IllustrationCRACKED DASH BOARD AND DASH BOARD RELATED COMPONENTS ON 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP. CRACKS STARTED TO APPEAR IN 2004 FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND HAVE DEVELOPED INTO COMPLETE DASH BOARD FAILURE AND COLLAPSE. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT FURTHER DAMAGE TO EXPOSED ELECTRICAL WIRING ANY RELATED LIGHTING FAILURE AND GENERAL SAFETY. *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 reportsPURCHASED TRUCK NEW IN 2001. IN 2004 TRUCK STARTED SHIFTING HARD INTO 4TH. ALSO AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT IN HIGH HUMIDITY WOULD START ROUGH OR NOT START AT ALL. WOULD ONLY START AFTER ENGINE WARMED OR "DRIED" OUT. PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FOUND AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS ON EITHER PROBLEM. 2007; THROTTLE SENSOR WENT OUT. NOV 2007, TR…
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PURCHASED TRUCK NEW IN 2001. IN 2004 TRUCK STARTED SHIFTING HARD INTO 4TH. ALSO AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT IN HIGH HUMIDITY WOULD START ROUGH OR NOT START AT ALL. WOULD ONLY START AFTER ENGINE WARMED OR "DRIED" OUT. PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FOUND AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS ON EITHER PROBLEM. 2007; THROTTLE SENSOR WENT OUT. NOV 2007, TRUCK WOULD START OUT IN 2ND GEAR, WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN INTO 1ST. THREE DAYS LATER TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT AT ALL, HAD TO DRIVE HOME A TOP SPEED OF 25 MPH AT 2,000 RPM'S. IT'S NOW GETTING A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
MY 2001 DODGE THAT I BOUGHT NEW ONLY HAS 61,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT AND THE DASH HAS BIG CHUNKS OUT OF IT. STARTED WITH CRACKS WITCH I THOUGHT WAS ODD BEING SO NEW THEN IT JUST CAVED IN. IT HAS SHARP EDGES ON IT I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. IT REALLY IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH THE EXPOSED WIRING AND THE SHARP EDGES. I WORKED F…
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MY 2001 DODGE THAT I BOUGHT NEW ONLY HAS 61,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT AND THE DASH HAS BIG CHUNKS OUT OF IT. STARTED WITH CRACKS WITCH I THOUGHT WAS ODD BEING SO NEW THEN IT JUST CAVED IN. IT HAS SHARP EDGES ON IT I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. IT REALLY IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH THE EXPOSED WIRING AND THE SHARP EDGES. I WORKED FOR CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS FROM 78-82 AND HAVE SEEM SOME OF THEIR POORER MANUFACTURING. THIS TRUCK IS MADE VERY WELL EXCEPT FOR THIS DANGEROUS DASHBOARD. THERE ARE NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND FORUMS THAT HAVE OWNERS STATING EXACTLY WHAT I AM STATING. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT AND FIX ALL OF THE OWNERS UP WITH A NEW DASH MADE FROM A DIFFERENT VENDER THAT WILL AGE WITH THE REST OF THE VEHICLE AND BE SAFE. I AM AFRAID THAT IF I WERE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT THE DASHBOARD MAY BE THE INSTRUMENT OF DEATH. *TR
DASHBOARD CRACKING; HUGE HOLES IN DASHBOARD. *JB
MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 84600 MILES JUST DIED WITHOUT WARNING OR SLIPPING OF THE TRANNY,I TOOK IT TO GET REPAIRED. IT GOT A TRANNY FLUSH BUT STILL DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT SO I TOOK IT BACK IN AND IN THE INVESTIGATION ,WE REALIZED THAT IT NEEDED A NEW TRANNY.THERES NO WAY A TRANSMISSION SHOUL…
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MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 84600 MILES JUST DIED WITHOUT WARNING OR SLIPPING OF THE TRANNY,I TOOK IT TO GET REPAIRED. IT GOT A TRANNY FLUSH BUT STILL DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT SO I TOOK IT BACK IN AND IN THE INVESTIGATION ,WE REALIZED THAT IT NEEDED A NEW TRANNY.THERES NO WAY A TRANSMISSION SHOULD GO OUT WITH ONLY 84000 MILES AND WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I RESEARCHED , I BELIEVE AS WELL AS ALL THE COMPLAINANTS,THAT DODGE SHOULD BE LIABLE AND MAKE A NATIONAL RECALL FOR THIS CONTINUING PROBLEM. *TR
THE DASHBOARD OF MY TRUCK HAS BEEN CRACKING FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS TO THE POINT THAT PIECES OF IT HAVE FALLEN THROUGH. THE RESULT IS A DASHBOARD THAT IS IN PIECES, MAY CAUSE FLYING MISSILES DURING AN IMPACT AND IS ALSO COSMETICALLY UNPALITABLE. I AM CONTACTING DODGE FOR A REPLACEMENT BUT HAVE HAD NO LUCK SO FAR. *TR
I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 V6 PICK-UP, PURCHASED NEW AND THE ONLY OWNER. TRUCK IS GARAGE KEPT, AND LOOKS NEW EXCEPT FOR THE DASHBOARD, LAST WEEK I WALKED INTO THE GARAGE AND NOTICE 5 LARGE CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD TO THE POINT THAT THE CENTER PART IS SINKING IN SOMEWHAT. DEALER SAID THERE IS NO RECALL AND CAN NOT HELP EXCEPT TO …
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I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 V6 PICK-UP, PURCHASED NEW AND THE ONLY OWNER. TRUCK IS GARAGE KEPT, AND LOOKS NEW EXCEPT FOR THE DASHBOARD, LAST WEEK I WALKED INTO THE GARAGE AND NOTICE 5 LARGE CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD TO THE POINT THAT THE CENTER PART IS SINKING IN SOMEWHAT. DEALER SAID THERE IS NO RECALL AND CAN NOT HELP EXCEPT TO ORDER A NEW ONE FOR ME AT MY COST. TRUCK ONLY HAS 55,486 MILES ON IT, AND PROTECTANT HAS BEEN USED ON IT SINCE I PURCHASED IT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE HOOD OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SAFETY LATCH FAILED. AS OF OCTOBER 25, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 112,000. *UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/1…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE HOOD OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SAFETY LATCH FAILED. AS OF OCTOBER 25, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 112,000. *UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
TOP OF DASH BOARD IS CRACKED IN MUTIPLE LOCATIONS. NO CAUSE FOR CRACKS. *TR
THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY CRACKING AND FINALLY A PIECE OF IT HAS CAVED INTO THE DASH. I HAVE HEARD MANY OTHER DODGE RAMS 1500 OF THE SAME YEAR 2001 ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *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.