE CONSUMER REFUSED SERVICE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME TO INSPECT IT. HE DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE ALRIGHT, BUT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER WAS STUCK AND THE LEFT REAR BRAKE SHOES WAS WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER OCTOBER 2003 AT 16,000 MILES FOR A SAFETY INSPECTION AND PASSED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THEY FAILED TO PROPERLY CHECK THE BRAKES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10067295

6,500 miles · Apr 5, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE BRAKING, INTERMITTENTLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT GO TO THE FLOOR WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALERSHIPS REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER ONCE BEFORE, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10065504

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2004
SteeringCrash

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE RIGHT, THE WHEELS WOULD NOT TURN WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE OWNER WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HIT AN EMBANKMENT HEAD ON. THE OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10065458

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A FRONT BRAKE ROTOR PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10063285

60,000 miles · Mar 12, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKES, ROTORS, AND REAR DRUMS EVERY 6000-7000 MILES. CONSUMER DID NOT DO ANY HAULING OR HEAVY TRANSPORTING WITH VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM WAS SERIOUS BECAUSE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AT TIMES, ONCE ALMOST HIT A CHILD. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT REAR DRUMS HAD TO BE RE…

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CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKES, ROTORS, AND REAR DRUMS EVERY 6000-7000 MILES. CONSUMER DID NOT DO ANY HAULING OR HEAVY TRANSPORTING WITH VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM WAS SERIOUS BECAUSE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AT TIMES, ONCE ALMOST HIT A CHILD. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT REAR DRUMS HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HE WAS AFRAID THAT HE COULD BE INVOLVED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10063139

15,000 miles · Mar 11, 2004
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINED THE DRIVER SO HE ONLY SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10062996

184,000 miles · Mar 10, 2004
Suspension

UPPER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10062844

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.