MYRModel Year Report

2001 Dodge RAM

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2001 Dodge RAM
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
318
Recalls
14

Campaigns on file for 2001

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

18% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 2 complaints 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 22 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 23 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1993: 56 complaints 1994: 481 complaints 1994 1995: 612 complaints 1996: 625 complaints 1997: 398 complaints 1998: 483 complaints 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 147 complaints 2001: 318 complaints 2001 318 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 53 complaints 2004: 58 complaints 2005: 40 complaints 2006: 25 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2008: 25 complaints 2009: 9 complaints 2010: 27 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 22 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 23 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 56 complaints 1994: 481 complaints 1994 1995: 612 complaints 1996: 625 complaints 1996 1997: 398 complaints 1998: 483 complaints 1998 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 147 complaints 2001: 318 complaints 2001 318 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 53 complaints 2004: 58 complaints 2004 2005: 40 complaints 2006: 25 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2008: 25 complaints 2008 2009: 9 complaints 2010: 27 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 22 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 23 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 56 complaints 1994: 481 complaints 1994 1995: 612 complaints 1996: 625 complaints 1996 1997: 398 complaints 1998: 483 complaints 1998 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 147 complaints 2001: 318 complaints 2001 318 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 53 complaints 2004: 58 complaints 2004 2005: 40 complaints 2006: 25 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2008: 25 complaints 2008 2009: 9 complaints 2010: 27 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints

2001: 318 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19842
198510
198618
198718
198822
198928
199023
199152
199263
199356
1994481
1995612
1996625
1997398
1998483
1999366
2000147
2001318
2002116
200353
200458
200540
200625
200717
200825
20099
201027
20110

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

18% · 57 reports

Most commonly citing gear box (other than rack and pinion) and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states that while driving at 55 MPH the consumer lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road causing damage to the front and rear of the vehicle and also bent the frame.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-13

Power train

16% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH

Air bags

14% · 46 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer state while traveling 75 MPH in result of an frontal vehicle car crash vehicle air bags did not deploy at any time vehicle was total. Please provide further information.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-06

I sent an email to glen hartzeim of hartzeim Dodge on 9/30/02 stating what happened and if he could direct me on what course of action to take.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-16

Consumer fell asleep at steering wheel, and had a head-on collison, vehicle was totaled, and air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained some injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2000-11-09

Suspension

14% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing front and upper ball joint.

CRASH

Service brakes

11% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

14 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2000-10-30Suspension00V307000 Vehicle description: quad cab pickup trucks. The upper control arms attached with cadmium coated nuts can cause the bolts to stretch due to the application of a higher than specified clamp load.…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the upper control arm bolts and nuts.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2000-11-12Child seat00V366000 Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems." Some of the…

    Remedy: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. ▮
    2001Complaint volume 318 complaints filed for this model year.
  4. R
    2001-02-05Suspension01V008000 Vehicle description: quad cab pickup trucks equipped with a camper package and overload springs. The rear axle spacer plate could lead to deformation of the upper spring plate during assembly of…

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the spacer plates and the spring plates will be replaced. Owner notification began February 5, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2001-06-04Wheels01V184000 Vehicle description: vans. A substitute wheel lug nut tightening process may not have been sufficient to assure proper torque of the lug nuts.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wheel lug nuts for proper torque and correct if necessary. Owner notification began June 4, 2001. All owners have been contacted.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2001-06-18Air bags01V153000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began June 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2001-08-27Electrical system01V253000 Vehicle description: vans and wagons not equipped with power front seats. In the presence of road salt, water, and possibly other debris, the power seat connector located beneath the driver's…

    Remedy: Owners will receive instructions for removing the circuit breaker from the fuse panel. If an owner desires, their dealer can perform the repair. Owner notification began August 27, 2001. Owners…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2001-09-24Tires01V289000 Vehicle description: certain 2500 wagons were equipped with incorrect load range tires.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the load range 'd' tires with correct load range 'e' tires. Owner notification began September 24, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2002-05-20Electrical system02V042000 On certain pickup trucks, the alternator wire connection to the power distribution center (Pdc) can loosen.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the installation of the alternator wire connection to the pdc and if necessary, reposition the wire so that the crimp connection will face upward and tighten the fastener to the…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2004-09-27Service brakes, hydraulic04V185000 On certain van and wagon vehicles equipped with 4-wheel antilock brake systems (ABS), aftermarket batteries may leak electrolyte onto the ABS control module connector, which can compromise sealing…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ABS control module connector for electrolyte damage and replace the connector as necessary. The recall will begin on September 27, 2004. Owners should contact…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…

    Remedy: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2007-09-05Equipment07E066000 Certain cequent 90 degree 7-way right angle adaptors sold by distributors in tow packages for aftermarket sales to tow 5TH wheel rv travel trailers. Due to incorrect wiring of the harness, the…

    Remedy: All of the defective tow packages are still at the distributor level and have not been sold to any consumers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    2008-07-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-12-17 2000-2001 Dodge RAM Pickup hood latch
  14. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2001 Dodge RAM — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 57 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 51 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 46 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 00V307000 · Suspension
  • Recall 00V366000 · Child seat
  • Recall 01V008000 · Suspension
  • Recall 01V184000 · Wheels
  • Recall 01V153000 · Air bags
  • Recall 01V253000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 01V289000 · Tires
  • Recall 02V042000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 04V185000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E066000 · Equipment
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2001 Dodge RAM reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Dodge RAM is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Dodge RAM?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge RAM have?
14 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.