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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

Structure complaints

548 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2010
Structure

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND BUSTED. I DO NOT WANT A DODGE REPLACEMENT. IT WILL JUST DO IT AGAIN. I FOUND ONE FOR 300 DOLLARS FROM SANDKINDUSTIES.COM. ALL I WANT FROM DODGE IS THE 300 DOLLARS TO ORDER THE DASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10321182

40,000 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SUSTAINED SEVERE CRACKING THROUGHOUT THE SURFACE. THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LARGE CRACK ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE AIR BAG. THE MOST SEVERE CRACKS BEGAN TO PEEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SUSTAINED SEVERE CRACKING THROUGHOUT THE SURFACE. THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LARGE CRACK ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE AIR BAG. THE MOST SEVERE CRACKS BEGAN TO PEEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF UPDATED 07/16/10*JB UPDATED 09/20/10

NHTSA ODI #10319709

180,000 miles · Mar 12, 2010
StructureInjury

MY DASH BOARD BEGAN CRACKING AND FALLING APART. FINALLY, JUST CAVED IN WHEN HEATER CORE WAS BEING REPLACED. I CUT MYSELF AND NEARLY BURNT MYSELF BY THE HEATER CORE TRYING TO GET THE PIECES OUT. THIS IS A MAJOR HAZARD!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319307

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2010
Structure

WE OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM CLUB CAB. MY HUSBAND BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED BUT IN GREAT CONDITION FEBRUARY 2006. WHEN PURCHASED IT HAD A TINY CRACK IN THE DASH UP NEAR THE WINDSHIELD NOTHING WORTH MAKING A BIG DEAL OF. OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS SO MANY CRACKS HAVE APPEARED YOU CANT TELL IT USED TO BE ONE PIECE! ONE TIME I WAS DRIVING…

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WE OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM CLUB CAB. MY HUSBAND BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED BUT IN GREAT CONDITION FEBRUARY 2006. WHEN PURCHASED IT HAD A TINY CRACK IN THE DASH UP NEAR THE WINDSHIELD NOTHING WORTH MAKING A BIG DEAL OF. OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS SO MANY CRACKS HAVE APPEARED YOU CANT TELL IT USED TO BE ONE PIECE! ONE TIME I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A NOISE, TURNING OFF THE RADIO AND STOPPING THE TRUCK I LOOKED UP TO FIND THE DASH LITERALLY BREAKING APART BEFORE MY EYES. THESE CRACKS ARE THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THE TRUCK. DRIVER SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE. DODGE NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT. SINCE WHEN ARE THEY EXEMPT FROM HAVING TO OWN UP TO THEIR FAILURES. IT IS A SHAME THAT THEY ARE RUINING THEIR OWN NAME BY TURNING THEIR HEADS TO THIS OBVIOUS PROBLEM. THEY MAKE SOME GREAT TRUCKS, SO WHY WOULD THEY WANT TO RUIN THEIR OWN REPUTATION BY NOT TAKING CARE OF THIS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318050

88,000 miles · Mar 5, 2010
Structure

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, WHEN IT WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD THE DASH STARTED CRACKING. SINCE THEN, THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE DASH IS COLLAPSED AND CRACKS ARE APPEARING IN THE FRAME AS WELL AS THE LOWER DASH. SHARDS OF PLASTIC FROM THE DASH WENT INTO THE BLOWER FOR THE A\C AND CAME OUT OF THE VENTS. IF I DIDN'T WEAR GLASSES ANYWAY …

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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, WHEN IT WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD THE DASH STARTED CRACKING. SINCE THEN, THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE DASH IS COLLAPSED AND CRACKS ARE APPEARING IN THE FRAME AS WELL AS THE LOWER DASH. SHARDS OF PLASTIC FROM THE DASH WENT INTO THE BLOWER FOR THE A\C AND CAME OUT OF THE VENTS. IF I DIDN'T WEAR GLASSES ANYWAY THE SHARDS COULD HAVE DAMAGED MY EYES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FAN'S SQUIRREL CAGE DUE TO THE DAMAGE FROM PIECES OF DASH. SINCE THEN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT FELL OUT OF THE LOWER DASH AND LANDED ON MY SONS FOOT. NO SERIOUS INJURY BUT CUTS AND A BRUISE. DODGE NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THESE INSTEAD OF PRETENDING THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. I LOVE MY TRUCK BUT IF THEY DON'T FIX THIS ISSUE, NEXT TIME I'LL BUY A FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10317284

63,390 miles · Mar 1, 2010
Structure

DASHBOARD SEVERELY CRACKED CREATING A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. PIECES BECOME DISLODGED WITH WINDOWS OPEN AND BECOME MISSILES BLOWN BY THE WIND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315326

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2010
Structure

I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, AND THE DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY FALLING APART FROM CRACKING. I HAVE HAD ERRATIC ELECTRIC PROBLEMS, WHICH IS PROBABLY DUE TO WIRES BEING SEVERED OR FRAYED BY DASH PIECES, AND MY BIGGEST FEAR IS THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS. WHO IS TO SAY THAT THE AIRBAG ISN'T DAMAGED, EITHER FROM SHARP DASH PIECES OR SUN EXP…

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I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, AND THE DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY FALLING APART FROM CRACKING. I HAVE HAD ERRATIC ELECTRIC PROBLEMS, WHICH IS PROBABLY DUE TO WIRES BEING SEVERED OR FRAYED BY DASH PIECES, AND MY BIGGEST FEAR IS THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS. WHO IS TO SAY THAT THE AIRBAG ISN'T DAMAGED, EITHER FROM SHARP DASH PIECES OR SUN EXPOSURE? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314459

79,000 miles · Feb 12, 2010
Structure

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT MODEL. THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK LAST SUMMER. IT ONLY HAS 83,000 MILES ON IT AND I KEEP IT UNDER A GARAGE. I BELIEVE IT WILL CONTINUE TO CRACK UNTIL IT FALLS IN. I AM AFRAID THIS COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. AT THIS TIME DODGE WILL NOT…

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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT MODEL. THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK LAST SUMMER. IT ONLY HAS 83,000 MILES ON IT AND I KEEP IT UNDER A GARAGE. I BELIEVE IT WILL CONTINUE TO CRACK UNTIL IT FALLS IN. I AM AFRAID THIS COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. AT THIS TIME DODGE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308947

106,000 miles · Jan 22, 2010
Structure

I BOUGHT A USED 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 EXT. CAB 1/2 TON PICK-UP TRUCK IN DECEMBER OF 2008 AND MY DASH BOARDS HAD NO CRACKS IN IT AT THAT TIME ,BUT MY DASH BOARD IS NOW CRACKING AND COLLAPSING. AS FAR AS I KNOW DODGE DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL AT THIS TIME. BUT THERE IS ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE DASH BOARDS CRACKING AND COLLAPSING ONTO …

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I BOUGHT A USED 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 EXT. CAB 1/2 TON PICK-UP TRUCK IN DECEMBER OF 2008 AND MY DASH BOARDS HAD NO CRACKS IN IT AT THAT TIME ,BUT MY DASH BOARD IS NOW CRACKING AND COLLAPSING. AS FAR AS I KNOW DODGE DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL AT THIS TIME. BUT THERE IS ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE DASH BOARDS CRACKING AND COLLAPSING ONTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CAUSING SHORTS. FROM EITHER EXPOSURE TO SUN LIGHT OR THE PARTS OF THE DASH BOARDS FALLING ONTO THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IS CAUSING PROBLEMS DUE TO INFERIOR PRODUCTS BEING USED TO MAKE THE DASH BOARDS. IS THERE ANYWAY TO MAKE DODGE FIX THIS PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301869

66,102 miles · Jan 16, 2010
Structure

2001 DODGE 1500 SLT BROKEN DASH !@#$% NEAR CUT MY WRIST OPEN FROM THE DASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10299984

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.