DODGE RAM 2500 · model year

2001 DODGE RAM 2500

561 NHTSA complaints, 23 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001DODGERAM 2500 carries 561 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 23 crashes, 18 fires, 21 injuries, and 0 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 2500 is structure with 145 filings, followed by steering (39) and unknown or other (33). 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 2 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 2500, 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.

561
Complaints
23
Crashes
18
Fires
21
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

561 filings

Crashes Reported

23 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE145
STEERING39
UNKNOWN OR OTHER33
STRUCTURE:BODY29
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION16
SUSPENSION13
SUSPENSION:FRONT12
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL12
AIR BAGS10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE9
SERVICE BRAKES9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC8

Recalls (2)

06E02400015/03/2006

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999,

01V15300008/05/2001

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

Recent Complaints

20240830UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My 2001 Dodge Ram Instrument Panel has cracked in three pieces causing the defroster & vents to stop working recently due to the moisture/UV Issue. I'm aware of this problem because I participated in the investigation as manager of validation and testing for the manufacturer, Textron Automotive. How can I get a replacement to correct this Safety issue...?

20240402AIR BAGS

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500. In 2003, I noticed parts of the dash, starting to break apart. In 2004, I had a major head on collision, and the airbag, did NOT deploy. The damage was extensive, with bent frame. The damage was $17,000 in 2004. I was told by the Chrysler Dealership, that did the repairs, that they could not check the condition of the airbag wiring, because the dashboard was broken. I wonder how many others out there, that have the same issue, with the dashboard, and don't have a working airbag. The other issue I have, is the seatbelt tensioner, has caused the seatbelt, to get chewed up. The belt, is now, no more than an inch wide.

20240402ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500. In 2003, I noticed parts of the dash, starting to break apart. In 2004, I had a major head on collision, and the airbag, did NOT deploy. The damage was extensive, with bent frame. The damage was $17,000 in 2004. I was told by the Chrysler Dealership, that did the repairs, that they could not check the condition of the airbag wiring, because the dashboard was broken. I wonder how many others out there, that have the same issue, with the dashboard, and don't have a working airbag. The other issue I have, is the seatbelt tensioner, has caused the seatbelt, to get chewed up. The belt, is now, no more than an inch wide.

20240402UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500. In 2003, I noticed parts of the dash, starting to break apart. In 2004, I had a major head on collision, and the airbag, did NOT deploy. The damage was extensive, with bent frame. The damage was $17,000 in 2004. I was told by the Chrysler Dealership, that did the repairs, that they could not check the condition of the airbag wiring, because the dashboard was broken. I wonder how many others out there, that have the same issue, with the dashboard, and don't have a working airbag. The other issue I have, is the seatbelt tensioner, has caused the seatbelt, to get chewed up. The belt, is now, no more than an inch wide.

20230508UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Hood latch Hood came off while driving.

20230206UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I own a 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 and the truck’s dashboard is disintegrating. Pieces have fallen into my heating system, and I believe that is what’s causing my vacuum issue! It is winter time right now, and i was stranded in 10° weather for hours. I could not stay warm by running the trucks because of these pieces getting into the heating system. My girlfriend put her hand on the dash and it broke and she was cut. I would hate to think if that was one of my small grand children, climbing in and the dash breaking away and them getting injured! I own two other Dodge trucks And the dashboards are just as brittle! The dashboards could be manufactured better. I’ve never had dashboards crumble away like these have! People are getting hurt. Dodge is supposed to be a quality American vehicle! And yet they don’t seem to care that people are getting injured, heating systems aren’t working from pieces getting into the system. I have to drive with the heater fan on high, trying to stay

20220928STRUCTURE:BODY

The dashboard in this truck has been crumbling to pieces. It is to the point now the gauge cluster and passenger air bag are barely in place. This is a common occurrence on all of these dodge rams and it is definitely a safety hazard

20211122CrashSERVICE BRAKES

when car is cold and just started to drive ,and brakes used ,the front brake does not apply and vehicle is slow to stop when abs is disabled all brakes operate normal. I have hit 3 cars because brake did not work. this is a euro brake system installed on vehicles with frt disc and rear drum dodge would not fix after several instances reported to them I have been driving since new and many years with abs disconnected and no accidents since I disconnected the control unit

20200721TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH GOODYEAR TIRES, TIRE LINE: WRANGLER, TIRE SIZE: 265/75/16/E, DOT NUMBER: PJW8HB1V0420. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DRIVE IN STRAIGHT LINE AFTER THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO WOBBLED WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT A SAM'S CLUB STORE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN BACK TO THE SAM'S CLUB FOR A FULL REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *BF *AS

Mileage: 70,000

20191204SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE STEERING BOX, BALL JOINT, AND FRONT STABILIZER SHOCKS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, BUT NO ONE COULD REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED LITHIA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF BILLINGS (2229 KING AVE W, BILLINGS, MT 59102, (406) 206-3601) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 250,000.

Mileage: 250,000

20190225STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED TO THE POINT THAT IT FRACTURED INTO PIECES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD AFFECT OTHER COMPONENTS. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE DASHBOARD WAS UV COATED. LITHIA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF GREAT FALLS (4025 10TH AVE S, GREAT FALLS, MT 59405, (406) 205-3430) WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

Mileage: 121,000

20181011ENGINE

PCM HAS BEEN REPLACE FOR THE 2ND TIME SINCE THE ORIGINAL ONE. THE DEALER HAS SENT OUT THE PCM FOR REPROGRAMMING. IT WAS RETURNED AND THE PCM DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IF THEY CAN NOT FIND A USED ONE, THE TRUCK IS TOTALLY WORTHLESS. DODGE HAD STOPPED PRODUCING THE PCM. BECAUSE OF THIS DODGE IS FORCING ME TO REPLACE A PERFECTLY GOOD TRUCK EXCEPT FOR THE PCM. BECAUSE THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN IN CALIFORNIA EXCEPT FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS, THERE IS NO RUST. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO BUY A NEW/USED TRUCK BECAUSE DODGE DOES NOT WANT TO MAKE THE PCM. THEY ARE PRODUCING VEHICLES KNOWING THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE FIXED AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT TIME.

Mileage: 150,000

20180514STEERING

MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT THE RATE OF 45MPH-50MPH MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, I WAS PASSENGER, AND MY 2 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN HIS CAR SEAT IN THE BACK. ALL THE SUDDEN WE HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, NO BIGGER THAN YOUR AVERAGE POT HOLES AND THE ENTIRE TRUCK BROKE OUT INTO AN ABRUPT SHAKE! IT WAS THROWING MY HUSBANDS AND MY BODY AROUND THE SHAKE WAS SO INTENSE THE STEERING WAS CONTROLLABLE BUT EXTREMELY HARD. IT FELT AS THOUGH OUR TIRES WERE FLYING RIGHT OFF THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND BRAKED AND THE VIOLENT SHAKE SEIZED AND WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND PARKED THE TRUCK. WE CHECK AND SHOOK ALL TIRES THEY WERE SECURE. WE LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK EVERYTHING SEEMED IN PLACE AND SECURE. ONCE WE GOT HOME I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND LEARNED OF THE "DEATH WOBBLE" MOST DODGE TRUCKS HAVE BECAUSE OF THE "Y" STEERING BAR WHICH MOST YEARS HAVE A RECALL TO FIX THE ISSUE HOWEVER WHEN I CALLED MY LOCAL DODGE THEY INFORMED ME MY YEAR OF TRUCK DOESN'T HAVE THE RECALL. THIS "DEATH WOBBLE" HA

Mileage: 229,000

20180514WHEELS

MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT THE RATE OF 45MPH-50MPH MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, I WAS PASSENGER, AND MY 2 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN HIS CAR SEAT IN THE BACK. ALL THE SUDDEN WE HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, NO BIGGER THAN YOUR AVERAGE POT HOLES AND THE ENTIRE TRUCK BROKE OUT INTO AN ABRUPT SHAKE! IT WAS THROWING MY HUSBANDS AND MY BODY AROUND THE SHAKE WAS SO INTENSE THE STEERING WAS CONTROLLABLE BUT EXTREMELY HARD. IT FELT AS THOUGH OUR TIRES WERE FLYING RIGHT OFF THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND BRAKED AND THE VIOLENT SHAKE SEIZED AND WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND PARKED THE TRUCK. WE CHECK AND SHOOK ALL TIRES THEY WERE SECURE. WE LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK EVERYTHING SEEMED IN PLACE AND SECURE. ONCE WE GOT HOME I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND LEARNED OF THE "DEATH WOBBLE" MOST DODGE TRUCKS HAVE BECAUSE OF THE "Y" STEERING BAR WHICH MOST YEARS HAVE A RECALL TO FIX THE ISSUE HOWEVER WHEN I CALLED MY LOCAL DODGE THEY INFORMED ME MY YEAR OF TRUCK DOESN'T HAVE THE RECALL. THIS "DEATH WOBBLE" HA

Mileage: 229,000

20180428STEERING

I INSTALLED CHRYSLER PARTS KIT 52122362AL, UPGRADED STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK TIE ROD, AND 68039930AA PITMAN ARM ON MY 2001,5 DODGE RAM 2500 4X4 TRUCK. IT EASILY REPLACED EXISTING PARTS NEEDING ONLY A DIFFERENT STEERING DAMPER TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL PARTS. I HAVE SINCE BEEN LEARNED THAT THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK PARTS ARE RECALLED AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON 2003-2008 TRUCKS. RECALLS I AM AWARE OF ARE H46 AND N62. MY LEFT TIE ROD END BALL STUD HAS NOT BROKEN YET BUT THE POSSIBILITY IS VERY SERIOUS. I THINK DODGE RAM 1500/2500/3500 SERIES TRUCKS FROM MODEL YEARS 2001 AND 2002 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS.

Mileage: 245,000

20180110ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE THE TRUCK SHUT DOWN. NO POWER TO THE ENGINE, LIGHTS ETC. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND MENTION OF A WIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT AFTER A FEW YEARS OF TILTING THE STEERING WHEEL UP AND DOWN THE WIRE WILL BREAK. I REMOVED THE ACCESS COVER TO THE STEERING COLUMN AND FOUND THE RED MAIN POWER WIRE HAD BROKEN OFF. I WAS LUCKY THIS HAPPENED AS I STOPPED MY VEHICLE. MY CONCERN IS IF I OR SOMEONE ELSE IS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AND THIS WIRE BREAKS ALL POWER TO THE STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. IS LOST. I HAVE TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE WIRE IN MY TRUCK BUT I WILL NO LONGER TILT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR FEAR OF THIS WIRE BREAKING AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND I AM AMAZED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL.

Mileage: 220,000

20171109SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS ON THE FRAME RAIL FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR HAD A BLOW OUT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE GAS TANK WHEN PRESSING THE BREAK PEDDLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN MY DRIVEWAY

Mileage: 189,000

20170613TIRES

LT 265/75 R16 HERCULES TERRA TRAC A/T DELAMINATING THE SAME AS THEIR OTHER TIRES INVOLVED IN AN EARLIER RECALL DOT CODE UTW8 HWC 2705 46505-1 R 30104

Mileage: 88,357

20170607SUSPENSION

WHEN EXITING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND COASTING AND HITTING A BUMP THE TRUCK SHOOK VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF ALMOST LOOSING CONTROL. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOR A CAUSE IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE RAMS CALLED THE DEATH WOBBLE.. IT NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND HAVE A PROBLEM BELIEVING SOMETHING SO EXTREME COULD BE WORN BUSHINGS OR SUSPENTION PARTS THAT WEAR OUT OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

Mileage: 534,013

20170526SERVICE BRAKES

REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND BLEW OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE ALL STOPPING POWER. THE LINE BLEW OUT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR NEAR THE GAS TANK. LINE IS VERY CORRODED AND THIS IS A FAULTY MANUFACTURERS DEFECT

Mileage: 100,143

Compare 2001DODGERAM 2500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 have?
The 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 has 561 NHTSA complaints, 23 crashes, 18 fires, 21 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 DODGE RAM 2500?
Yes, the 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 DODGE RAM 2500?
The most-complained component for the 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 is STRUCTURE with 145 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.