IllustrationAT ABOUT 20000 MILES EXPERIENCED ABNORMAL SHIFTING DEALER REPLACED VALVE BODY ON 3/12/04 STARTED EXPERIENCING ABNORMAL SHIFTING AGAIN NOW VEHICAL HAS 50000 MILES NO WARRENTY TOOK IT TO TRANSMISISSION SHOP AND THEY HAD TO REBUILD VALVCE BODY TORQUE CONVERTOR AND TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF 2600.00. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 1500 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
490–25K
14125–50K
20050–75K
16575–100K
129100–150K
57150K+
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
Power Train complaints
95 reportsDODGE 4X4 QUAD CAB (2001), RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT SNAPPED. IN THE FALL OF 2003 I WAS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND TURNED TO THE LEFT FROM A PARKED POSITION WHEN THE BOLL JOINT SNAPPED ON THE RIGHT FRONT.*AK
TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETLY OUT!! AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPT TO HAVE IT FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP BENNY BOYD IN LAMPASSAS TEXAS. I CONTACTED CHYSLER DAIMLER TO HAVE IT TAKEN CARE, THE REFUSED TO FIX IT.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
WE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED FROM A DEALER WITH 25K MILES . . . AT 32K WE STARTED TO HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP WITH TRANMISSION RELATED FAULT CODES, SERVICE ETC SINCE WE'VE OWNED IT, NOW AFTER 2K IN SERVICE IN DEC 03 AND 2 TRIPS BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON WE ARE TOLD T…
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WE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED FROM A DEALER WITH 25K MILES . . . AT 32K WE STARTED TO HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP WITH TRANMISSION RELATED FAULT CODES, SERVICE ETC SINCE WE'VE OWNED IT, NOW AFTER 2K IN SERVICE IN DEC 03 AND 2 TRIPS BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON WE ARE TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE!!!!! WHY DIDN'T THE DEALER CATCH THIS 3 WEEKS AGO WHEN IT WAS BACK IN?? THE DEALER, RAPPAHANNOCK MOTORS IN KING GEORGE, VA EVEN CONTACTED CHRYSLER FOR US TO TRY AND GET A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION, TO NO AVAIL . . . THIS TELLS ME THAT THE DEALER KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE!!!!
TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO TORQUE CONVERTOR FAILURE. WENT TO DEALERSHIP WHILE UNDER WARRANTY WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FINE AT 34000 MILES. AT 43000 MILES TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. NOW I AM OUT THE MONEY TO FIX IT WHEN IF THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM AT 34000 MILES IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE. *AK
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM OFF ROAD WITH 54000 MILES ON IT AND I'VE ALREADY HAD A NEW COMPUTER PUT IN IT, HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT 27000 MILES BECAUSE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER, AND MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ALL OVER THE PLACE FROM THE HEAT. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE OUT OF THIS TRUCK AND I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER DODGE AGAIN. …
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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM OFF ROAD WITH 54000 MILES ON IT AND I'VE ALREADY HAD A NEW COMPUTER PUT IN IT, HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT 27000 MILES BECAUSE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER, AND MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ALL OVER THE PLACE FROM THE HEAT. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE OUT OF THIS TRUCK AND I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER DODGE AGAIN. *LA
OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, 2WD, XLT, QUAD CAB, 8 FT BED, 5.9 LTR. HAVE 48,500 MILES. AM GOING IN TO HAVE THE DIFFERENTIAL REPAIRED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE GEAR / CLUTCH SYSTEM HAS FAILED TWICE. THANKS TO MY WARRANTY IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT MY WARRANTY EXPIRES IN 1000 MILES AND I KNOW THIS DIFFERENTIAL WILL NOT LAST ANOTHER…
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OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, 2WD, XLT, QUAD CAB, 8 FT BED, 5.9 LTR. HAVE 48,500 MILES. AM GOING IN TO HAVE THE DIFFERENTIAL REPAIRED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE GEAR / CLUTCH SYSTEM HAS FAILED TWICE. THANKS TO MY WARRANTY IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT MY WARRANTY EXPIRES IN 1000 MILES AND I KNOW THIS DIFFERENTIAL WILL NOT LAST ANOTHER 25,000 MILE. I HAD OWNED A 1989 DODGE RAM VAN AND PUT 200,000 MILES ON IT WITH NO PROBLEMS, WHICH LEAD ME TO BUY ANOTHER DODGE. NOW I CAN NOT EVEN GET 25,000 MILES WITH OUT PROBLEMS. HAVE NEVER TOWED OR CARRIED A LOAD OVER 500 POUNDS WITH THIS P/U. MOST THE MILEAGE IS HIGHWAY DRIVING. WAS LOOKING AT BUYING ANOTHER DODGE BUT NOW I HAVE MY DOUBTS. ONCE THIS REPAIR IS DONE I MIGHT LOOK INTO GETTING RID OF THE TRUCK BEFORE IT COSTS ME EXCESSIVE DOLLARS TO KEEP IT ROLLING. HAVE HEARD OF OTHER COMPLAINTS AS TO THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING IN WRITING.*AK
TRANSMISSION BROKE DOWN. *JB
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND MELTED A FEW WIRES. *AK *SCC *JB
Official recalls
203V504000 · 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
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.
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.