IllustrationDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING RACK HAD FAILED. UPDATED 10/25/06. *JB
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
What owners actually said
469 reportsMY TRUCK ONLY HAS 39K MILES AND WAS HAVING SEVERE ISSUES WITH STEERING WOBBLE AND STEERING WANDERING. THE STEERING STABILIZER AND TRACK BAR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER BUT STILLS HAS PLAY IN THE STEERING. ALTHOUGH NOT CURRENTLY UNDER WARRANTY THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 39K MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING. *JB
2001 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB ALL FOUR (4) DOORS RUSTING OUT VEHICLE HAD 32,000 MILES WHEN FIRST NOTICED BUT WAS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $6-9,000 TO REPAIR CONTACTED MANUFACTURER THEY SAID DEALER HAS A GOOD FAITH REPAIR ACCOUNT, DEALER SAID NO NOW ONE YEAR LATER TRUCK LOOKS LIKE ITS 25 YEARS OLD AND THE…
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2001 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB ALL FOUR (4) DOORS RUSTING OUT VEHICLE HAD 32,000 MILES WHEN FIRST NOTICED BUT WAS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $6-9,000 TO REPAIR CONTACTED MANUFACTURER THEY SAID DEALER HAS A GOOD FAITH REPAIR ACCOUNT, DEALER SAID NO NOW ONE YEAR LATER TRUCK LOOKS LIKE ITS 25 YEARS OLD AND THE DEALER CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY I WON'T BUY ANOTHER. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS ARE WORN THEREFORE THE VEHICLE CANNOT PASS THE STATE INSPECTION. THE DEALER ALERTED THE CONTACT THAT VEHICLES OF THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE IN REGARDS TO STEERING. *AK
MY BRAKES AND STEERING HAVE FAILED FOUR TIMES ON MY DODGE RAM. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT CHRYSLER AND IN BOTH CASES THE REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO ASSIST ME. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I HAVE HAD MY BRAKES FAIL FOUR TIMES ON MY DODGE RAM 3/4 TON TRUCK. THEY SAID MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THAT I AM 2700 MILES OVER THE WARRANT…
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MY BRAKES AND STEERING HAVE FAILED FOUR TIMES ON MY DODGE RAM. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT CHRYSLER AND IN BOTH CASES THE REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO ASSIST ME. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I HAVE HAD MY BRAKES FAIL FOUR TIMES ON MY DODGE RAM 3/4 TON TRUCK. THEY SAID MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THAT I AM 2700 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY THAT IS ALL THAT CAN BE DONE. *JB
THE DASH ON MY 01 DODGE RAM STARTED CRACKING AT 37K MILES AND IS NOW ABOUT TO COMPLETELY FALL IN. DODGE SAID IT WAS NOT THERE PROBLEM. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE DRIVER SIDE FENDER WAS DAMAGED. AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE ABS SYSTEM, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #01V153000, REG…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE DRIVER SIDE FENDER WAS DAMAGED. AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE ABS SYSTEM, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #01V153000, REGARDING THE AIRBAGS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER. THERE IS NOW A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. WHILE TRAVELING 60-65MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND ALL FOUR TIRES LOCKED RESULTING IN TIRE SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE IT IS NOW BEING INSPECTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE WITH A UTILITY TRAILER IN TOW, THE TRAILER HITCH BRACKET FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION, THE HITCH BRACKET WAS FRACTURED IN SEVERAL AREAS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE TRAILER HITCH BRACKETS WERE MANUFACTURE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE WITH A UTILITY TRAILER IN TOW, THE TRAILER HITCH BRACKET FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION, THE HITCH BRACKET WAS FRACTURED IN SEVERAL AREAS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE TRAILER HITCH BRACKETS WERE MANUFACTURED USING A MATERIAL WITH INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH AND THE BRACKETS NEEDED TO BE REINFORCED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 00V107000, REGARDING THE TRAILER HITCHES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FUEL AND INJECTOR PUMPS WERE REPLACED.
DODGE 2500 RAM P U - FAULTY TRANSMISSION STAYING IN GEAR. *NM
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.