IllustrationI HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 AND THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AND COLLAPSED PIECES FALL THRU THE CRACKS AND DOWN TO THE ACCRELATOR AND BRAKES AND ALSO EXSPOSE MY ELECTRICAL WIRES. DODGE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, REALLY AFRAID SOMEONE IS GONNA GET SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
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 reportsNO INCIDENT, DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND HAS MAJOR CREVICES AND HOLES. INSIDE OF THE DASH SHOWS EXPOSED WIRES AND AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. PIECES ARE CRUMBLING AND COULD BECOME LODGED BEHIND BRAKE IF NOT REMOVED SOON ENOUGH. *TR
THE DASH HAS HUGE CRACKS AND IS CAVING IN AT PLACES. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND IT HAS THESE CRACKS, SO I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY MAY HAVE STARTED. *TR
MY COMPANY OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK. PURCHASED IT USED APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AGO AND WITHIN A SHORT TIME DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING AND CAVING IN. I THOUGHT MINE WAS AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, BUT I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DODGE PICK TRUCKS DOING THIS. IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BY DODGE BUT I…
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MY COMPANY OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK. PURCHASED IT USED APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AGO AND WITHIN A SHORT TIME DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING AND CAVING IN. I THOUGHT MINE WAS AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, BUT I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DODGE PICK TRUCKS DOING THIS. IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BY DODGE BUT IT SHOULD, WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS SAID WIRING WERE SEVERED AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM THE CAVE INS. MY IS NOW VERY SERIOUS AND I AM AFRAID THE SAME PROBLEMS WILL OCCUR FROM THIS. DODGE IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS NO RECALL. I WANT DODGE TO REPLACE THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. THEY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY HAZARDS FROM THEIR VEHICLES. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT OVER 45 TO 50 MPH, IF I HIT A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END/STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY. I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AND SOMETIMES ALMOST STOP TO GET IT TO QUIT. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BEHIND ME ONE DAY WHEN IT HAPPENED AND SHE REPORTED THE TIRE/WHEEL LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING O LAY ON ITS SIDE. …
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WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT OVER 45 TO 50 MPH, IF I HIT A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END/STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY. I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AND SOMETIMES ALMOST STOP TO GET IT TO QUIT. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BEHIND ME ONE DAY WHEN IT HAPPENED AND SHE REPORTED THE TIRE/WHEEL LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING O LAY ON ITS SIDE. SHE WAS CONCERNED THE TIE ROD WOULD BREAK AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK, 2001, DASH IS FALLING APART AS I DRIVE. PIECES FALL TO INCLUDE THE GLOVE BOX AND THE SHELF WHICH IS A LARGE PART OF THE VEHICLE'S DASH. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS HANGING ON AND I CAN'T SECURE IT BACK. DISTRACTING TO SAY THE LEAST. *TR
THE DASH PANELS ON MY 01 DODGE 1500 RAM QUAD CAB TRUCK HAVE CRACKED AND ARE FALLING APART. THE HOLES IN THE DASH HAVE EXPOSED WIRING AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. IT APPEARS THE MOLDED PLASTICS USED IN THE DASH PANELS ARE DETERIORATING OVER TIME DUE TO THE SUN'S HEAT AND RAYS. I SUSPECT, LIKE POLYPROPOLENE TUBING, ALL DASH…
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THE DASH PANELS ON MY 01 DODGE 1500 RAM QUAD CAB TRUCK HAVE CRACKED AND ARE FALLING APART. THE HOLES IN THE DASH HAVE EXPOSED WIRING AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. IT APPEARS THE MOLDED PLASTICS USED IN THE DASH PANELS ARE DETERIORATING OVER TIME DUE TO THE SUN'S HEAT AND RAYS. I SUSPECT, LIKE POLYPROPOLENE TUBING, ALL DASHES MADE OF THIS DEFECTIVE PLASTIC WILL DESINIGRATE. ANYWAY, AFTER SOME RESEARCH IT SEEMS THAT A AFTERMARKET DASH COVER IS THE BEST REMEDY, HOWEVER I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE SHARP EDGES OF THE OLD DASH PANEL COULD CUT SOME WIRING OVER TIME AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE. *TR
THE DASH ON MY 2001 DODGE 1500 TRUCK IS CRACKING AND BREAKING UP EXPOSING THE WIRING IN THE DASH. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT(NA). WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR AND THE SHAFT ON THE REAR END SPLIT AND DISCONNECTED; IT BEGAN DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT INSPECTED AND NOTICED THAT A BIG NUT WAS HOOKED UNDERNEATH FOUR OTHER BOLTS WHICH WAS LOOSE FROM THE TREAD. HE RE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT(NA). WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR AND THE SHAFT ON THE REAR END SPLIT AND DISCONNECTED; IT BEGAN DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT INSPECTED AND NOTICED THAT A BIG NUT WAS HOOKED UNDERNEATH FOUR OTHER BOLTS WHICH WAS LOOSE FROM THE TREAD. HE RE-HOOKED THE NUT TO GATHER IN ORDER TO HAVE THE DRIVE SHAFT STAY INTACT. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000.
MY DASH IS CRACKING INTO PIECES AND IT HAS SHARP EDGES. IN AN ACCIDENT THESE THICK SHARP PIECES OF HARD PLASTIC WILL CUT SOMEONE. THESE CAN POTENTIALLY PUT AN EYE OUT OR SEVERE THE ARTERIES IN THE NECK KILLING SOMEONE. THIS IS APPARENTLY A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH DODGE TRUCKS. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *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.