IllustrationTRANSMISSION DOES NOT WANT TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND WITHOUT LEAVING OFF OF THE GAS. NOW IT DOESN'T GO INTO PARK JUST STAYS IN REVERSE. CALLED REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID IT HAPPENS A LOT TO DODGE TRUCKS. $3,000 TO REPLACE OR REPAIR.
2001 Dodge RAM 2500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 275.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 2500 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
220–25K
5125–50K
5450–75K
7275–100K
71100–150K
49150K+
319 reports with mileage · 150 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 181 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
20 crash reports11 fire reports15 injury reports
Power Train complaints
28 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOG LIGHT AND THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER DISTRIBUTION OVERHEATED AND BURNED OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOG LIGHT AND THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER DISTRIBUTION OVERHEATED AND BURNED OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 221,000.
BOOSTER PUMP FOR POWER STEERING AND TRANSMISSION DON'T WANT TO SHIFT WHEN DRIVE FROM STOP TO DRIVE INTO SECOND GEAR. *TR
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND CAN'T GET IT OUT . AND THE DOORS ARE ALL ROTTED ON THE BOTTOM AND IS THE ONLY THING THAT ROTTED ON MY TRUCK I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY TRUCK. AND THAT IS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT IN THIS TRUCK. AND THE FRONT END THAT'S HARD TO KEEP UP WITH. I ONLY HAVE 118000 ON IT. AND KNOW THE MOTOR WILL GO A LONG WAYS THE CUMM…
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AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND CAN'T GET IT OUT . AND THE DOORS ARE ALL ROTTED ON THE BOTTOM AND IS THE ONLY THING THAT ROTTED ON MY TRUCK I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY TRUCK. AND THAT IS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT IN THIS TRUCK. AND THE FRONT END THAT'S HARD TO KEEP UP WITH. I ONLY HAVE 118000 ON IT. AND KNOW THE MOTOR WILL GO A LONG WAYS THE CUMMINS 25 VALVE. *TR
2001 DODGE RAM 2500 DASHBOARD CRACKING . TV INVESTIGATION SLOT SHOWN ON INTERNET. MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM - PURCHASED NEW DASHBOARD PANEL FROM DODGE DEALER $200. IN THE PAST YEAR HAVE FRONT AXLE SEALS, WATER PUMP, POWER STEERING PUMP , FUEL INJECTION PUMP AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. REPAIRED OVER $ 6400 IN…
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2001 DODGE RAM 2500 DASHBOARD CRACKING . TV INVESTIGATION SLOT SHOWN ON INTERNET. MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM - PURCHASED NEW DASHBOARD PANEL FROM DODGE DEALER $200. IN THE PAST YEAR HAVE FRONT AXLE SEALS, WATER PUMP, POWER STEERING PUMP , FUEL INJECTION PUMP AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. REPAIRED OVER $ 6400 IN EXPENSE - THE DASH PROBLEM BROKE THE MONKEY'S BACK. *AK
I OWNED A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 5.9L DIESEL 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION FOR A TIME UNTIL I HAD THE PROBLEM I AM REFERRING TO ABOUT THE VEHICLE. THE TRUCK REFUSED TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR ANYTIME I WENT TO TAKE OFF, AND SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THE PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS WERE BENT, AND THE TO…
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I OWNED A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 5.9L DIESEL 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION FOR A TIME UNTIL I HAD THE PROBLEM I AM REFERRING TO ABOUT THE VEHICLE. THE TRUCK REFUSED TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR ANYTIME I WENT TO TAKE OFF, AND SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THE PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS WERE BENT, AND THE TOTAL COST WAS GOING TO BE OVER $1000 TO REPLACE EVERYTHING. I ALSO PERSONALLY TALKED TO THE MECHANICAL WHO STATED THE PROBLEM WITH THE PRESSURE PLATE ABSOLUTELY COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY MYSELF AND MUST HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURER DEFECT. DODGE REFUSED TO WARRANTY ANY OF THE WORK BECAUSE IT HAD 40000 MILES ON THE TRUCK AND WAS OVER THEIR 36000 MILE WARRANTY LIMIT. THEY ALSO SAID I DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THEIR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WITHOUT ANY FURTHER EXPLANATION. I KEPT ALL THE REPLACED PARTS AND STILL HAVE THEM TO THIS DAY. I HAVE SENT SEVERAL LETTERS TO DODGE, CHRYSLER, AND DIAMLER CHRYSLER IN DETROIT MICHIGAN AND GERMANY, INCLUDING PICTURES, WITH ONLY ONE RESPONSE BASICALLY SAYING THEY DIDN'T CARE. I BELIEVE THIS IS ABSOLUTE FRAUD AND DECEIT ON PART OF CHRYSLER AND IS ONE OF THE MANY REASONS THE AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY IS IN THE SHAPE IT'S IN. I HAVE KEPT EXTENSIVE RECORDS REGARDING THIS MATTER AND HAVE COPIES OF EVERY LETTER I'VE SENT TO DODGE ABOUT THIS INCIDENT IF ANY OF THIS WILL BE OF ANY HELP TO YOU IN ANY WAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. AK
DODGE 2500 RAM P U - FAULTY TRANSMISSION STAYING IN GEAR. *NM
WHEN TRUCK IS PULLING CAMPING TRAILER WHEN WEATHER IS HOT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UP SHIFT UNTIL MOTOR IS AT VERY HIGH RPM GETTING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. MAKING THIS VERY DANGEROUS TO DO. SOME TIMES TAKES A 1/4 MILE TO GET TO 55 MPH IG ON SMALL HILL IF BIG LONGER TIME AND DISTANCE. I HAVE 2001 2500 WITH V10 AUTOMATIC. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL ENGINE. THE VEHICLE ACTED AS IF IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. IF THE TEMPERATURE RANGE WAS OVER 100 DEGREES THEN THIS WAS WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 190-195 DEGREES THAT DID NOT GO UP. THE VEHICLE…
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL ENGINE. THE VEHICLE ACTED AS IF IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. IF THE TEMPERATURE RANGE WAS OVER 100 DEGREES THEN THIS WAS WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 190-195 DEGREES THAT DID NOT GO UP. THE VEHICLE STALLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THREE YEARS, AND CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE HA 93,000 MILES ON IT. ALSO, HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH RAN OUT THE JULY 19, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE FOUR TO FIVE TIMES FOUR OF THOSE TIMES IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM, AND EACH TIME THEY THOUGHT THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO SO. ON AUGUST 4, 2005 CONSUMER WENT TO A DEALERSHIP, NOT A DODGE DEALERSHIP, TWO VEHICLES THERE HAD SAME PROBLEM AS CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. MECHANIC CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR, AND THE FUEL PUMP, AND THAT STILL HAD NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB
JUST AFTER THE POWER TRAIN WARRENTY WAS UP THE TRANS STARTED TO SLIP. I CHECK FLUID. IT WAS OKAY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REBUILT THE TRANS AT MY COST OF 2500. IT STILL DIDN'T SHIFT RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS FINE. LAST YEAR I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANS REBUILT AGAIN AT 2500. IT RAN FINE FOR EXACTLY 12 MONT…
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JUST AFTER THE POWER TRAIN WARRENTY WAS UP THE TRANS STARTED TO SLIP. I CHECK FLUID. IT WAS OKAY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REBUILT THE TRANS AT MY COST OF 2500. IT STILL DIDN'T SHIFT RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS FINE. LAST YEAR I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANS REBUILT AGAIN AT 2500. IT RAN FINE FOR EXACTLY 12 MONTHS. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AGAIN TO HAVE THE TRANS REBUILT FOR THE THIRD TIME BY A LICENCED FACILITY. I HAD IT FIXED ONE TIME BY A FRIEND ALSO. THE TRANS SHOP WILL WARRENTY THE LABOR THIS TIME BUT, THEY WANT OVER 1600 FOR PARTS. THIS TRUCK WAS $40,000 AND 2,500 PER TRANS PER YEAR AND THE FRONT END REDONE 3 TIMES ALSO. THE ENGINE IS TOO HEAVY AND POWERFUL FOR THE TRUCK AND TRANS. A FAULT BY ENGINEERS AT CHRYSLER SHOULD NOT BE A CONSTANT HEAD ACHE FOR MYSELF AND MY WALLET. I HAVE REPLACED NEARLY EVERY PART ON THIS TRUCK X 3. THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT THIS TRUCK IS THE MOTOR AND IT'S BECAUSE IT'S A CUMMINS.
Official recalls
101V153000 · 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
1PE08047 · 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.