← 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

Service Brakes complaints

9 reports
Clear category filter
200,000 miles · Aug 7, 2017
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #11013526

140,000 miles · Mar 16, 2017
Service Brakes

THE BRAKE LINE LEADING TO THE DRIVER REAR TIRE IS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE ENTIRE LINE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE WHEEL WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKES FELL TO THE FLOOR. IT LEAKED THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE BRAKE FLUID OUT. THE BREAKS DID STILL FUNCTION BUT BARELY. ENOU…

Read full complaint

THE BRAKE LINE LEADING TO THE DRIVER REAR TIRE IS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE ENTIRE LINE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE WHEEL WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKES FELL TO THE FLOOR. IT LEAKED THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE BRAKE FLUID OUT. THE BREAKS DID STILL FUNCTION BUT BARELY. ENOUGH TO GET IT HOME.SHE WAS ON A BUSY STREET IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE BRAKE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.

NHTSA ODI #10966378

62,800 miles · Oct 28, 2016
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES FRACTURE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,800.

NHTSA ODI #10919864

112,000 miles · Mar 17, 2016
Service Brakes

REAR BRAKE LINE HEAVILY CORRODED AND RUPTURED IN BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FRAME (VERY LITTLE CORROSION TO THE SURROUNDING PARTS/FRAME). FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE LINE BROKE AND I NOTICED I HAD LOST VIRTUALLY ALL BRAKING ABILITY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT IT IN GEAR. I HAD DRIVEN IT 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE L…

Read full complaint

REAR BRAKE LINE HEAVILY CORRODED AND RUPTURED IN BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FRAME (VERY LITTLE CORROSION TO THE SURROUNDING PARTS/FRAME). FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE LINE BROKE AND I NOTICED I HAD LOST VIRTUALLY ALL BRAKING ABILITY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT IT IN GEAR. I HAD DRIVEN IT 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE LINE FAILING, AND HAD NOTICED NO DEGRADATION WHATSOEVER.

NHTSA ODI #10850137

41,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD A PAST FAILURE WITH THE BRAKES, CORROSION OF THE FRAME, A CRACKED DASHBOARD, AND WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATING SINCE 26,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THESE FAILURES, BUT NOT FOR THE STEERING FAILURE. THE MANUF…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD A PAST FAILURE WITH THE BRAKES, CORROSION OF THE FRAME, A CRACKED DASHBOARD, AND WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATING SINCE 26,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THESE FAILURES, BUT NOT FOR THE STEERING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000.....UPDATED 01/04/2016 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10743865

109,037 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Service Brakes

THE REAR BRAKE LINE BETWEEN THE GAS TANK AND FRAME BLEW OUT AS MY SON WAS PULLING IN THE DRIVEWAY. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609713

120,000 miles · Jul 22, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AND HE HAD TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAIN BRAKE LINES HAD WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AND HE HAD TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAIN BRAKE LINES HAD WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10526121

153,000 miles · Jun 1, 2013
Service Brakes

STOPPED AT GAS STATION, GOT BACK IN TRUCK BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON, ADDED FLUID, WALKING BACK TO TRUCK NOTICED PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDER TRUCK, BRAKE LINE HAD BURST ABOVE FUEL TANK, MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514658

73,587 miles · May 31, 2012
Service Brakes

TRAVELING DOWN DRIVE WAY WHEN HARD BRAKE LINE BLOW OUT, CAUSING LOSE OF BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460134

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.