IllustrationBOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 25000 MILES UNDER WARRENTY NOW AGAIN AT 50000 THE DEALER SAID THERE BAD AGAIN AND WON'T COVER CHARGES. THE TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN ON A DIRT ROAD AND HAS BEEN EXTREAMLY WELL MAINTAINED.*AK
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE FRONT UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS. *AK
I OWN A DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT 4X4 WHICH HAS 6700 MILES ON IT. AT 3800 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. MARK THOMAS MOTORS IN ALBANY SAID THEY WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THERE ISN'T A REASON FOR IT TO HAVE GONE OUT, AT NO COST TO ME. AT 67K MILES BOTH THE ENGINE HEADS WERE CRACKED FROM RUNNING TO LEAN AND ADVANCED TI…
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I OWN A DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT 4X4 WHICH HAS 6700 MILES ON IT. AT 3800 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. MARK THOMAS MOTORS IN ALBANY SAID THEY WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THERE ISN'T A REASON FOR IT TO HAVE GONE OUT, AT NO COST TO ME. AT 67K MILES BOTH THE ENGINE HEADS WERE CRACKED FROM RUNNING TO LEAN AND ADVANCED TIMING. THAT COST ME $1000 AND MARK THOMAS MOTORS AGAIN ADJUSTED THE COST. ALTHOUGHT I HAVE BEEN TREATED EXTREMELY WELL FROM THIS DEALERSHIP I SHOULD NOT HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS THIS SOON. VARIOUS FORUMS DISCUSS THESE TOPICS IN GREAT DETAIL. DODGE HAS KNOWN OF THESE ISSUES AND HAS NEVER ADDRESSED THE PROBLEMS. I'M NOW WAITING FOR MY F250 TO BE DELIVERED, I'M DONE WITH DODGE FOR NOW.*AK
THE REAR BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY CAUSING IT TO ROLL TO A STOP AND ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED BY CONSUMER.
AN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM SO I TOOK IT TO DOTSON BROTHERS DODGE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THEY HAD A SERVICE BULLITIN THE PROBLEM WAS THAT DURING MANUFACTURING A PLATE WITH A HOLE TO SMALL TO LET FLUID TO PASS THOUGH WAS INSTALLED THIS CAUSES THE TOURQUE CONVERTER TO LOCK…
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AN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM SO I TOOK IT TO DOTSON BROTHERS DODGE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THEY HAD A SERVICE BULLITIN THE PROBLEM WAS THAT DURING MANUFACTURING A PLATE WITH A HOLE TO SMALL TO LET FLUID TO PASS THOUGH WAS INSTALLED THIS CAUSES THE TOURQUE CONVERTER TO LOCK UP AND BECOME DAMAGED THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE THIS WAS ON WED FEB 2 ON TUES FEB 8 I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED REDUCING MY SPEED DRAMATICLY I NAROWLY MISSED BEING REAR ENDED LUCKLY THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AROUND ME AFTER SITTING WITH THE TRUCK IN PARK FOR A FEW MINUTES THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE HOME. *AK
2001 DODGE 1500 IMPACTED INTO A CREEK EMBANKMENT FRONT END FIRST AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S TIRES BLEWOUT. *NM THE TIRE WAS ONLY 50% USED. *SC *JB
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AFTER ONLY 45000 MILES. *AK
WHILE ACCELERATING ON I-65 TO CRUISING SPEED OF 70, THE HOOD ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 FLIPPED UP AND BANGED AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKING THE GLASS AND CAUSING LOSS OF SIGHT OF THE ROAD AHEAD. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK OFF TO THE SIDE BY LOOKING OUT THE SIDE WINDOW. IN TRAFFIC ON A 3-4 LANE EXPRESSWAY, I WOULD HAVE HAD A…
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WHILE ACCELERATING ON I-65 TO CRUISING SPEED OF 70, THE HOOD ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 FLIPPED UP AND BANGED AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKING THE GLASS AND CAUSING LOSS OF SIGHT OF THE ROAD AHEAD. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK OFF TO THE SIDE BY LOOKING OUT THE SIDE WINDOW. IN TRAFFIC ON A 3-4 LANE EXPRESSWAY, I WOULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT. IN TALKING WITH THE DODGE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO INDICATED DEFECT IN THE LATCH, WHICH OBVIOUSLY HAD FAILED, INCLUDING THE SAFETY LATCH. I AM WONDERING HOW MANY MORE OF THESE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE RESPONSE I GOT FROM MY DEALER. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS COVERING THE DAMAGE UNDER MY COMPREHENSIVE POLICY. I WILL KEEP THE OLD PARTS. *NM
WHEN I HAD MY TRUCK SERVICED THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME MY LEFT TIRE HAD BEEN RUBBING ON THE SHOCK ABSORBER BRACKET. THE TIRE HAD A SMOOTH SPOT WHERE IT HAD BEEN RUBBING ON THE BRACKET, AND THERE WAS A SECOND TIRE ON THE BACK WITH A SMOOTH SPOT. THE TIRE IN THE BACK HAD BEEN ROTATED FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK AT THE LAST OIL CHANGE…
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WHEN I HAD MY TRUCK SERVICED THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME MY LEFT TIRE HAD BEEN RUBBING ON THE SHOCK ABSORBER BRACKET. THE TIRE HAD A SMOOTH SPOT WHERE IT HAD BEEN RUBBING ON THE BRACKET, AND THERE WAS A SECOND TIRE ON THE BACK WITH A SMOOTH SPOT. THE TIRE IN THE BACK HAD BEEN ROTATED FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK AT THE LAST OIL CHANGE. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WELDED A EXTENSION ON TO THE STOPPER TO KEEP THE TIRE FROM TURNING INTO THE BRACKET. THEY TOLD ME MY TIRES WERE TO BIG FOR THE TRUCK, I PUT 245/75/ R16 ON THE TRUCK IN JUNE 2003 AND HAVE HAD NO TROUBLE OUT OF THEM. THE TRUCK WAS AT THE DEALER IN FEBRUARY 2004 TO GET THE FRONT END CHECKED, THIS WAS EIGHT MONTHS AFTER THE TIRES HAD BEEN ON THE TRUCK, I BELIEVE IF THE TIRE WAS RUBBING THE TECHNICIAN WOULD HAVE NOTICED. I WILL NOT HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRES BECAUSE THE RUBBING WAS CAUGHT EARLY. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AROUND WITH THIS PROBLEM AND DON`T KNOW. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM ON YOUR WEBSITE,I GUESS DODGE IS GOING TO WAIT TILL THEIR CUSTOMERS START GETTING KILLED BEFORE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT.IN THE PAST YEAR I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED AND BOTH THE HUB ASSEMBLIES ON THE FRONT,I AM BUYING ANOTHER TRUCK IN THE NEXT YEAR AND IT WILL DEFINITELY WILL NOT BE A DODGE. *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.