Total Complaints
417 filings
DODGE RAM · model year
417 NHTSA complaints, 66 crash reports, and 14 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001DODGERAM carries 417 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 66 crashes, 11 fires, 28 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 RAM is air bags:frontal with 29 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (27) and suspension (17). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 14 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 2001 RAM, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
417 filings
Crashes Reported
66 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 29 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 27 |
| SUSPENSION | 17 |
| STEERING | 17 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 16 |
| AIR BAGS | 16 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | 15 |
| STRUCTURE | 14 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 11 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 11 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 11 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 10 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 9 |
| TIRES | 8 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 8 |
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
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 COND
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
TIRES
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 2500 WAGONS WERE EQUIPPED WITH INCORRECT LOAD RANGE TIRES.
CHILD SEAT
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, INCLU
AIR BAGS
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 NORT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE ALTERNATOR WIRE CONNECTION TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER (PDC) CAN LOOSEN.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS. A SUBSTITUTE WHEEL LUG NUT TIGHTENING PROCESS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT TO ASSURE PROPER TORQUE OF THE LUG NUTS.
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
2001 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER STATED THAT THEIR VEHICLE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING TO SWAP OUT THE OLD VEHICLE WITH A NEW COMPARABLE VEHICLE.
DASHBOARD HAS BROKEN UP LIKE A JIG SAW PUZZLE. *TR
Mileage: 55,000
DASHBOARD HAS BROKEN UP LIKE A JIG SAW PUZZLE. *TR
Mileage: 55,000
MULTIPLE CRACKS IN THE DASH HAVE OCCURRED, FORMING SHARP EDGES AND POINTS THAT ARE HAZARDOUS IN CASE OF HARD STOPS OR ACCIDENTS. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE DANGER, STATING THIS IS A COSMETIC ISSUE, BUT THE SHARP, HARD PLASTIC IS INDEED A SAFETY HAZARD. A MANDATORY RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE DASH PLASTIC SHOULD BE ORDERED. *TR
Mileage: 116,000
THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ALL OVER AND IS FALLING APART COMPLETELY. I FEEL THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AND THIS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD!!! DODGE HAS NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE AND I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THIS MAKER AGAIN UNTIL IT IS FIXED. *TR
I PURCHASED BRAND NEW, A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 QUAD CAB TRUCK. THE TRUCKS DASH HAS SO MANY CRACKS IN IT, THAT THEY NOW HAVE RAN INTO EACH OTHER AND LARGE AREAS HAVE FALLEN OUT. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT DODGE REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT. THESE CRACKS HAVE BEEN IN MY DASH FOR YEARS. IT IS NOT HEAT RELATED BECAUSE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN WASHINGTON STATE AND WAS THERE FOR SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE COMING TO CALIFORNIA. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD AND A FLYING OBJECT HAZARD, SHOULD I HIT SOMEONE OR THEY HIT ME AND PIECES START FLYING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS A NATION WIDE PROBLEM WITH THE DASHES FROM DODGE, IT'S TIME THEY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THESE CRACKS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE OVER THE YEARS. *TT
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 CHECKED MY TIRES AND FRONT END AND EVERYTHING APPEARED NORMAL. I CONTINUED TO WORK AT ABOUT 40 MPH (I HAD GONE TO WORK EARLY SO NO TRAFFIC) . AT 8:00 I CALLED MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND TOOK IT TO HIM TO CHECK OUT WHAT HAPPENED. HE CHECK EVERYTHING AND NOTHING SHOWED. THE NEXT DAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN; THEN AGAIN 2 DAYS LATER. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER I TOOK PICKUP IN FOR REGULAR OIL/FUEL/AIR FILTER CHANGE SERVICE. HE TEST DROVE WITH ME ALONG AND I EXPLAINED FURTHER WHAT HAPPENED. HE SAID HE HAS SEEN IT BEFORE WITH DODGE 2500 & 3500 AND IT HAS BEEN LABELED THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE". I THANK GOD I WAS NOT IN A BUSY TRAFFIC AREA. *TR
Mileage: 201,000
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 CHECKED MY TIRES AND FRONT END AND EVERYTHING APPEARED NORMAL. I CONTINUED TO WORK AT ABOUT 40 MPH (I HAD GONE TO WORK EARLY SO NO TRAFFIC) . AT 8:00 I CALLED MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND TOOK IT TO HIM TO CHECK OUT WHAT HAPPENED. HE CHECK EVERYTHING AND NOTHING SHOWED. THE NEXT DAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN; THEN AGAIN 2 DAYS LATER. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER I TOOK PICKUP IN FOR REGULAR OIL/FUEL/AIR FILTER CHANGE SERVICE. HE TEST DROVE WITH ME ALONG AND I EXPLAINED FURTHER WHAT HAPPENED. HE SAID HE HAS SEEN IT BEFORE WITH DODGE 2500 & 3500 AND IT HAS BEEN LABELED THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE". I THANK GOD I WAS NOT IN A BUSY TRAFFIC AREA. *TR
Mileage: 201,000
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 CHECKED MY TIRES AND FRONT END AND EVERYTHING APPEARED NORMAL. I CONTINUED TO WORK AT ABOUT 40 MPH (I HAD GONE TO WORK EARLY SO NO TRAFFIC) . AT 8:00 I CALLED MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND TOOK IT TO HIM TO CHECK OUT WHAT HAPPENED. HE CHECK EVERYTHING AND NOTHING SHOWED. THE NEXT DAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN; THEN AGAIN 2 DAYS LATER. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER I TOOK PICKUP IN FOR REGULAR OIL/FUEL/AIR FILTER CHANGE SERVICE. HE TEST DROVE WITH ME ALONG AND I EXPLAINED FURTHER WHAT HAPPENED. HE SAID HE HAS SEEN IT BEFORE WITH DODGE 2500 & 3500 AND IT HAS BEEN LABELED THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE". I THANK GOD I WAS NOT IN A BUSY TRAFFIC AREA. *TR
Mileage: 201,000
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 ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER A POTENTIAL CRASH IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF
Mileage: 84,000
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 FAILURE. THE STEERING BOX WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING BOX WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT BUT THEY HAVE NOT PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 270,676.
Mileage: 270,676
THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THE DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED AND POSES A SAFETY HAZARD BY DANGEROUS SHARP PIECES. IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ONE OF THESE PIECES COULD INFLICT POTENTIALLY SEVERE INJURY. *TR
THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THE DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED AND POSES A SAFETY HAZARD BY DANGEROUS SHARP PIECES. IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ONE OF THESE PIECES COULD INFLICT POTENTIALLY SEVERE INJURY. *TR
I OWN A 2001 DODGE THAT (JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE) HAS MANY CRACKS FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE FRONT OF THE DASH (PLASTIC). THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT TWO YRS AFTER PURCHASE. I AM LUCKY THAT ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL IN THE DASH STILL WORKS, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE CRAP. THE SUNGLASS DOOR ON THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE (PLASTIC) IS BROKEN. THE CUP HOLDER (PLASTIC) IS BROKEN. THIS IS CRAZY EVERYONE WITH AN 01 DODGE RAM KNOWS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PLASTIC THAT WENT INTO THE INTERIOR. PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN TO MAKE THESE PEOPLE STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT. *TR
Mileage: 40,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT) AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE PRIOR TO THE REPAIR AND THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.
Mileage: 90,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT VEERED OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID STRIKING A DEER. INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT YET DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,000.
Mileage: 94,000
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL PICKUP AND THE DASH IS CRACKED AND HAVE A COUPLE OF LARGE HOLES APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES WIDE. I HAVE HEARD THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER 2001 DODGE RAM'S THAT HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE WIRING BEHIND THE DASH EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT COMPONENT FAILURE AND POSSIBLY A FIRE RESULTING FROM EXPOSED WIRING. *TR
Mileage: 70,000
2001 DODGE RAM - THE DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING AND HAS SINCE CRACKED FROM FRONT TO BACK AND NOW INTO THE FRONT TRIM PIECES. DASH PIECES ARE NOW FALLING OUT AND POPPING OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS. I AM CONCERNED THE CRACKS MAY AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IN THE CASE OF A COLLISION. THOUSANDS OF THE SAME REPORTS ARE VISIBLE ACROSS THE INTERNET. THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO FIX AS THIS IS NOT A "RECALL ITEM". *TR
MY 2001 DODGE RAM FELL COMPLETELY APART FROM THE DASHBOARD, IT IS NO LONGER THERE. ANYMORE,, AND I HEAR ODD SOUNDS COMING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DASH. *TR
BOUGHT A 2 YR OLD DURANGO WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT AT CARMAX. AT 116,000 MILES IT STARTED KNOCKING. I TOOK IT TO ALLEN SAMUELS DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED THE ENGINE FAILED. WE REPLACED THE ENGINE AT OUR COST FOR 6K, BECAUSE WE STILL OWED 7K ON THE VEHICLE. WE BOUGHT NEW TIRES AS WE DECIDED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE AND TRY TO RECOVER SOME OF THE COST. 3 MONTHS LATER, THE NEW ENGINE FAILED, THE VEHICLE DIED AS I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AND TURNING UNDER AN OVERPASS. I WASN'T AWARE THE VEHICLE HAD DIED, UNTIL I REALIZED THE POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT WHEN I TRIED TO TURN. THE DEALER IS GOING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE THIS TIME, BUT WE HAVE DECIDED WE NEED TO CUT OUR LOSSES AND GET RID OF THE VEHICLE. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP A CAR LIKE THIS. WE HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND THIS IS THE VEHICLE THAT WE TRAVEL IN AS A FAMILY DAILY. IT IS TOTALLY UNDEPENDABLE AND UNSAFE. *TR
Mileage: 116,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.