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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.

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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, Hydraulic complaints

47 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP IN PANIC SITUATIONS... EXCUSES INCLUDE CONSUMER EDUCATION, AND VEHICLE DESIGN... BRAKE PEDAL GOES HARD IN PANIC STOP, AND WILL NOT ALLOW VEHICLE TO BE STOPPED.. HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE... DEALER NO HELP... ALSO, HAD TO REPLACE DRAGGING BRAKE PAD AT 24,000 MILES... NOW THE VEHICLE I…

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ABS SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP IN PANIC SITUATIONS... EXCUSES INCLUDE CONSUMER EDUCATION, AND VEHICLE DESIGN... BRAKE PEDAL GOES HARD IN PANIC STOP, AND WILL NOT ALLOW VEHICLE TO BE STOPPED.. HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE... DEALER NO HELP... ALSO, HAD TO REPLACE DRAGGING BRAKE PAD AT 24,000 MILES... NOW THE VEHICLE IS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR NO BATTERY VOLTAGE, AND, TO CHECK BRAKES... THEY SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, AND THEY ARE WORKING AS DESIGNED... HELP!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #765216

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WHEELS WOULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO SKIDS BEFORE STOPPING. VEHICLE BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8012659

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TRUCK BRAKES CONTINUE TO GO SOFT. THE DEALER(S) HAVE WORKED ON THE BRAKES. CHANGED MASTER CYLINDER. AT LOW SPEEDS THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, BUT NOT EVERY TIME. NOW THE BRAKES ARE SIMPLY SLOW TO ENGAGE. FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO PUT YOUR FOOT THROUGH THE FLOOR. OF COURSE, THE DEALER HAS ONLY BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PR…

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TRUCK BRAKES CONTINUE TO GO SOFT. THE DEALER(S) HAVE WORKED ON THE BRAKES. CHANGED MASTER CYLINDER. AT LOW SPEEDS THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, BUT NOT EVERY TIME. NOW THE BRAKES ARE SIMPLY SLOW TO ENGAGE. FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO PUT YOUR FOOT THROUGH THE FLOOR. OF COURSE, THE DEALER HAS ONLY BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM ONCE! ANY OTHER REPORTS OF PROBLEMS? SOLUTIONS? NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE SHOULDER SEVERAL TIMES TO AVOID COLLISIONS. JUST STARTED THE LEGAL ROUTE SINCE CHRYSLER HAS BEEN LESS THAN COOPERATIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #761997

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2002
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicInjury

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.

NHTSA ODI #757215

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2001
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

MY TRUCK HAS AN ENGINE MISS, THAT IS CONFIRMED BY THE MANUFACTURES OWN ENGINEERS WHO SAY THERE IS NO KNOWN SOLUTION. DC REFUSES TO HONOR THEIR COMITTMENT AND HAS FAILED IN THEIR SO CALLED ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR. THE CLOCKSPRING HAS TWICE BEEN REPLACED, FIRST AFTER IT BROKE TWO DAYS AFTER THE DC REP INSPECTED MY TRUCK BUT REFUSED TO …

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MY TRUCK HAS AN ENGINE MISS, THAT IS CONFIRMED BY THE MANUFACTURES OWN ENGINEERS WHO SAY THERE IS NO KNOWN SOLUTION. DC REFUSES TO HONOR THEIR COMITTMENT AND HAS FAILED IN THEIR SO CALLED ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR. THE CLOCKSPRING HAS TWICE BEEN REPLACED, FIRST AFTER IT BROKE TWO DAYS AFTER THE DC REP INSPECTED MY TRUCK BUT REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE CONCERNS. SECOND TIME WAS THE RECALL 982 WHICH WAS PERFORMED ON 7/9/01. THE NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS SINCE RETURNED AND THE STEERING AT TIMES GETS TIGHT WHILE TURNING RIGHT. THE FIRST CLOCKSPRING THAT BROKE WAS ALSO AFTER THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THE BRAKES WILL SHUDDER WHEN COMING TO A STOP, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR DRUMS AT ONE POINT BUT REFUSED TO PROCEDE FURTHER. ON 5/13/01 COMING TO AN INTERSECTION THE TRUCKS REAR TIRES LOCKED UP AND THE TRUCK ENTERED THE INTERSECTION APPROX. 1/3 TO 1/2 THE LENGTH OF THE TRUCK, ON 11/17/01WHILE RETURNING HOME I NOTICED A BURNT ODOR AT THE REAR OF THE TRUCK, A FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED SMOKE COMING FROM THE WHEELS, TOUCHING THE REAR WHEEL IT WAS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. SO HOT IN FACT I PULLED MY HAND AWAY BEFORE I WAS BURNT. FRONT TIRES STILL SHOW EXTREME SIGNS OF WEAR , DEALER HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER. IN FACT DEPENDABLE DODGE OF VERO BEACH ON 5/14/01 TOLD ME DC ORDERED THAT NO FURTHER WORK BE DONE ON MY TRUCK. THEY IN FACT STATED THEY WILL BREACH THEIR WARRANTY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #755039

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL. WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS, BRAKE PEDAL WILL HAVE NO RESISTANCE BEHIND IT, AND FALL TO THE FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE THREE TIMES, AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE A CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE A…

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BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL. WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS, BRAKE PEDAL WILL HAVE NO RESISTANCE BEHIND IT, AND FALL TO THE FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE THREE TIMES, AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE A CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #891531

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, AND BOTH ABS/BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOST BRAKES. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSEPECTION. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #878467

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.