IllustrationTHE WINDSHIELD WIPER HEAT SUPPLY WAS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO MELT SNOW AND SLEET BEFORE IT ACCUMULATED. WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY. *AK THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. HEAT DUCTING IN THE DASH WAS DUE TO POOR DESIGN. ICE AND SNOW ACCUMULATION RESTRICTED THE DRIVERS VISION. *SCC *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 reports2001 DODGE RAM WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AND THE BEARINGS AND STEERING KNUCKLE WENT OUT AND THE WHEEL CAME OFF. DID NOT WRECK BUT ONLY BECAUSE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND HE IS A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER. HAD I BEEN DRIVING WE COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS WRECK AND INJURED OR EVEN KILLED ALL 6 OF US IN THE VEHICLE.*AK
STEERING CLUSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ON 2001. COST OF REPLACEMENT IS 996.00.NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. WHILE THE POWER TRAIN MODULE IS COVERED FOR 8 YRS, 80000. MILEAGE JUST OVER 40,000 NO GUAGES WORK ,AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. *AK
THE CONSUMER NOTICED A DEEP GROOVE CUT INTO EACH FRONT TIRE NEAR THE INSIDE OF THE RIM CAUSED BY THE LOWER A FRAME CONTACTING THE TIRE WHEN TURNING. THE MECHANICAL TURN STOPS DID NOT REACH THEIR MARK BEFORE THE TIRE REACHED THE A FRAME. THE CONSUMER FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM IN TWO OTHER DODGES OF THE SAME YEAR. (THE 2003 MODEL…
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THE CONSUMER NOTICED A DEEP GROOVE CUT INTO EACH FRONT TIRE NEAR THE INSIDE OF THE RIM CAUSED BY THE LOWER A FRAME CONTACTING THE TIRE WHEN TURNING. THE MECHANICAL TURN STOPS DID NOT REACH THEIR MARK BEFORE THE TIRE REACHED THE A FRAME. THE CONSUMER FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM IN TWO OTHER DODGES OF THE SAME YEAR. (THE 2003 MODELS HAD A DIFFERENT DESIGN) THE CONSUMER MAY DO MORE HARD TURNS AROUND ON FIELD ROADS, BUT THIS MAY BE A HIDDEN PROBLEM WAITING TO BLOW OUT IN LOW SPEED TURNS. *AK *SCC *JB
TRANSMISSION, BRAKES, AIR CONDITIONING. *PH
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD A REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAD AN ON/OFF SWITCH ATTACHED. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN EITHER VEHICLE, AND A POLICE REPORT IS ON FILE.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE GETS HOT AND MAKES A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. *AK
TRUCK WONDERS LEFT TO RIGHT, PULLS HARD RIGHT. WAS TOLD THAT ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS AND TRAC LOCATOR BAR NEEDS REPLACING.PARTS MOST BE REPLACED BY DODGE PARTS. WHY REPLACE PARTS WITH MORE BAD PARTS. TRUCK HAS 50,000 MILES. NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD. FRONT END SHOULD NOT HAVE WENT OUT!!!! NEVER BUY A DODGE!!!*AK
THE TRANMISSION FAILED ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB 4X4 AT 54,000 MILES (UNBELIEVABLE!). WELL MAINTAINED! I HAD TWO DIFFERENT LICENSED MECHANICS LOOK AT AND DIAGNOSE SUSPECTED PROBLEM (HIGH QUOTE OF $2,500.00 FOR FULL TRANSMISSION REPAIR), INCURRED 2 TOW CHARGES, CALLED CHRYSLER MEADOWBROOK DODGE DEALERSHIP (WHERE VEHICLE WAS P…
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THE TRANMISSION FAILED ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB 4X4 AT 54,000 MILES (UNBELIEVABLE!). WELL MAINTAINED! I HAD TWO DIFFERENT LICENSED MECHANICS LOOK AT AND DIAGNOSE SUSPECTED PROBLEM (HIGH QUOTE OF $2,500.00 FOR FULL TRANSMISSION REPAIR), INCURRED 2 TOW CHARGES, CALLED CHRYSLER MEADOWBROOK DODGE DEALERSHIP (WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED)- THEY COULDN'T LOOK AT IT FOR 2 DAYS AND TOLD ME SINCE I WAS PAST MY 3/36 WARRANTY TO TAKE MY TRUCK TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR FASTER SERVICE AND BETTER PRICE. I CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND WAS TOLD THAT A GOOD FAITH PAYMENT TOWARD MY $2,100.00 BILL WOULD NOT BE MADE BECAUSE I WAS PAST MY WARRANTY AND DIDN'T HAVE MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OTHERWISE MAYBE SOMETHING COULD HAVE BEEN DONE. I FEEL CHRYSLER SHOULD REIMBURSE ME. I LEASED THIS VEHICLE NEW, THIS WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE ONLY HAD 54,000 HIGHWAY MILES ON IT, THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. *AK
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY LOCKED UP AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY INDICATED THAT THE REAR ABS SYSTEM FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. *AK *CB *NLM
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.