2001 Dodge RAM 2500 Problems
- Complaints
- 469filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles, 317 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often report a cracking, disintegrating dashboard, followed by steering wobble and front-end shake at highway speeds. Diesel models also draw repeated reports of fuel lift pump failure that can lead to loss of power, and several owners describe rusted rear brake lines. Many complaints come in between roughly 50,000 and 120,000 miles, with several dash reports appearing at low mileage.
- Body and structure
Dashboard cracking and breaking apart
- 166 complaints (35%)
- median 90,023 mi at 7.0 yrs old (127 state mileage)
- 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2003–2022
Owners describe cracks appearing across the top of the dash that spread until pieces break off or fall into the defroster and wiring area. Many say the plastic becomes brittle and crumbles at a touch, leaving sharp edges, and some report that the opening around the passenger airbag or exposed wiring worries them. Dealers and the manufacturer generally declined assistance once warranty coverage had ended, according to the complaints, and some owners replaced the dash themselves. Reported from as low as about 35,000 miles up through 150,000 miles, often a few years after purchase and frequently noted as worsening over time.
What to check: Inspect the top of the dash and the area around the passenger airbag for cracks, missing pieces or exposed wiring, and ask whether the dash has already been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Entire dashboard crumbling, cracking, falling apart, disintegrating on 2001 Dodge RAM 2500. I believe this to be a significant safety issue as vehicle wiring is exposed and entire support structure of dash especially around the passenger safety air bag is falling apart. I believe this issue has rendered the air bag useless. Plastic shards are razor sharp and dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10346974, filed 2010-08, 100,000 miles“I'm the original owner of one 2001.5 Dodge 2500, in 1997 the dash has started to develop cracks, today its in little pieces, I'm afraid to drive the vehicle as the dash might collapse entirely o the wiring causing an electrical fire. I turned to chrysler for help and was told they take no responsibility whatsoever.”
NHTSA complaint #10470697, filed 2012-08, 50,000 miles - Fuel system
Diesel fuel lift pump failure and power loss
- 46 complaints (10%)
- median 82,150 mi at 5.4 yrs old (38 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2001–2018
Owners of diesel trucks describe sudden loss of power or stalling while driving, merging or accelerating, and say the lift pump failed and in some cases took the injection pump with it. Complaints mention diagnosis at the dealer, replacement of the pump, and concern that the failure gives little or no warning. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 105,000 miles, often during acceleration or while merging with traffic.
What to check: Ask whether the lift pump and injection pump have been replaced and when, and have fuel pressure checked as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was driving south on interstate 5 california the truck just died on the highway. I was stuck in 105 degree heat for 2 hours before the tow truck got there. I had no water and I am a cancer survivor. I have been extremely ill ever since. Very tired and I have no appetite. 4,200 hundred truck repair bill. I had to pay because I have no other transportation.”
NHTSA complaint #10464513, filed 2012-07, 150,000 miles“Diesel engine looses power while driving. This usually happens while accelerating. When you press on the accelerator, nothing happens. Takes a minute before it recovers and you can accelerate again. I tow a 5th wheel rv which makes more dangerous. Happened on the interstate once while trying to pass. This was fixed by the dealer. They replaced the injector pump. It's my understanding there was a recall on school busses with these engines for the same thing. Maybe it should be looked into further.”
NHTSA complaint #10143280, filed 2005-11, 65,000 miles - Steering
Highway speed wobble and front-end shake
- 86 complaints (18%)
- median 55,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (52 state mileage)
- 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
- owner-quoted repair $1,400 (median of 5 quotes)
- filed 2000–2019
Owners describe a violent shake of the front end after hitting a bump at highway speed, with the steering wheel hard to hold and the truck difficult to keep straight. Some link it to worn front suspension and steering parts such as ball joints or the steering gear box, and complaints note that dealers sometimes could not reproduce or diagnose the shake. Typically reported between about 40,000 and 100,000 miles, usually at highway speeds after a bump or while driving over rough pavement.
What to check: Drive the truck at highway speed over a bumpy stretch, and have the front ball joints, tie rods and steering box checked for play before buying.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My main reason for this complaint is it is known across the united states that Dodge put a faulty front suspension on its pickups that lead to dangerous steering at highway speeds and death wobbles. My vehicle has the death wobble at highway speeds, understand this death wobble literally tries to pull the steering wheel from your hand and makes the vehicle very hard to manage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10563554, filed 2014-02, 96,000 miles“My vehicle was in motion driving on a highway at the rate of 45mph-50mph my husband was driving, I was passenger, and my 2 year old son was in his car seat in the back. All the sudden we hit a small bump in the road, no bigger than your average pot holes and the entire truck broke out into an abrupt shake! It was throwing my husbands and my body around the shake was so intense the steering was controllable but extremely hard. It felt as though our tires were flying right off the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11093758, filed 2018-05, 229,000 miles - Brakes
Rusted rear brake lines and brake fluid loss
- 31 complaints (7%)
- median 95,000 mi at 10.0 yrs old (25 state mileage)
- 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2000–2021
Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor with little warning, traced to rear brake lines above the fuel tank or along the frame that were heavily rusted and leaking. Complaints mention replacement of the lines and, in one case, a collapsed brake hose causing the truck to pull and grab on one side. Reported from about 80,000 to nearly 200,000 miles, more often on trucks driven in salt-belt conditions.
What to check: Have the brake lines above the fuel tank and along the frame inspected for rust, and ask whether any have been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was driving today and while coming up to a stop sign I applied my brakes only to find out I had none. The rear brake line that runs on the drivers side corroded really bad behind the gas tank and blew. Luckily there were no other vehicles around or else an accident could have happened. After doing some research, I find this is a very common problem on these vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10482810, filed 2012-10, 195,888 miles“(1) front brakes grab on one side, vehicle swerves to one side and jerks to stop (2) brake hose into calipers callapsed . Break pads wear prematurely, rotors overheat. Loss of braking on affected side. (3) brake hose, calipers, pads, and rotors replaced. Insident occurred on left side after 40,000 miles of driving. Replaced hose on left side; both calipers, pads, and rotors on bohth sides. At 80,000 miles, right side hose collapsed. Requires hose on right side; caliper, pads, and rotor replacements on both sides. …”
NHTSA complaint #10125268, filed 2005-06, 40,000 miles
Buying note. Check the dashboard condition and brake line rust carefully, and on diesel trucks ask for fuel pump service records. A highway test drive at speed is worth doing to look for front-end shake.
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.
NHTSA recorded 469 consumer complaints for the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500. 317 of the complaints include a mileage, and 23% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 84,000 miles. Of all complaints, 20 involved a crash, 11 a fire, 17 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 23 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure181 39%
- Steering69 15%
- Suspension39 8.3%
- Other or unknown36 7.7%
- Brakes34 7.2%
- Fuel system32 6.8%
- Transmission and drivetrain28 6.0%
- Engine cooling26 5.5%
- Electrical system19 4.0%
- Air bags18 3.8%
Also reported: Tires (16), Wheels (10), Equipment (7), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (6), Exterior lighting (5), Latches, locks and linkages (5), Vehicle speed control (5), Engine (2), Electronic stability control (1), Interior lighting (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1).
Example complaints
Body and structure: “Driving down the highway hood flew open at 65 MPH. I had been driving the truck for several hours previously never touched the hood latch release arm in the truck in fact the hood had not been open in several weeks. I think there are still faulty hood latches out there on some of these trucks and the owners need to be notified.”
NHTSA complaint #10449381, filed 2012-02, 147,000 milesSteering: “Problems with steering, and vibration/wobble in the front of our 2001 Dodge RAM 2500. No resolution as of yet. Dodge can't find the problem. Replaced track bar, but problem has returned. Steering wanders, hard to keep truck on the road. Vibration in front returned once again. I have heard there is an after market steering stabilizer that can take care of this problem. Why doesn't Dodge fix it with this steering stabilizer?”
NHTSA complaint #10361437, filed 2010-10, 50,000 milesSuspension: “Air bag light is on and can't get it out . And the doors are all rotted on the bottom and is the only thing that rotted on my truck I take good care of my truck. And that is a big disappointment in this truck. And the front end that's hard to keep up with. I only have 118000 on it. And know the motor will go a long ways the cummins 25 valve.”
NHTSA complaint #10263222, filed 2009-03, 100,000 milesOther or unknown: “The dashboard on my 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 began to crack, now there are several cracks in the dash. This vehicle is in a heated garage most of the time and the windows are open when in the garage during the summer and winter. The vehicle is well cared for and clean, I see no reason for this to have occurred. There are several cracks now across the dashboard on the top part.”
NHTSA complaint #10415852, filed 2011-07, 86,500 milesMileage when problems were reported
23% of the 317 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 117,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 01V153000May 8, 2001Air bagsCovers: Dodge RAM 2500 2000–2001, RAM 1997–2001, Dakota 1997–2000 +3 more
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…
Recall details for the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 23 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10229256Jul 22, 2020Electrical system. KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the…
- 10221686Jul 22, 2020Electrical system. KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the…
- 10175743Apr 30, 2020Equipment, Body and structure. Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
- 10175735Apr 22, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty…
- 10176211Mar 23, 2020Air bags, Electrical system. This SKU is a Clock Spring. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the internal spring. If the internal spring is not seated, the electrical circuit for the horn…
- 10220101Nov 20, 2019Body and structure. Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10220099Nov 20, 2019Body and structure. Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
- 10220097Nov 20, 2019Equipment, Body and structure. Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 10169249Nov 20, 2019Equipment, Body and structure. Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10169247Nov 20, 2019Equipment. Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
Other model years of the Dodge RAM 2500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 283 | 52,498 | 4 | — | — | 61 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 298 | 43,059 | 4 | — | — | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 236 | 50,000 | 4 | — | — | 37 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 214 | 55,000 | 5 | — | — | 49 · Typical | Rising |
| 2008 | 317 | 60,000 | 7 | — | — | 69 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 361 | 60,000 | 8 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 670 | 78,000 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 422 | 82,700 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 582 | 70,000 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 661 | 77,100 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 155 | 68,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 469 | 84,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 211 | 80,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 313 | 90,490 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 225 | 92,200 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 213 | 97,360 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 291 | 145,000 | 0 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 267 | 121,336 | 0 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 168 | 114,000 | 0 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1993 | 39 | 107,200 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 32 | 118,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 16 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
All Dodge RAM 2500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500?
Owners of this model year most often report a cracking, disintegrating dashboard, followed by steering wobble and front-end shake at highway speeds. The issues reported most often: Dashboard cracking and breaking apart; Diesel fuel lift pump failure and power loss; Highway speed wobble and front-end shake.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 have?
NHTSA recorded 469 consumer complaints for the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 181 complaints (39% of the total), followed by steering with 69.
Has the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 reported?
Among the 317 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 84,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 117,000 miles; 23% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.