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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Service Brakes complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2021
Service BrakesCrash

when car is cold and just started to drive ,and brakes used ,the front brake does not apply and vehicle is slow to stop when abs is disabled all brakes operate normal. I have hit 3 cars because brake did not work. this is a euro brake system installed on vehicles with frt disc and rear drum dodge would not fix after several in…

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when car is cold and just started to drive ,and brakes used ,the front brake does not apply and vehicle is slow to stop when abs is disabled all brakes operate normal. I have hit 3 cars because brake did not work. this is a euro brake system installed on vehicles with frt disc and rear drum dodge would not fix after several instances reported to them I have been driving since new and many years with abs disconnected and no accidents since I disconnected the control unit

NHTSA ODI #11441385

189,000 miles · Nov 9, 2017
Service Brakes

THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS ON THE FRAME RAIL FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR HAD A BLOW OUT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE GAS TANK WHEN PRESSING THE BREAK PEDDLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN MY DRIVEWAY

NHTSA ODI #11044813

100,143 miles · May 26, 2017
Service Brakes

REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND BLEW OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE ALL STOPPING POWER. THE LINE BLEW OUT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR NEAR THE GAS TANK. LINE IS VERY CORRODED AND THIS IS A FAULTY MANUFACTURERS DEFECT

NHTSA ODI #10991734

140,000 miles · Feb 11, 2015
Service BrakesSteering

THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE TRUCK, AND ALSO UNABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK, AS THE POWER STEERING PUMP ALSO SUPPLIES POWER TO ASSIST THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682845

103,000 miles · Oct 2, 2014
Service BrakesStructureCrash

BRAKES FAILED WHEN APPLIED. ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING. AFTER HARD BRAKING APPLICATION THE TIRES LOCKED AND SLID ABOUT 5 INCHES IN DAMP BACKTOP AND HIT A CAR STOPPED AT A LIGHT. HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO BRAKE BUT NO OR VERY LITTLE BRAKING ACTION. LATER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT ONE OF THE BRAKE …

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BRAKES FAILED WHEN APPLIED. ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING. AFTER HARD BRAKING APPLICATION THE TIRES LOCKED AND SLID ABOUT 5 INCHES IN DAMP BACKTOP AND HIT A CAR STOPPED AT A LIGHT. HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO BRAKE BUT NO OR VERY LITTLE BRAKING ACTION. LATER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND LOST PRESSURE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THESE TRUCKS ARE PRONE TO BRAKE LINE RUSTING. DRIVER SEEMED TO BE FINE AND DROVE AWAY AFTER EXCHANGING INFO. HE LATER CLAIMED INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640916

195,888 miles · Oct 31, 2012
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING TODAY AND WHILE COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN I APPLIED MY BRAKES ONLY TO FIND OUT I HAD NONE. THE REAR BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CORRODED REALLY BAD BEHIND THE GAS TANK AND BLEW. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND OR ELSE AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FIND THIS I…

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I WAS DRIVING TODAY AND WHILE COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN I APPLIED MY BRAKES ONLY TO FIND OUT I HAD NONE. THE REAR BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CORRODED REALLY BAD BEHIND THE GAS TANK AND BLEW. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND OR ELSE AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FIND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482810

154,000 miles · Aug 29, 2012
Service BrakesCrash

WHILE MOVING FORWARD FROM PARKED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK ROLLED INTO A FENCE. UPON INSPECTION UNDER THE TRUCK, BRAKE FLUID WAS COVERING THE FRAME RAIL UNDER THE BED, BEHIND THE FUEL TANK. UPON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MULTIPLE VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED BRAKE LINE CORROSION IN THIS SAM…

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WHILE MOVING FORWARD FROM PARKED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK ROLLED INTO A FENCE. UPON INSPECTION UNDER THE TRUCK, BRAKE FLUID WAS COVERING THE FRAME RAIL UNDER THE BED, BEHIND THE FUEL TANK. UPON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MULTIPLE VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED BRAKE LINE CORROSION IN THIS SAME AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472861

129,329 miles · Jul 24, 2012
Service Brakes

THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE REAR BRAKE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS ROTTED OUT AND BUSTED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE DODGE RAM TRUCKS . I HAVE CARS FROM THE 1960'S AND THE BRAKE LINES HAVE NOT RUSTED AT ALL AND THIS TRUCK IS 11 YEARS OLD. THIS HAPPENS A LOT ON THESE TRUCKS AND IM SURE THIS IS NOT …

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THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE REAR BRAKE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS ROTTED OUT AND BUSTED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE DODGE RAM TRUCKS . I HAVE CARS FROM THE 1960'S AND THE BRAKE LINES HAVE NOT RUSTED AT ALL AND THIS TRUCK IS 11 YEARS OLD. THIS HAPPENS A LOT ON THESE TRUCKS AND IM SURE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT AGAINST THEM. MAYBE A RECALL SHOULD BE ORDERED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467567

125,654 miles · Jul 8, 2012
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING AND SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND STOPPED AND I WENT TO HIT MY BRAKES AND THEY WENT COMPLETELY OUT . IT WAS THE REAR MAIN BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS BEHIND THE GAS TANK. THE NEXT TIME I WAS COMING DOWN A HILL TO A STOP SIGN WITH SOME STEEL IN THE BED AND A DIFFERENT BRAKE LINE AFTER THE ONE BEHIND THE GAS TANK BL…

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I WAS DRIVING AND SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND STOPPED AND I WENT TO HIT MY BRAKES AND THEY WENT COMPLETELY OUT . IT WAS THE REAR MAIN BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS BEHIND THE GAS TANK. THE NEXT TIME I WAS COMING DOWN A HILL TO A STOP SIGN WITH SOME STEEL IN THE BED AND A DIFFERENT BRAKE LINE AFTER THE ONE BEHIND THE GAS TANK BLEW OUT AND SENT ME THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464644

Official recalls

1

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

1

PE08047 · 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.