IllustrationTHE SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS WORN OUT AND NEEDED MAJOR REPAIR AT ONLY 91,000 MILES.*AK
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 reportsPULLING 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
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS WOULD SHOOK, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO SLOW DOWN. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *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…
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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
MY DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL TRUCK LOSS POWER AND WOULD NOT RUN WELL AT ALL. I ASKED ARCHER DODGE ON JAN 20, 2004 TO FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEM. A FUEL TRANSFER PUMP, PART # 5080885AA (REPLACEMENT PUMP #) WAS INSTALLED FOR A TOTAL OF $500. THE FAILURE OF THIS PUMP IN THIS VEHICLE IS COMMON AND IS DOCUMENTED IN AN ARTICLE BY CHUC…
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MY DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL TRUCK LOSS POWER AND WOULD NOT RUN WELL AT ALL. I ASKED ARCHER DODGE ON JAN 20, 2004 TO FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEM. A FUEL TRANSFER PUMP, PART # 5080885AA (REPLACEMENT PUMP #) WAS INSTALLED FOR A TOTAL OF $500. THE FAILURE OF THIS PUMP IN THIS VEHICLE IS COMMON AND IS DOCUMENTED IN AN ARTICLE BY CHUCK ARNOLD "WHAT HAPPENS TO DODGES". FAILURE OF THE INJECTOR PUMP, A $2000 REPLACEMNET JOB IS COMMON WHEN THE CHARGE PUMP FAILS, I WAS LUCKY. DODGE RECALLED DEFECTIVE PUMPS INSTALLED IN ALL TRUCKS BUILT 7 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DAY MY TRUCK WAS BUILT. I FEEL I GOT ONE OF THE OLDER PUMPS FOR ONE THING AND THAT DODGE SHOULD PAY FOR THE WORK. THE OTHER THING IS THAT THERE IS NO IDIOT LIGHT OR GUAGE TELLING YOU THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CHARGE PUMP. I AM LOOKING FOR A RETROFIT SO I CAN MONITOR THIS PRESSURE AND PREVENT DAMAGE TO MY FUEL INJECTION PUMP IN THE FUTURE. THIS ENGINE SHOULD RUN FOR 1,000,000 MILES AND I DONT WANT THE POSSIBILITY OF A $3000 WORKOVER EVERY 60,000 TO 120,000 MILES ( THE ESTIMATED LENGTH OF TIME BEFORE FAILURE FOR THE CHARGE PUMP.) FAILURE OF THIS SYSTEM IS TOTAL AND IF IT HAPPENS AT THE WRONG PLACE COULD CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE, FIRE, AND SERIOUS PERSONAL AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE DODGE RECALL ALL UNITS AND RETROFIT THEM WITH A DEVICE THAT MONITORED THE DISCHARGE PRESSURE OF THE CHARGE PUMP, NOTIFYING THE DRIVER THAT A FAILURE OF THE FUEL SYSTEM IS EMINANT. THIS COULD BE DONE WITH AN ADDITIONAL GAUGE OR EVEN A ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. I HAVE CALLED DODGE AND OPENED A COMPLAINT #12000342, BUT I DID NOT GET THE SATISIFICATION OF HEARING THAT IT WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM TO THEM. IF IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURS, WHY NOT ALERT THE CUSTOMERS OF DODGE THAT IT IS A PROBEM. EVEN THOUGH MY TRUCK WAS NOT RECALLED, IT APPEARS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BASED ON WHAT I HAVE LEARNED FROM OTHER OWNERS AND DODGE. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE.
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
ANOTHER WORN TRACK BAR IN THE FRON AXLE. 82,000 MILES. VEHICLE STARTS TO WANDER. THIS WILL MAKE THE THIRD ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY LAST ABOUT 10,000 MILES. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH DODGE RAMS MADE FROM 1994-2002 THAT IS FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WITH THE CUMMINS DIESEL. I HAD HEARD THAT SOMEONE HAD ONE THAT…
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ANOTHER WORN TRACK BAR IN THE FRON AXLE. 82,000 MILES. VEHICLE STARTS TO WANDER. THIS WILL MAKE THE THIRD ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY LAST ABOUT 10,000 MILES. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH DODGE RAMS MADE FROM 1994-2002 THAT IS FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WITH THE CUMMINS DIESEL. I HAD HEARD THAT SOMEONE HAD ONE THAT CAUSED THEM TO LOSE CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ENGINE STARTED MISSING,THEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE ENGINE RUNNING AGAIN. CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER TO BUY A NEW FUEL PUMP, AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT V…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ENGINE STARTED MISSING,THEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE ENGINE RUNNING AGAIN. CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER TO BUY A NEW FUEL PUMP, AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT VEHICLES FUEL PUMP. *AK
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.