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2001 Dodge RAMProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 318 owner complaints about the 2001 Dodge RAM, most often about the steering. It is covered by 9 safety recalls.

2001 Dodge RAM
16
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid5.4× the RAM median · #7 of 22 years by complaints
Safety recalls9Free fix at dealersOwner complaints31882 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage49kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 27, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: NickWilson1964, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Dodge RAM has problems

318 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
Steering536
Power train503
Air bags4638
Suspension424
Service brakes, hydraulic326
Engine and engine cooling292
Structure242
Electrical system206
Vehicle speed control141
14 other systems807

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

9 recalls

2001 Dodge RAM 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

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Recall 04V-185 · Apr 12, 2004 · 44,588 vehicles

Risk. THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Electrical system: wiring

Recall 01V-253 · Aug 2, 2001 · 98,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER CYCLES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, HEAT COULD BUILD UP IN THE CONNECTOR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 5 more recalls
–no report yet

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 01V-184 · Jun 5, 2001 · 212 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–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 →

–no report yet

Suspension: rear

Recall 01V-008 · Jan 5, 2001 · 2,400 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Child seat

Recall 00V-366 · Nov 9, 2000 · 1,211,756 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Control arm: upper arm

Recall 00V-307 · Oct 12, 2000 · 480 vehicles

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

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.

Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other RAM 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 median. How we score

'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2001 Dodge RAM safety ratings

2001 Dodge Ram 1500 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2001 Dodge RAM frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. 2000-2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP HOOD LATCHPE08047 · closed Dec 17, 2008
    No recall
In owners' words

What RAM owners report

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

ON MY WAY TO WORK, AS USUAL, ON A "SLIGHTLY" BUMPY PART OF THE HIGHWAY MY STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT END STARTED VIBRATING SO VIOLENTLY THAT I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. I COULD BARELY HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL; AND COULD NOT STEER AT ALL; ALL I COULD DO WAS START BRAKING AND COME TO A STOP. I GOT OUT AND…
Complaint 10430142 · Oct 13, 2011 · 201,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TIE ROD ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO…
Complaint 10409111 · Jun 27, 2011 · 84,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE DRIFTED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING BOX BUT THE STEERING BOX DID NOT REMEDY THE…
Complaint 10401490 · May 18, 2011 · 270,676 miles

Own a 2001 RAM?

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