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 reports

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Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2003

Steering

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION IT CATCHES AND SOMETHING POPS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALER HAS TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10040076

1 miles · Sep 14, 2003

Steering

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THE STEERING IN THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN HORRIBLE SINCE THE DRIVE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP . IT IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THIS TRUCK IN YOUR LANE, IT WANDERS AND GOES WHERE IT [XXX] WELL PLEASES. I'VE HAD THE TRUCK IN THE SHOP FOR THE STEERING PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED STEERING LINKAGE AND THE BALL JOINTS. THIS DID NOT HELP ONE BIT. WITH ONLY 28,000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK (95% FREEWAY MILES) THE TIRES SHOW SIGNIFICANT WEAR. A SERVICE MANAGER AT ONE OF THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS SAID THIS IS THE LARGEST COMPLAINT ON THIS VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *PH INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10038883

17,207 miles · Jun 3, 2003

SteeringSuspension

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STEERING WANDERS ALL OVER THE PLACE. 2001 RAM PICKUP 2500 WITH ONLY 19,224 MILES ON IT PROBLEM FIRST SURFACED AROUND 15,000 MILES. DEALER SERVICED AT 17,207 MILES AS A LICENSED INSPECTION MECHANIC, THIS VEHICLE WILL FAIL THE STATE INSPECTION STICKER TEST WHEN IT IS DUE. THE AMOUNT OF PLAY AT THE STEERING WHEEL IS CURRENTLY AT 5+ INCHES AND GETTING WORSE. INSPECTION PROCEDURES REQUIRE THE PLAY TO BE MEASURED WHILE OBSERVING THE TIRE MOVEMENT. ( EXAMPLE : TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT UNTIL VISABLE MOVEMENT OF THE TIRE IS SEEN, MARK A REFERENCE POINT ON THE STEERING WHEEL, NOW TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT UNTILL VISABLE MOVEMENT OF THE TIRE , NOW MEASURE THE DISTANCE THE MARK ON THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TRAVELED. ANYTHING OVER A 2 1/2 " TRAVEL IS CAUSE FOR FAILING THE STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION STICKER. DEALER HAS ALREADY REPLACED THE TRACK BAR BUT THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AM AWAITING ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE STEERING ISSUES. THE VEHICLE ALWAYS NEEDS TO BE " CHASED " LEFT AND RIGHT TO KEEP IT TRACKING STRAIGHT AHEAD.IT IS MY OPINION THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING BOX. THE STAE OF MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE DIVISION FORCED A BUYBACK OF THESE SAME TRUCKS BECAUSE OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. IF THEY ARE NOT SAFE FOR OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT THEN THEY ARE SURE NOT SAFE FOR THE AVERAGE CONSUMER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CAN NOT BE IGNORED. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN IN MAINE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10020951

40,000 miles · May 23, 2003

Steering

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AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES MY TRUCK STARTED TO WANDER MUCH WORSE THAN IT HAD IN THE PAST, IT HAS WANDERED SINCE NEW. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS WITH OTHER CARS AND OBSTACLES BECAUSE THE STEERING SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF IT'S OWN AT TIMES AND WILL SWERVE AND WANDER IN DIFFERENT WAYS BASED ON ROAD CONDITION, IF I'M BRAKING OR ACCELERATING. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY STEERING BOX AND TRACK BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $1400. THIS IS ON A $30K+ TRUCK WITH 40K MILES ON IT! I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND COMPLANED ABOUT THIS CONDITION AND THEY WON'T REVIEW IT UNTIL I HAVE IT BACK AT THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER INSPECTION THEN THEY WILL DECIDE IF THEY WILL OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE OR NOT. BASED ON RESEARCH ON THE WEB THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE TRUCKS.

NHTSA ODI #10019199

40,000 miles · Mar 28, 2003

Steering

THE SWAYED AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH AND HIGHER. WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT TIRES TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY BAD STEERING APPARATUS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10014641

24,000 miles · Mar 27, 2003

SteeringSuspension

TRUCK WANDERS RANDOMALY-FRONT TIRE WOBBLES. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10013550

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2003

Steering

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. *NLM....*AK

NHTSA ODI #10012304

20,000 miles · Mar 24, 2003

SteeringCrashInjury

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I JUST EXPERIENCED A VERY SEVERE AUTO ACCIDENT IN MY 2001 DODGE RAM, THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND THE JAWS OF LIFE HAD TO BE USED TO EXTRACT ME FROM THE VEHICLE. I HAD CONTACTED MY DEALER PRIOR TO THIS (SEVERAL MONTHS AGO) COMPLAINING OF STEERING PROBLEMS (WANDERING), AND THE DEALER INFORMED ME,THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE HE WAS RECEIVING PRESSURE FROM DODGE TO STOP REPLACING STEERING COMPONENTS ON THESE TRUCKS. HE ALSO INFORMED ME, HE HAS A NUMBER OF DOCUMENTED CASES OF THIS PROBLEM--16 OR SO. THERE IS ALSO INFORMATION THAT THE STATE OF MAINE FORCED DODGE TO REPLACE 20 OR 30 OF THESE VEHICLES DUE TO STEERING PROBLEMS. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS ISSUE AS IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE STEERING OF THIS MAKE/MODEL OF VEHICLE (CHECK YOUR OWN DATABASE). THERE IS ALSO DISCUSSION ON SEVERAL INTERNET BOARDS ABOUT FORMING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT OVER THIS. I WAS ALSO INFORMED TODAY THAT DODGE IS DENYING THAT ANY PROBLEM EXISTS WITH THE STEERING ON THESE VEHICLES AND THEY ARE FORMALLY DENYING THAT THE PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE STEERING PROBLEM THAT I HAD REPORTED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10010973

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2003

Steering

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE TRUCK DRIFTED FROM SIDE TO SIDE MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT "THEY ALL HANDLE THAT WAY". *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10012050

100 miles · Mar 12, 2003

SteeringStructure

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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 WITH THE CUMMINS DIESEL. SINCE THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF OF THE LOT IT HAS HAD STEERING PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE DEALER SEVEN TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND I STILL HAVE A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE. I ALSO HAVE NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH RATTLES AND SQUEAKS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED. THIS TRUCK IS DEFINITELY A TRUE LEMON. THE DEALER HAS BLAMED THE PROBLEM ON TIRES, STEERING BOX, ETC., BUT NOTHING HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE LAST STATEMENT FROM THE DEALER IS THAT THIS STEERING PROBLEM IS INHERENT TO THE DODGE DIESEL ENGINES AND CANNOT BE FIXED. I ALMOST HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND HAVE SINCE PARKED MY TRUCK. I AM NOW DRIVING AN OLDER VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN GET THIS RESOLVED. I WILL NOT RISK THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY IN THIS TRUCK ANYMORE. I PAID $40,000 FOR A TRUCK I CANNOT DRIVE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10010349

Official recalls

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

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

Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments