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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
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2007
Structure

2001 DODGE RAM 1500, THE DASH IS LITERALLY CRUMBLING DAILY. I HAVE 1 VERY LARGE HOLE & LARGE CRACKS ALL OVER. THE DASH HAD GOTTEN WORSE EVERY WEEK. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO REPAIR THIS AS IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE UNLESS THE COMPLETE DASH IS REPLACED. THE HOLE IN THE DASH REFLECTS A GLARE AS ITS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10202540

6,900 miles · Sep 10, 2007
Structure

MY DASH IS CRACKING ON MY TRUCK ,I WONDER HOW DODGE WOULD LIKE FOR ME TO GO ON T.V. NEWS AND DO A STORY ON THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10202423

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2007
Structure

NUMEROUS CRACKS AND CHIPS ON THE DASH OF MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. I RECENTLY WATCH A NEWS CLIP ON THIS ISSUE WHERE A LADY HAD HER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WORKING IMPROPERLY AND HER LIGHTS WENT OUT WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS COULD HAVE LED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE REPORT ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DASH BEING OPEN TO…

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NUMEROUS CRACKS AND CHIPS ON THE DASH OF MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. I RECENTLY WATCH A NEWS CLIP ON THIS ISSUE WHERE A LADY HAD HER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WORKING IMPROPERLY AND HER LIGHTS WENT OUT WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS COULD HAVE LED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE REPORT ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DASH BEING OPEN TO THE HEAT OF THE SUN OR A PLASTIC PIECE MAY HAVE INTERRUPTED THE WIRING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I WOULD LIKE DODGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THIS FOR CUSTOMERS AT LITTLE OR NO COST. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND THEY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECTIVE DASH. THE NEWS CHANNEL WAS LOCAL NEWS 6 OUT OF ORLANDO, FL. *JB UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ODI #10202398

48,000 miles · Sep 9, 2007
Structure

DASHBOARD CRACKED ALL OVER AND PIECES FALLING OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10202289

76,000 miles · Sep 2, 2007
Structure

MY DASHBOARD HAD A CRACK AND IT HAS NOW TURNED INTO A HUGE HOLE. WHY DOESN'T DODGE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I'VE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10201680

66,000 miles · Aug 30, 2007
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASH IS FALLING INTO ITSELF, LARGE HOLES. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. HE STATED THAT HE USED THE REFLECTOR TO BLOCK THE SUN FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CUR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASH IS FALLING INTO ITSELF, LARGE HOLES. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. HE STATED THAT HE USED THE REFLECTOR TO BLOCK THE SUN FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DASHBOARD IS CRAKED. UPDATED

NHTSA ODI #10201240

98,000 miles · Aug 27, 2007
Structure

DASH BOARD FALLING THRU ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM CAUSING SHORTAGE IN WIRING AND SPEAKERS STARTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT, AND HAVE LEARNED LATELY I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10200919

52,000 miles · Aug 26, 2007
Structure

I FOUND MY DODGE RAM 1500 TO HAVE A DASH CRACK YESTERDAY OUT OF NOWHERE, I DO NOT DRIVE MUCH JUST BACK ROADS FROM HOME TO WORK AND HAVE TINTED WINDOWS AND A SUN SHIELD. HEARD FROM A FRIEND ABOUT THIS AND MADE FUN OF HIM ONLY TO NOTICE I TOO HAVE CRACKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200804

60,000 miles · Aug 20, 2007
Structure

I HAVE A CLOTH COVER COVERING DASHBOARD THAT WAS ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN 12/2005 I HAVE NOTICED A HUGE CRACK AND MANY SMALL CRACKS RUNNING FROM THE PASSENGER WINDOW POST TO THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD,THIS IS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 4 X 4. DODGER WILL NOT FIX NEITHER WILL DEALER OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. I AM AFRAID TO LET AN…

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I HAVE A CLOTH COVER COVERING DASHBOARD THAT WAS ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN 12/2005 I HAVE NOTICED A HUGE CRACK AND MANY SMALL CRACKS RUNNING FROM THE PASSENGER WINDOW POST TO THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD,THIS IS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 4 X 4. DODGER WILL NOT FIX NEITHER WILL DEALER OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. I AM AFRAID TO LET ANYONE RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT BECAUSE IF I WAS TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT I AM AFRAID AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY AND THEY WILL BE CUT TO SHREDS WITH DASHBOARD MATERIAL BECAUSE OF THESE BROKEN AREAS ON THE DASHBOARD. WE AS CONSUMERS NEED THE HELP OF THIS PLACE TO GET THIS RECALLED TO ENSURE EVERYONE'S SAFETY! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200086

50,000 miles · Aug 19, 2007
Unknown Or Other

I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB RWD. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS MY DASHBOARD HAS CRUMBLED. PIECES ARE ACTUALLY STARTING TO FALL INTO THE FIREWALL. I CAN TOUCH THE DASH WITH ONE FINGER AND APPLY MINIMAL PRESSURE AND THE DASH SPIDER WEBS. THIS TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 100K MILES AND IS PARKED UNDER A COVERED SHED AT HOME. THIS IS …

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I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB RWD. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS MY DASHBOARD HAS CRUMBLED. PIECES ARE ACTUALLY STARTING TO FALL INTO THE FIREWALL. I CAN TOUCH THE DASH WITH ONE FINGER AND APPLY MINIMAL PRESSURE AND THE DASH SPIDER WEBS. THIS TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 100K MILES AND IS PARKED UNDER A COVERED SHED AT HOME. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SEEMS TO ME TO BE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10200078

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.