IllustrationTHE VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRST REPAIR ATTEMP. SECOND ATTEMPT THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED, REPLACED PUMP, INPUT SHAFT & TORQUE CONVERTER. THIRD ATTEMPT IS CURRENTLY BEING MADE. SAME AS SECOND TO BE REPLACED.*AK
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
What owners actually said
1,112 reportsTHIS TRUCK IS OWNED BY SACRAMENTO COUNTY. OUR DRIVER PROCEEDED FROM A GREEN LIGHT INTO THE INTERSECTION. ANOTHER CAR TRAVELLING PERPENDICULAR TO OURS RAN THEIR RED LIGHT. OUR TRUCK IMPACTED ABOUT AT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. WE "T-BONED" THE OTHER CAR. DURING THIS ACCIDENT THE CAR TRAVELLING BESIDE OURS COLLIDED WITH THE SID…
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THIS TRUCK IS OWNED BY SACRAMENTO COUNTY. OUR DRIVER PROCEEDED FROM A GREEN LIGHT INTO THE INTERSECTION. ANOTHER CAR TRAVELLING PERPENDICULAR TO OURS RAN THEIR RED LIGHT. OUR TRUCK IMPACTED ABOUT AT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. WE "T-BONED" THE OTHER CAR. DURING THIS ACCIDENT THE CAR TRAVELLING BESIDE OURS COLLIDED WITH THE SIDE OF OUR TRUCK. TWO HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICERS ACTUALLY WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT. THEY ESTIMATED THE SPEED OF COLLISION FOR OUR TRUCK AT OVER 25 MPH. THE AIRBAGS IN BOTH OF THE OTHER VEHICLES DEPLOYED. WE DID ALERT DODGE TO THIS EVENT. THEY CHECKED THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM AND FOUND NO FAULTS. WE ARE STILL CONCERNED BECAUSE A SHORT TIME LATER WE HAD ANOTHER FRONT END COLLISION WITH A TREE IN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WILL REPORT THIS ACCIDENT ON A SEPARATE QUESTIONAIRE. THE REPORT WE GOT BACK FROM DODGE WAS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO THE FIRST ONE WHICH MAKES US WONDER HOW THOUROUGH AN INVESTIGATION THEY PERFORM. ALSO THE REPORT FOR THE ACCIDENT IN THIS QUESTIONAIRE STATED THAT THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT WAS DISSIPATED THROUGH THE PERPENDICULAR TRAVEL OF THE VEHICLE TO OUR TRUCK. THE HIGHWAY PATROL AT THE ACCIDENT HAVE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO TRAVEL FOR OUR TRUCK IN THE DIRECTION OF THE CAR IT HIT. THIS INCOMPLETE OR UNTRUE CONCLUSION FROM DODGE ALSO MAKES ME SUSPICIOUS OF THE QUALITY OF THEIR INVESTIGATION. ALSO, TALKING TO A DODGE REP. WHO INVESTIGATES THESE EVENTS I WAS TOLD THAT THEY RARELY SEE THE AIR BAG GO OFF WHEN THEIR CAR HITS ANOTHER AS OURS DID (T-BONE). ONE LAST COMMENT, THIS FORM WOULD BE MUCH EASIER IF I COULD SEE ALL OF MY TYPED COMMENTS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE LINE. THANK YOU.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45 TO 60 MPH HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *JB
BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A GUARD RAIL AND A PHONE POLE AT 35 MPH. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
PER DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR, MY TRUCKS WHEEL SUB-ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED FROM AN OVER-TORQUED CENTER NUT (DURING MANUFACTURE ASSEMBLY). THIS CONDITION CAUSED THE BEARINGS TO SEIZE AND SUPERHEAT, THEY HAVE BEEN CUTTING INTO THE AXLE AND THE HEAT EXPANSION CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL (LOCKED ON, BUT STEERING HAS NOT BEEN PULLING). PARTS…
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PER DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR, MY TRUCKS WHEEL SUB-ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED FROM AN OVER-TORQUED CENTER NUT (DURING MANUFACTURE ASSEMBLY). THIS CONDITION CAUSED THE BEARINGS TO SEIZE AND SUPERHEAT, THEY HAVE BEEN CUTTING INTO THE AXLE AND THE HEAT EXPANSION CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL (LOCKED ON, BUT STEERING HAS NOT BEEN PULLING). PARTS NEEDING REPLACEMENT INCLUDE: AXLE; CALIPER; HUB AND BEARINGS; ROTOR; CENTER NUT; CENTER CAP.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE UNDER THE HOOD IN THE DRIVERS SIDE AT BATTERY CABLE TO POWERBOX, VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS, CLAIM 46-0377-665. *SLC
WHILE PARKED, ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO AN AFTERMARKET REMOTE STARTER INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP, CLAIM 22-V517-407. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD AND PULLED OVER, WHEN OPENING THE HOOD, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, CLAIM 16-N191-218. *SLC
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS, CLAIM 04-1299-808. *SLC
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE, RECENTLY THE VEHICLE WAS WORKED ON FOR AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO HANDLE UNDER WARRANTY, THE VEHICLE IS A T/L, CLAIM 59-V803-238. *SLC
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.