← New search

2001 Dodge RAM 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most RAM 1500 years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 520.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

741 reports with mileage · 371 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 548 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

65 crash reports34 fire reports65 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

84 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

2001 DODGE RAM 1500 TRAVELING 25 MPH .DRIVER LOST CONTROL AFTER HITTING BLACK ICE AND CONTROL WAS NEVER REGAINED. VEHICLE TRAVELED DITCH LINE AND PROCEEDED DOWN 50+ FOOT EMBANKMENT TO HIT ON THE NOSE OF THE TRUCK AT AN ESTIMATED TRAVEL OF 50 MPH. VEHICLE STOOD ON FRONT END THEN FELL ON TO THE DRIVERS SIDE.DRIVER WAS TREATED AT H…

Read full complaint

2001 DODGE RAM 1500 TRAVELING 25 MPH .DRIVER LOST CONTROL AFTER HITTING BLACK ICE AND CONTROL WAS NEVER REGAINED. VEHICLE TRAVELED DITCH LINE AND PROCEEDED DOWN 50+ FOOT EMBANKMENT TO HIT ON THE NOSE OF THE TRUCK AT AN ESTIMATED TRAVEL OF 50 MPH. VEHICLE STOOD ON FRONT END THEN FELL ON TO THE DRIVERS SIDE.DRIVER WAS TREATED AT HOSPITAL FOR NECK,BACK AND LEFT SHOULDER INJURIES. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF AIR BAG FAILURE AND AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT IMPACT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE SENSORS. WHEN I CALLED INVESTIGATOR, I WAS TOLD THAT A LETTER WOULD COME ABOUT DECISION AND NO FUTHER ACTIONS WOULD BE TAKEN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED AND DRIVER IS STILL UNDER GOING TREATMENT FOR INJURIES TO BACK.OTHER CALLS WERE PLACED TO MANUFACTURER ,ESPECIALLY AFTER WE RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE AIR BAGS 30 DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT. WE WERE TOLD THIS DID NOT AFFECT OUR VEHICLE. WE ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REPORT AND RESULTS AND ARE UNCERTAIN IF ANYONE EVEN LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCKED FACITILITY AND THE OWNER OF THE FACILITY HAD LET INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND OWNERS ONLY IN TO THE SECURED SITE. FACILITY OWNER STATED HE SEEN NO ONE ELSE REQUESTING TO VIEW OR TEST THIS VEHICLE FOR MALFUNCTIONS. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE EXACT METHOD AND RESULTS OF THE MANUFACTURERS DETERMINATION OF NO DEFECT. WE ARE STILL PURSUING THIS INVESTIGATION.

NHTSA ODI #10122387

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

2001 DODGE 1500 IMPACTED INTO A CREEK EMBANKMENT FRONT END FIRST AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10128010

602,800 miles · Dec 6, 2004
Air BagsService Brakes, Hydraulic

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE OTHER GAUGES BECOME INOPERATIVE. CONSUMER LEARNED FROM A REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM MAYBE THE GAUGE CLUSTERS. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10103182

35,000 miles · Nov 15, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION OF 70 MPH AND THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. *JB *SC

NHTSA ODI #10095529

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10097192

60 miles · Oct 18, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10097046

39,000 miles · Aug 2, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

CHEVROLET AVALANCHE RAN STOP SIGN IN FRONT OF ME WHILE I WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT 50 MPH. I T-BONED THE AVALANCHE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, ROLLING THE AVALANCHE ONTO IT'S SIDE. NEITHER THE DRIVER, NOR PASSENGER, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON MY DODGE RAM 1500. MY RAM WAS TOTALLED DUE TO FRAME DAMAGE. I WAS BLOWN OFF …

Read full complaint

CHEVROLET AVALANCHE RAN STOP SIGN IN FRONT OF ME WHILE I WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT 50 MPH. I T-BONED THE AVALANCHE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, ROLLING THE AVALANCHE ONTO IT'S SIDE. NEITHER THE DRIVER, NOR PASSENGER, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON MY DODGE RAM 1500. MY RAM WAS TOTALLED DUE TO FRAME DAMAGE. I WAS BLOWN OFF BY DEALERSHIP, NOW WAITING FOR A CALL BACK FROM CHRYSLER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10083166

77,000 miles · Jul 16, 2004
Air BagsCrash

CONSUMER FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE DEAD SLIGHTLY AWAY FROM THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. UPON IMACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. DODGE HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED, NOR HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN SERVICED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10082147

41,000 miles · Jun 10, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

PURCHASED VEHICLE 2003 WITH 32,000 MILES. AT 45,000 MILES MOTOR HAD TO BE REBUILT.NEW CRANKSHAFT, ROD BEARINGS, MAIN BEARINGS, OIL PUMP. 2 DAYS AFTER PICKING UP THE TRUCK AFTER WORK WAS DONE, MAIN SEAL WENT OUT AND LOST OIL ON HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. EVERYTHING COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IT'S JUST THE FACT THAT THE TRUCK STI…

Read full complaint

PURCHASED VEHICLE 2003 WITH 32,000 MILES. AT 45,000 MILES MOTOR HAD TO BE REBUILT.NEW CRANKSHAFT, ROD BEARINGS, MAIN BEARINGS, OIL PUMP. 2 DAYS AFTER PICKING UP THE TRUCK AFTER WORK WAS DONE, MAIN SEAL WENT OUT AND LOST OIL ON HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. EVERYTHING COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IT'S JUST THE FACT THAT THE TRUCK STILL HAS PROBLEMS WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE AND YEAR. ONGOING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. FUSE FOR CLIMATE CONTROL, AIR BAGS, ABS BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, MIRROR DEFROST AND REVERSE LIGHTS KEEPS BLOWING. HAS BLOWN 5 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. DEALER REPLACES THE FUSE, SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075194

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A TRUCK. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067238

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

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.

PE00025 · Rear Safety Belt Anchorage Disengagement

Opened Jul 6, 2000 · Closed Dec 27, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:rear/other

ALLEGE THAT BOTH REAR INBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES WERE FOUND TO LACK PROPER ATTACHMENTS.