2001 dodge ram. Consumer stated that their vehicle exploded while driving on the highway. The consumer is requesting to swap out the old vehicle with a new comparable vehicle.
The worst 2001 Dodge Ram 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.
- Steering53
- Transmission50
- Airbags46
- Suspension42
- Brakes34
- Engine30
- Body24
- Electrical20
- Acceleration14
- Tires13
- Visibility12
- Fuel system11
- Seat belts11
- Locks8
- Wheels8
- Lights3
- Seats2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Dodge Ram
No deployment 25Pulling 17Ball joint 12Stalling 9Brake failure 7Grinding brakes 7Fire or smoke 7Power steering loss 7Check engine light 5Engine failure 5Knocking 5
Recalls 9
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- 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 integrity of the connector.
- Risk
- This may allow development of a short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.
- 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 daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 04V185000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks, the alternator wire connection to the power distribution center (pdc) can loosen.
- Risk
- This could cause a vehicle fire.
- 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 correct torque setting. Owner notification began may 20, 2002. 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 02V042000 · Recall details
Tires
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: certain 2500 wagons were equipped with incorrect load range tires.
- Risk
- This could cause a tire to blow out if the vehicle is operated at the maximum gross vehicle weight. .
- 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 upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 01V289000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- 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 seat could develop a high resistive short circuit that cycles the circuit breaker.
- Risk
- If the circuit breaker cycles for an extended period of time, heat could build up in the connector, possibly resulting in a fire.
- 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 who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 01V253000 · Recall details
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: vans. A substitute wheel lug nut tightening process may not have been sufficient to assure proper torque of the lug nuts.
- Risk
- Improper wheel lug nut torque could allow a wheel to loosen and cause a crash without warning.
- 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.
Recall number 01V184000 · Recall details
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
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- 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 the axle to the vehicle resulting a soft joint.
- Risk
- The soft joint could cause the rear axle u-bolts to lose clamp load, resulting in displacement of the rear axle and a loss of vehicle control. This could increase the risk of a crash.
- 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 service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 01V008000 · Recall details
Child seat
- What is wrong
- 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 owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions that provide a step-by-step procedure, including diagrams, for properly attaching a child restraint system's tether strap to the tether anchorage.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
Recall number 00V366000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm
- What is wrong
- 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. Breakage of the upper control arm fasteners could cause the axle to rotate forward under braking conditions.
- Risk
- This rotation could twist the steering linkage and possibly separate the brake lines, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the upper control arm bolts and nuts.
Recall number 00V307000 · Recall details
See all 9 recalls for the 2001 Dodge Ram
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 76
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Catalytic converter warranty coverage customer reminder letter. tt
- Generic cummins engine control module (PCM) procedure. tt this bulletin replaced 18-030-03. tt this...
- Vacuum pump service. tt
- Generic cummins engine control module (PCM) procedure. tt
- Intermittent locking/unlocking of doors without activating the power door lock switch. tt
- Procedures for servicing the seat belt latch plate cinch bar. tt
- Transmission shifter linkage rattle present at the driver side floor pan area when the engine is idling. tt
- Engine knock or rattle sound when climbing a long grade and towing a heavy trailer. tt
- Revision of flash process for new engine control module (ECM) from cummins. slc this bulletin supersedes...
- Some engines may exhibit a hesitation upon acceleration after a cold start up. tt
2001 Dodge Ram fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9L 6‑cyl | RWD | 12 | 15 | 14 |
| 5.2L 8‑cyl | RWD | 11-12 | 15-17 | 12-14 |
| 5.9L 8‑cyl | RWD | 11 | 16 | 13 |
What 2001 Dodge Ram owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dashboard has broken up like a jig saw puzzle.
Multiple cracks in the dash have occurred, forming sharp edges and points that are hazardous in case of hard stops or accidents. The manufacturer refuses to acknowledge danger, stating this is a cosmetic issue, but the sharp, hard plastic is indeed a safety hazard. A mandatory recall and replacement of the dash plastic should be ordered.
The dashboard is cracked all over and is falling apart completely. I feel there needs to be a recall and this needs to be replaced because this is a safety hazard!!! Dodge has not fixed this issue and I will not buy another vehicle from this maker again until it is fixed.
I purchased brand new, a 2001 dodge ram 2500 quad cab truck. The trucks dash has so many cracks in it, that they now have ran into each other and large areas have fallen out. This is a manufacturing defect that dodge refuses to do anything about. These cracks have been in my dash for years. It is not heat related because I purchased the truck in washington state and was there for several years before coming to california. This is an electrical hazard and a flying object hazard, should I hit someone or they hit me and pieces start flying from the dashboard. This is a nation wide problem with the dashes from dodge, it's time they do something about it. These cracks have gotten worse and worse over the years.
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. He check everything and nothing showed. The next day it happened again; then again 2 days later. About 2 weeks later I took pickup in for regular oil/fuel/air filter change service. He test drove with me along and I explained further what happened. He said he has seen it before with dodge 2500 & 3500 and it has been labeled the "dodge death wobble". I thank god I was not in a busy traffic area.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the tie rod on the front drivers side detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The contact expressed concern over a potential crash if the failure occurred while driving. The failure mileage was 84,000. Updated 08/31/11
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram. The contact stated while driving at any speeds the vehicle drifted from side to side. The contact stated the vehicle became difficult to control. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the steering box but the steering box did not remedy the failure. The steering box was replaced five times. The dealer stated that the steering box was defective. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint but they have not provided any assistance. The contact stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was 270,676.
The vehicle is a 2001 dodge ram truck. The dash board has cracked and poses a safety hazard by dangerous sharp pieces. If I was in an accident one of these pieces could inflict potentially severe injury.
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.
Compare the 2001 Dodge Ram
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Questions about the 2001 Dodge Ram
Is the 2001 Dodge Ram reliable?
Owners have filed 318 complaints about the 2001 Dodge Ram, 8.0 times a typical Ram model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2001 Dodge Ram year score?
The 2001 Dodge Ram scores 5 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Dodge Ram: 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?
Steering, with 53 complaints, typically around 49,000 miles. Next is transmission (50).
How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Ram have?
9 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system and tires.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Dodge Ram get?
Official estimates for the 2001 Dodge Ram range from 12 to 14 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.9L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 12 city and 15 highway.
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