2001 Dodge RAM 1500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,112 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 740 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 483 of 1,112 complaints (43.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 144 | 12.9% |
| Braking behavior | 88 | 7.9% |
| Steering behavior | 77 | 6.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 71 | 6.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 14 | 1.3% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 0.9% |
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 | 483 |
| Unknown Or Other | 113 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 58 |
| Electrical System | 53 |
| Structure:Body | 46 |
| Air Bags | 44 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 38 |
| Steering | 26 |
Structure: 483; Unknown Or Other: 113; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 58; Electrical System: 53; Structure:Body: 46; Air Bags: 44; Air Bags:Frontal: 38; Steering: 26
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 49 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 141 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 200 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 165 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 129 |
| 150,000 and above | 56 |
Under 25,000: 49; 25,000 to 49,999: 141; 50,000 to 74,999: 200; 75,000 to 99,999: 165; 100,000 to 149,999: 129; 150,000 and above: 56
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (200). 372 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 | 4 |
| 2001 | 42 |
| 2002 | 55 |
| 2003 | 60 |
| 2004 | 77 |
| 2005 | 66 |
| 2006 | 59 |
| 2007 | 166 |
| 2008 | 124 |
| 2009 | 104 |
| 2010 | 99 |
| 2011 | 64 |
| 2012 | 40 |
| 2013 | 26 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2015 | 23 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2001: 42; 2002: 55; 2003: 60; 2004: 77; 2005: 66; 2006: 59; 2007: 166; 2008: 124; 2009: 104; 2010: 99; 2011: 64; 2012: 40; 2013: 26; 2014: 34; 2015: 23; 2016: 17; 2017: 12; 2018: 18; 2019: 5; 2020: 2; 2021: 7; 2022: 3; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 144 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 88 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 77 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000193 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)
AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, SEATBELT DIDN'T LOCK UP. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 36,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000193 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000659 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
DAIMLER CHRYSLER MAILED A LETTER INFORMING ME OF A RECALL ON TH 4E POWER DISTRIBUTION CCENTER GENERATOR CABLE CONNECTION ON MY TRUCK. MY SPOUSE TOOK THE TRUCK TO DON MARSHELL DODGE AND SERVICE CENTER . 716 NORTH HWY 27 P.O. BOX1509, SOMERSET, KY 42502, TELEPHONE # [phone removed]. THE TRUCK WAS SCHEDULED FOR ANOTHER REPAIR BUT MY HUSBAND BROUGHT THE LETTER AND ASKED THAT THE CABLE ALSO BE FIXED. THE SERVICE PERSON LOOKED A THE LETTER, LAID IT DOWN AND SAID THAT THEY "LOOKED' AT IT AND IT WAS FINE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REFUSED TO FIX THE CABLE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000659 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001141 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
CAR STALLED NUMEROUS TIME AT ANY SPEED DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDED FURTHER. TS *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001141 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001574 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES MICHELIN TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING OVER A SHEET OF PLASTER. ONE MILE LATER ANOTHER TIRE STARTED TO LEAK AIR. TRUCK ALWAYS EXHIBITED A PULL / WANDER CONDITION WHICH STOPPED AFTER REPLACING MICHELIN TIRES. *TT *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 23,760 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002382 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED AND TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, BOTH FRONT TIRE TOUCH MOUNTS BRACKET BOLT. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003083 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM WITH 23,600 MILES ON IT. TWO WEEKS AGO THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED 2 HOURS FORM MY HOUSE. IT LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH A TRUCK LOAD OF HUNTING GEAR. OF COURSE IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. DIAMLER CHRYSLER COULD CARE LESS THAT IT WAS 9PM AND I HAD NO WAY HOME. THE DEALER IN ANNAPOLIS REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION - THEY CLAIMED THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK. 3 DAYS AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE BACK, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL AGAIN. NOW ITS AT LEESBUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004620 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TS CONSUMER BELIEVED THE BRAKES MAY HAVE LOCKED UP.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005408 · 2003-02-06 (February 6, 2003)
REAR BRAKES LOCKING UP. ABS OPTION INSTALLED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005408 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V153000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2001-05-08 (May 8, 2001)
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 NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V504000 · Tires
Reported: 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)
ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SNOW PLOW PREPARATION PACKAGE, THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT P245/75R16 TIRES TO MEET THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND ACCOMMODATE THE ADDITION OF A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SNOW PLOW AND HARDWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
NHTSA campaign record ↗