IllustrationENGINE BLOCK CRACKED DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN BLOCK DESIGN. NEITHER CUMMINS OR DODGE IS OFFERING ANY HELP WITH THIS KNOWN DEFECT. THERE SHOULF BE A RECALL ON ALL THESE BLOCKS!
2001 Dodge RAM 3500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge RAM 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 3500 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
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 reportsTHE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING BECAME INOPERABLE, AND THE WHEEL DISENGAGED COMPLETELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF TWO TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLU GO INTO FIRST GEAR. FOLLOWING THIS, THE CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE MEDIAN. THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND LET IT IDLE FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE MERGING BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE IT ACCELERATED TO THE SECOND GEAR. THE …
Read full complaint
WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLU GO INTO FIRST GEAR. FOLLOWING THIS, THE CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE MEDIAN. THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND LET IT IDLE FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE MERGING BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE IT ACCELERATED TO THE SECOND GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, BUT THEY WILL NEED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO CONFIRM THIS. *AK THE TRANSMISSION TOTALLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO GO INTO REVERSE ON THE SECOND OCCASION. *SC
TRANSMISSION FAILED TO GO INTO PARK, EVEN THOUGH THE COLUMN SHIFTER SELECTOR WAS INDICATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK. TRANSMISSION WAS IN REVERSE, WHILE THE COLUMN INDICATED PARK. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE "LIFT PUMP" FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *JB
DASHBOARD PANEL SPLIT AROUND PASSENGER'S AIR BAG. CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS MIGHT CAUSE AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND THE PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. *AK
CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND SHIFT THE GEAR WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WAS THE NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE SWITCHING FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED COMPLETELY OFF. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP IN THE THIRD GEAR, TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT OVERDRIVE BEARING WAS PUT IN BACKWARD. *AK
AFTER DRIVING OVER A COMMON HIGHWAY PROTUBERANCE, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHOOK UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPEN ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS DUE TO UNEVEN FRONT TIRE PRESSURE. THE THIRD TIME, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS CAUSIN…
Read full complaint
AFTER DRIVING OVER A COMMON HIGHWAY PROTUBERANCE, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHOOK UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPEN ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS DUE TO UNEVEN FRONT TIRE PRESSURE. THE THIRD TIME, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS A RANDOM OCCERANCE THAT CAN NOT BE EASILY DUPLICATED. *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
2PE08047 · 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.