IllustrationWHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH AND HIGHER, THE ENTIRE VEHCILE VIBRATES. THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALER CANNOT FIX PROBLEM DUE TO THIS BEING THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE. TS
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 reportsNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
CAMSHAFT LEAKING FLUID, AND IS STARTING TO CAUSE PROBLEMS TO TRANSMISSION.CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
IS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 SUSPOSED TO COME OUT OF PARK WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL? THE TRUCK CAME OUT OF GEAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND CAUSED $2500 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING IN THIS CASE. HOWEVER, MY 3 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE TRUCK FROM PARK TO REVERSE WHILE STANDING ON THE SEAT. THE TRU…
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IS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 SUSPOSED TO COME OUT OF PARK WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL? THE TRUCK CAME OUT OF GEAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND CAUSED $2500 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING IN THIS CASE. HOWEVER, MY 3 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE TRUCK FROM PARK TO REVERSE WHILE STANDING ON THE SEAT. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AT THAT TIME ON A INCLINING DRIVEWAY SO IT ROLLED ONLY TO THE STREET. CHEVROLET PRODUCTS, I KNOW, HAVE A SAFETY FEATURE WHICH REQUIRES THE BREAK PEDAL TO BE PRESSED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME OUT OF PARK. *AK
WHILE IN MOTION AND IN LOW GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLOW DOWN AND ONCE IN A WHILE STOP. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY GIVEN TIME. *JG
THE VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRST REPAIR ATTEMP. SECOND ATTEMPT THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED, REPLACED PUMP, INPUT SHAFT & TORQUE CONVERTER. THIRD ATTEMPT IS CURRENTLY BEING MADE. SAME AS SECOND TO BE REPLACED.*AK
PER DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR, MY TRUCKS WHEEL SUB-ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED FROM AN OVER-TORQUED CENTER NUT (DURING MANUFACTURE ASSEMBLY). THIS CONDITION CAUSED THE BEARINGS TO SEIZE AND SUPERHEAT, THEY HAVE BEEN CUTTING INTO THE AXLE AND THE HEAT EXPANSION CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL (LOCKED ON, BUT STEERING HAS NOT BEEN PULLING). PARTS…
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PER DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR, MY TRUCKS WHEEL SUB-ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED FROM AN OVER-TORQUED CENTER NUT (DURING MANUFACTURE ASSEMBLY). THIS CONDITION CAUSED THE BEARINGS TO SEIZE AND SUPERHEAT, THEY HAVE BEEN CUTTING INTO THE AXLE AND THE HEAT EXPANSION CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL (LOCKED ON, BUT STEERING HAS NOT BEEN PULLING). PARTS NEEDING REPLACEMENT INCLUDE: AXLE; CALIPER; HUB AND BEARINGS; ROTOR; CENTER NUT; CENTER CAP.
NO SATISFACTION FROM DEALER MGR. OR GENERAL SER. MGR. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
THE CONSANT ROUGH IDLE AND SPARADIC ENGINE MISS CAN NOT BE FIXED UNTIL DAIMLER-CHRYSLER BUILDS NEW SOFTWARE FOR COMPUTER. THIS IS CAUSING BAD GAS MILEAGE.*AK
TRANSMISON DOES NOT SHIFT INTO PASSING GEAR BECAUSE COMPUTER WII NOT LET IT SERVICE MANAGER DAVID DYER SAID IT CANOT BE FIXED CHRYSLER REP WILL NOT RETURN CALLS.THIS IS A NEW TRUCK .DAVID SAID CHRYSLER HAS HAD OVER A 100 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME TRUCK,BUT CHRYSLER WILL NOT HELP.THIS STARTED WITH 500 MILES ON TRUCK THE DEALERSH…
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TRANSMISON DOES NOT SHIFT INTO PASSING GEAR BECAUSE COMPUTER WII NOT LET IT SERVICE MANAGER DAVID DYER SAID IT CANOT BE FIXED CHRYSLER REP WILL NOT RETURN CALLS.THIS IS A NEW TRUCK .DAVID SAID CHRYSLER HAS HAD OVER A 100 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME TRUCK,BUT CHRYSLER WILL NOT HELP.THIS STARTED WITH 500 MILES ON TRUCK THE DEALERSHIP PUT A NEW COMPUTER IN BUT IT DID NOT HELP.I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO CHRYSLER CUST SERVICE MANY TIMES.TRUCK HAS LACK OF POWER BECAUSE OF THIS I WAS TOLD BY DAVID THE CHRYSLER REP SAID THEY MY HAVE A FIX IN JUNE ,BUT NO PROMISES .
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.