2000 Dodge RAM 2500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report a cracked, crumbling dashboard and front-end steering and suspension wear that makes the truck wander or shake. Diesel trucks also draw repeated complaints about fuel lift and injection pump failures that stall the engine, and about corroded steel brake lines that leak and leave a soft or dead pedal.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Dashboard cracking and crumbling

   • 64 complaints (30%)
   • median 86,000 mi at 9.1 yrs old (45 state mileage)
   • filed 2004–2023

   Owners describe the plastic dash top cracking around the defroster vents and screw holes, then breaking into chunks and collapsing until holes appear above the instrument cluster, radio and climate controls. Several say pieces fell into the vents and blew out at passengers, exposed wiring, or interrupted defroster airflow; a few report the dash was replaced and cracked again. Complaints describe dealers telling owners the problem is common but declining repairs, sometimes because the truck was out of warranty, and mention a partial cost offer in one case. Mostly reported between roughly 35,000 and 120,000 miles, often after several years of sun exposure.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the whole dash top and the area around the vents and cluster for cracks, soft spots or prior repairs, and look for loose trim held by zip ties or screws. Ask whether the dash has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dash board has desintegrated due to faulty materials. Dash has been covered since about 2 weeks after date of purchase which was dec 31st 1999. Truck was ordered straight from the factory an I am the only owner of the vehicle since day 1. Set papers on dash and when I picked them up realised a soft spot in the dash mat. Lifted mat to find large hole in dash.”

   NHTSA complaint #10786979, filed 2015-10, 130,000 miles

   “The dashboard in my truck with only 92,000 miles is developing numerous cracks at the windshield area near the defroster vents, and around the mounting screws near the windshield. I have personally seen this in at least 10 other ram trucks, and have found hundreds of pages on the internet of people complaining about this problem. Some have huge holes in the dash top! I've seen pictures of this. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10184663, filed 2007-03, 81,500 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Diesel lift and injection pump failure causing stalls

   • 21 complaints (10%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $2,800 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2015

   Owners of the Cummins diesel describe the engine stalling or losing power without warning at highway speed, sometimes with the check engine light on, and being unable to restart. Dealers typically replaced the lift pump or injection pump, and several owners report repeat failures. One complaint notes a fuel gauge reading about half full when the tank ran dry. Reported from about 20,000 to 100,000 miles, including a failure soon after warranty ended.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the lift pump or injection pump has been replaced, and when. A fuel pressure check before purchase is a reasonable request.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving behind an 18 wheeler on us hwy 67 north of newport, ar. I attempted to pass this vehical. After reaching approx. 2/3 past this vehical I lost all power in my 2000 Dodge 2500 model pick up 24 valve cummins diesel with out any warning from any gauges that there was a problem with the engine. I had to take emergency action not to cause a crash from oncoming traffic. I had my truck towed to a garage to have it repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10192695, filed 2007-06, 92,150 miles

   “Lift pump failed on my 2000 Dodge ram 5.9 cummins engine only 1500 miles after the warranty lapsed (happened at 101,500). Since the timeframe was so close, would like to see if I can recoup some $$$ for the parts, I mean c'mon, $2800 (less $800 core charge) for this part, and so close to after the warranty expired ? Have talked to other owners of trucks like mine, via the internet, in person etc., and was referred to this site. Is there or has there been any attempts made to recall this part ? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10118363, filed 2005-04, 101,228 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake lines rusting through and leaking

   • 36 complaints (17%)
   • median 76,447 mi at 6.2 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2022

   Complaints describe steel brake lines rusting until fluid leaks, usually near the frame above the rear axle or around the fuel tank area, leaving the pedal soft or going to the floor. One owner found the rear line rubbing against the cab floor until it wore through. Repair was typically replacement of the affected line, and some owners expected more lines to fail. Reported from about 50,000 to 135,000 miles, with several cases far higher; complaints suggest rust-belt and coastal use.

   What to check: Have the brake lines inspected along the frame and above the rear axle for rust and seepage, and check for a spongy or long pedal. Ask whether any lines have already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving, the consumer applied the brake pedal and it went down to the floor. Consumer somehow stopped the vehicle without incident. Consumer determined the rear brake line was rubbing the cab floor which caused the brake line to wear and leak brake fluid.”

   NHTSA complaint #10059762, filed 2004-04, 51,000 miles

   “Brakes failed unexpectedly. No accident. Got out of truck to check and saw brake fluid running out of hole in the top of the frame behind auxiliary fuel tank. Was able to carefully limp home with it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10285287, filed 2009-09, 232,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering wander, shimmy and front-end shake

   • 51 complaints (24%)
   • median 85,500 mi at 4.5 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2023

   Owners report the truck wandering or needing constant correction to stay straight, and a front-end shake that can become violent at speed and only stops when the truck slows. Complaints describe replacing the track bar, tie rod ends and steering box, and in some cases the shake continued after front suspension parts were replaced. One owner says a steering box failure led to loss of power steering. Reported across a wide range, from about 20,000 to 128,000 miles.

   What to check: Drive it at highway speed and over uneven pavement, and have the front end checked for play in the track bar, tie rod ends and steering box before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The steering on my 2000 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 has been sloppy/wanders for about the past two years. First, I replaced all four tires with the same standard tires. I then had it aligned and the mechanic couldn't get the steering wheel straight. So I took it to the dealer, and they recommended an independent alignment shop. There the mechanic replaced the track bar and got the steering wheel straight. That seemed to tighten up the steering wheel a bit. Several months later the wheel was sloppy again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10106319, filed 2005-01, 45,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2000 Dodge RAM 2500. The contact was driving 50 MPH and was having difficulty maintaining the vehicle in a straight line. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 80,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10442205, filed 2012-01, 20,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls without warning

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Several complaints describe the engine shutting off while driving, at speeds from about 30 mph upward and once while pulling a trailer, which also removed power steering and power assist for the brakes. Some owners were able to restart and reach a dealer; others had the truck towed and it was not diagnosed, or the fuel pump was named as the reason. Reported from about 33,000 to 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the truck has ever stalled and whether the cause was found. Check that the idle is steady and that the engine restarts reliably after a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving 45 MPH consumer heard a loud banging noise coming from the front of the vehicle. A dark gray plume of smoke was coming from under the hood, along with some fluids. Consumer was able to get over to the shoulder and call a tow truck. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who informed the consumer that another transmission was needed. The vehicle already had a transmission replacement at 13,000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10044573, filed 2003-10, 53,000 miles

   “Unexpected engine stall on highway while pulling trailer. Lead to loss of power steering, brakes, etc. Narrowly avoided major accident on highway. Found out later there is a seriously high failure rate of diesel injection pumps due to poor design.”

   NHTSA complaint #10158374, filed 2006-05, 75,000 miles

Buying note. Look closely at the dashboard, the brake lines and the front steering and suspension before buying, since those account for most of what owners report. On diesel trucks, ask about fuel pump service history, and treat any unexplained stalling as a reason to get the truck checked before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.