IllustrationPULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY MY STEEL BRAKE LINE ON THE FRAME BROKE AT THE REAR COUPLING DUE TO RUST. THIS TRUCK WAS DRIVEN ON NJ ROADS AND NEVER PUT A BOAT IN WATER. *TR
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
23 reportsDRIVING MY DODGE TRUCK TO WORK. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR FOR NO REASON. PADS AND FLUID WAS OK WHEN CHECKED SEVERAL WEEKS PRIOR. LIMPED HOME ON BACKUP BRAKE RESERVOIR. ALMOST NO BRAKES. TOOK IT TO A SHOP. THEY FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE ON THE FRAME BEHIND THE TANK (CAN'T SEE IT) WAS BADLY RUSTED AND PERFORATED AT S…
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DRIVING MY DODGE TRUCK TO WORK. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR FOR NO REASON. PADS AND FLUID WAS OK WHEN CHECKED SEVERAL WEEKS PRIOR. LIMPED HOME ON BACKUP BRAKE RESERVOIR. ALMOST NO BRAKES. TOOK IT TO A SHOP. THEY FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE ON THE FRAME BEHIND THE TANK (CAN'T SEE IT) WAS BADLY RUSTED AND PERFORATED AT SEVERAL SPOTS ON SEVERAL LINES. REPLACED BOTH LINES. CURRENT INSPECTION (2/23/2012) SHOWS BRAKE LINES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BADLY RUSTED BETWEEN THE ABS BRAKE COMPONENTS. THESE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. *TR
UNDER SOLID BRAKING AT 20 MPH THE MAIN HARD LINE FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR BRAKES BLEW AT THE 45* BEND NEXT TO THE FUEL TANK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR UPON ENGAGEMENT. THE BRAKES WERE PUMPED REPEATEDLY BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LINE WAS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR UPON ENGAGEMENT. THE BRAKES WERE PUMPED REPEATEDLY BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LINE WAS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO REPAIR THE BRAKE LINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2001 DODGE RAM 2500 4X4, BRAKE LINE DIRECTLY BEHIND GAS TANK ABOVE REAR AXLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE RUSTS/CORRODES WHICH CAUSES A MAJOR BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND CAUSES LOSS OF BRAKES. THIS AREA IS HIDDEN FROM IMMEDIATE SIGHT BY THE SPARE TIRE AND APPARENTLY BUILDUP DOESN'T GET WASHED AWAY IN THE CARWASH OR WHEN IT RAINS OR FROM ROAD SPR…
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2001 DODGE RAM 2500 4X4, BRAKE LINE DIRECTLY BEHIND GAS TANK ABOVE REAR AXLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE RUSTS/CORRODES WHICH CAUSES A MAJOR BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND CAUSES LOSS OF BRAKES. THIS AREA IS HIDDEN FROM IMMEDIATE SIGHT BY THE SPARE TIRE AND APPARENTLY BUILDUP DOESN'T GET WASHED AWAY IN THE CARWASH OR WHEN IT RAINS OR FROM ROAD SPRAY ETC. I HAVE NEVER SEEN BRAKE LINES RUST SO BAD. THEY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE THEY SWELL AS THEY RUST AND SCALE. THE REST OF THE VEHICLES UNDERCARRAGE IS 90% BLACK PAINT FROM THE FACTORY, BUT THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTING. MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE USED STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINE MATERIAL OR AT LEAST A COATED TYPE BRAKELINE. LOSS OF BRAKES IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE NO WARRANTY PERIOD ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS, THEY SHOULD BE THE LAST THING TO GO ON THE VEHICLE. THERE SHOULD BE A PAID IN FULL RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN AT A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO COAST. HE STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE ENOUGH TO STOP THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN AT A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO COAST. HE STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE ENOUGH TO STOP THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 114,000.
I STARTED MY TRUCK TO HEAD OUT TO ANSWER A FIRE CALL (I AM A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER). THE ENGINE WAS COLD, HAD BEEN SITTING FOR OVER 8 HOURS. AT THE FIRST STOP SIGN, I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, ONLY TO HAVE IT GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE AND NO STOPPING POWER. THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DAS…
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I STARTED MY TRUCK TO HEAD OUT TO ANSWER A FIRE CALL (I AM A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER). THE ENGINE WAS COLD, HAD BEEN SITTING FOR OVER 8 HOURS. AT THE FIRST STOP SIGN, I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, ONLY TO HAVE IT GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE AND NO STOPPING POWER. THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I PUMPED THE BRAKES TWICE, AND THE SYSTEM RE-PRESSURIZED AND STARTED FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK HOME, AND PARKED IT FOR THE WEEKEND. SUNDAY PM I WENT TO DRIVE IT OVER TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WHEN I STARTED IT UP, THE COMPUTER CODES CLEARED AND THE TRUCK FUNCTIONED PERFECTLY. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND IT ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE TRUCK IS COLD AND WITHIN THE FIRST 5 MINUTES AFTER STARTING. THE ENGINEERS HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT IS HAPPENING. OBVIOUSLY, SINCE I AM A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER, I HAVE A TENDENCY TO START MY TRUCK AND GO, SO THIS ISSUE IS VERY WORRISOME TO ME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, HE NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE STEEL HYDRAULIC PIPELINE HAD FRACTURED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE DEALER ALSO CONFIRMED THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT AL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, HE NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE STEEL HYDRAULIC PIPELINE HAD FRACTURED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE DEALER ALSO CONFIRMED THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT ALSO WANTED TO INCLUDE IN THE COMPLAINT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,089. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
ORDERED TRUCK NEW. HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. HAD THE FRONT LEFT BRAKELINE FAIL COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING. NEVER A DROP OF FLUID LEAKED BEFORE IT HAD AN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING. VERY SERIOUS FAILURE THAT NORMALLY DOES NOT HAPPEN IN MODERN VEHICLES. *TR
2001 DODGE RAM 2500, DIESEL 4WD CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF BRAKE SYSTEM. FAILURE CAUSED BY FAILURE OF DRIVER SIDE, OUTBOARD BRAKE LINE. LINE FAILED DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT THAT RESULTS IN THE LINE CHAFING AGAINST ITSELF UNTIL A HOLE APPEARS AND ALL BRAKE PRESSURE IS LOST. LINE CHAFES IF DURING HARD LEFT TURN. VISUAL INSPECTION …
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2001 DODGE RAM 2500, DIESEL 4WD CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF BRAKE SYSTEM. FAILURE CAUSED BY FAILURE OF DRIVER SIDE, OUTBOARD BRAKE LINE. LINE FAILED DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT THAT RESULTS IN THE LINE CHAFING AGAINST ITSELF UNTIL A HOLE APPEARS AND ALL BRAKE PRESSURE IS LOST. LINE CHAFES IF DURING HARD LEFT TURN. VISUAL INSPECTION OF RIGHT SIDE LINE SHOWS IT MAY ALSO BE SUBJECT TO THIS SORT OF FAILURE. ISSUE SEEMS TO BE KNOWN TO DODGE COMPANY. NO REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE IN US FROM DODGE DUE TO NATIONAL BACKORDER. *TR
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.