2001 Dodge RAM 3500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 11%of 130 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,785miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Dodge RAM 3500, 11% of the 130 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,785 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“My truck was in park but still running. I got out to shut the gate and the truck started to accelerate backwards, rolling through my gate, knocking down part of a neighbor's fence, over two cement parking stops and into a tree. When I got to the truck, it was still running and still in park.”
NHTSA complaint #11109759, filed 2018-07, 155,000 miles“2001 w3500 Dodge 4-wheel drive front driver axle lockup. Had input shaft failure occur during snow storm which caused the pinion and ring gear to lock together. When this happened the front end would not turn. Luckily happened at low speed without loss of control or collision. Truck has ~17500 miles on it and chrysler would not cover it under warrantee. I have digital photos of the failed parts if you can provide email address I can submit them.”
NHTSA complaint #10052748, filed 2004-01, 17,500 miles“Nv5600 6 speed transmission has severe gear clash in third and fourth gears. Will not down shift into third gear with gear grinding. Trouble started about 1 month ago, at 92, 000 miles. Dealer tells me that parts are not available to repair and they are not sure if Dodge is having a problem. Tsb 21-009-01 indicates Dodge knew of problems in 01, but have not done much since then.”
NHTSA complaint #10173231, filed 2006-11, 92,015 miles“Transmission in my vehicle had to be rebuilt. The mechanic stated 2nd gear was burnt out and the transmission was shot. Had to change torque converter and bands. The mechanic stated the holes in the trnasmission were to samll and would not let fluid flow freely and keep the transmission cool. Therefore the transmission had to be replaced. The fuel pump has also been replaced twice on this vehicle and it is only 3 years old.”
NHTSA complaint #10052448, filed 2004-01, 80,570 miles“There is a grinding noise in the standard 6 speed transmission that gets worse when it is in the reverse gear. This could result in transmission going out at anytime. The cause of the noise was undetermined.”
NHTSA complaint #10038179, filed 2003-10, 98,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 28 | 8% |
| 2011 | 9 | 4% |
| 2010 | 8 | 5% |
| 2009 | 4 | 4% |
| 2008 | 10 | 6% |
| 2007 | 14 | 7% |
| 2006 | 22 | 9% |
| 2005 | 32 | 16% |
| 2004 | 64 | 30% |
| 2003 | 26 | 9% |
| 2002 | 5 | 11% |
| 2001 | 14 | 11% |
| 2000 | 8 | 14% |
| 1999 | 22 | 21% |
| 1998 | 19 | 18% |
| 1997 | 26 | 21% |
| 1996 | 19 | 15% |
| 1995 | 19 | 18% |
| 1994 | 10 | 14% |
| 1992 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2001 Dodge RAM 3500
31 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsTires
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Dodge RAM 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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