IllustrationVEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE JUST AS THE CONSUMER HAD PARKED IT AND GOT OUT. BLACK SMOKE WAS PURING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED CHRYSLER WAS SENDING SOMEONE OUT TO INSPECT AND DETERMINE CAUSE OF FIRE.*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 reportsFIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WIRING HARNESS ON RIGHT SIDE HEAVILY DAMAGED, CLAIM 42-1425-827. *SLC
PARTIAL FIRE UNDER HOOD NEAR STEERING COLUMN ON DRIVERS SIDE, FIRE ORIGINATED AT THE ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION PANEL FROM THE VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM, CLAIM 43-R794-475. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD AND PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, CLAIM 16-N191-218. *SLC
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN STEERING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES, REPLACED CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. CONSUMER IS RETURNING VEHICLE UNDER LEMON LAW.*AK
I AM REPORTING THIS PROBLEM ON MY FATHERS VEHICLE. I JUST LEARNED OF THIS ISSUE FROM HIM, HE IS A 64YO MAN WITH A 8TH GRADE EDUCATION AND I FEEL HE HAS BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. I AM AN ENGINEER WITH A BACKGROUND AS WELL IN LAW. I TALKED WITH HIM ON SUNDAY AND THIS IS THE ISSUE HE HAS WITH HIS NEW DODGE RAM 1500 QUADCAB. THE …
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I AM REPORTING THIS PROBLEM ON MY FATHERS VEHICLE. I JUST LEARNED OF THIS ISSUE FROM HIM, HE IS A 64YO MAN WITH A 8TH GRADE EDUCATION AND I FEEL HE HAS BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. I AM AN ENGINEER WITH A BACKGROUND AS WELL IN LAW. I TALKED WITH HIM ON SUNDAY AND THIS IS THE ISSUE HE HAS WITH HIS NEW DODGE RAM 1500 QUADCAB. THE VEHICLE HE FOUND SHOOK AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH, ONLY SLIGHTLY. THIS WORRIED HIM HOWEVER AND HE HAD A FRIEND AT A TIRE DEALERSHIP INSPECT THE TIRES. IT WAS THEN NOTICED THAT THE GOODYEAR WRANGLER TIRES HE REQUESTED WERE NOT IN FACT LT OR LIGHT TRUCK TIRES BUT P, PASSENGER CAR RATED TIRES. THEY ARE 4 PLY INSTEAD OF THE 6 PLY AS FOUND IN THE LT MODESL, (SUCH AS I HAVE ON MY JEEP WRANGLER). THESE TIRES BULGE AND IN MY OPINION ARE DEFORMING UNDER THE LOAD OF A HEAVIER VEHICLE. RESULTING IN THE VIBRATIONS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. ALSO, SINCE THE TIRES APARENTLY HAVE ISSUES JUST HELPING THE TRUCK MAINTAIN TRACTION, IF A LOAD WERE TO BE ADDED UPWARDS OF THE GVWR THEN MY LIKELY CONCLUSION WOULD BE THAT THE TIRES COULD HAVE A HIGHER LIKELYHOOD OF FAILURE. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN AND AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IT IS PUTTING THE LIVES OF EVERYONE ON THE ROAD AT RISK. AND DODGE IS NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO DO THIS, CHEVY AND FORD DEALERS MY FATHER ALSO NOTICED TO HAVE DONE THE SAME THING OF PUTTING ON CAR TIRES ON THE TRUCKS. THE ISSUE IS OF CORUSE COST HERE, THE TIRES ON MY FATHERS TRUCK WERE 70 DOLLARS A PIECE, WHILE THE REPLACEMENT TRUCK TIRES MY FATHER PUT ON WERE 125. MY FATHER TRADED IN THE TIRES BUT HE DOES HAVE A SIGNED RECEIPT FROM THE TIRE DEALER STATING THE ISSUE OF THE TIRES, ALL THEIR SPECS AND WHY HE SUGGESTED REPLACEMENT. I KNOW MOST PEOPLE DO NOT WORK THEIR TRUCKS HARD, OR USE THEM NEAR THEIR GVWR BUT A TRUCK SHOULD BE ABLE TO PERFORM UP TO ITS SPECS WITHOUT SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS INVESTIGATED AND FOR ALL OWNERS TO BE GIVEN NEW TIRES OR REIMBURSED FOR THEIR COSTS. PLEASE CONTACT ME AS TO YOUR PLANS.
VEHICLE WANDERS ARCOSS THE ROAD WHEN DRIVEN 50 MPH OR MORE. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS FOR VARIOUS REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACEMENT, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.*AK
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS, CLAIM 04-1299-808. *SLC
RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50MPH. SIDEWALL HAD REMAINED INTACT WHILE ENTIRE TREAD SEPARATED ITSELF AND ROLLED DOWN THE ROAD. HAD MAINTAINED CONTROL, AND HAD NO PRIOR WARNING. GOODYEAR, WRANGLER, RTS P265/75R16,ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT.*AK DOT NUMBER OF TIRE, 4B73D5DR4500. *SLC
STEERING WHEEL WOULD PERIODICALLY VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY ONCE VEHICLE MOVES APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. AT TIMES, STEERING WOULD BE UNCONTROLLABLE. DEALER WILL NOT PROVIDE REMEDY.*AK
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.