I own a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with the 5.9L Cummins diesel, manufactured in September 2000, with approximately 197,000 miles. The AIRBAG warning light now remains illuminated continuously, and the steering-wheel cruise-control buttons are completely inoperative. The horn still works. I performed the instrument-cluster self-test, and the CRUISE indicator illuminates during that test, confirming the indicator itself functions. I suspect a failure in the steering-wheel clockspring or related airbag circuit because these symptoms are similar to the condition addressed by Chrysler Safety Recall 982 / the federal safety agency Recall 01V153000. The vehicle has not yet been repaired or disassembled for this issue, so the original component remains installed and would be available for inspection if requested. My safety concern is that a clockspring or airbag-circuit failure could prevent the driver’s frontal airbag from deploying properly in a crash. The illuminated AIRBAG warning lamp indicates that the supplemental restraint system has detected a fault. The problem has not yet been diagnosed or confirmed by a dealer or independent repair facility. I contacted the Dodge/Ram Recall Assistance team and reported the condition. They opened a customer-assistance case, but told me that my VIN was not included in Recall 982. My Dodge/Ram case number is 97895685. My truck was manufactured in September 2000, and the 11th character of the VIN is “G.” Because the vehicle is experiencing an airbag warning condition and loss of steering-wheel cruise-control functions similar to symptoms associated with clockspring failure, I am requesting that the federal safety agency review whether vehicles outside the original recall population may be experiencing the same safety-related defect. The AIRBAG warning light and cruise-control failure are the current symptoms. I do not know the exact date the underlying component began to fail. No crash or airbag deployment has occurred.
The worst 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body181
- Steering69
- Suspension39
- Brakes34
- Fuel system32
- Engine28
- Transmission28
- Electrical19
- Airbags18
- Tires16
- Wheels10
- Lights6
- Visibility6
- Acceleration5
- Locks5
- Driver assistance1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500
Ball joint 25Pulling 24Headlights 12Brake failure 11Loss of power 11Stalling 10Fire or smoke 9ABS 8Power steering loss 8Tire blowout 6Overheating 5Steering lock-up 5
Recalls 1
Air bags
- What is wrong
- 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 through october 23, 2000; st. Louis north assembly plant ("j" in the 11th VIN position) from may 19, 2000 through october 23, 2000; lago alberto assembly plant ("m" in the 11th VIN position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000; and saltillo assembly plant ("g" in the 11th VIN position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000. Important: vehicles that have already had the proper clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been excluded from this recall. In addition, 1997-2000 model year vehicles that have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been added to this recall.
- Risk
- When this occurs, the material could interfere with the clockspring ribbon and cause an open circuit. The driver air bag system will become disabled, and the air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the instrument panel.
- 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 clockspring installed, will also be included in this campaign. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 01V153000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500
Defect investigations
2000-2001 dodge ram pickup hood latch
The agency opened this investigation based on 30 complaints alleging that the hoods on model year (my) 2000 and 2001 dodge ram pickup trucks flew up and blocked the driver's vision.these vehicles have a primary hood latch and a secondary (backup) hood latch.the secondary latch is designed to secure the hood if the primary hood latch is not properly closed or otherwise malfunctions.in these complaints, the secondary hood latch malfunctioned, apparently due to corrosion, and did not latch.dodge conducted recall 01v‑040 in 1999 to address similar problems on model year 1994-1997 dodge ram pickup trucks.the information chrysler provided in response to odi's information request letter indicated that the my 2000 and 2001 vehicles were equipped with secondary hood latches with stainless steel return springs, as opposed to the earlier recalled trucks that had zinc coated carbon steel return springs.the recalled components were susceptible to corrosion-induced failure due to the type of material used, whereas the corrosion failures in the newer models appear to be due to lubrication loss over time (regular application of grease is advised per instructions in the owners' manual). Odi's review of chrysler's warranty, complaint, and injury data for the 2000 and 2001 vehicles indicates that the rates for subject vehicles are low and are declining.a potential defect trend has not been identified.this investigation is closed.
PE08047
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 24
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
- Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the...
- This SKU is a Clock Spring
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard...
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to...
- Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision...
- Connecting to the DRB III Emulator for Cummins Engines
- Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY
- Service
What 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 2001 Dodge Ram Instrument Panel has cracked in three pieces causing the defroster & vents to stop working recently due to the moisture/UV Issue. I'm aware of this problem because I participated in the investigation as manager of validation and testing for the manufacturer, Textron Automotive. How can I get a replacement to correct this Safety issue...?
I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500. In 2003, I noticed parts of the dash, starting to break apart. In 2004, I had a major head on collision, and the airbag, did NOT deploy. The damage was extensive, with bent frame. The damage was $17,000 in 2004. I was told by the Chrysler Dealership, that did the repairs, that they could not check the condition of the airbag wiring, because the dashboard was broken. I wonder how many others out there, that have the same issue, with the dashboard, and don't have a working airbag. The other issue I have, is the seatbelt tensioner, has caused the seatbelt, to get chewed up. The belt, is now, no more than an inch wide.
Hood latch Hood came off while driving.
I own a 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 and the truck’s dashboard is disintegrating. Pieces have fallen into my heating system, and I believe that is what’s causing my vacuum issue! It is winter time right now, and i was stranded in 10° weather for hours. I could not stay warm by running the trucks because of these pieces getting into the heating system. My girlfriend put her hand on the dash and it broke and she was cut. I would hate to think if that was one of my small grand children, climbing in and the dash breaking away and them getting injured! I own two other Dodge trucks And the dashboards are just as brittle! The dashboards could be manufactured better. I’ve never had dashboards crumble away like these have! People are getting hurt. Dodge is supposed to be a quality American vehicle! And yet they don’t seem to care that people are getting injured, heating systems aren’t working from pieces getting into the system. I have to drive with the heater fan on high, trying to stay warm during the winter months, and little pieces of plastic have come out of the vents. What if one of those pieces got into my eyes, and cause me to wreck, possibly injuring myself, or injuring others. some may think this is just a cosmetic issue, but it is not! These dashboards need to be a better quality! Sure, dashboards may crack when they’re older! But they shouldn’t crumble that way and sharp brittle pieces, causing injuries! Causing mechanical problems! It’s not right! I tried to upload a picture, but after five attempts of it, not uploading, I gave up
The dashboard in this truck has been crumbling to pieces. It is to the point now the gauge cluster and passenger air bag are barely in place. This is a common occurrence on all of these dodge rams and it is definitely a safety hazard
when car is cold and just started to drive ,and brakes used ,the front brake does not apply and vehicle is slow to stop when abs is disabled all brakes operate normal. I have hit 3 cars because brake did not work. this is a euro brake system installed on vehicles with frt disc and rear drum dodge would not fix after several instances reported to them I have been driving since new and many years with abs disconnected and no accidents since I disconnected the control unit
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's side rear tires were replaced with goodyear tires, tire line: wrangler, tire size: 265/75/16/e, dot number: pjw8hb1v0420. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to drive in straight line after the tires were replaced. The vehicle also wobbled while driving after the tires were replaced. The tires were purchased at a sam's club store. The contact had the vehicle taken back to the sam's club for a full refund of the purchase price. The tires were replaced and the failure was remedied. The tire manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle manufacturer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. The tire failure mileage was unknown. The failure mileage was 70,000. *bf
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle wobbled while driving. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but a failure could not be found. The technician replaced the steering box, ball joint, and front stabilizer shocks; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure began when the vehicle was purchased, but no one could repair the failure. The contact called lithia chrysler jeep dodge of billings (2229 king ave w, billings, mt 59102, (406) 206-3601) and was informed to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked to the point that it fractured into pieces. The contact was concerned that the failure could affect other components. The contact did not know if the dashboard was uv coated. Lithia chrysler jeep dodge of great falls (4025 10th ave s, great falls, mt 59405, (406) 205-3430) was notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.
Compare the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500
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Questions about the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500
Is the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 reliable?
Owners have filed 469 complaints about the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500, 1.3 times a typical RAM 2500 model year.
What is the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 year score?
The 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 scores 66 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Dodge RAM 2500: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500?
Body and structure, with 181 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles. Next is steering (69).
How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 have?
1 recall, covering air bags.
What year does the Dodge RAM 2500 have the most body problems?
The Dodge RAM 2500 model years with the most body complaints are 2001 (181 complaints), 2003 (146 complaints) and 2000 (56 complaints).
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