2001 Dodge RAM 1500 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 0%of 1,112 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 171,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500, 0% of the 1,112 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 171,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Several times while I have been driving on a highway or busy road and the engine gets to normal operating temperature, the engine stalls and shuts off. Then I have to maneuver it to the side of the road and let it cool off approximately 15 minutes and then it cranks back up and I can drive 5 minutes and it does the same thing again, very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11406817, filed 2021-04, 198,000 miles“I turned the key to start the engine and as it started cranking smoke started coming out of the defroster and then fire started coming out the engine hood. Luckily I had a fire extinguisher handy and opened the hood and put out the fire. Wondered where the fire started so tried starting again and fire started immediately at the rear of the engine or on top of the bell housing. I also smelled fuel. The truck was next to my garage and had been driven a few days earlier. If I had not put out the fire my whole house could have burned down. I donated the truck to wheels 4 vets.”
NHTSA complaint #11360192, filed 2020-09, 144,000 miles“The contact owns a 2001 Dodge RAM 1500. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the engine control unit needing to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired twice however, the failure still recurred. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11406884, filed 2021-04, 198,000 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 163 | 23% |
| 2011 | 151 | 22% |
| 2010 | 62 | 13% |
| 2009 | 50 | 7% |
| 2008 | 35 | 6% |
| 2007 | 35 | 7% |
| 2006 | 33 | 4% |
| 2005 | 76 | 6% |
| 2004 | 74 | 7% |
| 2003 | 21 | 2% |
| 2002 | 22 | 3% |
| 2001 | 5 | 0% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500
548 complaintsOther or unknown
113 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
95 complaintsAir bags
84 complaintsElectrical system
81 complaintsSuspension
69 complaintsBrakes
59 complaintsSteering
53 complaintsEngine cooling
51 complaintsTires
33 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
26 complaintsEquipment
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology