2001 Dodge RAM 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
130 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
83,238 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 78 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 130 complaints (17.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 23 | 17.7% |
| Braking behavior | 17 | 13.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 6.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 6.2% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure | 23 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 8 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Suspension:Front | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 |
Structure: 23; Steering: 10; Fuel System, Diesel: 8; Air Bags: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Structure:Body: 6; Suspension:Front: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 15 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 15
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 52 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 21 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2000: 3; 2001: 8; 2002: 15; 2003: 11; 2004: 21; 2005: 10; 2006: 8; 2007: 5; 2008: 6; 2009: 3; 2010: 14; 2011: 5; 2012: 9; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003025 · 2003-01-20 (January 20, 2003)
VEHICLE HANDLING.......STEERING WANDER.......SWAY........FAILURE TO TRACK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010013 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
THE POWER STEERING FAILED OR LOCKED UP, WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO INCIDENT. THERE WERE INJURIES.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010013 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063139 · 2004-03-12 (March 12, 2004)
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKES, ROTORS, AND REAR DRUMS EVERY 6000-7000 MILES. CONSUMER DID NOT DO ANY HAULING OR HEAVY TRANSPORTING WITH VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM WAS SERIOUS BECAUSE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AT TIMES, ONCE ALMOST HIT A CHILD. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT REAR DRUMS HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HE WAS AFRAID THAT HE COULD BE INVOLVED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063139 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063285 · 2004-03-16 (March 16, 2004)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A FRONT BRAKE ROTOR PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10063285 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022099 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED UP HILL AND NO WARNING TRANSMISSION WILL DECELERATE EVEN WHEN FOOT IS ON THE ACCELERATOR, AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022099 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029588 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT SWITCHES IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 51,345 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029588 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10203126 · 2007-09-16 (September 16, 2007)
DASH BOARD CRACKING/COLLAPSING, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SECONDARY TO DASH PROBLEMS. BROKEN PLASTIC PIECES OF THE DASH ARE NOW PROJECTILES FOR ME AND MY FAMILY IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT, OR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10203126 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10250119 · 2008-11-29 (November 29, 2008)
I HAVE AN 2001 DODGE RAM 3500. THE DASH IS BROKEN IN MANY PLACES AND FALLING INTO THE DASH COMPARTMENT. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH WIRING OR AIRBAG COMPONENTS IF NOT FIXED. THERE IS NO REASON DODGE SHOULD NOT HAVE ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT SEAMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEMS WITH DODGE TRUCKS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10250119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052448 · 2004-01-05 (January 5, 2004)
TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE REBUILT. THE MECHANIC STATED 2ND GEAR WAS BURNT OUT AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. HAD TO CHANGE TORQUE CONVERTER AND BANDS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE HOLES IN THE TRNASMISSION WERE TO SAMLL AND WOULD NOT LET FLUID FLOW FREELY AND KEEP THE TRANSMISSION COOL. THEREFORE THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL PUMP HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,570 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10156572 · 2006-05-02 (May 2, 2006)
THE FUEL TRANSFER PUMP DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH PRESSURE TO PROPERLY SEND ENOUGH FUEL TO THE DIESEL INJECTION PUMP WHICH FAILED AT 74,365 MILE ON THE 2001 DODGE 3500 PICKUP. THIS CREATED A LOSS OF POWER OR ACCELERATION AT THE DESIRED TIME OR LEVEL NEEDED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF POWER. THE DEALER CLAIMS THE INJECTOR PUMP FAILED DUE TO AFTER MARKET CHIP INSTALLED BY ORIGINAL OWNER. BUT THE SELLING DODGE DEALER OF THIS USED VEHICLE DID NOT REPLACE WITH FACTORY CHIP WHEN SOLD TO ME LAST OCTOBER. VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 22,000 MILES T…
Owner-reported narrative. 73,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10156572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096610 · 2004-10-12 (October 12, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE "LIFT PUMP" FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096610 at NHTSA ↗