IllustrationHUGE CRACK AND HOLE IN DASHBOARD. *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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD HAD APPROXIMATELY TEN CRACKS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
2001 DODGE RAM 1500; AFTER DRIVING LONG DISTANCES, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON AFTER TURNING OFF THE TRUCK AND TURNING IT BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES, USUALLY AFTER SWITCHING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES AND / OR SWITCHING FROM LOW TO HIGH BEAM A FEW TIMES THE LOW BEAMS WILL COME BACK. THE LAST TIME TH…
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2001 DODGE RAM 1500; AFTER DRIVING LONG DISTANCES, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON AFTER TURNING OFF THE TRUCK AND TURNING IT BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES, USUALLY AFTER SWITCHING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES AND / OR SWITCHING FROM LOW TO HIGH BEAM A FEW TIMES THE LOW BEAMS WILL COME BACK. THE LAST TIME THE LOW BEAMS DID NOT COME BACK FOR 3 DAYS. I WENT TO THE FAIRFIELD LITHIA DODGE DEALER TO REPLACE THE HEAD LAMP SWITCH, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A NATIONAL BACK ORDER ON THE LIGHT SWITCHES WITH THE CARGO DIMMER/SWITCH. THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THERE WOULD BE ANY SWITCHES AVAILABLE. *TR
I OWN TWO DODGE RAM PICKUPS 2001,1500 AND 2003,2500 BOTH HAVE CRACKED DASHES ACTUALLY THE 1500 THE DASH IS FALLING OUT POSSIBLE AFFECTING THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. *TR
CRACKED DASHBOARD. *TR
WHEN RAINING OR HIGH MOISTURE THE VEHICLE DIES OR WILL NOT START. DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE SEVERAL TIMES IT STARTED TO RAIN AND THE TRUCK ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER STEERING AND TRYING TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC. IF RAINING OR DAMP. WHEN TRY TO START, THERE IS NO SUCH LUCK. WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT SI…
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WHEN RAINING OR HIGH MOISTURE THE VEHICLE DIES OR WILL NOT START. DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE SEVERAL TIMES IT STARTED TO RAIN AND THE TRUCK ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER STEERING AND TRYING TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC. IF RAINING OR DAMP. WHEN TRY TO START, THERE IS NO SUCH LUCK. WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT SIT IN THE DRIVE UNUSABLE. WHEN YOU TURN THE HEADLAMPS FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAM THE LIGHTS GO OUT. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON MOST OF THE TIME. *TR
I BOUGHT MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 BRAND NEW. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO, I STARTED NOTICING HAIRLINE CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD. FAST FORWARD TO 2008, AND NOW I HAVE A GAPING CRACK ON MY DASHBOARD WITH MULTIPLE CRACKS ALL OVER MY DASHBOARD. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM NOT TO MENTION A …
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I BOUGHT MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 BRAND NEW. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO, I STARTED NOTICING HAIRLINE CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD. FAST FORWARD TO 2008, AND NOW I HAVE A GAPING CRACK ON MY DASHBOARD WITH MULTIPLE CRACKS ALL OVER MY DASHBOARD. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM NOT TO MENTION A SAFETY PROBLEM. LUCKILY I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT, BUT I WOULD HATE TO THINK WHAT A SHARP PIECE OF HARD PLASTIC COULD DO IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER ISSUE. WHAT ELSE CAN WE, THE PUBLIC, DO? *TR
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK HAS CRACKED AND I BELIEVE MAY BE AFFECTING MY CONTROL PANEL (ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER). I WENT TO DRIVE MY TRUCK ONE AFTERNOON AND THE WHOLE CONTROL PANEL WASN'T WORKING. I ALSO HAVE SOME KIND OF FUMES COMING FROM MY VENTS WHENEVER I TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONING, HEAT OR DEF…
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THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK HAS CRACKED AND I BELIEVE MAY BE AFFECTING MY CONTROL PANEL (ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER). I WENT TO DRIVE MY TRUCK ONE AFTERNOON AND THE WHOLE CONTROL PANEL WASN'T WORKING. I ALSO HAVE SOME KIND OF FUMES COMING FROM MY VENTS WHENEVER I TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONING, HEAT OR DEFROST WHICH MAY BE RELATED TO THE DASHBOARD ALSO. MY DEFROST DOESN'T WORK AT ALL DUE TO THE CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD BECAUSE THE AIR ISN'T GOING WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO GO.
2001 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4. I HAVE SEVERAL LONG CRACKS ON DASHBOARD. ALSO 2 AREAS MAYBE 5 INCHES IN DIAMETER HAVE FALLEN INTO DASH THEY HAD TO BE GLUED BACK IN PLACE BUT NEW CRACKS APPEAR EVERY WEEK.. TRUCK HAS 90K BUT THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 50K. I HAD PULLED SUPER GLUE IN CRACK TO STOP THEM FROM SPREADING BUT NO …
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2001 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4. I HAVE SEVERAL LONG CRACKS ON DASHBOARD. ALSO 2 AREAS MAYBE 5 INCHES IN DIAMETER HAVE FALLEN INTO DASH THEY HAD TO BE GLUED BACK IN PLACE BUT NEW CRACKS APPEAR EVERY WEEK.. TRUCK HAS 90K BUT THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 50K. I HAD PULLED SUPER GLUE IN CRACK TO STOP THEM FROM SPREADING BUT NO LUCK THERE. *TR
2001 DODGE RAM 1500 CRACKED, FALLING IN DASH HEATER CORE FAILURE DUE TO GROUND WIRE NEVER BEING SECURED FROM FACTORY REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN BY USING INSIDE DOOR HANDLE ELECTRIC LOCK SWITCH FAILURE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR HOOD HINGES BROKE ON BOTH SIDES TAILGATE CABLE SUPPORT DRIVERS SIDE REPLACED TWICE
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.