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2001 Dodge RAM 1500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1,112 owner complaints about the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500, most often about the structure. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

2001 Dodge RAM 1500
35
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.9× the RAM 1500 median · #4 of 19 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints1,112165 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage75kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 13, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500 has problems

1,112 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure54822
Power train959
Air bags8444
Electrical system8115
Suspension692
Steering538
Engine and engine cooling5113
Service brakes, hydraulic476
Tires332
16 other systems14420

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2001 Dodge RAM 1500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Air bags

Recall 01V-153 · May 8, 2001 · 216,100 vehicles

Risk. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Mileage at failure

When do structure problems start?

75kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 381 structure complaints. 76% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
22under 30k miles291under 100k miles90100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Structure

23 owners mentioned a cost

$800median

Middle half: $524 – $1,250

Power train

10 owners mentioned a cost

$2,096median

Middle half: $1,350 – $2,921

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other RAM 1500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAM 1500 median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'14
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE DISENGAGEMENTPE00025 · closed Dec 27, 2000
    No recall
  2. 2000-2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP HOOD LATCHPE08047 · closed Dec 17, 2008
    No recall
In owners' words

What RAM 1500 owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

Where the sway bar is bolted to the chassis has completely deteriorated causing sway bar to completely detach from both sides of the frame. This has caused it very difficult to steer and nearly impossible the more MPH the vehicle goes. I own another vehicle nearly exactly the same but a 1998 dodge…
Complaint 11482914 · Sep 5, 2022
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASH BOARD WAS DISINTEGRATING. PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD WERE PENETRATING THROUGH THE HEATER VACUUM SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE HEATER NOT TO WORK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
Complaint 11203980 · Apr 26, 2019 · 163,000 miles
DASH PANEL HAS CRACKED BADLY TO THE POINT PIECES HAVE FALLEN OUT EXPOSING WIRES, CONNECTORS, DUCTS AND OTHER UNDER-DASH COMPONENTS. I AM CONCERNED THIS MAY AFFECT INFLATION OF AIR BAGS AND POTENTIAL FOR PIECES OF CRACKED DASH TO CAUSE SEVERE INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. DASH PANEL…
Complaint 11193458 · Apr 2, 2019

Own a 2001 RAM 1500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.