Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 18 of 147 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Air Bags. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
31 crash reports6 fire reports23 injury reports
What owners actually said
147 reports
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2001
SteeringSuspension
DODGE RAM 3500 HAS POOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 50 MPH. CONSUMER CANNOT FIND A DEALERSHIP THAT CAN EXAMINE AND CORRECT THE DEFECT. CONSUMER FEELS THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO BE OPERATED ON ROAD BECAUSE CONSUMER HAS TO HAVE BOTH HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL AT ALL TIMES. *AK CONSUMER STATES DE…
Read full complaint
DODGE RAM 3500 HAS POOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 50 MPH. CONSUMER CANNOT FIND A DEALERSHIP THAT CAN EXAMINE AND CORRECT THE DEFECT. CONSUMER FEELS THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO BE OPERATED ON ROAD BECAUSE CONSUMER HAS TO HAVE BOTH HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL AT ALL TIMES. *AK CONSUMER STATES DEALER HAS MADE AN ADJUSTMENT THAT DID NOT HELP. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #887496
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2001
Power Train
TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETELY OUT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #887454
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2001
Power Train
CONSUMER WAS GOING 30MPH AND VEHICLE STALLED TWICE. TRANSMISSION SPECALIST SAID PLANITARY GEAR IS NOT WORKING. FIRST AND SECOND GEARS ARE WORKING FINE. *AK THIS VEHICLE HAD NEVER STALL, IT JUST DID NOT MOVE AT ALL WHILE THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THAT IS, PLANETARY GEAR PROBLEM. *YH
NHTSA ODI #887205
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 35MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #886302
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH ON HIGHWAY. WHEN HE APPLIED BRAKES, THEY WENT SOFT, AND VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. *AK
NHTSA ODI #885578
Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2001
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING A FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, COMPLETELY DESTROYING VEHICLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #885206
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2001
Steering
EXTREME STEERING WANDER AT ALL SPEEDS, UNSAFE IN ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS, EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING BOX, WORN STEERING GEAR. WORN TIE ROD ENDS AND TRACK BAR. DIFFICULT TO KEEP ON THE ROAD. DEALER WON'T FIX. *AK
NHTSA ODI #743571
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THIS NON-DEPLOYMENT AND RESPONDED, IN PART, THAT IMPACT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO CAUSE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND THAT BY NOT DEPLOYING, THE MANUFACTURER FEELS THE VEHICLE RESPONDED PROPERLY IN THIS PARTICULAR ACCIDENT…
Read full complaint
IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THIS NON-DEPLOYMENT AND RESPONDED, IN PART, THAT IMPACT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO CAUSE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND THAT BY NOT DEPLOYING, THE MANUFACTURER FEELS THE VEHICLE RESPONDED PROPERLY IN THIS PARTICULAR ACCIDENT. IT SEEMS THAT IN AN ACCIDENT AT THIS HIGH SPEED, THE AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY AND IF THIS ISN'T SUFFICIENT ENOUGH SPEED FOR THE MANUFACTURER, WHY DO THEY INSTALL THE BAGS IN THE FIRST PLACE AND MAKE THE AIR BAG SAFETY FEATURE A BIG PART OF THE BASIS FOR CONSUMERS BUYING A VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #743372
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2001
Electrical System
THE TRUCK IS OVER CHARGING, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO PRODUCE OVER 18 VOLTS, AND THE DOME AND HEADLIGHTS TO FLICKER ON AND OFF (PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS ON A CURVY ROAD AT NIGHT). VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP FOR THREE MONTHS. ALL ATTEMPS TO CORRECT ISSUE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF DAIMLERCHRYSLER HAVE FAILED. MANY SHOPS WILL NOT TAKE…
Read full complaint
THE TRUCK IS OVER CHARGING, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO PRODUCE OVER 18 VOLTS, AND THE DOME AND HEADLIGHTS TO FLICKER ON AND OFF (PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS ON A CURVY ROAD AT NIGHT). VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP FOR THREE MONTHS. ALL ATTEMPS TO CORRECT ISSUE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF DAIMLERCHRYSLER HAVE FAILED. MANY SHOPS WILL NOT TAKE THESE TRUCKS BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM SEEMS UNRESOVABLE. THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND UNSELLABLE. DUE TO THE INCREASING NUMBER OF REPORTED VEHICLES WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM DAIMLERCHRYSLER HAS ADMITTED THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT IS TAKING NO ACTION TO RESOLVE IT AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA ODI #743129
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2001
Steering
TIRE IS RUBBING AGAINST TIE ROD ENDS AND CAUSING IT TO BURN OR EAT AWAY A QUARTER OF AN INCH AWAY FROM RIM. *AK *SLC
ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTROLYTE DAMAGE AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS AND WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT SEATS. IN THE PRESENCE OF ROAD SALT, WATER, AND POSSIBLY OTHER DEBRIS, THE POWER SEAT CONNECTOR LOCATED BENEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT COULD DEVELOP A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CYCLES THE CIRCUIT BREAKER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER CYCLES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, HEAT COULD BUILD UP IN THE CONNECTOR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR REMOVING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER FROM THE FUSE PANEL. IF AN OWNER DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN PERFORM THE REPAIR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FRONT TIRE/WHEEL AND THE BRAKE HOSE/ABS SENSOR WIRE ASSEMBLY. DURING FULL LOCK TURNS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE TIRE OR WHEEL TO CONTACT THE BRAKE HOSE/ABS SENSOR WIRE ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN WIRE DAMAGE AND/OR A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE, AFFECTING BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES, AND THE ABS SENSOR WIRE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2001. 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL TRAILER HITCH. THE TRAILER HITCH SIDE BRACKETS WERE MANUFACTURED USING MATERIAL WITH INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRACKETS BUILT WITHOUT PROPER MATERIAL COULD FATIGUE AND FRACTURE IN THE AREA WHERE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTS TO THE FRAME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRAILER HITCHES AND REPLACE ANY TRAILER HITCH SHOWING SIGNS OF FATIGUE CRACKING. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CRACKING EXISTS, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL TWO REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE WELDS AT THE RIGHT SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET TO AXLE TUBE ATTACHMENT MAY HAVE INADEQUATE FATIGUE LIFE DUE TO POOR WELD QUALITY. THIS CAN LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM BRACKET FROM THE AXLE TUBE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE BRACKET SEPARATES THE VEHICLE COULD EXPERIENCE REDUCED DIRECTIONAL STABILITY, BRAKING DEGRADATION AND/OR VEHICLE PULL UNDER BRAKING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AXLE WITH A PROPERLY WELDED FRONT AXLE.
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.
2000 Dodge RAM Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year