RoadVitals

2001 Dodge Ram Van

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
33
Latest Nov 5, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Dec 4, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
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.
6

Overview

Our database contains 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Dodge Ram Van, most frequently naming the electrical, visibility and steering categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 53 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical513.9%
  • Visibility411.1%
  • Steering411.1%
  • Brakes38.3%
  • Engine38.3%
  • Tires & wheels25.6%
  • Interior & seats25.6%
  • Suspension25.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07V555000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

Dec 4, 2007
576,418 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.
The risk: EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
CHRYSLER LLCManufacturer number G28View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE02082ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE

Opened Nov 6, 2002
Closed Apr 23, 2003

THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.

SEAT BELTS

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 33
Brakes
Filed Nov 5, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM VAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WAS DETECTED COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT UNPLUGGED THE BATTERY AND THE NOISE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ANTI-BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM SOUTHWEST (7980 W TUFTS AVE, LITTLETON, CO 80123, (303-578-6099) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE TOOLS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,683.

NHTSA ID
11145322
Incident
Oct 16, 2018
Mileage
124,683 mi
Filed Dec 25, 2016

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ID
10937374
Incident
Dec 25, 2016
Filed Nov 17, 2016

2001 DODGE RAM VAN 1500 HAS MAJOR FRAME ROT ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FRAME GOING TO BUMPER. TO REPAIR IT WOULD BE COSTLY AND WE CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A MECHANIC TOLD ME IF IT BREAKS WE WILL LOSE STEERING CONTROL. I HAVE SEEN THE SAME ON OTHER RAM VANS ALSO. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL OR FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE VAN HAS 169,000 MILES AND IS A CONVERSION VAN.

NHTSA ID
10926712
Incident
Oct 20, 2016
BrakesExterior lightingOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 22, 2016

I HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE RECALLS ON THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR THAT ADDRESS ISSUES ALL AFFECTING MY VEHICLE YET THEY DO NOT SHOW ON A VIN SEARCH OF OPEN RECALLS. MOST OF THESE RECALLS AFFECT BRAKES BOTH IN INCREASED LONGEVITY IN STOPPING AND LEAKING AT THE REAR AXLE, HEADLIGHTS IN TERMS OF FEDERAL STANDARDS ON LUMINOSITY, TIRE SIZE CONCERNING LOAD SIZE ( HAVE HAD MORE THEN SIX BLOWOUTS IN 15,000 MILES), AIR BAGS DISABLING DUE TO SOUND DAMPENER AND THE CORRESPONDING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHTING INEFFECTUALLY DUE TO THESE ISSUES.

NHTSA ID
10821810
Incident
Jan 22, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 3, 2014

DIFFICULT TO GET THE GEARSHIFT OUT OF PARK. A RECALL HAS BEEN DONE ON THE IGNITION/PARKSHIFT INTERLOCK FOR AN ISSUE "THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE.". THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THE PART THAT HAS FAILED IS NOT THE SAME AS THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL AND WANTS OVER $2,000 FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN OR OVER $1,000 FOR A JUNKYARD STEERING COLUMN. CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AGREES WITH THE DEALERSHIP BUT NOBODY CAN EXPLAIN HOW THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK IS NOT RELATED TO THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10566788
Incident
Jan 24, 2014
Mileage
130,150 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 30, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ABRUPT ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID
10562263
Incident
Jan 30, 2013
Mileage
105,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Sep 2, 2013

WHILE DRIVING VAN, HEARD A LOUD BANG IN FRONT END. NOTICED THAT FRONT SWAY BAR BRACKETS BROKE OFF FRAME DO TO FRAME ROT. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, UPPER A FRAME BRACKETS ARE SEPARATING FROM FRAME MOUNTS DUE TO FRAME ROT. ALSO, FRAME CONNECTING FRONT BUMPER AND RADIATOR SO RUSTED THAT I CAN PUSH A SCREWDRIVER THROUGH FRAME. *JS

NHTSA ID
10538372
Incident
Jun 5, 2013
Mileage
44,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 12, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM VAN B1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING LEFT AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,000.

NHTSA ID
10475172
Incident
Sep 12, 2012
Mileage
184,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

23-015-20

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19

08-049-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

31-006-19

STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

3100319

STRUCTURE

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Ram Van by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003160143.5
2002141151.5
2001Viewing331148.9
2000290150.2
1999470152.6
1998221155.8
1997160145.7
1996180131.4
1995140238.4
1994601—
1993310—
1992200—
1991100—
1990000—
1989100—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.