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2000 Dodge RAM 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Dodge RAM 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 520.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

305 reports with mileage · 208 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 248 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

37 crash reports7 fire reports37 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

9 reports
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125,000 miles · Sep 7, 2020
Exterior Lighting

THE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WELL ENOUGH TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. I KNOW THAT WHEN I SEARCH BY MAKE AND MODEL, THERE ARE 17 RECALLS IN WHICH THE LIGHTS ARE RECALLED, YET MY TRUCK ISN'T SHOWING THE RECALLS BY THE VIN.

NHTSA ODI #11353516

239,000 miles · Mar 4, 2019
Exterior LightingStructureSuspension

THE DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 TRY K NEEDS TO BE RECALLED DUE TO BADE FRAM RUST AND BAD BODY RUST AND FOR THE BAD DASH THAT DODGE PUT IN THEM BUT LET'S FIRST. TALK ABOUT A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE BAD FARMS THAT WAS USED I WANT MY TRUCK FIXED AND DODGE SHOULD BE MADE TO DO SO

NHTSA ODI #11183853

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2009
Exterior Lighting

DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT LENSES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280534

400 miles · May 21, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 1500. AFTER PUTTING 400 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CAP. WHEN THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED DOWN, THEY WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD DIM WHEN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 1500. AFTER PUTTING 400 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CAP. WHEN THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED DOWN, THEY WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD DIM WHEN THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP AND DOWN. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH UPHILL, THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE BOLTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE CD CHANGER HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER FAILING TWICE. THERE WAS ALSO A GRINDING NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THE SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO GEAR, AND THERE WAS A HESITATION WHEN PLACING THE GEAR INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT, BUT THE VEHICLE IS STILL GRINDING AND HESITATING WHEN PLACED INTO GEAR, DRIVE, OR REVERSE. ON MAY 22, 2008, THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE DRIVESHAFT TO BE REPLACED IN HOPES THAT THE GRINDING WILL CEASE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.

NHTSA ODI #10228554

113,000 miles · Jan 8, 2008
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY TRUCK ARE COMPLETELY 'BLIND'. THE GLASS HAS BECOME SO UNCLEAR THAT DURING DARKNESS NOT ENOUGH LIGHT IS GIVEN UP, DRIVING IN DARKNESS HAS BECOME UNSAFE. AT THIS POINT I AM SUPPORTING IT BY TURNING THE FOG LIGHTS ON. I WILL BE FORCED TO REPLACE THE HEAD LIGHTS TO CONTINUE TO BE SAFE. THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO …

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THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY TRUCK ARE COMPLETELY 'BLIND'. THE GLASS HAS BECOME SO UNCLEAR THAT DURING DARKNESS NOT ENOUGH LIGHT IS GIVEN UP, DRIVING IN DARKNESS HAS BECOME UNSAFE. AT THIS POINT I AM SUPPORTING IT BY TURNING THE FOG LIGHTS ON. I WILL BE FORCED TO REPLACE THE HEAD LIGHTS TO CONTINUE TO BE SAFE. THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ISOLATED TO MY TRUCK AS I AM NOTICING SIMILAR DISCOLORATIONS OF THE HEAD LIGHTS ON OTHER TRUCKS OF SAME DODGE MODEL AND YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214248

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2007
Exterior LightingStructure

THE DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO AND IS IN VERY POOR CONDITION RIGHT NOW. THE HEADLIGHTS ALSO WILL OCCASIONALLY TURN OFF WHEN I TURN THE BRIGHT ON AND I HAVE TO FLASH THE BRIGHT A COUPLE OF TIMES TO GET THEM TO TURN ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206563

55,000 miles · Nov 8, 2004
Exterior Lighting

THE BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE DEVICE THAT CONTROLS THE LIGHTS WAS REPLACED; ALL THE FUSES WERE CHECKED, NONE WERE BLOWN, BUT THE LIGHTS WERE STILL NOT FUNCTIONING. THIS FAILURE ALMOST CAUSED REAR END ACCIDENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10099580

53,000 miles · May 24, 2004
Exterior Lighting

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN TILT POSITION STEERING WHEEL IS EYE LEVELED AND HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE ONLY POSITION IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS WILL WORK IS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALL THE WAY UP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10074134

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2003
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

TRANSMISSIONWOULD NOT WORK AT ONE POINT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND TRANSMISSION STARTED WORKING AGAIN ABOUT A MONTH LATER TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SCREECH AND LOCK UP CAUSING REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP. HEADLIGHT SWITCH DEFECTIVE OR A SHORT IN THE WIRING HAVE TO BEAT ON DASH FOR LIGHTS TO COME ON. ALSO A/C FAN CLUTCH LOCKED UP. BUILT RAM …

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TRANSMISSIONWOULD NOT WORK AT ONE POINT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND TRANSMISSION STARTED WORKING AGAIN ABOUT A MONTH LATER TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SCREECH AND LOCK UP CAUSING REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP. HEADLIGHT SWITCH DEFECTIVE OR A SHORT IN THE WIRING HAVE TO BEAT ON DASH FOR LIGHTS TO COME ON. ALSO A/C FAN CLUTCH LOCKED UP. BUILT RAM TOUGH IS A BUNCH OF CRAP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10038743

Official recalls

2

03V504000 · Tires

Dec 10, 2003

ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SNOW PLOW PREPARATION PACKAGE, THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT P245/75R16 TIRES TO MEET THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND ACCOMMODATE THE ADDITION OF A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SNOW PLOW AND HARDWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

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

1

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.