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 reports
20,000 miles · Dec 16, 2003
Steering
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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10050615
19,561 miles · Dec 13, 2003
Power Train
2001 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL MANUAL TRANSMISSION EXT. CAB - CLUTCH ASSEMBY - OUR TRUCK IS USED FOR LIGHT TOWING AND HAD ONLY 19,451 MILES ON IT WHEN THE CLUTCH WENT OUT. WE TALKED TO THE CLUTCH EXPERTS AND WERE TOLD THAT MANY OF THIS SAME TYPE OF TRUCK HAD CLUTCH PROBLEMS, BUT ALL WERE USED FOR HEAVY TOWING AND HAD WAY OVER 50,00…
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2001 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL MANUAL TRANSMISSION EXT. CAB - CLUTCH ASSEMBY - OUR TRUCK IS USED FOR LIGHT TOWING AND HAD ONLY 19,451 MILES ON IT WHEN THE CLUTCH WENT OUT. WE TALKED TO THE CLUTCH EXPERTS AND WERE TOLD THAT MANY OF THIS SAME TYPE OF TRUCK HAD CLUTCH PROBLEMS, BUT ALL WERE USED FOR HEAVY TOWING AND HAD WAY OVER 50,000 MILES ON THEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10049694
110,000 miles · Dec 10, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER RECEIVED 20 STITCHES AND HAD CONTINUOUSLY BEEN HAVING BAD HEADACHES. *AK *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10046403
125,000 miles · Dec 8, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DRIVER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10050172
60,000 miles · Nov 24, 2003
Steering
STEERING WHEEL HAS A LOT OF PLAY IN IT AND MAKES THE STEERING VERY DIFFICULT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. *AK *JB 8NM
NHTSA ODI #10040381
43,000 miles · Nov 23, 2003
Fuel System, Diesel
2001 DODGE RAM LIFT PUMP FAILURE. KNOWN ISSUE. DEALER TRIED TO GET OUT OF WARRANTY COVERAGE. THEY FINALLY FIXED IT BUT IT TOOK A LOT OF WORK. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047438
73,300 miles · Nov 20, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
DRIVER STATED THAT BRAKES FAILED ON VEHICLE WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT INTERSECTION RESULTING IN CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047241
73,000 miles · Nov 19, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER BUT IT WOULD NOT RESTART. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TRANSFER PUMP FAILED. *AK *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10044625
20,000 miles · Nov 14, 2003
Suspension
DEALER REPLACED AT 20,000 MILES THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING, AND AT 40,000 MILES THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER STATED NORMALLY WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AT 85,000 MILES. DEALER STATED THAT CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM.*AK LEFT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE …
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DEALER REPLACED AT 20,000 MILES THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING, AND AT 40,000 MILES THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER STATED NORMALLY WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AT 85,000 MILES. DEALER STATED THAT CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM.*AK LEFT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE OCCURED AT 20,000 MILES. DODGE REFUSED TO TALK TO CONSUMER'S WIFE ABOUT THE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. FINALLY DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING AT THE COST OF $100.00. CONSUMER FEELS THAT IT IS PREMATURE FOR THE WHEEL BEARING TO HAVE FAILED FOR A FRONT END TRUCK THAT IS FEMALE DRIVEN.*MR
NHTSA ODI #10048000
81,199 miles · Oct 27, 2003
Structure
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 PICKUP IS CRACKED FROM THE PASSENGER AIR BAG TO THE NUT SHOWING AT THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD(WINDSHIELD). THE CRACK EXTENDS FROM THE WIDTH OF THE DASHBOARD. *AK
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.
2001 Dodge RAM 2500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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