Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA
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Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Dodge 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 25 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
The headlights no matter what bulbs I buy are extremely dim making it unsafe to drive at night. Now truck will not start for some unknown reason. It tries to turn over but will not crank. The mileage flashes NO BUS. I was literally only getting at best 8 miles per gallon.
There have been three times now in the last two years, six-eight months of which I never drove the vehicle due to being repaired. I was driving at about 60-70mph. At which time there were no odd or sudden noises, no warning at all when the trucks acceleration goes way up till I let of the gas pedal, go to pull over while two of the three times, my drive shaft is bouncing between the road and underneath the truck which could have bounced up into another vehicle's windshield, radiator or whatever and could have actually hurt or even killed someone. Thank God nothing like that ever happened. After inspecting the problem, in which all three cases, the transfer case has broken off part of the tailshaft of the transmission and once, even broke part of the transfer case to. After trying to look up the problem on line, the exact same problem seems to have happened to several people from several different states and even one same instance from the same small town that I'm in. All the same instances that I've seen have been from the same type of vehicle from the years of 1995-2001. It just seems like a wide spread problem to me
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS VERY LOOSE AND MOVED A LOT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. ALSO, THE GEAR INDICATOR DISPLAYED DIFFERENT GEARS EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
MY TRUCK HAS 185000 MILES ON IT AND STARTED SOUNDING LIKE THE BACK BRAKES WERE GRINDING. ON THE WAY TO THE MECHANIC THE BACK TIRES LOCKED UP AND BROKE THE DRIVE SHAFT OFF. LUCKY FOR ME I WAS ONLY GOING 40 MILES AN HOUR.
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR, I HEARD A HORRIBLE RATTLING NOISE. VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION THE REAR DRIVELINE PINION YOKE WAS LOOSE WITH THE NUT HOLDING BY ONE THREAD.. I INSTALLED A NEW NUT AND INSPECTED FOR FURTHER DAMAGE. *TR
POWER TRAIN NORTH STAR DODGE, CHRYSLER AUTO DEALER SAN PEDRO SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS -POWER TRAIN GRAPEVINE DODGE, CHRYSLER AUTO DEALER, GRAPEVINE, TEXAS- POWER TRAIN. *TR
SINCE DEC OF 2004 I HAVE HAD MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED 3 TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE, THE LAST TIME I WAS ON A HIGHWAY WHEN IT "BLEW" AND WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL PPL THAT I WAS VERY "LUCKY" IT DIDN'T CATCH FIRE, L KNOW OF MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE OWNED THESE TRUCKS AND HAVE HAD SIMILAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS!! I ALSO HAVE HAD MY SPARE TIRE CABLE BREAK WHILE THE TRUCK WAS ON A ROADWAY, AND MY SPARE TIRE WHEN ROLLING DOWN THE ROAD BEHIND ME, BY THE GRACE OF GOD...NO CARS WERE COMING, IN ADDITION, I HAVE A SEVERELY CRACKED DASH, I AM HAVING TO HAVE THE HEATER CORE REPLACED...SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE VENTS...WHEN THE CORE IS REPLACED, THE DASH WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED ALSO, DUE TO THE CONDITION OF THE DASH!! DODGE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE VEHICLES! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN)SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND STATED THAT THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE SERVICE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *TR
THE DASHBOARD GET DESTROY TO EASLY AND THE DEBRIES FLIES TO THE FACE MAKING DRIVE INSECURE BECAUSE THE PLASTIC PARTS WERE HITING THE FACE. THE POWERS TRAIN GETS VERY EASLY DAMAGE BY ROCKS AND DEBRIS ON THE STREET MAKING IT TO VULNERABLE TO GET DESTROY (AND THAT HAPPEN TO ME) . THE CHARGING REGULATOR GETS BROKES FOR NOTHING ANYTIME AND YOU NEED TO BE CHANGING THE COMPUTER OR ADING AN EXTERNAL ONE AND SOLDER IT TO THE PRINCIPAL CABLES THAT GOES TO THE ALTERNATOR, AND RELAYS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT(NA). WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR AND THE SHAFT ON THE REAR END SPLIT AND DISCONNECTED; IT BEGAN DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT INSPECTED AND NOTICED THAT A BIG NUT WAS HOOKED UNDERNEATH FOUR OTHER BOLTS WHICH WAS LOOSE FROM THE TREAD. HE RE-HOOKED THE NUT TO GATHER IN ORDER TO HAVE THE DRIVE SHAFT STAY INTACT. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000.
DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 REAR AXLE TUB BROCK AT THE PIG. *TR
2001 DODGE QUAD CAB PICKUP HAS FAILING WIRING IN STEERING COLUMN WHICH MAKES TRUCK DIE WHILE DRIVING . WHICH IN TURN THERE IS NO POWER BRAKES OR STEERING AND NO ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS THAT MAKES THE TRUCK RUN . DEAD ON THE ROAD LITERALLY. WHO KNOWS AT WHAT SPEEDS THIS PROBLEM MAY OCCUR. LUCKILY, IT HAPPENED TO ME WHILE GOING SLOW AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK. NO KNOWN HUMAN DEATHS YET THAT I HAVE HEARD OF FROM THIS. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED WITH WIRING HARNESS THERE WILL BE DEATHS, I'M PRETTY SURE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO DO MY BEST TO KEEP MY FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILIES SAFE. THIS NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BEFORE SOMEONE DOES DIE UNNECESSARILY IN AN ACCIDENT THAT CAN BE AVOIDED BY REPLACING THE PROBLEM PART OF THE PICKUP. *TR THE BEARING CLUTCH, REAR CARRIER BEARING, AXLE SEALS, ROTORS, POWER STEERING PUMP, PINION CARRIER BEARINGS WERE ALL REPLACED. ALSO, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL AND HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CENTER SEAT CONSOLE BOLTING SYSTEM FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK, THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD PANEL AND HOUSING AROUND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS CRACKED IN FOUR PLACES. THE GASKET ON THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. THE GASKET, WATER AND TIMING CHAIN WERE REPLACED. THE CLUTCH FAILED, DUE TO THE WRONG YEAR TRANSMISSION BEING INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. A 2000 TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, INSTEAD OF A 2001. UPDATED 10/15/14
DEAR SIR/MAM, I PURCHASED A 2001 DODGE RAM NEW. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES I HEARD ABNORMAL SQUEALING AS I TURNED ONTO OTHER STREETS AT A LOW SPEED. I ALSO NOTICED UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. I WAS ADVISED BY THE DODGE DEALERSHIP THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO DEFECTS AND TO SEEK OUT THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. IN FEBRUARY 2007 WITH APPROXIMATELY 58,400 MILES ON THE TRUCK I WAS TRAVELING THROUGH TOWN AND HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM MY REAR END. I LOCATED A MECHANIC THAT OPENED UP MY DIFFERENTIAL PAN AND FOUND METAL PIECES LAYING IN THE PAN. MY TRUCK HAS A LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL WITH 4:10 GEARS. THIS LAYOUT OF GEARS IS PART OF THE HEAVY DUTY OFF ROAD PACKAGE DODGE OFFERED WITH THEIR TRUCKS AT THE TIME OF MY PURCHASE. MY MECHANICS DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE POSI- TRACTION SPACERS HAD EXPLODED AS THEY HAD APPEARED TO HAVE STUCK TOGETHER. THE PIECES OF METAL THEN EVENTUALLY TRIED TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE RING AND GEAR CAUSING CHIPPING. THE END RESULT IS TO HAVING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COMPLETELY REPAIRED AT A COST WITH PARTS AND LABOR EXCEEDING $1300.00. I RECALLED BACK TO MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT WITH DODGE OF THE EXCESSIVE TIRE SQUEALING AND UNEVEN TIRE WEAR AT 10,000 MILES AND BASED UPON MY KNOWLEDGE BELIEVE THAT THE TIRES WERE SQUEALING WHILE TURNING ONTO OTHER STREETS AS THE REAR END WAS LOCKED UP IN THE POSI TRACTION MODE. I CONTACTED DODGE SEVERAL TIMES AND SPOKE WITH THEIR CHIEF CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE BY THE NAME OF PAT. DODGE STATED AT THE END OF EACH CONVERSATION THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST ME IN THIS ISSUE EVEN AFTER I ADVISED THEM OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE IN THEIR DODGE TRUCKS. I HAVE SPOKE AND LOCATED FOUR OTHER DODGE OWNERS IN MY TOWN THAT HAVE HAD TO REPAIR THEIR DODGE TRUCK REAR ENDS. AFTER OBSERVING THE METAL PIECES IN THE DIFFERENTIAL AND FROM SOME PERSONNEL EXPERIENCE FROM A PREVIOUS INCIDENT IN A FRIENDS TRUCK YEARS AGO I MADE THE FOLLOWING DETERMINATION, THE PIECES THAT EXPLODE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL WILL MAKE A CLUNKING NOICE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL. *JB
THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY, CONTROL ARMS, AND WHEEL HUBS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY LOCAL DEALER. I WAS TOLD BY A TRAINED TECHNICIAN THAT THE WHEEL'S COULD HAVE BROKEN AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE HEATER CORE AND AIR CONDITIONING MAIN ELEMENT STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED BY LOCAL DEALER. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, PINION BEARINGS AND CUPS STOPPED WORKING AT 77,400 MILES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED BY LOCAL DEALER. THIS WAS JUST 2,000 MILES AFTER THE PREVIOUS STATED PARTS HAD MALFUNCTIONED. OLD PARTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, BUT INVOICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL WORK PERFORMED. *NM
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. UPON DECELERATION THE CONSUMER HEARD A ROARING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE ACCELERATED THE ROARING SOUND WENT AWAY. WHEN THE CONSUMER LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR THE SECOND TIME HE HEARD AN EXPLOSION SOUND, AND THE REAR END LOCKED. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE NUT ON THE PINION GEAR HAD COME ALOOSE AND CAUSED THE REAR END TO COME APART. THE DRIVE SHAFT PUNCTURED THE QUAD CAB'S INTERIOR FLOORBOARD. THE SERVICE DEALER REFERRED HIM TO THE MANUFACTURER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THIS WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE AND NOT A DEFECT WITHIN THE VEHICLE. *AK (11/22/05) COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE: REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY, TRANSMISSION, TRANSFER CASE AND DRIVESHAFT. *SC
2001 DODGE RAM 1500 ENGINE QUIT THEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE FIRE ORIGINATED AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND WORKED IT'S WAY UP. WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE THE FIRE SINGED THE CONSUMER'S PANTS, SHOE LACES AND SOME OF THE HAIRS ON HIS LEGS. THE FIRE MARSHALL SAID THE FIRE PROBABLY STARTED A RESULT OF A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *NM
THE REAR PASSENGER AXLE FAILED, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER/DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. *JB THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS GOING UP A MOUNTAIN WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT OUT OF CONTROL, DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND WENT INTO A RIGHT TAIL SPIN. THE CONSUMER STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE LEFT REAR SIDE. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
DODGE 4X4 QUAD CAB (2001), RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT SNAPPED. IN THE FALL OF 2003 I WAS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND TURNED TO THE LEFT FROM A PARKED POSITION WHEN THE BOLL JOINT SNAPPED ON THE RIGHT FRONT.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, 2WD, XLT, QUAD CAB, 8 FT BED, 5.9 LTR. HAVE 48,500 MILES. AM GOING IN TO HAVE THE DIFFERENTIAL REPAIRED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE GEAR / CLUTCH SYSTEM HAS FAILED TWICE. THANKS TO MY WARRANTY IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT MY WARRANTY EXPIRES IN 1000 MILES AND I KNOW THIS DIFFERENTIAL WILL NOT LAST ANOTHER 25,000 MILE. I HAD OWNED A 1989 DODGE RAM VAN AND PUT 200,000 MILES ON IT WITH NO PROBLEMS, WHICH LEAD ME TO BUY ANOTHER DODGE. NOW I CAN NOT EVEN GET 25,000 MILES WITH OUT PROBLEMS. HAVE NEVER TOWED OR CARRIED A LOAD OVER 500 POUNDS WITH THIS P/U. MOST THE MILEAGE IS HIGHWAY DRIVING. WAS LOOKING AT BUYING ANOTHER DODGE BUT NOW I HAVE MY DOUBTS. ONCE THIS REPAIR IS DONE I MIGHT LOOK INTO GETTING RID OF THE TRUCK BEFORE IT COSTS ME EXCESSIVE DOLLARS TO KEEP IT ROLLING. HAVE HEARD OF OTHER COMPLAINTS AS TO THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING IN WRITING.*AK
ON 9/1/2003 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:40 P.M. MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2001 DODGE RAM PICK-UP ON US 23 SOUTH BETWEEN OMER, MICHIGAN AND STANDISH, MICHIGAN. I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IN THE FRONT AND MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE BACK SEAT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND WE WENT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC. MY SON KEPT SAYING HE COULD NOT CONTROL THE TRUCK. HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK BACK IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANES AND THE TRUCK KEPT FISHTAILING. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK TOOK A VERY HARD RIGHT AND WE WENT THROUGH THE DITCH WITH COATTAILS INTO THE FARM FIELD AND ROLLED THE TRUCK. WHEN WE STOPPED MOVING AND WE WERE ALL OUT OF THE TRUCK SOME PEOPLE WHO STOPPED, WE ASKED THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID ALL THEY SAW WAS HEADLIGHTS FLYING IN THE AIR AND IT LOOKED LIKE WE LOST A TIRE. WITH THE POLICE THERE HE ASKED MY SON IF HE HAD FALLEN ASLEEP MY SON SAID NO THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN HE COULD NOT CONTROL THE TRUCK. THE POLICE THEN THOUGHT WE HAD A FLAT TIRE BUT UPON LOOKING FOR THE TIRE IN THE FARM FIELD IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL HAD BROKE AT THE AXLE RIGHT AT THE SPINDLE. ALL LUG NUTS AND BRAKE PADS WERE STILL INTACT INSIDE OF THE WHEEL AND IT WAS NOT FLAT. ALSO WHERE THE AXLE BROKE OFF THE WHEEL THE METAL WAS SHINING AND CRACKLING. NONE OF US, LUCKILY, WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED SCRAPS, BRUISES, AND A LOT OF PULLED MUSCLES. NONE OF US WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. WE DO FELT LUCKY THAT IT HAPPENED WHERE IT DID SINCE 10 MORE MINUTES UP THE ROAD WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON I-75 SOUTH IN HOLIDAY TRAFFIC AND THINGS I AM SURE WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT. WE DO FEEL AND WITH ANYONE WE HAVE TALKED WITH THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT OF POOR METAL NOT BEING HEAT TREATED CORRECTLY. *LA
WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH AND HIGHER, THE ENTIRE VEHCILE VIBRATES. THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALER CANNOT FIX PROBLEM DUE TO THIS BEING THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE. TS
THE VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRST REPAIR ATTEMP. SECOND ATTEMPT THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED, REPLACED PUMP, INPUT SHAFT & TORQUE CONVERTER. THIRD ATTEMPT IS CURRENTLY BEING MADE. SAME AS SECOND TO BE REPLACED.*AK
PER DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR, MY TRUCKS WHEEL SUB-ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED FROM AN OVER-TORQUED CENTER NUT (DURING MANUFACTURE ASSEMBLY). THIS CONDITION CAUSED THE BEARINGS TO SEIZE AND SUPERHEAT, THEY HAVE BEEN CUTTING INTO THE AXLE AND THE HEAT EXPANSION CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL (LOCKED ON, BUT STEERING HAS NOT BEEN PULLING). PARTS NEEDING REPLACEMENT INCLUDE: AXLE; CALIPER; HUB AND BEARINGS; ROTOR; CENTER NUT; CENTER CAP.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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