CarModelProblems.com

2001 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Structure — runs 8.1× the fleet median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.
1,112Complaints
3Recalls
65Crashes
35Fires
80Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Structure (43.4% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.

Structure complaints here are 8.1× the median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Structure483 · 43.4%Investigation closedPE08047
Power Train:automatic Transmission59 · 5.3%No official action
Electrical System56 · 5%No official action
Structure:body46 · 4.1%Investigation closedPE08047
Air Bags45 · 4%RecalledRecall 01V153000
Air Bags:frontal38 · 3.4%RecalledRecall 01V153000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE483 · 43.4%
Unspecified / other113 · 10.2%
STRUCTURE:BODY46 · 4.1%
AIR BAGS45 · 4%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL38 · 3.4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE35 · 3.1%
TIRES28 · 2.5%
STEERING26 · 2.3%

Percentages are the share of the 1,112 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 06E024000 · 2006 · reported 03/15/2006

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 01V153000 · 2001 · reported 05/08/2001

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires

NHTSA campaign 03V504000 · 2003 · reported 12/10/2003

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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE STRAIGHT. IT WILL EITHER PULL TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT AND WHEN DRIVER ACCELERATES VEHICLE WILL TURN TO THE LEFT.*AKCONSUMER…”NHTSA complaint 8018555 — filed 09/12/2002 · SUSPENSION
“CAMSHAFT LEAKING FLUID, AND IS STARTING TO CAUSE PROBLEMS TO TRANSMISSION.CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.”NHTSA complaint 8018470 — filed 09/12/2002 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“CAMSHAFT LEAKING FLUID, AND IS STARTING TO CAUSE PROBLEMS TO TRANSMISSION.CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.”NHTSA complaint 8018470 — filed 09/12/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

512012394420143918201615242018742020842022512024212026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500?

Structure issues are the most-reported category, cited in 483 of 1,112 NHTSA complaints (43.4%), followed by unspecified/other issues (113), power train:automatic transmission (59), electrical system (56). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500 have?

1,112 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 65 involved a crash, 35 involved a fire, and 80 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500 have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E024000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.