IllustrationCONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING. VEHICLE HAD A 5 1/2 INCH SLACK/PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED OF 50 MPH OR MORE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND HAD THE TRACK BAR REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *TC
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
Steering complaints
69 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WANDERED ON IT'S OWN. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE GEAR BOX NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *LA
PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, STEERING COLUMN LOCKED-UP AND FUEL PUMP WENT OUT.*AK
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TIE ROD NEEDED GREASING. *AK
CONSTANT WANDERING OF TRUCK, CONSTANT CORRECTING PLAY IN STEERING. I CANNOT TURN STEERING WHEEL AT A STANDSTILL,STEERING GEAR BOX AND PUMP HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NOTHING FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND ARE NOT A CONCERN. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IS THE WAY THEY ARE AND NOTHING ELSE CAN BE DONE. THIS…
Read full complaint
CONSTANT WANDERING OF TRUCK, CONSTANT CORRECTING PLAY IN STEERING. I CANNOT TURN STEERING WHEEL AT A STANDSTILL,STEERING GEAR BOX AND PUMP HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. NOTHING FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND ARE NOT A CONCERN. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IS THE WAY THEY ARE AND NOTHING ELSE CAN BE DONE. THIS IS A PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *AK
WHILE BACKING OUT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN AND THEN BECAME LOOSE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE UNLOCKED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
STEERING. I PURCHASED A USED 1998 DODGE 2500 WITH THE DIESEL ENGINE. THE STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE, WITH ALMOST 1/4 TURN FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER SAID THE TRACK BAR WAS WORN OUT, SO I REPLACED IT BUT DID NOT SEE ANY IMPROVEMENT. THE DEALER THEN TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING BOX DURING THAT YE…
Read full complaint
STEERING. I PURCHASED A USED 1998 DODGE 2500 WITH THE DIESEL ENGINE. THE STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE, WITH ALMOST 1/4 TURN FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER SAID THE TRACK BAR WAS WORN OUT, SO I REPLACED IT BUT DID NOT SEE ANY IMPROVEMENT. THE DEALER THEN TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING BOX DURING THAT YEAR AND A DIFFERENT TYPE WAS USED IN 1999 DUE TO CONTINUOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING. BECAUSE I FELT DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH THIS MUCH FREE PLAY WAS DANGEROUS AND I WAS TOLD THE PROBLE WAS CORRECTED, I TRADED FOR A NEW TRUCK OF THE SAME TYPE, BUYING A 2001. WHEN NEW, THERE WAS NOT MUCH FREE PLAY. AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES, I HAD ABOUT 1/8 TURN OF FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS FREE PLAY CAUSED ME TO RUN OUT OF THE ROAD ON THE RIGHT SIDE AFTER PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE THEN ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN I CAME BACK INTO THE ROAD AND WENT INTO THE LEFT LANE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO 2 DIFFERENT DODGE DEALERS AND BEEN TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, THAT THE FREE PLAY IS NORMAL. *AK
STEERING WHEEL HAS A LOT OF PLAY IN IT AND MAKES THE STEERING VERY DIFFICULT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. *AK *JB 8NM
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BOLT BECAME LOOSE. THE STEERING WHEEL JUMPED AROUND WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM
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.