Illustration2001 DODGE 1500. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED IN 8 DIFFERENT PLACES. *MC *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 HE IS UNAWARE OF HOW HIS VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD BECAME CRACKED. HE STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD IS ALSO COLLAPSING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO AND HAS BEEN GETTING BIGGER. IF IT CRACKS ANYMORE IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IT HAS JUST FALLEN APART. *AK
CRACKS IN DASHBOARD . VEHICLE IS ONE OF MANY WITH SAME DEFECT. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FRICTION MATERIAL HAS BUILT UP WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER AND HAS BURNED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
TL-CALLER OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 NEW ENGLAND LIMITED EDITION. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 66,200. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,150. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL AT 30 MPH THE HOOD FLEW UP AND PUT A LINE ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD. THE VISIBILITY WAS ZERO. HE SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND STOPPED VEHICLE. HE GOT ON TOP OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO…
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TL-CALLER OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 NEW ENGLAND LIMITED EDITION. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 66,200. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,150. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL AT 30 MPH THE HOOD FLEW UP AND PUT A LINE ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD. THE VISIBILITY WAS ZERO. HE SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND STOPPED VEHICLE. HE GOT ON TOP OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO FORCE THE HOOD BACK DOWN. IT WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED ON ITS OWN SO HE HAD TO BUNGEE IT DOWN. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE HOOD DAMAGE HE DROVE HOME ABOUT FOUR BLOCKS AWAY. CALLED DEALER NEXT MORNING AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT YEAR AND MODEL THE HOOD RECALL WAS ONLY FOR 1994-1999. KTF THE CONSUMER STATED RECEIVED A LETTER FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 1994-1999 DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE HOOD LATCH HAD FAILED AND WAS RUSTED IN THE OPEN POSITION THAT WAS WHY THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE YEARS PREVIOUSLY STATED. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A 2 LINE BLURB IN THE OWNERS MANUAL ON PAGE 312 THAT STATES WHEN PERFORMING MAINTENANCE SERVICES PLEASE USE MULTIPURPOSE GREASE NGLI GRADE 2EP. THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN THE LETTER THAT IT WAS DONE DURING THE OIL CHANGE. THE CONSUMER STATED WILL CONTACT PLACES WHERE HE HAD OIL CHANGE. UPDATED 07/10/07 *TR
2001 DODGE RAM THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED UNTIL 2005. IN 2005, THE DASH TOP BEGAN TO CRACK IN ONE AREA... BUT OVER TIME THE CRACKS HAVE INCREASED AND BECOME MORE NUMEROUS AND SEVERE. BECAUSE THE SOME OF THE LARGEST BREAKS ARE LOCATED AT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AREA, I HAVE ACTUALLY HAD PASSENGERS IN MY TRUCK ASK ME TO TURN OFF T…
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2001 DODGE RAM THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED UNTIL 2005. IN 2005, THE DASH TOP BEGAN TO CRACK IN ONE AREA... BUT OVER TIME THE CRACKS HAVE INCREASED AND BECOME MORE NUMEROUS AND SEVERE. BECAUSE THE SOME OF THE LARGEST BREAKS ARE LOCATED AT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AREA, I HAVE ACTUALLY HAD PASSENGERS IN MY TRUCK ASK ME TO TURN OFF THE AIRBAG (SINCE DEPLOYMENT CAN HAPPEN AT SLOW SPEEDS LIKE TAPPING A BOLLARD WHILE PARKING, ETC.) 12 OUT OF 14 (86%) OF PEOPLE I KNOW WITH TRUCKS CLOSE TO MY TRUCK'S YEAR MODEL HAVE THE SAME EXTREME CRACKING, QUITE A FEW ARE EVEN WORSE THAN MINE...*JB
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM TRUCK WHERE THE DASHBOARD IS BREAKING APART. THIS STARTED WITHIN THE FIRST TWO YEARS I HAD THE TRUCK. LOOSE PARTS COULD FLY OFF DURING DRIVING CAUSING DRIVER TO BE DISTRACTED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. LOOSE PARTS COULD FALL DOWN INTO DASH AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. *JB
BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED FROM DEALERSHIP. DASHBOARD ALREADY SLIGHTLY CRACKED. PREVIOUS OWNER SAID DASH JUST STARTED CRACKING ON ITS OWN FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY BY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE DASH JUST FALLS APART AS A RESULT OF POOR MANUFACTURING. ELECTRICAL WIRING IS IN D…
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BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED FROM DEALERSHIP. DASHBOARD ALREADY SLIGHTLY CRACKED. PREVIOUS OWNER SAID DASH JUST STARTED CRACKING ON ITS OWN FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY BY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE DASH JUST FALLS APART AS A RESULT OF POOR MANUFACTURING. ELECTRICAL WIRING IS IN DANGER OF FAILING DUE TO GAPING HOLE IN DASH. DODGE NEEDS TO RECALL THEIR MISTAKE. DODGE WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS AND JUST ID NOTHING. *TR
DASH COLLAPSED ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM. *JB
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.