2001 Dodge RAM 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001556 · 2002-12-27 (December 27, 2002)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BOLT JOINTS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND HAVE STATED THAT SOME OF THE VEHICLES HAVE THAT PROBLEM AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001556 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001626 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE FRONT TIRES HAVE SIDEWALL SEPARATION CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. SIZE#24575R16 PLEASE PROVIDE THE DOT#. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS *DT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001626 at NHTSA ↗
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 10011913 · 2003-03-05 (March 5, 2003)
NAR 03/17/2003 IN REFERENCE TO A PRODUCT EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE BY CORRECT TRACK INC (REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT SYSTEM) CORPORATION. *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011913 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 10023424 · 2003-06-19 (June 19, 2003)
LIFT PUMP ON 3500 SERIES DODGE RAM WITH CUMMINS DIESEL. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025561 · 2003-07-07 (July 7, 2003)
VEHICLE ROADTREK MOTORHOME CONVERSION OF DODGE 3500 RAM VAN WITH OEM MICHELIN LT245/75R16-E TIRES.VEHICLE INITIALLY REGISTERED ON8/9/01 AND HAS 12,400 ORIGINAL MILES.ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE HAIRLINE CRACKS IN SIDEWALLS CLOSE TO RIM.IS THIS A SAFETY HAZARD OR ONLY A COSMETIC PROBLEM? *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025561 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 ↗