Illustration2001 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH IS CRACKED AND FALLING THROUGH. IT STARTED WITH SMALL CRACKS NOW ITS CRACKED BAD AND FALLING THROUGH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND ON PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE PIECES ARE VERY SHARP. COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR DEPLOY THE AIRBAG. *KB
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 reportsI HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4WD PICKUP. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART, IT HAS HUGE CRACKS AND AM AFRAID TO PUT ANY PRESSURE ON IT BECAUSE I THINK IT WILL CAVE IN. THE DASH STARTED CRACKING ABOUT THREE AGO AND I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS SUCH A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE UNTIL I DID A SE…
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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4WD PICKUP. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART, IT HAS HUGE CRACKS AND AM AFRAID TO PUT ANY PRESSURE ON IT BECAUSE I THINK IT WILL CAVE IN. THE DASH STARTED CRACKING ABOUT THREE AGO AND I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS SUCH A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE UNTIL I DID A SEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE GOTTEN THE RUN AROUND FROM MY DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THAT IS WHY I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM IS CRACKING AND FALLING IN ON ITSELF.
I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP THAT HAS A MYSTERIOUSLY CRACKING DASH PANEL. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A FRONT-END COLLISION OR ANYONE POUNDING ON THE DASH, AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER. I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN 2006 WHEN THE TRUCK WAS ABOUT 5 YEARS OLD AND HAD ABOUT 63,000 MILES. I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW WIDESPREAD THIS ISSUE IS UNT…
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I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP THAT HAS A MYSTERIOUSLY CRACKING DASH PANEL. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A FRONT-END COLLISION OR ANYONE POUNDING ON THE DASH, AS I AM THE SECOND OWNER. I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN 2006 WHEN THE TRUCK WAS ABOUT 5 YEARS OLD AND HAD ABOUT 63,000 MILES. I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW WIDESPREAD THIS ISSUE IS UNTIL THE LAST YEAR OR SO WHEN I STARTED SEEING DIFFERENT WEBSITES WITH TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, PARTICULARLY CHRYSLER PRODUCTS AND MORE SPECIFICALLY - PICKUP TRUCKS BETWEEN '97 - '02. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUES THAT COULD ARISE DUE TO BROKEN PIECES DAMAGING ELECTRICAL WIRING OR COMPONENTS SUCH AS AIRBAG WIRING. ALSO, IT SEEMS A SLIGHT POSSIBILITY THAT THIS PLASTIC COULD BECOME DANGEROUS PROJECTED SHRAPNEL, IF YOU WILL, IN THE CASE OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS PLASTIC IS VERY BRITTLE AND SEEMS TO BE AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN THAT MAYBE THE PLASTIC WAS NOT CURED AT AN APPROPRIATE TEMPERATURE CAUSING THE BRITTLENESS. I AM NOT SURE IF THE PANEL WAS PURCHASED FROM A SUPPLIER OR WAS MANUFACTURED BY CHRYSLER. MY PARTICULAR TRUCK WAS ASSEMBLED IN MEXICO, JUST IN CASE THAT IS A COMMON THREAD. *KB
MY DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING 5 YRS AGO. I PUT A DASH BOARD COVER OVER THE DASH TO TRY TO PREVENT IT FROM CRACKING MORE,BUT IT DID NOT HELP. IT CONTINUES TO CRACK AND NOW HAS SOME PIECES MISSING BC IT HAS CRACKED SO BAD. *KB
DASH BOARD CRACKED AND BROKEN WITH LARGE GAPING HOLE IN CENTER OF DASHBOARD
DASHBOARD STARTING CRACKING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. NOW IT KEEPS GETTING BIGGER AND WHEN I PUT THE HEAT ON MY WINDOW FOGS UP FROM THE CRACKED DASHBOARD. *KB
OUR DASH HAS BEEN CRACKING FOR A WHILE NOW. NOW BIG CHUNKS HAVE BEGUN TO BREAK OFF. JUST HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD WILL BREAK IT OFF. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WILL GO OFF AND THE REST OF THE DASH WILL EXPLODE AND CAUSE INJURIES FROM FLYING PLASTIC SHARDS. WE TAKE VERY GOOD CAR OF OUR TRUCK. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPEN…
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OUR DASH HAS BEEN CRACKING FOR A WHILE NOW. NOW BIG CHUNKS HAVE BEGUN TO BREAK OFF. JUST HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD WILL BREAK IT OFF. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WILL GO OFF AND THE REST OF THE DASH WILL EXPLODE AND CAUSE INJURIES FROM FLYING PLASTIC SHARDS. WE TAKE VERY GOOD CAR OF OUR TRUCK. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. *TT
DASH HAVE BROKEN TO PIECES. AT TIMES A GOOD BUMP IN THE ROAD WILL CAUSE A PIECE TO BREAK AWAY. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE AIR BAG GOING OFF IN AN ACCIDENT AND CAUSING SHARDS OF THIS PLASTIC TO CAUSE WORSE INJURIES TO A PASSENGER THAN THE ACCIDENT ITSELF. THIS STARTED WITH A SMALL HOLE AND GROWN TO ALMOST THE ENTIRE DASH GONE. *T…
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DASH HAVE BROKEN TO PIECES. AT TIMES A GOOD BUMP IN THE ROAD WILL CAUSE A PIECE TO BREAK AWAY. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE AIR BAG GOING OFF IN AN ACCIDENT AND CAUSING SHARDS OF THIS PLASTIC TO CAUSE WORSE INJURIES TO A PASSENGER THAN THE ACCIDENT ITSELF. THIS STARTED WITH A SMALL HOLE AND GROWN TO ALMOST THE ENTIRE DASH GONE. *TR
THE BRAKE LINE ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 BLEW OUT ABOVE THE GAS TANK. I'VE DISCOVERED THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG OWNERS WITH SIMILAR MAKES. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. I'M AT JUST ABOUT 160,000 MILES. *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.