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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
75,000 miles · Apr 4, 2017
Unknown Or Other

DASH STARTED CHIPPING AWAY SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT NOW IT IS LITERALLY GOING TO FALL IN MY LAP. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT SURE IS SOMETHING THAT WAS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE. THIS IS A TRUCK THAT I INTEND ON KEEPING FOREVER SO IT WAS AN INVESTMENT AND I TRUSTED THE COMPANY BUT…

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DASH STARTED CHIPPING AWAY SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT NOW IT IS LITERALLY GOING TO FALL IN MY LAP. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT SURE IS SOMETHING THAT WAS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE. THIS IS A TRUCK THAT I INTEND ON KEEPING FOREVER SO IT WAS AN INVESTMENT AND I TRUSTED THE COMPANY BUT THEY DIDN'T DO A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10970582

140,000 miles · Mar 16, 2017
Service Brakes

THE BRAKE LINE LEADING TO THE DRIVER REAR TIRE IS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE ENTIRE LINE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE WHEEL WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKES FELL TO THE FLOOR. IT LEAKED THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE BRAKE FLUID OUT. THE BREAKS DID STILL FUNCTION BUT BARELY. ENOU…

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THE BRAKE LINE LEADING TO THE DRIVER REAR TIRE IS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE ENTIRE LINE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE WHEEL WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKES FELL TO THE FLOOR. IT LEAKED THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE BRAKE FLUID OUT. THE BREAKS DID STILL FUNCTION BUT BARELY. ENOUGH TO GET IT HOME.SHE WAS ON A BUSY STREET IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE BRAKE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.

NHTSA ODI #10966378

98,000 miles · Dec 23, 2016
Unknown Or Other

DASH IS CRACKING AND FALLING APART FOR NO REASON. GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES ON.

NHTSA ODI #10937306

5,000 miles · Dec 3, 2016
Unknown Or Other

2001 DODGE RAM 1500 BOUGHT NEW,I'M ORIGINAL OWNER ,AFTER OWNING 1 YEAR DASH STARTED CRACKING, I EVENTUALLY CALLED CHRYSLER AND COMPLAINED, THEY SAID IT WAS A SUN PROBLEM AFTER 3 YEARS I CALLED AGAIN AND COMPLAINED AFTER NOTICING HUNDREDS OF PROBLEMS WITH DODGE DASHBOARDS ALL CRACKING THEY SAID ITS OUT OF WARRANTY WELL NOW NOV 2…

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2001 DODGE RAM 1500 BOUGHT NEW,I'M ORIGINAL OWNER ,AFTER OWNING 1 YEAR DASH STARTED CRACKING, I EVENTUALLY CALLED CHRYSLER AND COMPLAINED, THEY SAID IT WAS A SUN PROBLEM AFTER 3 YEARS I CALLED AGAIN AND COMPLAINED AFTER NOTICING HUNDREDS OF PROBLEMS WITH DODGE DASHBOARDS ALL CRACKING THEY SAID ITS OUT OF WARRANTY WELL NOW NOV 2016 IT'S BASICALLY COMING APART ALL OVER I DON' T KNOW IF ANYONE HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED FROM THIS.I ONLY HAVE 65,000 ON THIS TRUCK.MY SUGGESTION IS TO GET A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THIS CRAPPY COMPANY, THEN MAYBE THE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES IN QUESTION WILL BE REPAIRED,OR GIVE US OUR PURCHASE PRICE BACK

NHTSA ODI #10929742

62,800 miles · Oct 28, 2016
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES FRACTURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,800.

NHTSA ODI #10919864

78,500 miles · Oct 22, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE WHOLE TOP OF DASH HAS CRACKED OUT JUST CRUMBLED PIECE OF PLASTIC FLY WHEN THE WINDOWS ARE DOWN WITHOUT REPAIR THERE IS A GREAT LOSS OF VALUE TO THIS TRUCK IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR 24,000 AND NOW PROBABLY A 2000 LOSS AS THE VALUE IS SEVERLY DIMINISHED.

NHTSA ODI #10918041

79,000 miles · Sep 10, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKED AND BROKEN. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE TRUCKS AND AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT COVERS ARE AVAILABLE. THE BROKEN DASH CAN BE A HAZARD IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND CAUSES ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH HEATING THE VEHICLE/DEFROSTING WINDOWS SINCE …

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THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKED AND BROKEN. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE TRUCKS AND AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT COVERS ARE AVAILABLE. THE BROKEN DASH CAN BE A HAZARD IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND CAUSES ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH HEATING THE VEHICLE/DEFROSTING WINDOWS SINCE THE VENTS NO LONGER FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE HOLE ALSO ALLOWS MOISTURE IN HUMID ENVIRONMENTS TO READILY GAIN ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS UNDER THE DASH. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF DODGE WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND OFFER ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. MY VEHICLE STILL HAS LOW MILEAGE EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN OLDER MODEL. THE PROBLEM STARTED AS CRACKS AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITH TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10905183

120,000 miles · Jul 5, 2016
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE REAR PINION NUT AND DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PINION, DRIVESHAFT, AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE REAR PINION NUT AND DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PINION, DRIVESHAFT, AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10882708

50,000 miles · Jun 13, 2016
Unknown Or Other

MY DASH ON MY 2001 1500 IS CRACKED AND HAS BEEN CRACKED FOR MANY YEARS . IT SO BAD THAT I HAVE A HUGE HOLE IN MY DASH. I READ THAT NHTSA SAYS TO EXPECT A RECALL SOON. JULY 2016 MY TRUCK GOES IN FOR A HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT. SO THAT DASH MUST COME OFF. SURE WOULD BE NICE ID DODGE WOULD GIVE ME A REPLACEMENT DASH NOW. CUZ I COULD…

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MY DASH ON MY 2001 1500 IS CRACKED AND HAS BEEN CRACKED FOR MANY YEARS . IT SO BAD THAT I HAVE A HUGE HOLE IN MY DASH. I READ THAT NHTSA SAYS TO EXPECT A RECALL SOON. JULY 2016 MY TRUCK GOES IN FOR A HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT. SO THAT DASH MUST COME OFF. SURE WOULD BE NICE ID DODGE WOULD GIVE ME A REPLACEMENT DASH NOW. CUZ I COULD GET IT PUT ON FOR NO EXTRA EXPENSE. SAVING THEM 100'S OF DOLLARS. CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHEN TO EXPECT THIS RECALL TO BE PUT INTO MOTION?

NHTSA ODI #10873824

Mileage unknown · May 25, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

DASH HAS COMPLETELY FELL APART

NHTSA ODI #10870913

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.