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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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64,000 miles · Dec 11, 2008
Structure

2001 DODGE RAM DASHBOARD WITH SEVERE CRACKS - DEFECTIVE PART - POOR WORKMANSHIP - SHOULD BE REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251479

55,000 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Structure

2001 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH CRACKED, THEN CRACKED AGAIN, AND IS NOW BREAKING APART. PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY SOON BE AFFECTED, COULD POSE A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR/ MAKE OF VEHICLE DUE TO A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251123

127,000 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE FLEW BACK INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE WINDSHIELD SUSTAINED A DOZEN OR MORE CRACKS, BUT DID NOT SHATTER. HE STRUGGLED WITH THE HOOD IN ORDER TO KEEP IT FROM BLOCKING HIS VIEW,…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE FLEW BACK INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE WINDSHIELD SUSTAINED A DOZEN OR MORE CRACKS, BUT DID NOT SHATTER. HE STRUGGLED WITH THE HOOD IN ORDER TO KEEP IT FROM BLOCKING HIS VIEW, AND MANAGED TO TIE THE HOOD DOWN TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #10251122

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2008
Structure

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO FRONT OF DASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250807

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2008
Structure

CRACKED DASHBOARD ON A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 THE DASH STARTED TO CRACK ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO THEN PIECES STARTED TO BREAK OFF I GLUED THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER BUT NOW THEIR ARE OTHER CRACKS IF I WAS TO GET INTO A WRECK I WOULD NOT WANT ANY OF THESE PIECES COMING BACK AND HITTING ME OR MY FAMILY. DODGE SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE I A…

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CRACKED DASHBOARD ON A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 THE DASH STARTED TO CRACK ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO THEN PIECES STARTED TO BREAK OFF I GLUED THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER BUT NOW THEIR ARE OTHER CRACKS IF I WAS TO GET INTO A WRECK I WOULD NOT WANT ANY OF THESE PIECES COMING BACK AND HITTING ME OR MY FAMILY. DODGE SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250542

85,000 miles · Dec 1, 2008
Structure

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 THAT I BOUGHT USED 2 YEARS AGO. TRUCK WAS FLAWLESS NOW HAS 2 LARGE CRACKS FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO MIDWAY BACK ON THE TOP OF THE DASH. NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HI BEAM LIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250337

76,000 miles · Nov 30, 2008
Structure

I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP. THE DASHBOARD IS BADLY CRACKED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS. NO ACTION HAS YET BEEN TAKEN TO CORRECT HE DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250208

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2008
Structure

I AM ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE 2001 DODGE RAM DASH BOARD CRACK UP. THIS STARTED IN 2003 AND CONTINUES TODAY. THE DEALER SAYS I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE PLASTIC PIECES OF DASH BOARD FALLING INTO MY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I WORRY WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN/IF I GET INTO A MISHAP. WHEN IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO RECALL THESE DASHES…

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I AM ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE 2001 DODGE RAM DASH BOARD CRACK UP. THIS STARTED IN 2003 AND CONTINUES TODAY. THE DEALER SAYS I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE PLASTIC PIECES OF DASH BOARD FALLING INTO MY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I WORRY WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN/IF I GET INTO A MISHAP. WHEN IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO RECALL THESE DASHES? DOES IT TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED? IF THERE IS A RECALL, I CANNOT FIND IT BUT KNOW I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250172

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2008
Structure

I BOUGHT A 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP BRAND NEW FROM A DODGE DEALER. THE DASHBOARD HAS COMPLETELY COME APART. TONS OF CRACKS IN IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250127

65,239 miles · Nov 18, 2008
Structure

THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS FALLEN IN ON ITSELF. ONE DAY AS I WAS DRIVING A CRACK STARTED. A FEW MONTHS LATER ONE PIECE FELL IN AND 2 YEARS LATER MOST OF THE DASH IS BROKEN DOWN. THERE ARE SHARDS OF BROKEN PLASTIC EVERYWHERE UNDER WHERE IT WAS LOCATED. THERE ARE NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE AS ALL OF THAT MODEL HAV…

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THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS FALLEN IN ON ITSELF. ONE DAY AS I WAS DRIVING A CRACK STARTED. A FEW MONTHS LATER ONE PIECE FELL IN AND 2 YEARS LATER MOST OF THE DASH IS BROKEN DOWN. THERE ARE SHARDS OF BROKEN PLASTIC EVERYWHERE UNDER WHERE IT WAS LOCATED. THERE ARE NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE AS ALL OF THAT MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IF THERE IS EVER A CRASH SHARP SHARDS OF PLASTIC WILL BE FLYING EVERYWHERE. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT I CAN FIND. PARTS THAT I CAN FIND ARE $300-$500 IN COST WHICH I WILL NOT PAY IN THAT EXCESS. IF I COULD FIND IT FOR $100 I WOULD REPLACE IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249095

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.