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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 · May 5, 2006
Structure

THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP HAS CRACKED TO PIECES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10156838

78,926 miles · May 1, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OF 10-35 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION UP TO THREE TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DODGE SERVICE CENTER WHERE THEY C…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OF 10-35 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION UP TO THREE TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DODGE SERVICE CENTER WHERE THEY CONCLUDED THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10156542

107,000 miles · Apr 17, 2006
Air BagsCrash

HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH TREE GOING ABOUT 25 MPH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT CAR WAS TOTALED. NO INJURIES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10155544

56,000 miles · Apr 7, 2006
Unknown Or Other

MAJOR CRACKED DASH. ENTIRE DASH CRACKED RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. JB

NHTSA ODI #10154818

75,000 miles · Mar 22, 2006
Structure

2001 DODGE RAM 1500 CRACKED DASH POTENTIALLY CAUSING FAULTY AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10153473

40,000 miles · Mar 17, 2006
Unknown Or Other

TOP OF DASHBOARD ON 2001 DODGE RAM 2WD SEVERELY CRACKED IN FOUR DIFFERENT PLACES. HAPPENED 1 1/2 YEARS AGO WHEN TRUCK WAS BARELY 3 1/2 YEARS OLD. CRACKS RUN FROM DEFROSTER VENTS ALL THE WAY FORWARD TO THE END OF THE PANEL. CONCERNED WITH PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10153056

70,000 miles · Mar 17, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE INTREPID WITH APPROX 70K MILES. I HAD NO WARNING ANYTHING WAS WRONG AND WHEN I STOPPED TO PICK UP MY 6 YEAR OLD CHILD THE CAR NEVER STARTED AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL (TRUSTWORTHY) MECHANIC AND AFTER A 215.10 BILL I WAS TOLD MY ENGINE FAILED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY APPROX 5K TO REPAIR IT. MY MECHANIC AS…

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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE INTREPID WITH APPROX 70K MILES. I HAD NO WARNING ANYTHING WAS WRONG AND WHEN I STOPPED TO PICK UP MY 6 YEAR OLD CHILD THE CAR NEVER STARTED AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL (TRUSTWORTHY) MECHANIC AND AFTER A 215.10 BILL I WAS TOLD MY ENGINE FAILED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY APPROX 5K TO REPAIR IT. MY MECHANIC ASKED IF I KEPT UP ON THE OIL CHANGES AND I STATED THAT I DID. AFTER RESEARCH HIMSELF HE INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE 2.7 ENGINES. I STILL OWE ON THE VEHICLE 5K AND I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND NOW HAVE NO CAR AND STILL PAYING ON IT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10152953

50,000 miles · Mar 7, 2006
Structure

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HOOD LATCH FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE HOOD LATCH AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE HOOD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10152131

49,273 miles · Mar 6, 2006
Suspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY DETERMINED THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10152029

30,000 miles · Mar 2, 2006
Suspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR NORMAL MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE FRONT BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTIONS, THE SEAL AROUND THE BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND THE LUBRICANT LEAKED OUT; HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE N…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR NORMAL MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE FRONT BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTIONS, THE SEAL AROUND THE BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND THE LUBRICANT LEAKED OUT; HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE NO GREASE FITTINGS ON THE JOINTS. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10151599

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.