IllustrationDASH IS CRACKED AND FALLING IN. VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING DUE TO WIRES BEING EXPOSED.
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 reportsWHEN ARE YOU FOLKS GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS HAZARD? ARE YOU JUST WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT?? IT IS IRRESPOSNSIBLE TO CONTINUE TO NEGLECT THIS. YOU HAVE 802 COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND MOST ARE THE FOLLOWING ISSUE!!DODGE RAM DASHBOARD MANUFACTURER DEFECT; FALLING APART CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IN NUMEROUS…
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WHEN ARE YOU FOLKS GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS HAZARD? ARE YOU JUST WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT?? IT IS IRRESPOSNSIBLE TO CONTINUE TO NEGLECT THIS. YOU HAVE 802 COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND MOST ARE THE FOLLOWING ISSUE!!DODGE RAM DASHBOARD MANUFACTURER DEFECT; FALLING APART CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IN NUMEROUS WAYS. UPDATED 04/12/10
MY DASH STARTED CRACKING BEFORE I BOUGHT IT BACK IN 3/2009 BUT NOW THE CRACKS ARE "HOLES". THE DASH IS LITERALLY CAVING IN. WHAT IS LEFT IS SHARP EDGED PIECES THAT CAN EASILY CUT YOU. ALSO, THE WIDE OPEN CRATERS ARE ALLOWING THE HOT TEXAS SUN TO BAKE THE WIRING AND HAS TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE RANDOM INTERMITTENT ELECT…
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MY DASH STARTED CRACKING BEFORE I BOUGHT IT BACK IN 3/2009 BUT NOW THE CRACKS ARE "HOLES". THE DASH IS LITERALLY CAVING IN. WHAT IS LEFT IS SHARP EDGED PIECES THAT CAN EASILY CUT YOU. ALSO, THE WIDE OPEN CRATERS ARE ALLOWING THE HOT TEXAS SUN TO BAKE THE WIRING AND HAS TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE RANDOM INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT SEEM TO BE CROPPING UP PERIODICALLY.
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND BUSTED. I DO NOT WANT A DODGE REPLACEMENT. IT WILL JUST DO IT AGAIN. I FOUND ONE FOR 300 DOLLARS FROM SANDKINDUSTIES.COM. ALL I WANT FROM DODGE IS THE 300 DOLLARS TO ORDER THE DASH. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SUSTAINED SEVERE CRACKING THROUGHOUT THE SURFACE. THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LARGE CRACK ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE AIR BAG. THE MOST SEVERE CRACKS BEGAN TO PEEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SUSTAINED SEVERE CRACKING THROUGHOUT THE SURFACE. THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LARGE CRACK ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE AIR BAG. THE MOST SEVERE CRACKS BEGAN TO PEEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF UPDATED 07/16/10*JB UPDATED 09/20/10
HAVING NOTICED A LOSS IN BRAKE FLUID, IT BECAME A RUST OUT BRAKE LINE. THIS TRUCK, HAS 107K MILES. AND THIS BRAKE LINE IS IN THE REAR PORTION OF THE GAS TANK AREA, THAT CONNECTS TO THE REAR SYSTEM. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THESE DODGE TRUCKS. AS HAVE FOUND OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. *TR
MY DASH BOARD BEGAN CRACKING AND FALLING APART. FINALLY, JUST CAVED IN WHEN HEATER CORE WAS BEING REPLACED. I CUT MYSELF AND NEARLY BURNT MYSELF BY THE HEATER CORE TRYING TO GET THE PIECES OUT. THIS IS A MAJOR HAZARD!! *TR
MY DODGE RAM PICK UP DEVELOPED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" 3 YEARS AGO AND IT IS NOW SO BAD, I WON'T TAKE IT ON THE FREEWAY SINCE IT DOES THE WOBBLE AT 50 MPH. IT IS VERY FRIGHTENING AND I DON'T TRUST THE TRUCK ANYMORE. *TR
WE OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM CLUB CAB. MY HUSBAND BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED BUT IN GREAT CONDITION FEBRUARY 2006. WHEN PURCHASED IT HAD A TINY CRACK IN THE DASH UP NEAR THE WINDSHIELD NOTHING WORTH MAKING A BIG DEAL OF. OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS SO MANY CRACKS HAVE APPEARED YOU CANT TELL IT USED TO BE ONE PIECE! ONE TIME I WAS DRIVING…
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WE OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM CLUB CAB. MY HUSBAND BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED BUT IN GREAT CONDITION FEBRUARY 2006. WHEN PURCHASED IT HAD A TINY CRACK IN THE DASH UP NEAR THE WINDSHIELD NOTHING WORTH MAKING A BIG DEAL OF. OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS SO MANY CRACKS HAVE APPEARED YOU CANT TELL IT USED TO BE ONE PIECE! ONE TIME I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A NOISE, TURNING OFF THE RADIO AND STOPPING THE TRUCK I LOOKED UP TO FIND THE DASH LITERALLY BREAKING APART BEFORE MY EYES. THESE CRACKS ARE THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THE TRUCK. DRIVER SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE. DODGE NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT. SINCE WHEN ARE THEY EXEMPT FROM HAVING TO OWN UP TO THEIR FAILURES. IT IS A SHAME THAT THEY ARE RUINING THEIR OWN NAME BY TURNING THEIR HEADS TO THIS OBVIOUS PROBLEM. THEY MAKE SOME GREAT TRUCKS, SO WHY WOULD THEY WANT TO RUIN THEIR OWN REPUTATION BY NOT TAKING CARE OF THIS? *TR
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, WHEN IT WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD THE DASH STARTED CRACKING. SINCE THEN, THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE DASH IS COLLAPSED AND CRACKS ARE APPEARING IN THE FRAME AS WELL AS THE LOWER DASH. SHARDS OF PLASTIC FROM THE DASH WENT INTO THE BLOWER FOR THE A\C AND CAME OUT OF THE VENTS. IF I DIDN'T WEAR GLASSES ANYWAY …
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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, WHEN IT WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD THE DASH STARTED CRACKING. SINCE THEN, THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE DASH IS COLLAPSED AND CRACKS ARE APPEARING IN THE FRAME AS WELL AS THE LOWER DASH. SHARDS OF PLASTIC FROM THE DASH WENT INTO THE BLOWER FOR THE A\C AND CAME OUT OF THE VENTS. IF I DIDN'T WEAR GLASSES ANYWAY THE SHARDS COULD HAVE DAMAGED MY EYES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FAN'S SQUIRREL CAGE DUE TO THE DAMAGE FROM PIECES OF DASH. SINCE THEN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT FELL OUT OF THE LOWER DASH AND LANDED ON MY SONS FOOT. NO SERIOUS INJURY BUT CUTS AND A BRUISE. DODGE NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THESE INSTEAD OF PRETENDING THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. I LOVE MY TRUCK BUT IF THEY DON'T FIX THIS ISSUE, NEXT TIME I'LL BUY A FORD. *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.