Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2001 Dodge Ram 1500, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Structure548
- Unknown or other113
- Power train95
- Air bags84
- Electrical system81
- Suspension69
- Steering53
- Engine and engine cooling51
- Service brakes, hydraulic47
- Tires33
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 80 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 16 variants: combined 15.1–19.1 L/100 km (about 12–16 mpg US), CO₂ 347–439 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.0 | 12.7 | 15.1 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.7 | 12.2 | 15.2 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.2 | 12.3 | 15.6 |
| Ram 1500 Van · Van: Cargo · Regular gasoline | 17.8 | 15.3 | 16.7 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 20.2 | 13.4 | 17.1 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 20.0 | 13.7 | 17.2 |
| Ram 1500 Van · Van: Cargo · Regular gasoline | 20.0 | 13.8 | 17.2 |
| Ram 1500 Wagon · Van: Passenger · Regular gasoline | 20.0 | 13.8 | 17.2 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 20.1 | 13.9 | 17.3 |
| Ram 1500 Wagon · Van: Passenger · Regular gasoline | 18.9 | 15.4 | 17.4 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 21.4 | 13.9 | 18.0 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 21.4 | 14.6 | 18.3 |
| Ram 1500 Van · Van: Cargo · Regular gasoline | 21.5 | 14.6 | 18.4 |
| Ram 1500 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 21.6 | 14.6 | 18.5 |
| Ram 1500 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 21.6 | 15.5 | 18.9 |
| Ram 1500 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 22.1 | 15.3 | 19.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SNOW PLOW PREPARATION PACKAGE, THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 2001 Dodge Ram 1500: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 618878 | SOME VEHICLES WITH A LONG WHEEL BASE RAM TRUCK STEERING GEAR MAY HAVE SENSITIVE STEERING AND EXHIBIT A STEERING WANDER CONDITION - ADVANCE SERVICE ACTION. *TT |
| 610642 | ADVANCE SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING THE RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER'S BLEEDER SCREW LOCATED ON BOTTOM OF CALIPER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO BLEED THE BRAKES. *TT |
| 6092268 | SOME SHORT WHEEL BASE TRUCKS BUILT AT THE WARREN TRUCK ASSEMBLY PLANT MAY HAVE BEEN SHIPPED WITH THE WRONG STEERING GEAR. *TT |
| 10229256 | KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty. |
| 10224768 | Connecting to the DRB III Emulator for Cummins Engines |
| 10223854 | Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. Installation: 1. Clean the oil pan T-joints.~ 2. Fill the T-joint between the pan rail/gear housing and pan rail/rear seal retainer with sealant. Use Mopar Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant or equivalent. 3. Apply a 2-mm [0.063-in] bead of Mopar Engine Sealant RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive, to the oil pan flange.~ 4. The four piece gasket will need to be assembled to make |
| 10221686 | KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty. |
| 10220101 | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. |
| 10220099 | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts. |
| 10220097 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
| 10191460 | Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling. |
| 10191455 | Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. |
| 10176211 | This SKU is a Clock Spring. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the internal spring. If the internal spring is not seated, the electrical circuit for the horn is disconnected and the horn will not function. The horn electrical circuit does not affect the airbag circuit. |
| 10175743 | Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19 |
| 10175735 | Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary. |
| 10169249 | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. |
| 10169247 | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts. |
| 10169245 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
| 10139596 | Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator requires replacement please order kit 68253161AA. Insulator only used on Auto-RWD transmission Note: The color of the insulator is not relevant for service. |
| 10139595 | Part Description: Insulator in Lever Assembly - Valve Body - Trans Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and an instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator requires replacement lease order 68253099AA. Note: Insulator color is not relevant for service |
| 10139009 | 68069384A$, R8069384A$, 68086182A$, R8027067A$, RL002012A$ - Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover Before replacing injectors for Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, and/or P0206, please make sure that the wiring loom and/or connector in the valve cover gasket is not the root cause to your concern. In addition, make sure that the wiring attaching nuts are torqued to their proper value.~ |
| 10136906 | Part Description: Seal - Shift Shaft on RFE transmissions Issue Description: This seal (04799346) is replaceable with Seal Kit (68235551AA), which includes a seal and retainer. The Seal Kit is applicable to all (5)45RFE transmissions. |
| 10129008 | 82212076, 82203694 - Fabric Cleaner This "fabric cleaner" is not intended for sale in California, the otc states (Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington dc), and some ladco states (Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio). Mopar offers an alternative product (82213192) which is a water based product approved for sale in the aforementioned states.~ ~ Please inform the customer & your prep dept that spraying excessive amounts of the fabric protector on load floors will result in the breaking down of the adhesive (glu |
| 10011493 | ORIGINAL MINUTE MOUNT WIRING AND E-FORCE ISOLATION MODULE WIRING CONVERSIONS. FISHER. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING ALL GM/CHEVROLET AND FORD. 2002 & PRIOR. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
2000-2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP HOOD LATCH
REAR SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE DISENGAGEMENT
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation