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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

469 reports
150,000 miles · Oct 11, 2018
Engine

PCM HAS BEEN REPLACE FOR THE 2ND TIME SINCE THE ORIGINAL ONE. THE DEALER HAS SENT OUT THE PCM FOR REPROGRAMMING. IT WAS RETURNED AND THE PCM DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IF THEY CAN NOT FIND A USED ONE, THE TRUCK IS TOTALLY WORTHLESS. DODGE HAD STOPPED PRODUCING THE PCM. BECAUSE OF THIS DODGE IS FORCING ME TO REPLACE A PERFEC…

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PCM HAS BEEN REPLACE FOR THE 2ND TIME SINCE THE ORIGINAL ONE. THE DEALER HAS SENT OUT THE PCM FOR REPROGRAMMING. IT WAS RETURNED AND THE PCM DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IF THEY CAN NOT FIND A USED ONE, THE TRUCK IS TOTALLY WORTHLESS. DODGE HAD STOPPED PRODUCING THE PCM. BECAUSE OF THIS DODGE IS FORCING ME TO REPLACE A PERFECTLY GOOD TRUCK EXCEPT FOR THE PCM. BECAUSE THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN IN CALIFORNIA EXCEPT FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS, THERE IS NO RUST. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO BUY A NEW/USED TRUCK BECAUSE DODGE DOES NOT WANT TO MAKE THE PCM. THEY ARE PRODUCING VEHICLES KNOWING THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE FIXED AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11139715

229,000 miles · May 14, 2018
SteeringWheels

MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT THE RATE OF 45MPH-50MPH MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, I WAS PASSENGER, AND MY 2 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN HIS CAR SEAT IN THE BACK. ALL THE SUDDEN WE HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, NO BIGGER THAN YOUR AVERAGE POT HOLES AND THE ENTIRE TRUCK BROKE OUT INTO AN ABRUPT SHAKE! IT WAS THROWING MY HUS…

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MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT THE RATE OF 45MPH-50MPH MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, I WAS PASSENGER, AND MY 2 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN HIS CAR SEAT IN THE BACK. ALL THE SUDDEN WE HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, NO BIGGER THAN YOUR AVERAGE POT HOLES AND THE ENTIRE TRUCK BROKE OUT INTO AN ABRUPT SHAKE! IT WAS THROWING MY HUSBANDS AND MY BODY AROUND THE SHAKE WAS SO INTENSE THE STEERING WAS CONTROLLABLE BUT EXTREMELY HARD. IT FELT AS THOUGH OUR TIRES WERE FLYING RIGHT OFF THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND BRAKED AND THE VIOLENT SHAKE SEIZED AND WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND PARKED THE TRUCK. WE CHECK AND SHOOK ALL TIRES THEY WERE SECURE. WE LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK EVERYTHING SEEMED IN PLACE AND SECURE. ONCE WE GOT HOME I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND LEARNED OF THE "DEATH WOBBLE" MOST DODGE TRUCKS HAVE BECAUSE OF THE "Y" STEERING BAR WHICH MOST YEARS HAVE A RECALL TO FIX THE ISSUE HOWEVER WHEN I CALLED MY LOCAL DODGE THEY INFORMED ME MY YEAR OF TRUCK DOESN'T HAVE THE RECALL. THIS "DEATH WOBBLE" HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE ROLLOVERS AND ACCIDENTS. I REACHED OUT TO CHRYSTLER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX IT AND THEY INFORMED ME BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL THEY WOULDN'T. WE ARE TALKING PEOPLES, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD SAFETY! I DON'T SEE WHY THEY WOULDN'T WANT TO PAY TO FIX A STEERING BAR WHICH IS WHAT MAYBE $1000 BUT HAVE THE POSSIBILITY FOR LIVES TO BE LOST?

NHTSA ODI #11093758

245,000 miles · Apr 28, 2018
Steering

I INSTALLED CHRYSLER PARTS KIT 52122362AL, UPGRADED STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK TIE ROD, AND 68039930AA PITMAN ARM ON MY 2001,5 DODGE RAM 2500 4X4 TRUCK. IT EASILY REPLACED EXISTING PARTS NEEDING ONLY A DIFFERENT STEERING DAMPER TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL PARTS. I HAVE SINCE BEEN LEARNED THAT THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK PARTS ARE…

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I INSTALLED CHRYSLER PARTS KIT 52122362AL, UPGRADED STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK TIE ROD, AND 68039930AA PITMAN ARM ON MY 2001,5 DODGE RAM 2500 4X4 TRUCK. IT EASILY REPLACED EXISTING PARTS NEEDING ONLY A DIFFERENT STEERING DAMPER TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL PARTS. I HAVE SINCE BEEN LEARNED THAT THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK PARTS ARE RECALLED AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON 2003-2008 TRUCKS. RECALLS I AM AWARE OF ARE H46 AND N62. MY LEFT TIE ROD END BALL STUD HAS NOT BROKEN YET BUT THE POSSIBILITY IS VERY SERIOUS. I THINK DODGE RAM 1500/2500/3500 SERIES TRUCKS FROM MODEL YEARS 2001 AND 2002 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS.

NHTSA ODI #11090770

220,000 miles · Jan 10, 2018
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE THE TRUCK SHUT DOWN. NO POWER TO THE ENGINE, LIGHTS ETC. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND MENTION OF A WIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT AFTER A FEW YEARS OF TILTING THE STEERING WHEEL UP AND DOWN THE WIRE WILL BREAK. I REMOVED THE ACCESS COVER T…

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WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE THE TRUCK SHUT DOWN. NO POWER TO THE ENGINE, LIGHTS ETC. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND MENTION OF A WIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT AFTER A FEW YEARS OF TILTING THE STEERING WHEEL UP AND DOWN THE WIRE WILL BREAK. I REMOVED THE ACCESS COVER TO THE STEERING COLUMN AND FOUND THE RED MAIN POWER WIRE HAD BROKEN OFF. I WAS LUCKY THIS HAPPENED AS I STOPPED MY VEHICLE. MY CONCERN IS IF I OR SOMEONE ELSE IS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AND THIS WIRE BREAKS ALL POWER TO THE STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. IS LOST. I HAVE TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE WIRE IN MY TRUCK BUT I WILL NO LONGER TILT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR FEAR OF THIS WIRE BREAKING AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND I AM AMAZED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11061605

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

88,357 miles · Jun 13, 2017
Tires

LT 265/75 R16 HERCULES TERRA TRAC A/T DELAMINATING THE SAME AS THEIR OTHER TIRES INVOLVED IN AN EARLIER RECALL DOT CODE UTW8 HWC 2705 46505-1 R 30104

NHTSA ODI #10994953

534,013 miles · Jun 7, 2017
Suspension

WHEN EXITING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND COASTING AND HITTING A BUMP THE TRUCK SHOOK VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF ALMOST LOOSING CONTROL. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOR A CAUSE IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE RAMS CALLED THE DEATH WOBBLE.. IT NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND HAVE A PROBLEM BELIEVING SOMETHING SO EXTREME COULD…

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WHEN EXITING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND COASTING AND HITTING A BUMP THE TRUCK SHOOK VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF ALMOST LOOSING CONTROL. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOR A CAUSE IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE RAMS CALLED THE DEATH WOBBLE.. IT NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND HAVE A PROBLEM BELIEVING SOMETHING SO EXTREME COULD BE WORN BUSHINGS OR SUSPENTION PARTS THAT WEAR OUT OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10993778

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

Mileage unknown · May 25, 2017
Unknown Or Other

DASH BREAKING.

NHTSA ODI #10991720

81,000 miles · Mar 18, 2017
Unknown Or Other

AS 2ND OWNER FOR PAST 12 YRS VEHICLE WAS LIKE NEW, ABOUT 3YRS AGO IT DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO GLOVE BOX DOOR AND SINCE HAS CRACKED IN 2 OTHER AREAS FROM WINDSHIELD TO FRONT! THIS VEHICLE SITS UNDER COVER OF AN RV SHELTER WITH MY RV 90% OF IT'S EXISTENCE! I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT DAIMLER-CHR…

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AS 2ND OWNER FOR PAST 12 YRS VEHICLE WAS LIKE NEW, ABOUT 3YRS AGO IT DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO GLOVE BOX DOOR AND SINCE HAS CRACKED IN 2 OTHER AREAS FROM WINDSHIELD TO FRONT! THIS VEHICLE SITS UNDER COVER OF AN RV SHELTER WITH MY RV 90% OF IT'S EXISTENCE! I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT DAIMLER-CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED ANY RECALL TO TO CORRECT THIS FAULTY PRODUCT FOR THOUSANDS OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM! I.CANNOT BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT MADE CHRYSLER RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THIS INFERIOR PRODUCT AS THEY HAVE THE AIR BAGS. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY PRAY THAT YOU CAN USE YOUR POWER TO HOLD CHRYSLER TO STAND UP AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM!

NHTSA ODI #10966674

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.