IllustrationSEVERELY CRACKED AND BROKEN DASH BOARD. SMALL PIECES FLY OUT WHEN FAN IS ON.
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 reportsMY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 DASHBOARD IS A WRECK ITS BROKEN IN LITTLE PIECES AND WILL FLY TO THE FRONT SEAT AND THE BACK SEAT AND SOMETIMES HITS WIFE AND THE GRANDKIDS IN THE BACK SEAT. THIS REALLY NEEDS A RECALL BECAUSE SOME COULD FLY OFF AND GET IN EYES AND MIGHT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE DASHBOARD PIECES DONT HURT…
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MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 DASHBOARD IS A WRECK ITS BROKEN IN LITTLE PIECES AND WILL FLY TO THE FRONT SEAT AND THE BACK SEAT AND SOMETIMES HITS WIFE AND THE GRANDKIDS IN THE BACK SEAT. THIS REALLY NEEDS A RECALL BECAUSE SOME COULD FLY OFF AND GET IN EYES AND MIGHT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE DASHBOARD PIECES DONT HURT WIFE OR GRANDKIDS OR ME.PLEASE RECALL THE DASHBOARDS SO NO MORE WILL GET HURT OR EVEN KILLED. TKS
I KNOW THAT THIS IS AN OLDER VEHICLE AND THE DASH HAS BEEN COMING APART FOR YEARS. EVERY TIME I CLOSE THE DOORS OR HIT A BUMP, PIECES OF PLASTIC FALL OUT. NOW THE WHOLE DASH IS LOOSE AND RATTLES. I LOOKED AT IT AND CAN SEE WHERE THE PLASTIC AROUND ALL THE DASH MOUNTS IS COMING APART AND MAKING IT EXPONENTIALLY WORSE. LIKE I …
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I KNOW THAT THIS IS AN OLDER VEHICLE AND THE DASH HAS BEEN COMING APART FOR YEARS. EVERY TIME I CLOSE THE DOORS OR HIT A BUMP, PIECES OF PLASTIC FALL OUT. NOW THE WHOLE DASH IS LOOSE AND RATTLES. I LOOKED AT IT AND CAN SEE WHERE THE PLASTIC AROUND ALL THE DASH MOUNTS IS COMING APART AND MAKING IT EXPONENTIALLY WORSE. LIKE I SAID, I KNOW ITS AN OLDER VEHICLE BUT IT HAS BEEN COMING APART FOR YEARS. LOOKING ONLINE I SEE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL AS WELL. MY FEAR AT THIS POINT IS THAT IN AN ACCIDENT, THE ENTIRE DASH ASSEMBLY MAY SHIFT OR BREAK FREE CAUSING TO AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY OR IN THE WRONG LOCATION OR EVEN PROJECT BIT OF THE PLASTIC DASH INTO THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER WHEN THEY DEPLOY.
SEVERAL YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT MY DODGE 1500 RAM TRUCK ABOUT 2008 THE DASH STARTED FALLING APART AND THE BLEND DOOR STOPED WORKING EVERY DODGE DEALER I TOOK IT TO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO
SATURDAY 14 APRIL 2018 BACKED UP DRIVEWAY TRUCKLENGTH AND GOT OUT TO DELIVER BOOKCASE FOR FRIEND. UNHOOKED ROPE HOLDING HAND TRUCK AND PLACED ON GROUND. SMELLED SMOKE LOOKED AROUND NEIGHBORHOOD TO MY LEFT SAW NOTHING, LOOKED THE OTHER WAY AND SAW SMOKE COMING UP BEHIND CAB IN CAB TO BED GAP. HAD 1.5L PEPSI AND SPRAYED ON GAP. NO…
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SATURDAY 14 APRIL 2018 BACKED UP DRIVEWAY TRUCKLENGTH AND GOT OUT TO DELIVER BOOKCASE FOR FRIEND. UNHOOKED ROPE HOLDING HAND TRUCK AND PLACED ON GROUND. SMELLED SMOKE LOOKED AROUND NEIGHBORHOOD TO MY LEFT SAW NOTHING, LOOKED THE OTHER WAY AND SAW SMOKE COMING UP BEHIND CAB IN CAB TO BED GAP. HAD 1.5L PEPSI AND SPRAYED ON GAP. NO EFFECT. THREW QUILT OVER GAP TO CHOKE AND POURED 3 ADDITIONAL 1.5 L PEPSI ON QUILT SOAKING IT. CALLED 911 AND GAVE INFO. THEN UNLOADED BOOKCASE 5 SECONDS AND MOVED IT AWAY. THEN PROCEEDED TO ATTEMPT SALVAGE OF POSSESSIONS. WINCHESTER CITY FD APPEARED AND PROCEEDED TO ATTACK FIRE, 4/5 EMGINES HYDRANT AND FOAM AND 40 MINUTED FIRE CONTAINED. CAB CONTENTS SAVED AND REMOVED MONDAY 16 APRIL 5PM. EMAIL TO YOUR AGENCY MONDAY NIGHT
I HAVE A DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK. MY ENTIRE DASH IS COMING APART. A PIECE FLEW OFF AND HIT ME IN THE FACE WHILE DRIVING I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND MY WIFE HIT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKING IT. MY LIGHTS ON MY CEILING WENT OUT DON'T WORK
DASH, FROMT COVER COVERING INSTUMENT PANEL. SEVERLY CRACKED SO BRITTLE,THAT EVEN JUST A SINGLE TOUCH MAKES IT CRACK AND FALL APART. MY YOUNGEST SON HAS GOTTEN CUT BY THE SHARP EDGES OF THE CRACKS BEFORE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I HAVEN'T BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT I WOULD BE CONCERNED THAT THOSE SHARP SHARDS OF HARD PLAST…
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DASH, FROMT COVER COVERING INSTUMENT PANEL. SEVERLY CRACKED SO BRITTLE,THAT EVEN JUST A SINGLE TOUCH MAKES IT CRACK AND FALL APART. MY YOUNGEST SON HAS GOTTEN CUT BY THE SHARP EDGES OF THE CRACKS BEFORE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I HAVEN'T BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT I WOULD BE CONCERNED THAT THOSE SHARP SHARDS OF HARD PLASTIC COULD FLY AN INJURY MY XHILDREN AND MYSELF.
DASH COMPONENTS CRACKED UNDER NORMAL USE CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS, IF NOT DEADLY, SITUATION WHERE IN THE EVENT OF AIR-BAG DEPLOYMENT CREATING PROJECTILES FROM SUCH DEPLOYMENT THAT CAUSE EGREGIOUS BODILY HARM TO THE OCCUPANTS. DODGE KNOWINGLY IS ALLOWING SUCH CONDITIONS TO EXIST.
DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKING ON LIKE AN EGG. IT IS CRACKING ON TOP AND THE FRONT WHERE THE STEREO IS LOCATED. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE RAM FOR ABOUT A YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS AND WHERE CAN I TAKE IT TO GET THE ISSUE RESOLVED.
THE DASH IS CRACKED BAD AND COULD CAUSE A PERSON TO GET CUT FROM THIS.REALLY CRACKED BADLY FROM THE SUN.POORLY MADE FROM PLASTIC.IF YOU WANT PHOTOS,LET ME KNOW,AND I WILL SEND YOU SOME.
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.