NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Dodge Ram 3500 Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 Dodge Ram 3500 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 130 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Dodge dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Dodge Ram 3500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2001 Dodge Ram 3500 owner complaints

Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Dodge Ram 3500, describing incidents dated June 1, 2000 to June 29, 2020.

Most-cited components

Structure 31 complaints
Steering 17 complaints
Power Train 14 complaints
Suspension 14 complaints
Service Brakes 13 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 12 complaints

Of the 130 complaints on file, 12 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 130 complaints, owners report 19 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11337416 · Filed July 4, 2020
AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH AND AS SEMI TRUCKS PASS ME THIS ROADTREK 190 VERILITE DODGE RAM 3500 UNCONTROLABLY MOVE A FOOT TO 2 FEET TOWARD THE CENTER LINE OF THE ROAD WHICH I FEAR COULD CAUSE A HEAD ON COLLISION. I HAVE TRIED VARIOUS TIRE PRESSURES TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITHOUT SUCCESS. I BASICALLY…
ODI #11325699 · Filed May 24, 2020
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRUMPLED UP AND CAVE IN THE PLASTIC HAS DETERIORATED ALSO RUST HAS DEVELOPED UNDER THE DOORS AN UNDERBODY
ODI #11109759 · Filed July 5, 2018
MY TRUCK WAS IN PARK BUT STILL RUNNING. I GOT OUT TO SHUT THE GATE AND THE TRUCK STARTED TO ACCELERATE BACKWARDS, ROLLING THROUGH MY GATE, KNOCKING DOWN PART OF A NEIGHBOR'S FENCE, OVER TWO CEMENT PARKING STOPS AND INTO A TREE. WHEN I GOT TO THE TRUCK, IT WAS STILL RUNNING AND STILL IN PARK.

Read all 130 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Dodge Ram 3500 in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE08-047: 2000-2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP HOOD LATCH
Closed December 17, 2008
Preliminary Evaluation PE02-049: TIRE VALVE
Closed October 1, 2002

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

DAIMLERCHRYSLER/CLOCKSPRING MATERIAL

NHTSA #01V153000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported May 8, 2001 · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 216,100 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 982 · Owners notified June 18, 2001 · Vehicles built May 30, 2000 – October 31, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2001 Dodge Ram 3500. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

130 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Dodge Ram 3500.

Steering

ODI #11337416

Incident: June 29, 2020 · Filed: July 4, 2020

AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH AND AS SEMI TRUCKS PASS ME THIS ROADTREK 190 VERILITE DODGE RAM 3500 UNCONTROLABLY MOVE A FOOT TO 2 FEET TOWARD THE CENTER LINE OF THE ROAD WHICH I FEAR COULD CAUSE A HEAD ON COLLISION. I HAVE TRIED VARIOUS TIRE PRESSURES TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITHOUT SUCCESS. I BASICALLY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 30,000 MILES AND EXCELLENT TREAD ON TIRES.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11325699

Incident: March 23, 2020 · Filed: May 24, 2020

THE DASHBOARD HAS CRUMPLED UP AND CAVE IN THE PLASTIC HAS DETERIORATED ALSO RUST HAS DEVELOPED UNDER THE DOORS AN UNDERBODY

Power Train

ODI #11109759

Incident: July 5, 2018 · Filed: July 5, 2018

MY TRUCK WAS IN PARK BUT STILL RUNNING. I GOT OUT TO SHUT THE GATE AND THE TRUCK STARTED TO ACCELERATE BACKWARDS, ROLLING THROUGH MY GATE, KNOCKING DOWN PART OF A NEIGHBOR'S FENCE, OVER TWO CEMENT PARKING STOPS AND INTO A TREE. WHEN I GOT TO THE TRUCK, IT WAS STILL RUNNING AND STILL IN PARK.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11048142

Incident: September 7, 2016 · Filed: November 23, 2017

MY DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART. THERE ARE PIECES OF PLASTIC EVERYWHERE INCLUDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE AIRBAG, WHICH WOULD QUITE LITERALLY TURN INTO FLYING DEATH PARTICLES IF THE AIRBAG EVER WENT OFF, COMPLETELY DEFEATING THE PURPOSE OF THE AIRBAG. THIS REALLY SHOULD BE A RECALL ISUE AS IT HAS QUITE A BIG IMPACT ON SAFETY OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WITH BRITTLE PLASTIC SHARDS FLYING EVERYWHERE. THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE, IT'S HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS, AND I EVEN KEEP A DASH COVER ON IT SINCE THE DAY I GOT IT. THE PLASTIC IS JUST SIMPLY POOR QUALITY, IT'S NOT FROM SUN FADING, OR ANYTHING ELSE.

Structure

ODI #10947754

Incident: January 1, 2008 · Filed: January 26, 2017

PLASTIC DASH IS CRACKING AND LOOSE SHARP PIECES HAVE BEEN COMING OFF INTO THE CABIN

Tires

ODI #10760931

Incident: July 28, 2015 · Filed: September 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 3500 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH MUD TERRAIN T/A KM2 (NA) TIRES, SIZE: LT255/85R16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD NEAR THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS BLOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE.

Electrical System; Structure; Unknown or Other

ODI #10750341

Incident: April 7, 2008 · Filed: August 21, 2015

THE DASH ON THIS TRUCK HAS CRACKED AND FALLEN IN, EXPOSING THE WIRING INSIDE THE DASH TO THE SUN. THE WIRING INSULATION IS NOT RATED FOR EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT (UV EXPOSURE) AND IS DECOMPOSING, PUTTING THE TRUCK AT RISK OF A FIRE INITIATING INSIDE THE CAB AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, DUE TO EXPOSED WIRING SHORTING TO GROUND. DODGE REFUSES TO REMEDY IT, DESPITE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH THEM. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE, YET THE NHTSB HAS NOT FORCED CHRYSLER/FIAT INTO A RECALL, CLAIMING THAT IT ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE. DO YOU NEED TO SEE DEATH BEFORE YOU ACT?

Suspension; Wheels

ODI #10744998

Incident: March 18, 2005 · Filed: July 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 TO 45 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE "DEATH WOBBLE". THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ *CN

Engine and Engine Cooling; Air Bags; Structure

ODI #10668547

Incident: December 26, 2014 · Filed: December 28, 2014

I TRY TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 3500 .AND WHEN THE MECHANIC START TO REMOVE THE DASH BOARD THIS START TO FALLING IN PARTS .SO HE TRY TO PUT THOSE PARTS BACK UNTIL HE EXPLAIN ME WHAT HAPPEN .I TRY TO FIND AN AFTERMARKET DASH AND PEOPLE ON THE STORE LET ME KNOW .THEY BELIEVE IT'S A OPEN RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE DASH ON ALL MODELS ON RAM .SO I CALL TO NORTHWEST DODGE ON HOUSTON TEXAS AND THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS SEVERAL YEARS AGO ..FOR THAT REASON THEY CAN'T FIXED .AFTER A RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FIND THIS PLACE TO FILE A COMPLAINT.BECAUSE FOR ME IT'S DANGEROUS HAVE A DASHBOARD CRACKED WITH A SHARP PIECES .MY DASH COVER FALLS IN AROUND 20 PCS .AND THE BASE OF THE WHOLE DASH IN SEVERAL CRACKED PIECES ..AND CAN'T REPLACE MY HEATER CORE ..UNTIL I HAVE THE DASHBOARD. *TR

Tires

ODI #10637030

Incident: May 30, 2014 · Filed: September 17, 2014

DRIVING 55MPH, BFG CMM TA TIRE SEPARATION AT TREAD BELT EDGE. STILL HAVE TIRE. *TR

Other Dodge Ram 3500 model years

Check your 2001 Dodge Ram 3500 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Dodge Ram 3500 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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