2001 Dodge 1500 Problems

Where the sway bar is bolted to the chassis has completely deteriorated causing sway bar to completely detach from both sides of the frame. This has caused it very difficult to steer and nearly impossible the more MPH the vehicle goes. I own another vehicle nearly exactly the same but a 1998 dodge ram 1500 vin number [XXX]. It to has the same exact problem. I believe that the quality of steel used in manufacturing the frame of these vehicles was not up to standards. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASH BOARD WAS DISINTEGRATING. PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD WERE PENETRATING THROUGH THE HEATER VACUUM SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE HEATER NOT TO WORK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.

Passenger side airbag exploded while sitting in my yard.

2001 Dodge Ram Dashboard is an extreme safety hazard due to the cracking. I have owned this vehicle for 12 years and it's been garaged kept for 8 years. The dash started with a crack and then a hole was created when hitting a bump. Then I had a mechanic work on the heater, and the dash basically disintegrated when moving it. The holes on this dashboard are absurd. A review of safety information identified others who reported this problem to NHTSA and many more complaints on online message boards. This dashboard creates a safety issue for all personnel in the vehicle in case of an accident since projectiles (pieces of the dash that crumble) will fly. Also, there are other components under the dash that could create additional problems (ie-heater core spraying hot antifreeze after an accident). This is completely absurd. Keep in mind, my vehicle has less than 80K miles and the dash is getting worse.

While driving and operating the heater, unbeknowst to me leaves/pine needles had come in through the fresh air cowl vent and built up on the heater blower resistor resulting in a fire. This design in dangerous as the default for the air intake is open and allows debris to enter and drop directly into the fan and blower motor resistor. I've searched online and seen multiple reports of this issue. I have a video I can provide if contacted.

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.

TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE ENTIRE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO PARK BUT THE SHIFTER WAS STUCK IN THE DRIVE GEAR. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE SHIFTER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE ENGAGING. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHENEVER SHE WOULD DRIVE OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. IN ADDITION, OFTEN WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL AND THE FAILURES DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT RELATED TO THE FAILURE THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

THE FABRICATED ATTACHMENT POINTS THAT HOLD THE CONTROL ARMS, TRACK BAR, DAMPER AND SPRINGS TO THE FRONT AXLE RUST TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE. I HAVE REPLACED MY FRONT AXLE ONCE, AND WILL HAVE TO DO SO AGAIN SHORTLY. FORTUNATELY THIS PROBLEM WAS DETECTED BEFORE THE AXLE FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK, AND THAT IS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED! THE MANUFACTURER SIMPLY DID NOT PROTECT THESE CRITICAL PARTS FROM CORROSION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE REAR PINION NUT AND DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PINION, DRIVESHAFT, AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

The contact owned a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while exiting a parking lot and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal floored, causing the contact to roll to a stop on the side of the road. The ABS and Brake Warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive at 2 MPH to their home. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the brake line had blown and replaced it where it had failed. Approximately 6 months later, the ABS and brake warning lights illuminated again. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed no leaks. When restarting the vehicle, the warning lights were no longer illuminated. While driving at an unknown speed, the ABS and brake lights illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to Meineke Car Care Center to a certified mechanic. The following morning, the lights were not illuminated. The vehicle was returned to Meineke Car Care Center, who stated that it may have been a computer glitch causing the lights to illuminate, then turn off when the vehicle was restarted. The contact had the brakes replaced as routine maintenance; however, after doing so, while driving in the rain at approximately 25 mph and attempting to apply the brakes, the brakes failed, causing the vehicle to rear-end the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain injuries or require medical attention. The contact assumed the other driver had injuries, but could not confirm. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive at a slow speed to their home. The ABS and Brake lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to Meineke Car Care Center, where it was diagnosed that the other brake line had blown. The front end and brake line, which had blown was repaired. After the vehicle had been repaired, when coming to a stoplight, the failure occurred again, causing the vehicle to crash a second time. There were no injuries, air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact drove the vehicle to Meineke Car Care Center, who was

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED TWICE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 198,000.

Where the sway bar is bolted to the chassis has completely deteriorated causing sway bar to completely detach from both sides of the frame. This has caused it very difficult to steer and nearly impossible the more MPH the vehicle goes. I own another vehicle nearly exactly the same but a 1998 dodge ram 1500 vin number [XXX]. It to has the same exact problem. I believe that the quality of steel used in manufacturing the frame of these vehicles was not up to standards. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the contact was making a turn and heard a loud grinding noise coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and took the vehicle out of gear and heard the grinding sound again. The contact was able to continue to drive to the residence. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the pinion nut was loosened and grinding into the rear axle. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact the vehicle was not safe to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE OPENED AND SMASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE DETAILS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD LATCH FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT HOOD FLEW OPEN CRACKED WINDSHIELD BENT HINGES AND HOOD , BARELY GOT SHUT , AFRAID TO OPEN AGAIN , HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THESE LATCHES ARE RECALLED AND FAIL ALL THE TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR TRACKER 2 SERIES TIRES, SIZE: P265/70R17 (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES SEPARATED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SENT AN EMAIL TO WALMART'S STORE MANAGER VIA THE CORPORATE WEBSITE, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT ALSO SENT AN EMAIL TO THE MANUFACTURER AND DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TT CONSUMER ONLY HAD ABOUT 2,000 MILES ON THOSE TIRES BEFORE REPLACING UPDATED 9/21/18*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DAKOTA MT (NA) TIRES, SIZE LT285/75R16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS EXAMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER WHO INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AGE, DRYNESS, AND WEAR. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

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

THE DEFECTIVE PLASTIC DASHBOARD ON THE 2001 DODGE RAM BROKE INTO FRAGMENTS AND STUCK THE DRIVERS RIGHT EYE CAUSING TEMPORARY BLINDNESS AND LOSS OF CONTROL TO VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME WELL KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE FOR THOUSANDS OF DODGE RAM OWNERS THAT NHSTA STILL SAYS IS A "COSMETIC ISSUE" I ALMOST KILLED MY CHILD DO TO YOUR COLLUSION WITH CHRYSLER DEEMING THIS A "COSMETIC ISSUE"

THE SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPPED QUITE POSSIBLY CAUSING MY SPARE TIRE TO FALL OUT ON THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE OR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I LAST CHECKED THE SPARE TIRE IN NOV 2015 AND NOTICED IT GONE IN APRIL 2016. ALL THAT REMAINS IS A SPLINTERED CABLE. IN TALKING TO PEOPLE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS THEY TELL ME THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. IN MY CASE IF IT DID INDEED FALL OUT WHILE DRIVING I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT NO ONE GOT HURT. I DO NOT KNOW IF NEWER VEHICLES ARE STILL EQUIPPED WITH THESE CABLES. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF SECONDARY SYSTEM TO PREVENT THE TIRE FROM FALLING OUT SHOULD THE CABLE SNAP AS I HAVE NOW COME TO UNDERSTAND TO BE A FAIRLY FREQUENT OCCURRENCE.

SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY OR BUSY ROAD AND THE ENGINE GETS TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, THE ENGINE STALLS AND SHUTS OFF. THEN I HAVE TO MANEUVER IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LET IT COOL OFF APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AND THEN IT CRANKS BACK UP AND I CAN DRIVE 5 MINUTES AND IT DOES THE SAME THING AGAIN, VERY DANGEROUS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUDDENLY BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO KEEP ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (VICTORY DODGE, 64 GREENSBURG ST, DELMONT, PA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

SEVERAL YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT MY DODGE 1500 RAM TRUCK ABOUT 2008 THE DASH STARTED FALLING APART AND THE BLEND DOOR STOPED WORKING EVERY DODGE DEALER I TOOK IT TO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO

I HAVE A DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK. MY ENTIRE DASH IS COMING APART. A PIECE FLEW OFF AND HIT ME IN THE FACE WHILE DRIVING I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND MY WIFE HIT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKING IT. MY LIGHTS ON MY CEILING WENT OUT DON'T WORK

Shavent had funds to take to a shop but was told that the wrong fuel lines are on the truck

I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE ENGINE AND AS IT STARTED CRANKING SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE DEFROSTER AND THEN FIRE STARTED COMING OUT THE ENGINE HOOD. LUCKILY I HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY AND OPENED THE HOOD AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. WONDERED WHERE THE FIRE STARTED SO TRIED STARTING AGAIN AND FIRE STARTED IMMEDIATELY AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE OR ON TOP OF THE BELL HOUSING. I ALSO SMELLED FUEL. THE TRUCK WAS NEXT TO MY GARAGE AND HAD BEEN DRIVEN A FEW DAYS EARLIER. IF I HAD NOT PUT OUT THE FIRE MY WHOLE HOUSE COULD HAVE BURNED DOWN. I DONATED THE TRUCK TO WHEELS 4 VETS.

PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT HOOD FLEW OPEN CRACKED WINDSHIELD BENT HINGES AND HOOD , BARELY GOT SHUT , AFRAID TO OPEN AGAIN , HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THESE LATCHES ARE RECALLED AND FAIL ALL THE TIME. *TR

DASHBOARD OF MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKING ALL OVER. I AM WORRIED THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY IF NEEDED. HEAD LIGHTS ARE NO LONGER STAYING PUT, IF I HIT A BUMP THEY MOVE. *TR

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE ABNORMALLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CHIN AND MOUTH, REQUIRING 24 STITCHES. THE CONTACT WAS IMMEDIATLEY TAKEN FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000. KMJ UPDATED 02/01/12 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELTS DIDI NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED. UPDATED 02/10/12

LAST NOVEMBER ON MY WAY TO SCHOOL, I WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT WHILE GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE ROADS WERE BAD AND EXTREMELY ICY. HOWEVER, I LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK WHILE GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, PUT IT INTO 4X4 AND CORRECTED MYSELF, THEN THE 4X4 WENT OUT (WHICH COMMONLY HAPPENED), LOST CONTROL, HIT THE MEDIAN SIDEWAYS, AND ROLLED THE TRUCK. THE PROBLEM WAS DURING THE ROLLOVER, 1. I HAD TO PUSH MYSELF BACK INTO THE SEAT TO ENGAGE MY SEATBELT, AND 2. THE BACK TWO IN ROOF ROLL GUARDS BROKE. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 20 - 25MPH WHEN I ROLLED AND THE BACK WINDOW SMASHED DOWN SEVERAL INCHES. THE COLLAPSING OF THE ROOF SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AS BAD. THE MEDIAN HAD OVER 6" OF SNOW IN IT. IF A PERSON WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT, HE/SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. TRUCK IS CONSIDERED TOTALED. MODEL IS A 2001 DODGE 1500 4X4 QUAD CAB SHORT BOX SLT/LARAMIE W/THE 5.2L MAGNUM V8. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN SHE NOTICED THERE WERE SEVERAL LARGE CRACKS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. . IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ALSO LEAKING COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE AIR CONDITIONER COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE DASHBOARD MUST BE REMOVED DURING THE AIR CONDITIONER SERVICE REPAIR. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE SEVERE DEFECTS OF THE DASHBOARD A REPLACEMENT WAS REQUIRED BEFORE THE AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR COULD BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT OBSERVED TWO SMALL CRACKS AROUND THE VENTS ATTACHED TO THE DASHBOARD. TWO MONTHS LATER CRACKS WERE PRESENT NEAR THE WINDSHIELD ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DASHBOARD AND IN THE CENTER WITH EXPOSED WIRES. THE DASHBOARD WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT''S EXPENSE. ALSO, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT''S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT FILED COMPLAINT # 16254734 ON MAY 1, 2007 WITH DODGE DUE TO NEWS BROADCAST STATING THAT THE DASHBOARDS ON THE VEHICLES WERE CRACKING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.*AK UPDATED 05/21/07 *TR