Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
1025–50K
1450–75K
1575–100K
15100–150K
15150K+
78 reports with mileage · 52 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 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
130 reports
17,500 miles · Jan 9, 2004
Power Train
2001 W3500 DODGE 4-WHEEL DRIVE FRONT DRIVER AXLE LOCKUP. HAD INPUT SHAFT FAILURE OCCUR DURING SNOW STORM WHICH CAUSED THE PINION AND RING GEAR TO LOCK TOGETHER. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FRONT END WOULD NOT TURN. LUCKILY HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED WITHOUT LOSS OF CONTROL OR COLLISION. TRUCK HAS ~17500 MILES ON IT AND CHRYSLER WOULD NOT …
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2001 W3500 DODGE 4-WHEEL DRIVE FRONT DRIVER AXLE LOCKUP. HAD INPUT SHAFT FAILURE OCCUR DURING SNOW STORM WHICH CAUSED THE PINION AND RING GEAR TO LOCK TOGETHER. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FRONT END WOULD NOT TURN. LUCKILY HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED WITHOUT LOSS OF CONTROL OR COLLISION. TRUCK HAS ~17500 MILES ON IT AND CHRYSLER WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTEE. I HAVE DIGITAL PHOTOS OF THE FAILED PARTS IF YOU CAN PROVIDE EMAIL ADDRESS I CAN SUBMIT THEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10052748
80,570 miles · Jan 5, 2004
Power Train
TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE REBUILT. THE MECHANIC STATED 2ND GEAR WAS BURNT OUT AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. HAD TO CHANGE TORQUE CONVERTER AND BANDS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE HOLES IN THE TRNASMISSION WERE TO SAMLL AND WOULD NOT LET FLUID FLOW FREELY AND KEEP THE TRANSMISSION COOL. THEREFORE THE TRANSMISSION HAD T…
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TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE REBUILT. THE MECHANIC STATED 2ND GEAR WAS BURNT OUT AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. HAD TO CHANGE TORQUE CONVERTER AND BANDS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE HOLES IN THE TRNASMISSION WERE TO SAMLL AND WOULD NOT LET FLUID FLOW FREELY AND KEEP THE TRANSMISSION COOL. THEREFORE THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL PUMP HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10052448
71,000 miles · Jan 2, 2004
Exterior Lighting
WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SWITCHED FROM LOW BEAM TO THE HIGH BEAM POSITION, HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO FUNCTION UPON SWITCHING BACK TO LOW. THIS RESULTS IN VEHICLE HAVING NO HEADLIGHTS, AND CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER RAN OFF THE ROAD. THIS IS CAUSED BY A FAILURE IN THE MULTI-PURPOSE SWITCH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10052240
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2003
Steering
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE LEFT CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10044945
98,000 miles · Oct 12, 2003
Power Train
THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE IN THE STANDARD 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION THAT GETS WORSE WHEN IT IS IN THE REVERSE GEAR. THIS COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION GOING OUT AT ANYTIME. THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10038179
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2003
Tires
I HAD A TIRE SOLD BY BIG O TIRE COMPANY ON MY DODGE RAM TRUCK. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY THE LEFT FRONT TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. THE TRUCK HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN 2 DAYS AND SHOWED NO SIGNS OF A PROBLEM ON THE LAST DAYS IT WAS DRIVEN. THE INITIAL EXPLOSION WAS DEAFENING WHEN THE OUTER WALL BLEW AND THEN THERE WAS A S…
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I HAD A TIRE SOLD BY BIG O TIRE COMPANY ON MY DODGE RAM TRUCK. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY THE LEFT FRONT TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. THE TRUCK HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN 2 DAYS AND SHOWED NO SIGNS OF A PROBLEM ON THE LAST DAYS IT WAS DRIVEN. THE INITIAL EXPLOSION WAS DEAFENING WHEN THE OUTER WALL BLEW AND THEN THERE WAS A SECOND, A MORE QUIET, DEFLATION OF THE ACTUAL TIRE. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE BEING DRIVEN IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THE COMPANY REPLACED THE TIRE NO QUESTIONS ASKED AND INSPECTED ALL OF THE OTHERS BUT THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE HAS GIVEN MYSELF CONCERNS. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041249
51,345 miles · Oct 1, 2003
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT SWITCHES IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10029588
1 miles · Sep 8, 2003
Electronic Stability Control
FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT AHEAD WITHOUT CONSTANT CORRECTION WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. HIGHER SPPEDS IS LESS NOTICABLE BUT SPEED 40 TO 55, THE TRUCK HUNTS LEFT AND RIGHT CONTINOUSLY. HAD DEALER CHECK ALIGNMENT SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE WHEN NEW AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. NO ADDITIONAL VISITS TO TH…
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FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT AHEAD WITHOUT CONSTANT CORRECTION WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. HIGHER SPPEDS IS LESS NOTICABLE BUT SPEED 40 TO 55, THE TRUCK HUNTS LEFT AND RIGHT CONTINOUSLY. HAD DEALER CHECK ALIGNMENT SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE WHEN NEW AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. NO ADDITIONAL VISITS TO THE DEALER SINCE. DUE TO THE CONTINOUS WANDERING, TIRE WEAR IS EXCESSIVE ON THE STEERING AXLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10037448
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2003
Tires
VEHICLE ROADTREK MOTORHOME CONVERSION OF DODGE 3500 RAM VAN WITH OEM MICHELIN LT245/75R16-E TIRES.VEHICLE INITIALLY REGISTERED ON8/9/01 AND HAS 12,400 ORIGINAL MILES.ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE HAIRLINE CRACKS IN SIDEWALLS CLOSE TO RIM.IS THIS A SAFETY HAZARD OR ONLY A COSMETIC PROBLEM? *AK
NHTSA ODI #10025561
37,000 miles · Jun 19, 2003
Fuel System, Diesel
LIFT PUMP ON 3500 SERIES DODGE RAM WITH CUMMINS DIESEL. *NLM
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
2
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.
PE02049 · Tire Valve
Opened Jun 3, 2002 · Closed Oct 1, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires
No summary supplied.
2001 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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