IllustrationI GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2001 DODGE 1500 WITH A CRACKED DASH BOARD. THE AIR BAG LODGED PIECES OF DASH 4 INCHES INTO MY PASSENGER SEAT. I THANK GOD NONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS WERE SITTING THERE. *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 reportsI OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 AND THE DASH HAS STARTED CRACKING AND CAVING IN FOR NO REASON, I KNOW ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2001 DODGES. IT IS A DANGEROUS RISK WITH EXPOSED WIRES AND SUCH AND SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DODGE DEALERS TO FIX. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK. A FEW YEARS AGO, I NOTICED THAT THE DASH ON MY TRUCK WAS CRACKED. FAST FORWARD A FEW YEARS AND IT'S BUSTED INTO A DOZEN OR MORE PIECES. I JUST THOUGHT IS WAS JUST MY BAD LUCK UNTIL I WENT TO THE INTERNET TO SEE ABOUT GETTING A REPLACEMENT AND DISCOVERED THAT VIRTUALLY EVERY 2001 DODGE TRUC…
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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK. A FEW YEARS AGO, I NOTICED THAT THE DASH ON MY TRUCK WAS CRACKED. FAST FORWARD A FEW YEARS AND IT'S BUSTED INTO A DOZEN OR MORE PIECES. I JUST THOUGHT IS WAS JUST MY BAD LUCK UNTIL I WENT TO THE INTERNET TO SEE ABOUT GETTING A REPLACEMENT AND DISCOVERED THAT VIRTUALLY EVERY 2001 DODGE TRUCK HAS THIS SAME PROBLEM, SOME WORSE THAN MINE. IT APPEARS THAT DESPITE ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE, CHRYSLER REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OR DO ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW IT THIS QUALIFIES AS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THE AIRBAG IS INSIDE THE DASH ALONG WITH ALL THE WIRING, A/C, ETC. THAT IS NOW EXPOSED. PERHAPS THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE EXCEPT NOT BUY THEIR POORLY MADE PRODUCTS IN THE FUTURE. *TR
THERE IS A LARGE CRACK IN THE DASH BOARD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, ELECTRICAL ISSUES MAY ARISE, ALONG WITH SPEAKER FAILURE AND DASHBOARD LIGHT FAILURE. THE CRACK RUNS FRONT THE FRONT WINDOW TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DASHBOARD. MY 16 YEARS OLD DRIVES THIS TRUCK. IT IS NOT SAFE. DEALER S…
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THERE IS A LARGE CRACK IN THE DASH BOARD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, ELECTRICAL ISSUES MAY ARISE, ALONG WITH SPEAKER FAILURE AND DASHBOARD LIGHT FAILURE. THE CRACK RUNS FRONT THE FRONT WINDOW TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DASHBOARD. MY 16 YEARS OLD DRIVES THIS TRUCK. IT IS NOT SAFE. DEALER SAYS NOT A RECALL ITEM, NOTHING TO DO. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE TO 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 FOR THIS MODEL YEAR, THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY DODGE. SHOULD THIS VEHICLE BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT WORK PROPERLY, ELECTRICAL ISSUES MAY ARISE FROM THE VIBRATING OF THE DASHBOARD. DASHBOARDS DO NOT CRACK. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK. MY DASH BOARD HAS STARTED TO CRACK SEVERELY. AFTER REVIEWING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS OF DODGE TRUCKS ON THE INTERNET I FELT THAT I TO SHOULD IN FROM SAFERCAR.GOV. THERE ARE CONCERNS OF LARGE PIECES OF THE DASH BOARD CRACKING AT ONCE AND SEVERING ELECTRICAL WIRING THAT C…
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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK. MY DASH BOARD HAS STARTED TO CRACK SEVERELY. AFTER REVIEWING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS OF DODGE TRUCKS ON THE INTERNET I FELT THAT I TO SHOULD IN FROM SAFERCAR.GOV. THERE ARE CONCERNS OF LARGE PIECES OF THE DASH BOARD CRACKING AT ONCE AND SEVERING ELECTRICAL WIRING THAT CAN CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHORTS AND MAYBE FIRE. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOUR DEPARTMENT COULD HELP ALL THE DODGE OWNERS AROUND THE COUNTRY. THANK YOU *TR
CRACKING AND DISINTEGRATION OF COMPLETE DASH COVER EXPOSING ELECTRICAL AND OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS. *TR
CRACKED DASHBOARD. *TR
DEFECT AMONG MULTIPLE OWNERS!!!! WHEN I BOUGHT MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 V6 PICKUP, IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. IT HAD A CLEAN ENGINE, CLEAN BODY, NO SCRATCHES, EXCEPT UNDER THE BED COVER, AND THERE WAS NO CRACK IN THE DASH!!!! *TR NOW ONE YEAR LATER, I HAVE THIS HUGE CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THAT RUNS FROM THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE…
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DEFECT AMONG MULTIPLE OWNERS!!!! WHEN I BOUGHT MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 V6 PICKUP, IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. IT HAD A CLEAN ENGINE, CLEAN BODY, NO SCRATCHES, EXCEPT UNDER THE BED COVER, AND THERE WAS NO CRACK IN THE DASH!!!! *TR NOW ONE YEAR LATER, I HAVE THIS HUGE CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THAT RUNS FROM THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE WAY TO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT! I HAD NO IDEA WHERE IT CAME FROM, SO I CLICKED ON THIS SITE, FOR A DASH COVER, AND LUCKILY, I FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OF US WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, THAT DODGE NEEDS TO FIX, FOR FREE! THERE IS NO WAY THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD BE ANYTHING BUT A FACTORY FLAW, AND DODGE NEEDS TO DO A RE-CALL AND FIX THEM. IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO, TO UNITE AND GET THIS PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF ASAP? PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME BY EMAIL...I LIVE IN DARLINGTON, SC...EMAIL ME AT: SUNEEDLITE08@YAHOO.COM LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO GET IN TOUCH ABOUT THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND HOW WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT POST #: 1
HUGE CRACK IN THE DASH CAUSE DRYROTTING IN THE WIRING AND CAUSED HEADLIGHTS TO GROUND OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE BUT DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE I HIT A DITCH AND IT CAUSED A MINOR INJURY TO MY BROTHER. THIS COULD HAVE VERY EASILY BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE> DODGE RE…
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HUGE CRACK IN THE DASH CAUSE DRYROTTING IN THE WIRING AND CAUSED HEADLIGHTS TO GROUND OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE BUT DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE I HIT A DITCH AND IT CAUSED A MINOR INJURY TO MY BROTHER. THIS COULD HAVE VERY EASILY BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE> DODGE REFUSES TO EAT THE COST AND FIX THIS SUBSTANDARD DASH PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 AND THE DASH HAS STARTED CRACKING REALLY BAD. MY ONLY REAL PROBLEM WITH THAT, THAT IF I HAPPEN TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAG IS DEPLODE IS THERE A CHANCE THAT IT WILL EITHER BECOME AIRBORN AND FLY WITH THE AIR BAG AND BECOME EVEN MORE OF A DANGER OR IF IT WILL CUT THE AIRBAG AND MAKE IT NON USA…
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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 AND THE DASH HAS STARTED CRACKING REALLY BAD. MY ONLY REAL PROBLEM WITH THAT, THAT IF I HAPPEN TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAG IS DEPLODE IS THERE A CHANCE THAT IT WILL EITHER BECOME AIRBORN AND FLY WITH THE AIR BAG AND BECOME EVEN MORE OF A DANGER OR IF IT WILL CUT THE AIRBAG AND MAKE IT NON USABLE .I'VE TALKED WITH A FEW FRIENDS AND ALL THERE DASHES ARE THE SAME WAY YOU WOULD THINK THAT DODGE WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BUT I GUESS NOT..THANKS *TR
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.