IllustrationDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE FRONT HOOD OPENED ON ITS OWN CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THIS OCCURRED DUE TO THE HOOD'S SAFETY LATCH BEING RUSTED. THE HOOD, HINGES AND LOCKS ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/18/2006 - *NM
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 reportsI HAVE TAKEN MY CLOTH COVER OFF DASHBOARD 1 TIME A MONTH TO CLEAN IT SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VECHILE AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO PROBLEMS. TODAY I TAKE IF OFF AND CRACK AND BREAKAGE. I FEEL THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE HERE IF AN ACCIDENT SHOULD HAPPEN PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD WILL FLY THROUGHOUT THE VECHILE AND THE CRACKS ARE ALMOST TO THE PA…
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I HAVE TAKEN MY CLOTH COVER OFF DASHBOARD 1 TIME A MONTH TO CLEAN IT SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VECHILE AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO PROBLEMS. TODAY I TAKE IF OFF AND CRACK AND BREAKAGE. I FEEL THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE HERE IF AN ACCIDENT SHOULD HAPPEN PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD WILL FLY THROUGHOUT THE VECHILE AND THE CRACKS ARE ALMOST TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE AIR BAG WILL IT WORK OR WILL IT NOT ITS NOT A RISK I WOULD LIKE FOR ANYONE TO HAVE. *NM
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2001 DODGE RAM CRACKED. *JB
CRACKED DASH ON 2001 RAM. *NM
DASH IN INTERIOR OF 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP CRACKED IN 2 PLACES. CRACKS ARE CONTINUING TO GROW IN SIZE. *NM
I DRIVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 1/2 TON. I AM A VICTIM OF THE FAMOUS "CRACKED DASH" EPIDEMIC. AROUND APRIL OF 2005 I BEGAN NOTICING SMALL CRACKS DEVELOPING ON MY DASH. BEGINNING FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND EVENTUALLY FROM AROUND THE A/C VENTS. IT HAS SINCE PROGRESSED INTO THE ENTIRE DASH BEING ALMOST COMPLETELY BROKEN OUT. I HAVE …
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I DRIVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 1/2 TON. I AM A VICTIM OF THE FAMOUS "CRACKED DASH" EPIDEMIC. AROUND APRIL OF 2005 I BEGAN NOTICING SMALL CRACKS DEVELOPING ON MY DASH. BEGINNING FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND EVENTUALLY FROM AROUND THE A/C VENTS. IT HAS SINCE PROGRESSED INTO THE ENTIRE DASH BEING ALMOST COMPLETELY BROKEN OUT. I HAVE RESORTED TO A TEMPORARY DASH COVER TO CONCEAL THE DAMAGE. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET ABOUT CERTAIN SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE CRACKED DASH. IF I WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THE CRACKED DASH COULD CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO BE PUNCTURED AND POSSIBLY LIMIT MY SAFETY. THIS A MAJOR CONCERN OF MINE AND I WOULD LIKE IT FIXED. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THEY BOUGHT IT. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NEW BRAKES, CALIPERS, ROTORS AND THE ABS SYSTEM WAS TESTED EVERY TIME THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED. THE BRAKES ONLY LAST FOR 2 TO 4 MONTHS BEFORE THE BRAKES DEVELOP PROBLEMS. DURING THESE FAILURES THE STEERING WAS SHA…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THEY BOUGHT IT. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NEW BRAKES, CALIPERS, ROTORS AND THE ABS SYSTEM WAS TESTED EVERY TIME THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED. THE BRAKES ONLY LAST FOR 2 TO 4 MONTHS BEFORE THE BRAKES DEVELOP PROBLEMS. DURING THESE FAILURES THE STEERING WAS SHAKY.
THE DASH HAS A CRACK IN IT STARTING AT THE DEFROST VENT AND PROCEEDING TOWARDS THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A LARGE TREE WITHOUT WARNING AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A LARGE TREE WITHOUT WARNING AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE; THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE AGENCY AS A RESULT. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT ALERTED.
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM WITH 61000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DEALER SAYS I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY TRANSMISSION. I LATE FIND OUT THAT DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN IN 10/02/2000 THAT THIS MODEL HAS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION PRESSURE BOOST VALVE...BULLETIN 21-11-00. SINCE MY FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER MY…
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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM WITH 61000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DEALER SAYS I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY TRANSMISSION. I LATE FIND OUT THAT DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN IN 10/02/2000 THAT THIS MODEL HAS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION PRESSURE BOOST VALVE...BULLETIN 21-11-00. SINCE MY FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED THEY ARE TELLING ME I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. I THINK THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL SINCE THE MANUFACTURER KNEW THEY HAD A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION IN 2000 AND STILL ALLOWED CARS TO BE SOLD WITH THE DEFECT. *NM
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.