IllustrationDASHBOARD CRACKED SO BAD IT'S NOT SAFE. *TR
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
Structure complaints
548 reportsPURCHASED 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 AS NEW. IN SUMMER OF 2009 DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRACK IN NUMEROUS AREAS. WE PLACED DUCT TAPE ON IT. HOWEVER, THIS DID NO GOOD, AS THE CRACKS HAVE GOTTEN BIGGER AND THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD HAS A BIG CRATER IN IT. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THE DASH LITERAL BREAKS TO PIECES. A $30K TRUCK…
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PURCHASED 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 AS NEW. IN SUMMER OF 2009 DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRACK IN NUMEROUS AREAS. WE PLACED DUCT TAPE ON IT. HOWEVER, THIS DID NO GOOD, AS THE CRACKS HAVE GOTTEN BIGGER AND THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD HAS A BIG CRATER IN IT. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THE DASH LITERAL BREAKS TO PIECES. A $30K TRUCK SHOULD BE BETTER EQUIPPED WITH QUALITY MATERIAL. AT ONE POINT WILL THE INTEGRITY OF THE AIR BAG BE COMPROMISED! THIS IS A RISK TO ALL 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 OWNERS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED FROM FLYING PARTS. THIS IS ALSO A COSTLY REPAIR DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE, IT IS BETWEEN $900 - $2000. *TR
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2001 DODGE DASHBOARD FLEW APART WHILE GOING DOWN A DIRT ROAD AND CUT MY FACE! WHAT A PIECE OF [XXX]! AFTER I CHECKED AROUND LOOKS LIKE DODGE NEEDS A SAFETY RECALL ON THAT DEFECTIVE PLASTIC DASH. *TR
I OWN A 2001 DODGE TRUCK IN WHICH WAS GARAGE PARKED AND THE DASH IS SEVERELY CRACKED AND WHICH I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE AIR BAGS GOING OFF AS THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE AND THE DASH CAVES IN. *TR
DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP - THE DASH IS CRACKING AND COLLAPSING; IT APPEARS THIS COULD EASILY INTERFERE WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND IS A VERY REAL SAFETY ISSUE YET THE MANUFACTURER IS IGNORING THE ISSUE WE NEED SOME ACTION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED UNDERNEATH THE WINDSHIELD, EXTENDED TO THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD; AROUND THE INDICATOR GAUGES AND TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS DESIGNED USING PLASTIC THAT WOULD CRACK AS THE VEHICLE AGES. THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED UNDERNEATH THE WINDSHIELD, EXTENDED TO THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD; AROUND THE INDICATOR GAUGES AND TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS DESIGNED USING PLASTIC THAT WOULD CRACK AS THE VEHICLE AGES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THE DASHBOARD SUSTAINED CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE OWNER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SERVICE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
DASH IN 2001 DODGE 1500 IT IS CRACKING FALLING APART SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD BE RECALL WE WILL HAVE NO DASH MY FRIEND HAS ONE TOO HIS HOLE DASH IS ALMOST GONE. *TR
I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK. SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING AND CAVING IN. RIGHT NOW THERE IS A MASSIVE HOLE WITH SHARP PIECES THAT CONTINUALLY BREAK OFF AND POSE A DANGER EVERYTIME I NEED TO REACH ON THE DASH. MY WIRING IS EXPOSED AND STARTING TO CAUSE PROBLEMS. THIS IS A DEFECT FROM DODGE AND I NEED TO …
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I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK. SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING AND CAVING IN. RIGHT NOW THERE IS A MASSIVE HOLE WITH SHARP PIECES THAT CONTINUALLY BREAK OFF AND POSE A DANGER EVERYTIME I NEED TO REACH ON THE DASH. MY WIRING IS EXPOSED AND STARTING TO CAUSE PROBLEMS. THIS IS A DEFECT FROM DODGE AND I NEED TO HAVE IT FIXED BEFORE AN INJURY TO MYSELF OR MY FAMILY OCCURS. *TR
WHEN ARE YOU FOLKS GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS HAZARD? ARE YOU JUST WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT?? IT IS IRRESPOSNSIBLE TO CONTINUE TO NEGLECT THIS. YOU HAVE 802 COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND MOST ARE THE FOLLOWING ISSUE!!DODGE RAM DASHBOARD MANUFACTURER DEFECT; FALLING APART CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IN NUMEROUS…
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WHEN ARE YOU FOLKS GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS HAZARD? ARE YOU JUST WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT?? IT IS IRRESPOSNSIBLE TO CONTINUE TO NEGLECT THIS. YOU HAVE 802 COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND MOST ARE THE FOLLOWING ISSUE!!DODGE RAM DASHBOARD MANUFACTURER DEFECT; FALLING APART CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IN NUMEROUS WAYS. UPDATED 04/12/10
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.