IllustrationCRACKED DASH IN 2 DIFFERENT SPOTS. APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL 2ND GEN RAMS. I'M WORRIED ABOUT AIRBAG SAFETY AND DURABILITY DURING AN ACCIDENT. *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 reportsDASH IS CRACKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE NEAR THE VENT AND AIR BAG. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG COULD BE SNAGGED BY THE CRACKED PLASTIC AND MALFUNCTION IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. *NM
SEVERELY CRACKED DASHBOARD ON DODGE RAM TRUCKS 1994-2001.*JB
2001 DODGE 4X4, 1500 QUAD CAB TRUCK. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HWY GOING 75 MPH, AT NIGHT TIME, THE HEAD LIGHT TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL YOU KEPT FLICKING THE HIGH AND LOW BEAMS. VEHILCE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE (MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH) IF THERE WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN OTHER VEHILCE DRIVNG IN FR…
Read full complaint
2001 DODGE 4X4, 1500 QUAD CAB TRUCK. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HWY GOING 75 MPH, AT NIGHT TIME, THE HEAD LIGHT TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL YOU KEPT FLICKING THE HIGH AND LOW BEAMS. VEHILCE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE (MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH) IF THERE WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN OTHER VEHILCE DRIVNG IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE, IT COULD OF BEEN A SERIOUS OR DEADLY CRASH WITH NO LIGHTS AT NIGHT GOING THE HWY SPEED LIMITE ON WINDING ROADWAYS. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE HE TOUCHED THE HOOD LATCH AND IT CAME UP. THE VEHICLE HAD A SECONDARY LATCH THAT SUPPOSE TO BE UNLATCHED ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT IT DID NOT HOLD THE HOOD. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE OLDER MODELS.…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE HE TOUCHED THE HOOD LATCH AND IT CAME UP. THE VEHICLE HAD A SECONDARY LATCH THAT SUPPOSE TO BE UNLATCHED ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT IT DID NOT HOLD THE HOOD. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE OLDER MODELS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
WHEN IN PANIC STOP BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD , BUT BRAKES DO NOT APPLY. ALMOST FEELS LIKE SLIDING ON ICE, ALSO HAD THIS HAPPEN ON 91 DAKOTA. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING FUNNY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY DETERMINED THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 40,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE WITH NO ASSISTANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY, CONTROL ARMS, AND WHEEL HUBS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY LOCAL DEALER. I WAS TOLD BY A TRAINED TECHNICIAN THAT THE WHEEL'S COULD HAVE BROKEN AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE HEATER CORE AND AIR CONDITIONING MAIN ELEMENT STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED BY LOCAL DEALER. THE REAR DIFFE…
Read full complaint
THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY, CONTROL ARMS, AND WHEEL HUBS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY LOCAL DEALER. I WAS TOLD BY A TRAINED TECHNICIAN THAT THE WHEEL'S COULD HAVE BROKEN AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE HEATER CORE AND AIR CONDITIONING MAIN ELEMENT STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED BY LOCAL DEALER. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, PINION BEARINGS AND CUPS STOPPED WORKING AT 77,400 MILES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED BY LOCAL DEALER. THIS WAS JUST 2,000 MILES AFTER THE PREVIOUS STATED PARTS HAD MALFUNCTIONED. OLD PARTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, BUT INVOICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL WORK PERFORMED. *NM
I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK, TRAFFIC REAL HEAVY STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC, STARTED TO GO TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE, COULD NOT DRIVE IT OUT OF THE TRAFFIC OR ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE IN IT. HAD IT FIXED, VERY HIGH PRICED. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION, …
Read full complaint
I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK, TRAFFIC REAL HEAVY STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC, STARTED TO GO TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE, COULD NOT DRIVE IT OUT OF THE TRAFFIC OR ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE IN IT. HAD IT FIXED, VERY HIGH PRICED. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION, SHOULDN'T IT BE A RECALL ON THIS. IT COULD HAVE COST ME MY LIFE OR OTHERS. THERE WAS NO OTHER SIGNS, OTHER THAN IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS YEAR TRUCK MODELS HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. FIRST THE DASH SPIT IN MANY PLACES ,THEN THE AIR CONDITION WENT OUT AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN IT STARTED IT WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD, ITS NOT PAID FOR. I WILL NEVER BUY A DODGE AGAIN, UNLESS THE DODGE COMPANY SHOWS ME THAT THEY ARE A BIT CONCERN. NONE OF THESE THINGS WERE FIXED BY THEM OR A RECALL. I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO A LOT OF THE TRUCK OWNERS AND THEY ARE HAVING THESE SAME PROBLEMS. THERE SHOULD AT LEAST BE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION, THANK GOD THAT IT WASN'T ANYONE HURT BUT IT WAS VERY MUCH DANGEROUS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MODEL, ITS NOT WHAT I AM PAYING FOR. THANK YOU. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT AN IDLE THE ENGINE STALLS AND SUDDENLY DIES. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE AND IS MOST COMMON IN COLD TEMPERATURES. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE PROBLEM. HE HAS CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACED THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR. THESE REPAIRS…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT AN IDLE THE ENGINE STALLS AND SUDDENLY DIES. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE AND IS MOST COMMON IN COLD TEMPERATURES. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE PROBLEM. HE HAS CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACED THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR. THESE REPAIRS HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK
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.