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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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70,000 miles · Jun 30, 2009
Structure

THE 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DASH CRACKING AND BREAKING OFF. NOW DODGE HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM BUT IN MY OPINION THIS IS A MAJOR RISK FACTOR. BY ALLOWING THE DASH TO CRACK AND FALL INTO THE WIRE SYSTEM INFRONT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER, ITS A FIRE HAZARD WAITING TO HAPPEN. BY NOT FIXING THE PROB…

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THE 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DASH CRACKING AND BREAKING OFF. NOW DODGE HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM BUT IN MY OPINION THIS IS A MAJOR RISK FACTOR. BY ALLOWING THE DASH TO CRACK AND FALL INTO THE WIRE SYSTEM INFRONT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER, ITS A FIRE HAZARD WAITING TO HAPPEN. BY NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM DODGE IS RISKING THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IF NOT THOUSANDS. DODGE IS ALSO LOSING OUT ON LIFE TIME BUYERS LIKE MY SELF THAT DO NOT WANT TO PUT THEIR LIVES AT RISK. THE RISK OF A FIRE IS TO GREAT IN MY OPINION AND IF ONE LIFE CAN BE SAVED BY THE RECALL OR IF THE FIRE CAUSES SOMEONE TO CRASH INTO SOMEONE ELSE OR BEING TRAPPED IN THE FIRE AND BEING BURNED TO DEATH THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275355

85,000 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Structure

2001 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH IS CRACKING AND BREAKING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH DODGE TRUCKS 1999-2003. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274600

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2009
Electrical SystemStructure

MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH IS COMPLETELY CRACKED AND HAS SEVERAL HOLES IN IT WHERE THE PLASTIC HAS CAVED IN. I AM CONCERNED THE HOLES AND CONTINUED CRACKING WILL CAUSE EXPOSED WIRES TO BE BURNT OR SEVERED, WHICH COULD ENDANGER THE LIVES OF THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274192

35,000 miles · Jun 13, 2009
StructureInjury

SHARP CRACKED DASHBOARD. MY CHILD HAS BEEN CUT!!! THE HAS BEEN OVER 200 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS! DASH *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273676

60,000 miles · Jun 11, 2009
Structure

2001 DODGE PICK UP- ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO A PROBLEM BEGAN WITH A SINGLE CRACK IN DASHBOARD, THEN MORE CRACKS, PIECES OF DASH BEGAN TO FALL INTO DASH CREATING HOLES, THEN LARGER HOLES AND RECENTLY COLLAPSED. NOW CONCERNED ABOUT EXPOSED WIRES AND INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, I.E. LIGHTS, WINDOW, MIRRORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273510

20,000 miles · Jun 4, 2009
Structure

THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS FALLEN APART. THERE ARE NOW HOLES IN IT. WHEN I FIRST CONTACTED DODGE ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY SAID THEY HAD NO RECALL ON IT BUT TO CONTINUE TO WATCH FOR IT, AS SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY QUESTION IS THIS, IF SO MANY PEOPLE ACROSS THE US ARE HAVING THE SAME ISS…

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THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS FALLEN APART. THERE ARE NOW HOLES IN IT. WHEN I FIRST CONTACTED DODGE ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY SAID THEY HAD NO RECALL ON IT BUT TO CONTINUE TO WATCH FOR IT, AS SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY QUESTION IS THIS, IF SO MANY PEOPLE ACROSS THE US ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR 2001 DODGE, THEN THERE HAS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MANUFACTURING WHEN THEY MOLDED THE PLASTIC. WHEN IS DODGE GOING TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN INVESTMENT THAT IS FALLING APART, THAT IS THEIR FAULT? NOT ONLY HAS THE DASH CRACKED ON OUR AUTO BUT, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER BUSTED LOOSE FROM THE PLASTIC AND IS NOW LOCATED SOMEWHERE IN THE DASH. THE HEADLINER AND ONE OF THE INTERIOR FOLD DOWN MIRRORS HAS COME APART. THIS AUTO IS LITERALLY FALLING APART IN THE CAB. PLEASE TELL ME YOU ARE GOING TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROPERLY. I KNOW OF AT LEAST 3 OTHER PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN MY AREA WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2001 DODGE RAM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272870

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2009
Structure

2001 DODGE RAM DASH BOARD HAS BEEN CRACKING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND THIS MORNING A BIG PEACE HAD FALLEN THROUGH, AND I DID MANAGE TO GET IT OUT, WHAT CAN I DO AS THIS IS BECOMING A SAFETY HAZARD, TO SHORTING OUT WIRES OR EVEN CAUSING A FIRE. DODGE HAS NO RECALL ON THIS ITEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272481

80,000 miles · May 30, 2009
Structure

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH 84,000 MILES THE DASH BOARD START TO CRACK AND NOW IT HAS A BIG HOLE IN IT THIS IS CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO GO ON SOME TIMES AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS TO GO ON AND OF AT NIGHT AND ITS DIFFICULT TO CONCENTRATE I TRY TO HAVE A MECHANIC FIX IT AND THEY SAID TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE SINCE…

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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH 84,000 MILES THE DASH BOARD START TO CRACK AND NOW IT HAS A BIG HOLE IN IT THIS IS CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO GO ON SOME TIMES AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS TO GO ON AND OF AT NIGHT AND ITS DIFFICULT TO CONCENTRATE I TRY TO HAVE A MECHANIC FIX IT AND THEY SAID TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE SINCE THE DASH IS BROKEN THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY THEIR WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272400

82,000 miles · May 19, 2009
Structure

UNEXPLAINED SUDDEN DASH CRACK IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ON A 2001 DODGE RAM SPORT IN UPSTATE NY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269454

143,000 miles · May 12, 2009
Structure

2001 DODGE RAM DASH FALLING IN AND EXPOSING WIRES AND AIR BAG. DASH CRACKING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND POIECES FALLING INWARD ON ELECTRICAL WIRES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268565

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.