IllustrationMY VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CLIFF-SIDE AT 50 MPH. THE COLLISION WAS DIRECTLY HEAD-ON. NEITHER THE DRIVER'S NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE/ FRONT AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED DURING THIS CRASH.*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 reportsVEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED, VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE ENGINE AREA, CLAIM 59-V606-925. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, CLAIM 55-S396-819. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE BEGAN ACTING FUNNY, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE AND THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 37-3264-228. *SLC
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE GREAT ON LOW BEAM BUT DIFFUSE TO THE SIDES ON HIGH BEAMS. VERY LITTLE LIGHT IS FOCUSED ON THE CENTER OF THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHTS ALIGNED TWICE. THEY ARE MUCH IMPROVED, BUT STILL UNSATISFACTORY. NEW, HIGHER POWERED HALOGEN BULBS HELPED SOME, BUT THE HIGH BEAM SIMPLY "PLAYS OUT". THE LENSE SYSTEM…
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THE HEADLIGHTS ARE GREAT ON LOW BEAM BUT DIFFUSE TO THE SIDES ON HIGH BEAMS. VERY LITTLE LIGHT IS FOCUSED ON THE CENTER OF THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHTS ALIGNED TWICE. THEY ARE MUCH IMPROVED, BUT STILL UNSATISFACTORY. NEW, HIGHER POWERED HALOGEN BULBS HELPED SOME, BUT THE HIGH BEAM SIMPLY "PLAYS OUT". THE LENSE SYSTEM SEEMS TO NOT FOCUS LIGHT WHERE THE DRIVER CAN SEE WITH CONFIDENCE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE BEGAN ACTING FUNNY, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 37-3264-228. *SLC
THE ABS GOES OFF OVER MINOR BUMP SUCH AS THE WARNING BUMPS APPROACHING TOLL BOOTHS IN ILLINOIS. THIS IS A PROBLEM SLOWING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE BRAKES LOSE PRESSURE LIKE NEAR COMPLETE BRAKE FADE AND ONE MUST APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO STOP THE TRUCK. THIS COULD LEAD TO REAR END COLLISIONS. I HAVE REPEATEDL…
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THE ABS GOES OFF OVER MINOR BUMP SUCH AS THE WARNING BUMPS APPROACHING TOLL BOOTHS IN ILLINOIS. THIS IS A PROBLEM SLOWING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE BRAKES LOSE PRESSURE LIKE NEAR COMPLETE BRAKE FADE AND ONE MUST APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO STOP THE TRUCK. THIS COULD LEAD TO REAR END COLLISIONS. I HAVE REPEATEDLY COMPLAINED TO BARRINGTON DODGE AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE. I WOULD EXPECT CONCERN ABOUT CUSTOMER SAFETY AFTER THE FORD TIRE RECALLS AND DEATHS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.*AK
BOTH EXTERIOR MIRRORS FLEW OFF VEHICLE WHILE PULLING A TRAILER AT 75 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPLACED MIRRORS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, CLAIM 55-S396-819. *SLC
RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THIS TRUCK THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CENTER POSITION PLAY. THE REPLACEMENT FELT BETTER, BUT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER 200 TO 300 MILES. UPON RETURNING TO THE DEALER AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AFTER THEY TEST DROVE THE TRUCK. THE STEERING GEAR HAS A COMPLETE …
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RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THIS TRUCK THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CENTER POSITION PLAY. THE REPLACEMENT FELT BETTER, BUT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER 200 TO 300 MILES. UPON RETURNING TO THE DEALER AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AFTER THEY TEST DROVE THE TRUCK. THE STEERING GEAR HAS A COMPLETE LACK OF PRELOAD TORQUE AND OVER-CENTER TORQUE AND DOES NOT MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS IN THE SERVICE MANUAL. THE DEALER DID NOT CHECK THIS, BUT I DID AFTER MY SECOND VISIT. I HAVE LOW CONFIDENCE IN THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.
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.