2001 Dodge RAM problems
Owners have filed 417 complaints about the 2001 Dodge RAM with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 14.1% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of power train at 12.2%.
Complaints417
Crashes66
Fires11
Injuries28
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Steering 14.1% · 59
Power train 12.2% · 51
Air bags 11.0% · 46
Suspension 10.8% · 45
Service brakes, hydraulic 7.9% · 33
Engine and engine cooling 7.7% · 32
Structure 5.8% · 24
Electrical system 5.3% · 22
Severity
Of those complaints, 66 describe a crash, 11 describe a fire, 28 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 9 model years of the Dodge RAM in this data, 2001 draws comparatively few complaints; 1996 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 13 in the last three years against 22 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 40,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The steering wheel was hard to turn while driving at a low speed. The vehicle wandered across the road. The vehicle has been to the dealer on three separate occasions. The dealer replaced the steering box on two separate occasions and made some other repairs, however the problem continued. *Jb the consumer stated the brakes would grab, however the mechanic informed the consumer that was the way abs worked. Steering · reported at 7,380 miles
Steering wander/drifting causes an unsafe condition while driving. Local dealer has temporarily fixed problem but the problem returned soon after the repair had been made. There is obviously a major problem with the steering and components with vehicles with diesel engines. When the steering components loosen up it causes a very dangerous driving condition requiring excessive steering wheel correction. Steering
Total loss of steering and braking. Am in process of replacing power steering pump/brake vacuum pump (one unit) for the second time. At time of loss of steering and braking control was driving downhill with a full size camper on ice. Slid sideways and stopped in snowbank. Am afraid to drive vehicle after second incident. Know several drivers who have experienced same problem with 2001 Dodge rams. Steering
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Dodge RAM years
1996 905 complaints · 25.4% service brakes, hydraulic 1997 513 complaints · 17.0% service brakes, hydraulic 1998 644 complaints · 20.0% service brakes, hydraulic 1999 496 complaints · 19.2% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 212 complaints · 12.7% service brakes, hydraulic 2002 152 complaints · 12.5% power train