RoadVitals

2000 Dodge Ram Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
15
Latest Feb 19, 2004
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 147 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Dodge Ram submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 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.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Engine
Filed Feb 19, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE CONSUMER LOST ALL STEERING AND BRAKE POWER PRECEDED BY A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE TECHNICIAN SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE BROKEN ENGINE CRANKSHAFT. *NM THE ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE LUBRICATION FAILED TO REACH THE FRONT TWO PISTON RODS. THE OTHER SIX PISTON RODS AND BEARINGS SHOWED NO LUBRICATION PROBLEMS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10054112
Incident
Oct 28, 2003
Mileage
80,477 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THIS 2000 RAM 2500 4 WHDR CUMMINS DIESEL, QUAD CAB, TRUCK IS THE CHRYSLER DESIGN DEFECTIVE FRONT END. IN MY CASE, THE TRAC-BAR. THIS, IN MY AREA IS A $439.00 PLUS TAX ITEM, THE DEALER STEALS ANOTHER $75.00 PLUS TAXES FOR INSTALLATION. TWO BOLTS HOLD THIS DEVICE IN PLACE AND IS ONLY A 15 MIN REPAIR. THE TROUBLE IS IN 30,000 KM THE NEW TRAC-BAR HAS FAILED MAKING IT A CHORE TO KEEP THE TRUCK BETWEEN THE LINES. YOU DART ALL OVER IN YOUR LANE DEPENDING ON THE PAVEMENT RUTS AND GENERAL PAVEMENT CONDITION. I CAN SEE THIS DESIGN DEFECT CAUSING ADDED STRESS AND PROBLEMS TO THE BALL JOINTS. THIS DEFECT IS A CHRYSLER PROBLEM AND ALL COSTS TO COVER REPAIRS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURE AND NOT THE CUSTOMER. THIS, AND THE OTHER MANY, DODGE FRONT END PROBLEMS I FEEL IS JUST CAUSE FOR A RECALL ORDER.

NHTSA ID
10071358
Incident
Jul 15, 2003
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

ENGINE SPARK KNOCK AS A RESULT OF A BAD PLENUM GASKET. DODGE APPARENTLY WILL NOT FIX, UNLESS I COME UP WITH $450-$500. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED AND APPARENTLY THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM, BUT I HAD NO IDEA THAT IT NEEDE TO BE DONE. BY THE WAY, I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN JAN OF 2003 AND THE BULLETIN WAS RELEASED IN FEB OF 2003. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT I WOULD HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL, BUT DID NOT AND NOW I'M ON THE HOOK FOR THE REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
10071065
Incident
Sep 15, 2003
Mileage
20,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+3 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

1.BODY JUMPS AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS UNABLE TO STEERE.2.ODOMETER READING DIDN'T MOVE FOR APPROX- 1ST 200 MILES.3.ENGINE KNOCKS. 4. SHIFTING LINKAGE AND GEARS GRIND. 5. TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND FRONT AXLE GRINDS. 6.SALESMAN SAID I WAS APPROVED AND DID QUALIFY FOR ANY VEHICLE IN THE LOT WITH $10,000.00 DOWN.CALLED FINANCE COMPANY AFTER PURCHASE AND WAS APPROVED FOR THE VEHICLE I ORIGINALLY WANTED.7.BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED ALL THE WAY AROUND. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10069566
Incident
May 15, 2003
Engine
Filed Jan 13, 2003

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE OIL PUMP WENT OUT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FREEZE WHICH IN RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10003650
Incident
Mar 1, 2002
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 22, 2002

WHILE TRYING TO ENTER FREEWAY HEARD 3 BELL CHIMES. THEN, HORN STARTED TO SOUND, AND ENGINE HAD SHUT DOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8002563
Incident
Jan 11, 2002
Engine
Filed Dec 12, 2001

THIS TRUCK HAS HAD A NOISE IN THE ENGINE SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE TRUCK. IT HAS BEEN DOWNHILL SINCE THEN, I CASN GET ALL THE SERVICE REPORTS ON FILE AT BILL ABBOTT. THE TRUCK IS NOW AT CUMMINGS MIDWEST POWER CO. IN BLOOMINGTON IL FOR ANOUTHER PROBLEM THEY HAVE THE HEAD OFF AND CHECKING IT FOR A PROBLEM ALSO THE CRANKSHAFT SEAL LEAKS OIL THIS ISTHE SECOND ENGINE IN THIS TRUCK. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE IF I COULD EXCHANGE THIS TRUCK FOR A LIKE ONE AS I CAN'T TRUST THIS TRUCK . THANK YOU. GLENN THOMAS. *AK

NHTSA ID
755559
Incident
Jun 22, 2001
Engine
Filed Jul 30, 2001
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, WIRING HARNESS B/H FIREWALL BURNT, CLAIM 18-N185-992. *SLC

NHTSA ID
6900560
Incident
Jul 30, 2001
Engine
Filed Jun 13, 2001

OIL BREATHER CAP IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF ENGINE FAN, FORCING OIL FUMES INTO VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS SENT TO DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
890266
Incident
Jun 15, 2000
Body & structureEngineTransmission+1 more
Filed Mar 15, 2001

HAD A SHORT BLOCK PLACED ON ENGINE DUE TO MAKING A PECKING NOISE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE A WHINNING SOUND WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME WHEN EITHER STOPPING OR STARTING OFF.*AK AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER ARE INOPERABLE. VIBRATION IS FELT AT 48-60 MPH. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE, HOWEVER PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT, DEALER TOLD CONSUMER TO USE 30 WEIGHT OIL, CONSUMER WANTS DEALER TO BUY BACK VEHICLE, HE FEELS HE HAS A LEMON. *SLC

NHTSA ID
883184
Incident
Jul 20, 2000
EngineOther / unspecified
Filed Feb 5, 2001

I HAD A RECALL FOR TRAILER HITCH, (FIXED) HAD A RECALL FOR EMISSIONS, ( COMPUTER ADJUSTMENT)AFTER THAT FUEL MILEAGE DROPED FROM 13.5 TO 8.8.TOOK IT TO DEALER IN FLORIDA AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.I WOULD LIKE TO GET IT SET BACK TO 13 MILES PER GAL.WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS?*AK

NHTSA ID
740454
EngineVisibility
Filed Dec 29, 2000

JUNE 1,2000 (2958ML) ENGINE STARTS PINGING, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW THUMPS WHEN ROLLING UP & DOWN. JULY 21,2000 (6840ML) ENGINE STILL PINGS, KNOCKING SOUND UNDER VEHICLE, THUMPING IN WINDOW STILL PRESENT , OIL PRESSURE FALLS WHILE DRIVING. JULY 31,2000 (7509ML) ENGINE STILL PINGS, KNOCKING UNDER VEHICLE STILL PRESENT.LEFT CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED, #2 CYLINDER REPLACED. SEPT. 12,2000 (9420ML) ENGINE STILL PINGS, KNOCKING UNDER VEHICLE STILL PRESENT , OIL PRESSURE STILL FALLS WHILE DRIVING , THUMPING IN WINDOW STILL PRESENT, FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT. DEC. 7,2000(14128ML) HAD TO HAVE CRANKSHAFT,ROD BEARINGS, MAIN BEARINGS, #4 CYLINDER ROD AND PISTON, OIL PUMP REPALCED.RETURNED ON 12/14/00. DEC. 15,2000 (14169ML) NO OIL PRESSURE. HAD TO HAVE OIL SENDING UNIT, OIL PUMP, & SCREEN REPLACED.. *AK

NHTSA ID
738478
Incident
Dec 7, 2000
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Oct 14, 2000

THE POWER CONTROL MODULE AND BODY CONTROL MODULES BLEW OUT TWICE WITHIN THE FIRST 4000 MILES OF THE TRUCKS LIFE THE LEAKY INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS DETECTED AFTER SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF A TAPPING NOISE IN ENGINE THAT WAS WORSE WHEN ACCELERATING. STILL NOT FIXED VEHICLE STILL HAS REAL BAD TAPPING IN ENGINE. TRUCK DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD , LEFT ME STRANDED. DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WENT OUT. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE ALSO SHORTED OUT THE CASSETTE PLAYER. I HAVE ALSO HEARD STRANGE BUZZING NOISES IN THE CAB WHILE DRIVING. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. VEHICLE IS STILL NOT RUNNING PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID
734309
Incident
Sep 13, 2000
Engine
Filed Sep 28, 2000

ENGINE SURGES AT INTERSECTIONS AND STOP SIGNS, ROUGH IDLING AND NO POWER. *SLC

NHTSA ID
555232
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 5, 2000
Fire reported

FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED FROM THE ALTERNATOR, FIRE CAUSED BATTERY TO EXPLODE/MELT AND GOT ACID ALL OVER, CONSUMER STATED IN MARCH THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REBUILT, THE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED 1-2 WEEKS PRIOR TO FIRE, CLAIM 16-N124-673. *SLC

NHTSA ID
6900564
Incident
Jul 1, 2000

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .