2001 Dodge Ram 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 130 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (20% of complaints); the 2000 and 2002 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2001
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2020
“The dashboard has crumpled up and cave in the plastic has deteriorated also rust has developed under the doors an underbody”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2020
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“2001 dodge ram 3500 dashboard failure!! Dash started getting large cracks in it several years ago, now I removed it to replace the heater core and the dash fell apart into, literally 22 pieces. After trying to find one I go to realize this is a common and major safety problem for this year and after phone calls to the dodge dealer and to dodge themselves they do not care nor do they want to help and good luck affording a new one. Only thing I can find that is reasonably priced is a dash `cover` but I do not even have enough large pieces of dash to reinstall to even cover it. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2013
“Approximate incident date is not accurate. The vehicle started with two lengthwise cracks years ago from windshield towards driver and passenger. Within the past two months the once rigid-pliable dash unit has cracked into brittle pieces with some falling into dash interior. Some pieces are jagged and pointed. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle surged from a cold start. Once the vehicle was warmed, the contact experienced a loss of power and will the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic who advised that the fuel injector pump and the fuel injector needed to be replaced. The failure and the current mileages were 150,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge 3500. The contact stated that he noticed smoke emitting from the tail pipe as the vehicle failed to shift gears. The contact had to wait for the smoke to cease before the vehicle would operate normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the diagnosis who stated that they needed to replace the fuel filter. The vehicle was repaired but the failure continued. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure and the current mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2012
“Pulled into fueling station, stopping at pump, pedal went to floor board. Checked brake reservoir it was empty, added 1 pint of brake fluid. No signs of leak. Found signs of fluid on frame driver side behind fuel tank, pulled tank to find a very rusted brake line and a hole in brake line. Checked other brake lines, all are badly rusted. The gas lines running next to the brake line are not rusted at all. Truck parked in barn all the time, very seldom driven in winter.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2012
“The dash in my truck is falling apart, there is a large hole in my dash that is a huge distraction while I'm driving, the rest of my dash is going to fall apart at any time now. I have contacted dodge about this, they will not repair it, I believe it is a manufacturer defect. And thus should be repaired by the manufacturer. I do not know of any other manufacturer that has this kind of problem. *tr”Owner report · Structure · May 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ram 3500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Dodge Ram 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 130 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2001 Dodge Ram 3500. The most complained-about area is structure (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Dodge Ram 3500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,905 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Dodge Ram 3500 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.