IllustrationWHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. *JB
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 reportsFRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER F…
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WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT WAS CRACKED INSIDE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE SHIFTER IN THE STEERING COLUMN DID NOT WORK.
THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO MAKE AN UNKNOWN NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE CHECKED, THE OWNER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER WAS PITTED AND NOT WEARING EVENLY. THE OWNER ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT ROTOR HAD A PROBLEM. SOMEHOW, THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH TWO LEFT CALIPERS INSTEAD OF…
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THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO MAKE AN UNKNOWN NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE CHECKED, THE OWNER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER WAS PITTED AND NOT WEARING EVENLY. THE OWNER ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT ROTOR HAD A PROBLEM. SOMEHOW, THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH TWO LEFT CALIPERS INSTEAD OF A RIGHT AND A LEFT. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *JB
I PURCHASED MY TRUCK IN SEPT 2000. AFTER SIX WEEKS AND 1100 MILES I BROUGHT THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER STATING THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. (IT MADE NOISES AND SHIFTED VERY HARSHLY.) THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY CHECKED IT, AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AT 36,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BLEW. THERE WER…
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I PURCHASED MY TRUCK IN SEPT 2000. AFTER SIX WEEKS AND 1100 MILES I BROUGHT THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER STATING THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. (IT MADE NOISES AND SHIFTED VERY HARSHLY.) THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY CHECKED IT, AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AT 36,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BLEW. THERE WERE NO GEARS AT ALL - NO FORWARD NO REVERSE. THANKFULLY IT HAPPENED CLOSE TO HOME ON A QUIET ROAD SO NO ONE WAS HURT OR INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER RE-BUILT MY TRANSMISSION. WHEN I DROVE IT AFTER THAT A GRINDING/CHATTERING NOISE WAS OCCURING - I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. I LEFT IT THERE FOR A DAY (NEVER GOT A CALL FROM THE DEALER) WHEN I CALLED THEM I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANS.. THEY HAD TAKEN IT FOR A RIDE AND HEARD NO NOISE. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO TAKE ONE OF THEIR "TECHNICIANS" FOR A RIDE AND THEY IN FACT HEARD THE NOISE I WAS REFERRING TO. THEY HAVE NOW HAD MY CAR MORE THAN TWENTY THREE DAYS. (NOT IN A ROW. I HAVE HAD TO BRING IT TO THEM ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AND AGAIN TAKE THE "TECHNICIAN" FOR YET ANOTHER RIDE) I AM WRITING THIS NOW BECAUSE I BELIEVE I AM ENTITLED TO A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THE DEALER SAYS NO AND KEEPS TRYING TO REBUID THE OLD ONE.*AK
SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. *BF SMALL CRACK OF 2 INCHES LONG WITHIN A WEEK MOVED ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE DASHBOARD AND BECAME 5 CRACKS AS TIME WENT ON. THE CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE PROBLEM CORRECTED BY DEALER. *TC
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE 1500 W/A 5.9 V8. AT AROUND 58000 MILES TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GO OUT. TOOK IT TO A SHOP, AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. WE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, AND YET THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. I AM AN HARD CORE DODGE BUYER, BUT THIS IS STARTING TO TURN ME OFF DODGES ALL TOGETHER. *AK
THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PITTMAN ARM WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, EVEN AFTER THE REPLACEMENT WAS DONE THE INNER SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES WERE STILL RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. OWNER ALSO WENT TO GET A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND THAT TOO DID NOT STOP THE TIRES FROM RUBB…
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THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PITTMAN ARM WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, EVEN AFTER THE REPLACEMENT WAS DONE THE INNER SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES WERE STILL RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. OWNER ALSO WENT TO GET A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND THAT TOO DID NOT STOP THE TIRES FROM RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. IT THEN WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING GEAR THAT WAS INSTALLLED ON THE VEHICLE WAS INCORRECT AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER THE EXPENSE OF REPLACEMENT. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
WHEN BRAND NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED, ROTATED AND BALANCED THE TIRE SHOP SERVICE MAN INDICATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR CUT INTO THE TIRES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A BLOW OUT. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR. HOWEVER, FAILURE RECURRED. *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.