2001 Dodge RAM Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe vague, wandering steering and tired front-end parts — ball joints, tie rod ends, track bars and steering boxes — sometimes replaced repeatedly. Transmission complaints are nearly as common, with erratic shifting, sudden loss of gears and fluid leaks reported from low mileage onward. A long-running plastic dashboard cracking complaint rounds out the most frequent three, and brake and airbag complaints frequently appear alongside.

1. 1
   Steering

   Vague or wandering steering, loose front-end parts

   • 48 complaints (15%)
   • median 49,000 mi at 3.2 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2011

   Complaints describe excessive play in the steering, the truck swaying or drifting across the road, and in some cases the wheel turning without the front tires responding. Owners report mechanics finding worn ball joints, loose tie rod ends and pitman arms, worn track bars, and sloppy steering gear boxes; several say the steering box was replaced more than once without curing the wandering. Dealers are described as performing repeated repairs, and in some cases declining further help. Spread across the sample from very low mileage (under 5,000 miles) to well over 100,000 miles, with many reports in the 40,000-85,000 mile range.

   Recall 00V307000

   What to check: Have a shop check ball joints, tie rod ends, the track bar and steering box play before buying, and ask for service records showing whether the steering box or front-end parts were already replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On my way to work, as usual, on a slightly bumpy part of the highway my steering wheel and front end started vibrating so violently that I almost lost control. I could barely hold the steering wheel; and could not steer at all; all I could do was start braking and come to a stop. I got out and checked my tires and front end and everything appeared normal. I continued to work at about 40 MPH (I had gone to work early so no traffic) . At 8:00 I called my local mechanic and took it to him to check out what happened. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10430142, filed 2011-10, 201,000 miles

   “Steering column problems have been reported 5 times, repaired 4 times in which the clock spring (safety recall 982) was replaced 2 times. Left outer mirror vibrates at highway speeds impairing visibility when merging with traffic. Truck is not safe for highway use. ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis***764311”

   NHTSA complaint #10007150, filed 2002-07, 10,630 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Cracked plastic dashboard

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe cracks spreading from the windshield toward the front of the dash, chunks breaking loose and falling into or behind the instrument panel, and exposed wiring. Owners say the dealer treated it as cosmetic and declined to repair it, and some report being told their vehicle was not covered by a recall. A few mention related interior plastic failures, and several raise concern about sharp edges and exposed wiring. Failure mileage in the sample ranges from about 36,000 to 116,000 miles, with cracks often reported to begin within two to three years of purchase.

   What to check: Inspect the top of the dash along the windshield for hairline cracks or missing pieces, and check that dash wiring is not exposed. Ask whether the dash has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 diesel pickup and the dash is cracked and have a couple of large holes approximately 8 inches wide. I have heard that there are many other 2001 Dodge RAM's that have this same problem. I am concerned about the wiring behind the dash exposed to the elements. I am concerned about component failure and possibly a fire resulting from exposed wiring.”

   NHTSA complaint #10259913, filed 2009-02, 70,000 miles

   “I own a 2001 Dodge that (just like everyone else) has many cracks from the windshield to the front of the dash (plastic). This problem started about two yrs after purchase. I am lucky that all of the electrical in the dash still works, but it looks like crap. The sunglass door on the overhead console (plastic) is broken. The cup holder (plastic) is broken. This is crazy everyone with an 01 Dodge RAM knows there was a problem with the plastic that went into the interior. Please do what you can to make these people stand behind there product. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10290057, filed 2009-10, 40,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shifting problems and loss of drive

   • 30 complaints (9%)
   • median 42,500 mi at 3.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2009

   Owners describe the transmission upshifting and downshifting on its own, the overdrive light coming on with the check engine light, and the truck dropping into a single gear until the ignition is cycled. Others report sudden loss of power at highway speed, a loud clank with the engine revving, fluid leaking where the transmission meets the engine, and full transmission replacement. Complaints mention repeated dealer repairs and, in one case, partial warranty coverage for a second failure. Mostly reported between roughly 26,000 and 90,000 miles, with some failures described as starting well under 20,000 miles.

   What to check: Test drive through several upshift and downshift cycles, check for delayed or harsh engagement and the overdrive light, and look for red fluid weeping at the bellhousing. Ask whether the transmission or shift linkage has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My transmission consisitently acted up from about 15,000 mile to the present. At 38,000 miles after numerous trips to the dealership the tranny finally stopped completely. Now 11 months and 20,000 miles later it is going out again and chrylsler says they will only pay for part of it this time leaving me with about 2,800 in repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #10069060, filed 2004-01, 38,000 miles

   “The transmission is not shifting properly. Went to my mechanic after the check engine light came on. Electronic testing indicated two problems: (1) tune up was needed; (2) sensors in transmission indicated problem. When I bought the truck at anderson Dodge in bloomfield hills, michigan, I was not informed of the 7-year/70,000 mile warranty on the power train. I found this out only after contacting the chrysler (Dodge) web site that I had the 7/70,000 warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10069752, filed 2004-01, 52,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pedal going to the floor or brakes locking

   • 29 complaints (9%)
   • median 26,000 mi at 2.3 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2005

   Owners report the brake pedal sinking to the floor with little or no warning, needing the parking brake to stop, and calipers seizing or brakes locking during normal application. Some say the ABS pump activated at low speed and made the pedal hard to press, and that replacing the ABS sensor and modulator did not resolve it. Others describe rapid front brake wear, with the dealer calling it normal service life. Complaints cluster from very low mileage (under 10,000 miles) through about 50,000 miles, with several owners reporting repeat failures after dealer repairs.

   Recall 04V185000

   What to check: Ask for brake service records, check pedal feel for a low or spongy pedal, and inspect the ABS module connector and brake lines for corrosion or leakage.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The steering wheel was hard to turn while driving at a low speed. The vehicle wandered across the road. The vehicle has been to the dealer on three separate occasions. The dealer replaced the steering box on two separate occasions and made some other repairs, however the problem continued. The consumer stated the brakes would grab, however the mechanic informed the consumer that was the way ABS worked.”

   NHTSA complaint #10105235, filed 2004-12, 7,380 miles

   “Dt: the contact complained about brake failure on four different occasions. There were no warning signs, indicating a problem with the brake system. When brakes fail there is also loss of steering control. When the brakes are applied the pedal will go all the way to the floor. The only way to stop the vehicle is to apply the hand brake. The dealer tried to repair the vehicle on three different occasions. After a period of time the brakes will fail again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10141290, filed 2005-10, 9,079 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a crash

   • 35 complaints (11%)
   • median 61,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 34 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2009

   Complaints describe frontal impacts, sometimes at 25-40 mph, where neither the driver nor passenger airbag deployed and occupants were injured. Owners say there was no prior warning and the airbag warning light was not illuminated before the crash. In most reports the vehicle was towed and the manufacturer or insurer was contacted for a cause. Reported across a wide mileage span in the sample, from low-mileage trucks to ones past 90,000 miles, and in collisions of varying severity.

   Recall 01V153000

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning light comes on at startup and then goes out, and ask whether the vehicle has any airbag-related repair history or open recall work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dt: the air bags on the driver and passenger sides did not deploy. This happened on september 28, 2005. Contacted the manufacturer, there was no forewarning , and the airbag warning light was not on prior to the crash. This was a frontal impact, it totaled both vehicles involved.”

   NHTSA complaint #10138331, filed 2005-10, 86,000 miles

   “Dt: on august 30, 2005 the caller's husband was involved in an accident while traveling 25 MPH. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. The caller's vehicle hit a school bus. There was no indication that the air bag would not deploy. Caller's husband was injured. A police report was taken. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. Caller said a week before the wreck she had the vehicle at the dealer for brakes, she said the brakes locked and the tires made a screeching sound. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10135373, filed 2005-09, 36,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on steering and front-end parts, transmission behavior and brake function is worthwhile on this model year, since those are the areas owners write about most. Also inspect the dashboard plastic and confirm any open recalls have been completed.

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.