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2001 Dodge RAM

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most RAM years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge RAM are substantially higher than the model-year median of 27.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 61 of 318 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.

  • Steering. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

53 crash reports9 fire reports20 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

14 reports
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87,000 miles · Oct 25, 2007
StructureVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM. THREE YEARS AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD. CURRENTLY, THE CRACK HAS SPREAD SO FAR THAT THE DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND COMING APART. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ; HOWEVER, HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM. THREE YEARS AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD. CURRENTLY, THE CRACK HAS SPREAD SO FAR THAT THE DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND COMING APART. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ; HOWEVER, HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SPORADICALLY DISENGAGES WHILE DRIVING. SHE FURTHER STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH TOOK A LONG TIME TO ACTIVATE. THE CONSUMER STATED BROKEN PIECES FROM THE DASHBOARD CAN INJURE OR KILL SOMEONE. THE POWERTRAIN, RECALL NUMBER, AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 01/03/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/31/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206916

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE WILL SURGE WHEN WHILE CONSUMER WAS CHANGING GEARS FROM SECOND TO THIRD. CONTACTED DEALER,AND DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLE TO DO THAT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8018178

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2002
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, A HEAD-ON COLLISION OCCURRED. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ACCELERATOR STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO REV TO 6000 RPMS, VEHICLE HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND TORE DOWN A FENCE, THE LEFT REAR SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD ONE OF THE PASSENGERS, CAUSING INJURIES, DEALER S…

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WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, A HEAD-ON COLLISION OCCURRED. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ACCELERATOR STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO REV TO 6000 RPMS, VEHICLE HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND TORE DOWN A FENCE, THE LEFT REAR SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD ONE OF THE PASSENGERS, CAUSING INJURIES, DEALER STATED THE FAILURE WAS THE COMPUTER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE FLOORMAT, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLES RPMS STILL FLUCTUATE TOO MUCH. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #8009632

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND WITHOUT WARNING, THROTTLE LINKAGE STUCK, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. PROBLEM OCCURRED A SECOND TIME; HOWEVER, WAS ABLE TO CRUISE VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND STATE COULD NOT FIND CAUSE. REFERRED CONSUMER TO MANUFACTURER. *AK *YD

NHTSA ODI #8009631

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING AND AFTER HITTING ACCELERATOR THERE WILL NOT BE A SPEED INCREASE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8007513

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE WILL START TO REV UP TO 5500 RPMS, AND THEN VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8006114

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2001
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED FROM A LOW GEAR TO A HIGH GEAR NORMALLY BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 55-60MPH. VEHICLE JERKED BACK AND FORTH AND LURCHED CONSUMER FORWARD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES FOR A PROBLEM THAT THEY CANNOT FIX.CONSUMER BARELY GOT HOME AFTER RETURNING FROM DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #894147

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY DISENGAGED. WHEN PRESING BRAKES LIGHTLY IT WON'T TURN OFF. STEPPED ON BRAKES HARD AND VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS WADING DOWN. DEALER INSISTED IT WAS NORMAL FOR 2001 VEHICLES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #888584

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2001
Electrical SystemPower TrainStructure

RPMS ARE RACING DOWN AND UP, AND SOMETIMES GET STUCK IN UP POSITION. WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, A CLANKING NOISE OCCURS. ALSO, WHEN STARTING UP VEHICLE IT WILL SHAKE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THESE PROBLEMS ARE DUE TO FAULTY COMPUTER AND CHRYSLER WILL NOT HAVE A REMEDY FOR ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS. *AK THERE WAS NOISE FROM REAR END WHEN SHIFTIN…

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RPMS ARE RACING DOWN AND UP, AND SOMETIMES GET STUCK IN UP POSITION. WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, A CLANKING NOISE OCCURS. ALSO, WHEN STARTING UP VEHICLE IT WILL SHAKE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THESE PROBLEMS ARE DUE TO FAULTY COMPUTER AND CHRYSLER WILL NOT HAVE A REMEDY FOR ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS. *AK THERE WAS NOISE FROM REAR END WHEN SHIFTING GEAR. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS HARD TO CLOSE. THE ENGINE HAD ROUGH IDLE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #888050

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2001
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE WILL ACT AS IF OUT OF GAS AND START JERKING. RPMS WILL GO UP AND VEHICLE SEEMS AS IF IT IS GOING UP HILL. SOMETIMES DRIVER WILL PUT FOOT ON GAS FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND VEHICLE WILL GO NOWHERE. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE TWICE AND HAD NO SOLUTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #886411

Official recalls

9

04V185000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Apr 12, 2004

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.

02V042000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Feb 7, 2002

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE ALTERNATOR WIRE CONNECTION TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER (PDC) CAN LOOSEN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INSTALLATION OF THE ALTERNATOR WIRE CONNECTION TO THE PDC AND IF NECESSARY, REPOSITION THE WIRE SO THAT THE CRIMP CONNECTION WILL FACE UPWARD AND TIGHTEN THE FASTENER TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SETTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 2002. 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.

01V289000 · Tires

Sep 10, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 2500 WAGONS WERE EQUIPPED WITH INCORRECT LOAD RANGE TIRES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A TIRE TO BLOW OUT IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED AT THE MAXIMUM GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT. .

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOAD RANGE 'D' TIRES WITH CORRECT LOAD RANGE 'E' TIRES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 24, 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.

01V253000 · Electrical System:wiring

Aug 2, 2001

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.

01V184000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Jun 5, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS. A SUBSTITUTE WHEEL LUG NUT TIGHTENING PROCESS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT TO ASSURE PROPER TORQUE OF THE LUG NUTS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IMPROPER WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE COULD ALLOW A WHEEL TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL LUG NUTS FOR PROPER TORQUE AND CORRECT IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 4, 2001. ALL OWNERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED.

01V153000 · 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.

01V008000 · Suspension:rear

Jan 5, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: QUAD CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A CAMPER PACKAGE AND OVERLOAD SPRINGS. THE REAR AXLE SPACER PLATE COULD LEAD TO DEFORMATION OF THE UPPER SPRING PLATE DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE AXLE TO THE VEHICLE RESULTING A SOFT JOINT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SOFT JOINT COULD CAUSE THE REAR AXLE U-BOLTS TO LOSE CLAMP LOAD, RESULTING IN DISPLACEMENT OF THE REAR AXLE AND A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE SPACER PLATES AND THE SPRING PLATES WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 5, 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.

00V366000 · Child Seat

Nov 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

00V307000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm

Oct 12, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: QUAD CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS ATTACHED WITH CADMIUM COATED NUTS CAN CAUSE THE BOLTS TO STRETCH DUE TO THE APPLICATION OF A HIGHER THAN SPECIFIED CLAMP LOAD. BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER CONTROL ARM FASTENERS COULD CAUSE THE AXLE TO ROTATE FORWARD UNDER BRAKING CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS ROTATION COULD TWIST THE STEERING LINKAGE AND POSSIBLY SEPARATE THE BRAKE LINES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BOLTS AND NUTS.

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.