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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
185,000 miles · Feb 10, 2011
Structure

I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 THE DASH ON THE VEHICLE IS CRACKED AND HAS QUITE A LARGE PIECE MISSING FROM IT. IT HAS CAUSED SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITHIN THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10381477

118,375 miles · Jan 19, 2011
Unknown Or Other

DASH ON TRUCK IS CRACKED AND BROKEN AND IS SO BRITTLE YOU CAN CRUMBLE IT IN YOUR HAND LIKE A CRACKER. I ALSO OWNED AN 00 RAM THAT DID THE SAME THING. PLEASE GET US SOME HELP!!

NHTSA ODI #10378948

88,000 miles · Jan 16, 2011
Air BagsEquipment

DASHBOARD AND CAP IS CRACKING UP INTO JAGGED PIECES. SHOULD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, SEVERE INJURY COULD RESULT FROM BEING PUNCTURED FROM PLASTIC SHRAPNEL MUCH MORE THAN THE CAUSE OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD IMPLEMENT A REPLACEMENT AT NO EXPENSE. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10376839

50,000 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Structure

DASH BOARD HAS FORMED LARGE CRACKS IN IT. WE KEEP THAT TRUCK IN THE GARAGE. MANUFACTURES DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10376275

114,034 miles · Jan 9, 2011
StructureInjury

2001 DODGE RAM 1500 DASHBOARD CRACKING AND CAVING IN. WHILE DRIVING THIS TRUCK WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN A PIECE OF THE CRACKING DASH FLEW INTO MY EYE AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. I CONTACTED DODGE ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY WANTED ME TO PAY FOR A NEW DASH. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH [XXX] AND GIVEN HER MY CARE# [XXX]…

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2001 DODGE RAM 1500 DASHBOARD CRACKING AND CAVING IN. WHILE DRIVING THIS TRUCK WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN A PIECE OF THE CRACKING DASH FLEW INTO MY EYE AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. I CONTACTED DODGE ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY WANTED ME TO PAY FOR A NEW DASH. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH [XXX] AND GIVEN HER MY CARE# [XXX] BUT SHE IS NOT WILLING TO HELP WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE I WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE DASH FOR $1576.00 BY WESTGATE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE BY SERVICE ADVISOR [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375281

65,000 miles · Jan 7, 2011
Structure

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND FALLING APART, RESULTING IN LOOSE PIECES THAT FLY AROUND THE TRUCK. THE JAGGED EDGES ARE A DANGER AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375155

120,000 miles · Dec 27, 2010
Electrical SystemStructure

SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES DUE TO PIECES FROM BROKEN DASHBOARD FALLING INTO DASH AREA WEARING AND CUTTING AWAY WIRING INSULATION. HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS TURNING OFF AND GAUGES NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. ALSO ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAVE SEEN SMOKE RISING OUT OF LARGE HOLES IN DASH AREA. GLARE FROM MOUNTING BRACKETS REFL…

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SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES DUE TO PIECES FROM BROKEN DASHBOARD FALLING INTO DASH AREA WEARING AND CUTTING AWAY WIRING INSULATION. HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS TURNING OFF AND GAUGES NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. ALSO ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAVE SEEN SMOKE RISING OUT OF LARGE HOLES IN DASH AREA. GLARE FROM MOUNTING BRACKETS REFLECTING OFF INSIDE OF WINDSHIELD HAS CREATED VISIBILITY ISSUES ON BRIGHT DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10372526

113,000 miles · Dec 19, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 5.2 V-8 ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS VERY POOR PERFORMANCE DUE TO TAPPING VALVES AND LIFTERS, WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE TRUCK LOSSES POWER SO I'M AFRAID THIS MAY BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BY CAUSING A ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER DODGE AND THEY DO NOTHING WE AS CON…

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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 5.2 V-8 ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS VERY POOR PERFORMANCE DUE TO TAPPING VALVES AND LIFTERS, WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE TRUCK LOSSES POWER SO I'M AFRAID THIS MAY BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BY CAUSING A ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER DODGE AND THEY DO NOTHING WE AS CONSUMERS REALLY NEED THE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10371196

50,000 miles · Dec 16, 2010
Structure

CRACKED AND DESTROYED DASH, HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS ELECTRICAL INCLUDING LIGHTS GOING OUT AND EXPOSED WIRING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370989

159,000 miles · Dec 16, 2010
Structure

DASHBOARD CRACKED AND BROKE, LARGE HOLES, MAKES ALL KINDS OF NOISE AND PIECES COME FLYING OUT INTO MY FACE AND EYES SOMETIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370946

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.