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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.

About this comparison →

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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55,000 miles · Jun 17, 2004
Structure

DASHBOARD CRACKED ACROSS THE ENTIRE SURFACE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10079429

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2004
Electrical SystemPower TrainStructure

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM OFF ROAD WITH 54000 MILES ON IT AND I'VE ALREADY HAD A NEW COMPUTER PUT IN IT, HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT 27000 MILES BECAUSE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER, AND MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ALL OVER THE PLACE FROM THE HEAT. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE OUT OF THIS TRUCK AND I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER DODGE AGAIN. …

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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM OFF ROAD WITH 54000 MILES ON IT AND I'VE ALREADY HAD A NEW COMPUTER PUT IN IT, HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT 27000 MILES BECAUSE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER, AND MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ALL OVER THE PLACE FROM THE HEAT. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE OUT OF THIS TRUCK AND I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER DODGE AGAIN. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10054736

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2004
Structure

CONSUMER NOTICED DASHBOARD'S TOP STARTED CRACKING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10055381

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2003
Structure

CRACKED INSTRUMENT PANEL (DASHBOARD). *LA

NHTSA ODI #10046877

79,000 miles · Aug 15, 2003
Structure

THE CONSUMER NOTICED A DEEP GROOVE CUT INTO EACH FRONT TIRE NEAR THE INSIDE OF THE RIM CAUSED BY THE LOWER A FRAME CONTACTING THE TIRE WHEN TURNING. THE MECHANICAL TURN STOPS DID NOT REACH THEIR MARK BEFORE THE TIRE REACHED THE A FRAME. THE CONSUMER FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM IN TWO OTHER DODGES OF THE SAME YEAR. (THE 2003 MODEL…

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THE CONSUMER NOTICED A DEEP GROOVE CUT INTO EACH FRONT TIRE NEAR THE INSIDE OF THE RIM CAUSED BY THE LOWER A FRAME CONTACTING THE TIRE WHEN TURNING. THE MECHANICAL TURN STOPS DID NOT REACH THEIR MARK BEFORE THE TIRE REACHED THE A FRAME. THE CONSUMER FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM IN TWO OTHER DODGES OF THE SAME YEAR. (THE 2003 MODELS HAD A DIFFERENT DESIGN) THE CONSUMER MAY DO MORE HARD TURNS AROUND ON FIELD ROADS, BUT THIS MAY BE A HIDDEN PROBLEM WAITING TO BLOW OUT IN LOW SPEED TURNS. *AK *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10027056

104,087 miles · Apr 11, 2003
Structure

MY COMPANY OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK, VIN # [XXX]. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE HOOD RELEASED, FLEW UP AND LANDED AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. THE HINGES AND WINDSHIELD WERE BROKEN. BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD MY EMPLOYEE WASN'T HURT. CHRYSLER ISN'T EVEN INTERESTED IN INVESTIGATING WHAT CAUSED THIS AS THE TRUCK IS OUT O…

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MY COMPANY OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK, VIN # [XXX]. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE HOOD RELEASED, FLEW UP AND LANDED AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. THE HINGES AND WINDSHIELD WERE BROKEN. BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD MY EMPLOYEE WASN'T HURT. CHRYSLER ISN'T EVEN INTERESTED IN INVESTIGATING WHAT CAUSED THIS AS THE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY.*JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10014267

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2003
Structure

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE VIBRATION, THE DEALER STATED THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE LOOSE AND THE ENGINE MAY DROP DOWN.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10010086

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2001
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

LEFT REAR OF QUAD CAB NOT WELDED COMPLETELY. QUAD CAB DOOR AND DRIVERS' SIDE DOOR DO NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. YOU CAN HEAR THEM RATTLE WHEN DRIVING. THIS WAS REPORTED TO TWO SEPARATE DEALERS AND THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE AND CHRYSLER CORPORATION. THEY OFFERED $500.00 FOR THE DEFECT. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT AS WELL AS A VALUE …

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LEFT REAR OF QUAD CAB NOT WELDED COMPLETELY. QUAD CAB DOOR AND DRIVERS' SIDE DOOR DO NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. YOU CAN HEAR THEM RATTLE WHEN DRIVING. THIS WAS REPORTED TO TWO SEPARATE DEALERS AND THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE AND CHRYSLER CORPORATION. THEY OFFERED $500.00 FOR THE DEFECT. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT AS WELL AS A VALUE DEFECT. WE FEAR THE DRIVERS' SIDE DOOR MAY OPEN, AS WELL AS THE QUAD CAB DOOR, IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #748705

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.