RoadVitals

2001 Dodge Ram 3500 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
130
Latest Jul 4, 2020
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
15
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Nov 20, 2000

What this page shows

Our database holds 130 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Dodge Ram 3500. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 130 · page 1 of 6

Steering
Filed Jul 4, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11337416
Incident
Jun 29, 2020
Mileage
30,000 mi
Filed May 24, 2020

THE DASHBOARD HAS CRUMPLED UP AND CAVE IN THE PLASTIC HAS DETERIORATED ALSO RUST HAS DEVELOPED UNDER THE DOORS AN UNDERBODY

NHTSA ID
11325699
Incident
Mar 23, 2020
Mileage
76,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 5, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11109759
Incident
Jul 5, 2018
Mileage
155,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 23, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11048142
Incident
Sep 7, 2016
Mileage
300,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 26, 2017

PLASTIC DASH IS CRACKING AND LOOSE SHARP PIECES HAVE BEEN COMING OFF INTO THE CABIN

NHTSA ID
10947754
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
Mileage
90,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 3500 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH MUD TERRAIN T/A KM2 (NA) TIRES, SIZE: LT255/85R16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD NEAR THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS BLOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10760931
Incident
Jul 28, 2015
Mileage
300,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Aug 21, 2015

THE DASH ON THIS TRUCK HAS CRACKED AND FALLEN IN, EXPOSING THE WIRING INSIDE THE DASH TO THE SUN. THE WIRING INSULATION IS NOT RATED FOR EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT (UV EXPOSURE) AND IS DECOMPOSING, PUTTING THE TRUCK AT RISK OF A FIRE INITIATING INSIDE THE CAB AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, DUE TO EXPOSED WIRING SHORTING TO GROUND. DODGE REFUSES TO REMEDY IT, DESPITE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH THEM. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE, YET THE NHTSB HAS NOT FORCED CHRYSLER/FIAT INTO A RECALL, CLAIMING THAT IT ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE. DO YOU NEED TO SEE DEATH BEFORE YOU ACT?

NHTSA ID
10750341
Incident
Apr 7, 2008
Mileage
72,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jul 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 TO 45 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE "DEATH WOBBLE". THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10744998
Incident
Mar 18, 2005
Mileage
75,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Dec 28, 2014

I TRY TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 3500 .AND WHEN THE MECHANIC START TO REMOVE THE DASH BOARD THIS START TO FALLING IN PARTS .SO HE TRY TO PUT THOSE PARTS BACK UNTIL HE EXPLAIN ME WHAT HAPPEN .I TRY TO FIND AN AFTERMARKET DASH AND PEOPLE ON THE STORE LET ME KNOW .THEY BELIEVE IT'S A OPEN RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE DASH ON ALL MODELS ON RAM .SO I CALL TO NORTHWEST DODGE ON HOUSTON TEXAS AND THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS SEVERAL YEARS AGO ..FOR THAT REASON THEY CAN'T FIXED .AFTER A RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FIND THIS PLACE TO FILE A COMPLAINT.BECAUSE FOR ME IT'S DANGEROUS HAVE A DASHBOARD CRACKED WITH A SHARP PIECES .MY DASH COVER FALLS IN AROUND 20 PCS .AND THE BASE OF THE WHOLE DASH IN SEVERAL CRACKED PIECES ..AND CAN'T REPLACE MY HEATER CORE ..UNTIL I HAVE THE DASHBOARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10668547
Incident
Dec 26, 2014
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 17, 2014

DRIVING 55MPH, BFG CMM TA TIRE SEPARATION AT TREAD BELT EDGE. STILL HAVE TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10637030
Incident
May 30, 2014
Mileage
118,700 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Jun 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THE PLASTIC WAS WARPED AND CAVED INTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING AND COMPONENTS INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ALSO LOW AND THE CONTACT HAD ATTEMPT TO USE THE DIMMER TO NO AVAIL. ALSO, THE SERVICE ENGINE AND AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE DASHBOARD COULD BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000

NHTSA ID
10604523
Incident
Feb 4, 2012
Mileage
87,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 8, 2013

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

NHTSA ID
10551477
Incident
Nov 7, 2013
Mileage
151,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 24, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILED TWICE WITHIN A YEAR AND A HALF. THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO ADD FUEL PRESSURE GAUGES BECAUSE IT WOULD HELP THE INJECTOR PUMP NOT TO FAIL IF THE FUEL PUMP FAILED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY DID KEEP THE FUEL PUMP FROM FAILING HOWEVER, THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON FOR HER PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE DEALER REROUTED THE FUEL PUMP IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10482042
Incident
Aug 15, 2012
Mileage
125,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 1, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 3500 EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN XCX TIRES, SIZE: 235/85R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BELTS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10478140
Incident
Apr 15, 2012
Mileage
125,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Aug 29, 2012

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

NHTSA ID
10472962
Incident
Aug 7, 2012
Mileage
60,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 23, 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.

NHTSA ID
10472083
Incident
Jul 10, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 23, 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.

NHTSA ID
10472076
Incident
Jul 26, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 14, 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.

NHTSA ID
10462641
Incident
Jun 11, 2012
Mileage
50,126 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 21, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 3500.THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD SLOWLY DISINTEGRATED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT NO REPAIR WAS PERFOEMED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE DASHBOARD COVERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 182,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10459181
Incident
Jan 1, 2009
Mileage
99,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 11, 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

NHTSA ID
10458134
Incident
May 9, 2012
Mileage
151,046 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed May 7, 2012

PIECES OF DASH FELL DOWN UNDER DASH AND CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO TRIGGER. PUT IN A NEW PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DASH AND 4 YEARS LATTER ALL CRACKED UP AND A PIECE HAS CAUSED A COOLANT LEAK IN HEATER CORE UNDER THE DASH. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT THE DASH PIECES CUT WIRES AND SET IT ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10457619
Incident
Nov 2, 2006
Mileage
136,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 15, 2011

THE ENTIRE DASH PANEL STARTED FALLING APART IN 2006 ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM. PARTS STARTED FALLING DOWN INSIDE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE DASH ASSEMBLY AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS FALLING IN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10435965
Incident
Sep 13, 2006
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 4, 2011

THE DASH IS FALLING APART. IT HAS LARGE CRACKS IN IT AND PIECES FALLING OUT.

NHTSA ID
10423748
Incident
Aug 31, 2010
Mileage
40,100 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 26, 2011
Crash reported

2001 DODGE RAM 3500. UNIT #1 WAS WESTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN THE DRIVING LANE. UNIT #2 WAS EASTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN THE DRIVING LANE. UNIT #1 HAD A RIGHT REAR OUTSIDE TIRE BLOWOUT, WHICH CAUSED THE OTHER DUAL TIRE TO BREAK OFF. THE TIRES CROSSED THE MEDIAN AND STRUCK UNIT #2 IN LEFT FRONT CAUSING DAMAGE. *LN (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0251-89)*JB

NHTSA ID
10415921
Incident
Jun 10, 2011
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 29, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 3500 WITH FUTURA ADVENTURER HT P245 75 R16 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE IT WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BEFORE THEY REPLACED THE TIRE, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME MODEL TIRES BECAUSE THE TREAD BELT SPLIT OFF AND BOTH REAR TIRES BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILEAGE ON THE TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID
10398201
Incident
Apr 19, 2011
Mileage
55,000 mi

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