The 2001 Dodge Ram has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,842,427 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 417 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC04V1850002004-04-1244,588 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE ALTERNATOR WIRE CONNECTION TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER (PDC) CAN LOOSEN.
Consequence
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…
TIRES01V2890002001-09-10151 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 2500 WAGONS WERE EQUIPPED WITH INCORRECT LOAD RANGE TIRES.
Consequence
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…
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.
Consequence
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.
WHEELS01V1840002001-06-05212 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS. A SUBSTITUTE WHEEL LUG NUT TIGHTENING PROCESS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT TO ASSURE PROPER TORQUE OF THE LUG NUTS.
Consequence
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.
AIR BAGS01V1530002001-05-08216,100 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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…
SUSPENSION01V0080002001-01-052,400 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
CHILD SEAT00V3660002000-11-091,211,756 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
SUSPENSION00V3070002000-10-12480 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
29
27crashes7injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
27
2crashes
STEERING
17
1crashes
SUSPENSION
17
AIR BAGS
16
10crashes10injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
16
5crashes2injuries
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
15
2crashes
STRUCTURE
14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
11
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
11
2crashes1injuries2deaths
Total complaints417
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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.”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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. *tr”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE08047 Opened 2008-07-25 · closed 2008-12-17
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…
InvestigationPE08047 Opened 2008-07-25 · closed 2008-12-17
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 Dodge Ram as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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