The 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 has 2 safety recalls and 469 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (181 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints469filed by owners
Crashes · fires20 · 11reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths17 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA recall 06E024000 · Mar 15, 2006 · 44,386 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Risk: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
Fix: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
Air bags
NHTSA recall 01V153000 · May 8, 2001 · 216,100 vehicles
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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Structure Body; Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments
181
2
2
7
92,000 mi
Steering Gear box (other than rack and pinion); Hydraulic power assist system
73
4
0
1
50,000 mi
Suspension Front; Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
43
0
0
0
68,000 mi
Unknown or other
33
0
0
1
79,482 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine › Diesel
32
0
13
0
100,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Clutch assembly
30
0
0
1
69,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
25
1
0
1
79,000 mi
Air bags Frontal; Side/window
19
7
0
4
98,000 mi
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel; Wiring › Interior/under dash
19
0
2
1
102,000 mi
Tires Tread/belt; Temporary/emergency spare tire
16
1
0
0
88,357 mi
Fuel system, diesel Storage › Tank assembly
13
0
0
0
51,878 mi
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery › Fuel pump; Fuel injection system
11
0
0
0
86,128 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 20, 2026Air bags I own a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with the 5.9L Cummins diesel, manufactured in September 2000, with approximately 197,000 miles. The AIRBAG warning light now remains illuminated continuously, and the steering-wheel cruise-control buttons are completely inoperative. The horn still works. I performed the instrument-cluster self-test, and the CRUISE indicator illuminates during that test, confirming the indicator itself functions. I suspect a failure in the steering-wheel clockspring or related airbag circuit because these symptoms are similar to the condition addressed by Chrysler Safety Recall 982 / NHTSA Recall 01V153000. The vehicle has not yet been repaired or disassembled for this issue,…
Jul 2, 2024Unknown or other My 2001 Dodge Ram Instrument Panel has cracked in three pieces causing the defroster & vents to stop working recently due to the moisture/UV Issue. I'm aware of this problem because I participated in the investigation as manager of validation and testing for the manufacturer, Textron Automotive. How can I get a replacement to correct this Safety issue...?
Mar 1, 2024Air bags I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500. In 2003, I noticed parts of the dash, starting to break apart. In 2004, I had a major head on collision, and the airbag, did NOT deploy. The damage was extensive, with bent frame. The damage was $17,000 in 2004. I was told by the Chrysler Dealership, that did the repairs, that they could not check the condition of the airbag wiring, because the dashboard was broken. I wonder how many others out there, that have the same issue, with the dashboard, and don't have a working airbag. The other issue I have, is the seatbelt tensioner, has caused the seatbelt, to get chewed up. The belt, is now, no more than an inch wide.
May 4, 2023Unknown or other Hood latch Hood came off while driving.
Nov 19, 2021 · 1 injuryUnknown or other I own a 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 and the truckâs dashboard is disintegrating. Pieces have fallen into my heating system, and I believe that is whatâs causing my vacuum issue! It is winter time right now, and i was stranded in 10° weather for hours. I could not stay warm by running the trucks because of these pieces getting into the heating system. My girlfriend put her hand on the dash and it broke and she was cut. I would hate to think if that was one of my small grand children, climbing in and the dash breaking away and them getting injured! I own two other Dodge trucks And the dashboards are just as brittle! The dashboards could be manufactured better. Iâve never had dashboards crumble…
May 1, 2019Structure › Body The dashboard in this truck has been crumbling to pieces. It is to the point now the gauge cluster and passenger air bag are barely in place. This is a common occurrence on all of these dodge rams and it is definitely a safety hazard
Nov 22, 2001 · crashService brakes when car is cold and just started to drive ,and brakes used ,the front brake does not apply and vehicle is slow to stop when abs is disabled all brakes operate normal. I have hit 3 cars because brake did not work. this is a euro brake system installed on vehicles with frt disc and rear drum dodge would not fix after several instances reported to them I have been driving since new and many years with abs disconnected and no accidents since I disconnected the control unit
Jul 9, 2020 · 70,000 milesTires TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH GOODYEAR TIRES, TIRE LINE: WRANGLER, TIRE SIZE: 265/75/16/E, DOT NUMBER: PJW8HB1V0420. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DRIVE IN STRAIGHT LINE AFTER THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO WOBBLED WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT A SAM'S CLUB STORE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN BACK TO THE SAM'S CLUB FOR A FULL REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
PE08047 · opened Jul 25, 2008 · closed Dec 17, 20082000-2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP HOOD LATCH THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN…