2001 Dodge RAM 2500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
469 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
84,300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 319 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 145 of 469 complaints (30.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 82 | 17.5% |
| Braking behavior | 55 | 11.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 52 | 11.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 21 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 18 | 3.8% |
| Engine operation | 15 | 3.2% |
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 | 145 |
| Steering | 39 |
| Unknown Or Other | 33 |
| Structure:Body | 29 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 16 |
| Suspension | 13 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 12 |
| Suspension:Front | 12 |
Structure: 145; Steering: 39; Unknown Or Other: 33; Structure:Body: 29; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 16; Suspension: 13; Fuel System, Diesel: 12; Suspension:Front: 12
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 22 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 51 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 54 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 72 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 71 |
| 150,000 and above | 49 |
Under 25,000: 22; 25,000 to 49,999: 51; 50,000 to 74,999: 54; 75,000 to 99,999: 72; 100,000 to 149,999: 71; 150,000 and above: 49
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (72). 150 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 | 6 |
| 2001 | 30 |
| 2002 | 22 |
| 2003 | 43 |
| 2004 | 32 |
| 2005 | 31 |
| 2006 | 18 |
| 2007 | 57 |
| 2008 | 41 |
| 2009 | 30 |
| 2010 | 39 |
| 2011 | 27 |
| 2012 | 29 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 30; 2002: 22; 2003: 43; 2004: 32; 2005: 31; 2006: 18; 2007: 57; 2008: 41; 2009: 30; 2010: 39; 2011: 27; 2012: 29; 2013: 12; 2014: 12; 2015: 14; 2016: 3; 2017: 9; 2018: 4; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 82 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 55 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 52 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 10000269 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY 2001 DODGE 2500 PICKUP SHORTED OUT CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE UNDER THE DASHBOARD.
Owner-reported narrative. 67,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000823 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
EARLY DECEMBER RPMS OF MOTOR WERE HIGHER THAN NORMAL IN OVERDRIVE AND IT WOULD DISENGAGE ITSELF OUT OF OVERDRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY.12/13/02 BOB VALENTI'S SERVICE DEPT REPLACED SELENOID,SCANNED TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE & RESET VALVES. PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. ON 12/18/02 TRANSMISSION LOST EVERY GEAR BUT 1ST GEAR. SERVICE DEPT NOW TELLS ME SHAFT FOR TRANSMISSION PUMP BROKE & I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION.DODGE WILLING TO PAY 1/2 FOR PARTS BUT MY BILL IS STILL $3,000.00. I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD PAY FOR ANY OF THIS. THEY SHOULD PAY ALL OF IT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000823 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001940 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN. POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED. TIRE PRESSURE WAS TOO LOW. STEERING BOX FAILED AND REPLACED. WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND REPLACED. VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT AT 40 MPH. CLUNKING NOISE FROM PARK TO REVERSE. FOUND NORMAL OPERATION. OIL LEAK IN FRONT OF MOTOR. OVERFLOW BOTTLE TOO FULL. VEHICLE WANDERED ALL OVER THE ROAD. STEERING BOX ADJUSTED. AND LOW TIRE PRESSURE WAS TO BLAME. CONSOLE ON SEAT DOESN'T CLOSE PROPERLY. TURBO WHISTLES ON ACCELERATIO…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,525 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002383 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003435 · 2003-01-26 (January 26, 2003)
STEERING WANDER ON 2001 2500 SERIES DODGE QUADCAB PICKUP. DUE MOSTLY TO FAULTY TRACK BAR.AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT SPECS ARE TO WIDE A RANGE AND IT CAN BE IN SPEC BUT STILL WANDER ALL OVER ROAD. YOU CAN DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND FOR NO REASON AT ALL THE TRUCK WANDERS INTO THE OTHER LANE. YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY COUNTER STEER BACK AND FORTH TO KEEP TRUCK ON THE ROAD. IT IS DANGEROUS NUMEROUS TIMES IVE ENDED UP IN DIFFERENT LANES AND OFF ONTO THE BURM OF TH ROAD. THE DEALER FORRER DODGE TOLD ME THAT THEIR REPLACING TRACK BARS ALL THE TIME AND HAVE EVE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003533 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER AFTER TURNING A CORNER AND IT WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD AT ALL SPEEDS. IT TRIES TO FOLLOW ANY CHANGE IN ROAD SURFACE. DEALER HAS CHANGED OUT THE FOLLOWING PARTS WITH NO HELP. ( GEAR BOX, LOWER STEERING SHAFT, ALL 4 TIE RODS, ALIGNMENTS) I HAVE NEARLY SIDESWIPPED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS 8 TIMES AND A TOTAL OF 11 DAYS. THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO TRY NEXT.
Owner-reported narrative. 29,231 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003533 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005059 · 2003-02-01 (February 1, 2003)
MY NEW TRUCK AT 29000 MILE BEGAN TO WANDER SPORADICALLY. IT FEELS AS IF THE TRUCK HITS A PATCH OF ICE THEN REGAINS ITS TRACTION BUT NO ICE CLEAR DRY PAVEMENT IT LEAVES ME FEELING AS IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK AT THE WRONG TIME...WHEN I HAVE MY LOVED ONES IN IT...FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY PLEASE HELP...DODGE SAYS IT DRIVES LIKE A DODGE...ITS SURE DOESN'T DRIVE LIKE IT SHOULD, OR LIKE WHEN IT WAS NEW UP TO 29000MILES. ITS GOT MA PROBLEM AND I KNOW IT...I FEEL IT EVEN IF THEY DON'T. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005991 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
WHILE BACKING OUT VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED UP MAKING VEHICLE UNABLE TO DRIVE. DEALER STATES THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED, PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 21,709 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005991 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 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 ↗