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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

What owners actually said

1,112 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury

FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION. A SAFETY RECALL WAS CONDUCTED, HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE POPULATION OF VEHICLES AFFECT IN THE SAFETY RECALL. *TT

NHTSA ODI #567889

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2002
Electrical System

DAIMLER CHRYSLER MAILED A LETTER INFORMING ME OF A RECALL ON TH 4E POWER DISTRIBUTION CCENTER GENERATOR CABLE CONNECTION ON MY TRUCK. MY SPOUSE TOOK THE TRUCK TO DON MARSHELL DODGE AND SERVICE CENTER . 716 NORTH HWY 27 P.O. BOX1509, SOMERSET, KY 42502, TELEPHONE # 606-678-8178. THE TRUCK WAS SCHEDULED FOR ANOTHER REPAIR BUT MY H…

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DAIMLER CHRYSLER MAILED A LETTER INFORMING ME OF A RECALL ON TH 4E POWER DISTRIBUTION CCENTER GENERATOR CABLE CONNECTION ON MY TRUCK. MY SPOUSE TOOK THE TRUCK TO DON MARSHELL DODGE AND SERVICE CENTER . 716 NORTH HWY 27 P.O. BOX1509, SOMERSET, KY 42502, TELEPHONE # 606-678-8178. THE TRUCK WAS SCHEDULED FOR ANOTHER REPAIR BUT MY HUSBAND BROUGHT THE LETTER AND ASKED THAT THE CABLE ALSO BE FIXED. THE SERVICE PERSON LOOKED A THE LETTER, LAID IT DOWN AND SAID THAT THEY "LOOKED' AT IT AND IT WAS FINE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REFUSED TO FIX THE CABLE. THE LETTER THAT DAIMLER CHRYLER MAILED REGARDING THE RECALL STATED THAT ANY COMPLAINT WITH THE DEALER REGARDING HAVING THE VEHICLE FIXED SHOULD BE DIRECTED TOWARD THIS AGENCY.

NHTSA ODI #10000659

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2002
Fuel System, Other

CAR STALLED NUMEROUS TIME AT ANY SPEED DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDED FURTHER. TS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10001141

36,500 miles · Dec 17, 2002
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, SEATBELT DIDN'T LOCK UP. TS

NHTSA ODI #10000193

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2002
Power Train

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. ALSO STATED THAT ON MARCH OF THIS PRESENT YEAR THAT TRANSMISSION HAD FAIL AND NOW ON DECEMBER 2002 THE TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEMS AGAIN. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS FOR 36000 MILES AND IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY SO THEY WON'T DO NOTHING A…

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CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. ALSO STATED THAT ON MARCH OF THIS PRESENT YEAR THAT TRANSMISSION HAD FAIL AND NOW ON DECEMBER 2002 THE TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEMS AGAIN. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS FOR 36000 MILES AND IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY SO THEY WON'T DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. MR

NHTSA ODI #8024163

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE ENGINE SKIPS ALOT. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CONSUMES A LOT OF OIL. CONSUMER STATES MECHANIC SAID GUNK IS BUILDING UP INSIDE ENGINE, DUE TO SPARK PLUGS NOT FIRE. UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.PH

NHTSA ODI #8023946

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2002
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH AND HIGHER, THE ENTIRE VEHCILE VIBRATES. THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALER CANNOT FIX PROBLEM DUE TO THIS BEING THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE. TS

NHTSA ODI #8023766

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2002
Unknown Or Other

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ACCELERATOR PAD WENT TO THE FLOOR AND KEPT ON ACCELERATING BY IT SELF. DEALER AND MANUF. WERE CONTACTED. TS

NHTSA ODI #8021812

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2002
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 23% DEFICIENT IN FUEL CONSUMPTION. *YH

NHTSA ODI #567789

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2002
Tires

DOT M32KC24X2100 ORIGINAL TIRES ON RAM 1500 2001 LTX AS 24575R16. CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES FELT MUSHY SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE. WHILE TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW, AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE LOSS AIR. CONSUMER FELT TIRES WERE TOO THIN FOR WEIGHT OF VEHICLE. MR*JG *JB

NHTSA ODI #8021380

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.