2001 Dodge RAM Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RAM years
- Far more complaints than other years 6th of 17 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 9 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 318 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Dodge RAM. That ranks 6th out of 17 RAM model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (53 complaints, 17%), typically at around 49,000 miles. Complaints mention 53 crashes, 9 fires, 21 injuries. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 318owner complaints
- 9safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 53complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2001 Dodge RAM problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering problems | 53 | 17% | 49,000 | “steering box” (17%) | — |
| Power Train problems | 50 | 16% | 39,000 | “consumer states” (12%) | — |
| Air Bags | 46 | 14% | 36,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 42 | 13% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 32 | 10% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 29 | 9% | 48,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 24 | 8% | 48,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 20 | 6% | 35,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 | 4% | 87,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 13 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 12 | 4% | 12,815 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 11 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 8 | 3% | 43,251 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 8 | 3% | 56,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 8 | 3% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 8 | 3% | 62,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 7 | 2% | 116,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | 1% | 63,500 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 1% | 35,000 | — | — |
| Trailer Hitches | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0% | 46,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2001 Dodge RAM recalls (9)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Problem: On certain van and wagon vehicles equipped with 4-wheel antilock brake systems (abs), aftermarket batteries may leak electrolyte onto the abs control module connector, which can compromise sealing integrity of the connector.
Risk: This may allow development of a short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the abs control module connector for electrolyte damage and replace the connector as necessary. The recall will begin on september 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Problem: On certain pickup trucks, the alternator wire connection to the power distribution center (pdc) can loosen.
Risk: This could cause a vehicle fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the installation of the alternator wire connection to the pdc and if necessary, reposition the wire so that the crimp connection will face upward and tighten the fastener to the correct torque setting. Owner notification began may 20, 2002. 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.
Tires
Problem: Vehicle description: certain 2500 wagons were equipped with incorrect load range tires.
Risk: This could cause a tire to blow out if the vehicle is operated at the maximum gross vehicle weight. .
Fix: Dealers will replace the load range 'd' tires with correct load range 'e' tires. Owner notification began september 24, 2001. 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.
Electrical system:wiring
Problem: Vehicle description: vans and wagons not equipped with power front seats. In the presence of road salt, water, and possibly other debris, the power seat connector located beneath the driver's seat could develop a high resistive short circuit that cycles the circuit breaker.
Risk: If the circuit breaker cycles for an extended period of time, heat could build up in the connector, possibly resulting in a fire.
Fix: Owners will receive instructions for removing the circuit breaker from the fuse panel. If an owner desires, their dealer can perform the repair. Owner notification began august 27, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Problem: Vehicle description: vans. A substitute wheel lug nut tightening process may not have been sufficient to assure proper torque of the lug nuts.
Risk: Improper wheel lug nut torque could allow a wheel to loosen and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wheel lug nuts for proper torque and correct if necessary. Owner notification began june 4, 2001. All owners have been contacted.
Air bags
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:rear
Problem: Vehicle description: quad cab pickup trucks equipped with a camper package and overload springs. The rear axle spacer plate could lead to deformation of the upper spring plate during assembly of the axle to the vehicle resulting a soft joint.
Risk: The soft joint could cause the rear axle u-bolts to lose clamp load, resulting in displacement of the rear axle and a loss of vehicle control. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will remove the spacer plates and the spring plates will be replaced. Owner notification began february 5, 2001. 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.
Child seat
Problem: Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." some of the owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions that provide a step-by-step procedure, including diagrams, for properly attaching a child restraint system's tether strap to the tether anchorage.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Fix: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
Suspension:front:control arm:upper arm
Problem: Vehicle description: quad cab pickup trucks. The upper control arms attached with cadmium coated nuts can cause the bolts to stretch due to the application of a higher than specified clamp load. Breakage of the upper control arm fasteners could cause the axle to rotate forward under braking conditions.
Risk: This rotation could twist the steering linkage and possibly separate the brake lines, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the upper control arm bolts and nuts.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- 2000-2001 dodge ram pickup hood latch (PE08047) — opened Jul 25, 2008, closed Dec 17, 2008.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
2001 dodge ram. Consumer stated that their vehicle exploded while driving on the highway. The consumer is requesting to swap out the old vehicle with a new comparable vehicle.
Dashboard has broken up like a jig saw puzzle. *tr
Multiple cracks in the dash have occurred, forming sharp edges and points that are hazardous in case of hard stops or accidents. The manufacturer refuses to acknowledge danger, stating this is a cosmetic issue, but the sharp, hard plastic is indeed a safety hazard. A mandatory recall and…
The dashboard is cracked all over and is falling apart completely. I feel there needs to be a recall and this needs to be replaced because this is a safety hazard!!! Dodge has not fixed this issue and i will not buy another vehicle from this maker again until it is fixed. *tr
I purchased brand new, a 2001 dodge ram 2500 quad cab truck. The trucks dash has so many cracks in it, that they now have ran into each other and large areas have fallen out. This is a manufacturing defect that dodge refuses to do anything about. These cracks have been in my dash for years. It is…
Other Dodge RAM years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 RAM | 0 | 4 |
| 2010 RAM | 27 | 5 |
| 2009 RAM | 9 | 5 |
| 2008 RAM | 25 | 2 |
| 2007 RAM | 17 | 1 |
| 2006 RAM | 25 | 0 |
| 2005 RAM | 40 | 0 |
| 2004 RAM | 58 | 1 |
| 2003 RAM | 53 | 2 |
| 2002 RAM | 116 | 2 |
| 2001 | 318 | 9 |
| 2000 RAM | 147 | 6 |
| 1999 RAM | 366 | 9 |
| 1998 RAM | 483 | 13 |
| 1997 RAM | 398 | 7 |
| 1996 RAM | 625 | 10 |
| 1995 RAM | 611 | 12 |
See all Dodge RAM problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Dodge RAM?
Owners most often report steering, power train, air bags problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 53 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Dodge RAM?
Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2001 Dodge RAM a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RAM model years, the 2001 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.