CarBrief

NHTSA has 1,112 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup[1]. That is the third highest count of the 18 model years in our data[2].

1,112owner complaints[1]
2recalls[2]
13–16MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 1,112 owner complaints for this truck[1]. Of those, 65 mention a crash, 34 a fire, 80 injuries and 1 a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

The biggest groups by component:

Structure. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe a cracked or crumbling dashboard. Some also report a poorly welded cab, a hood that flew up, or a tailgate strap that broke[4].

Power train. In the sample we read, owners describe transmission failures, odd shifting and repeat repairs. A few describe misfires or lack of power that dealers tied to computer software[6].

Air bags. This group looks more serious. It has 42 crashes, 36 injuries and 1 death among its 84 complaints[7]. In the sample we read, some owners describe an air bag warning light with steering noise, linked to the clockspring. Others say the front air bags did not deploy in a collision[7].

Electrical. The group has 13 fires[8]. The sample we read holds a small number of distinct fire reports. They describe fires starting under the hood, including one tied to a dealer-installed remote starter[8]. The engine group also lists 13 fires among 56 complaints[11].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold, so they show what owners reported and not how likely a problem is.

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year, newest first[2].

Remove the sentence, or write: Owners can contact the maker or a dealer to ask whether a truck is covered.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings run from 13 to 16 mpg combined[3][14]. Only the 3.9L automatic 2WD reaches 16[3].

Version City / Hwy / Combined Source
2WD 3.9L 6-cyl, automatic 4-spd[3] 14 / 18 / 16
2WD 3.9L 6-cyl, manual 5-spd[15] 13 / 19 / 15
2WD 5.2L 8-cyl, automatic 4-spd[16] 12 / 17 / 14
2WD 5.2L 8-cyl, manual 5-spd[17] 12 / 18 / 14
2WD 5.9L 8-cyl, automatic 4-spd[14] 11 / 17 / 13
4WD 5.2L 8-cyl, automatic 4-spd[18] 11 / 15 / 13
4WD 5.2L 8-cyl, manual 5-spd[19] 12 / 16 / 13
4WD 5.9L 8-cyl, automatic 4-spd[20] 11 / 16 / 13

EPA estimates yearly fuel cost at $4,200 for the 3.9L automatic 2WD[3] and $5,150 for the 5.9L automatic 2WD[14]. These use EPA's current fuel prices, not prices from 2001.

Engine and size

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US trucks. Width is 79 in on every version listed[21][22][23][24][25].

Version Length Height Wheelbase Curb weight Source
Regular cab, long box, 2WD[25] 220 in 72 in 135 in 4,427 lb
Quad cab, short box, 2WD[23] 220 in 72 in 139 in 4,791 lb
Quad cab, short box, 4WD[24] 220 in 75 in 139 in 5,038 lb
Quad cab, long box, 2WD[21] 240 in 72 in 155 in 4,945 lb
Quad cab, long box, 4WD[22] 240 in 75 in 155 in 5,282 lb

How 2001 compares with other years

1995: 213 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 298 complaints, 0 recalls1997: 361 complaints, 0 recalls19971998: 520 complaints, 0 recalls1999: 610 complaints, 0 recalls19992000: 513 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 1,112 complaints, 2 recalls1,11220012002: 815 complaints, 3 recalls2003: 1,171 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 1,099 complaints, 5 recalls2005: 1,172 complaints, 4 recalls20052006: 792 complaints, 9 recalls2007: 517 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 554 complaints, 5 recalls2009: 670 complaints, 2 recalls20092010: 488 complaints, 4 recalls2011: 689 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 698 complaints, 6 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Ram 1500 Pickup model year. The 2001 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19952130
19962980
19973610
19985200
19996100
20005132
20011,1122
20028153
20031,1711
20041,0995
20051,1724
20067929
20075174
20085545
20096702
20104884
20116894
20126986

The 2001 model has 1,112 complaints and 2 recalls[2]. Only 2005 (1,172) and 2003 (1,171) have more complaints among the 18 years listed, while 2004 is close at 1,099[2]. The earlier 2000 model has 513 complaints[2]. For recalls, 2006 has the most at 9[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales.

Should you buy a used 2001 Ram 1500?

This truck draws a lot of owner complaints for its model run[1][2]. The reports that matter most to a buyer involve the air bag system, which has the highest share of crash and injury mentions among the groups[7]. Check that the clockspring recall was done[13], and on a 4x4 with a snow plow package, check the tire recall[12]. Have a mechanic look at the transmission and watch for a cracked dashboard, both themes in the sample we read[6][4]. Fuel economy is modest, at 13 to 16 mpg combined[3][14].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Dodge Ram 1500?
Structure has the most complaints at 548[4]. Power train has 95[6] and air bags have 84[7]. A further 113 are filed under unknown or other[5]. In the sample we read, owners describe cracked dashboards and transmission trouble[4][6].
Does the 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 have recalls?
Yes, two. One covers the steering wheel clockspring and air bag lamp (01V153), the other covers tires on some 4x4 snow plow trucks (03V504)[13][12].
What gas mileage does a 2001 Ram 1500 get?
EPA combined ratings range from 13 to 16 mpg depending on engine, transmission and drive[3][14][20].
Is the 2001 Ram 1500 a bad year?
It has the third highest complaint count of the 18 years listed, with 1,112[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat that as a caution and not a verdict.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 1,112 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup (65 mention a crash, 34 a fire, 80 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 548 complaints name the structure component group (6 crashes, 2 fires, 19 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 113 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 95 complaints name the power train component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,285). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 84 complaints name the air bags component group (42 crashes, 1 fires, 36 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 81 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 13 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 69 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 58 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,293). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 56 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 13 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 03V504, filed December 10, 2003: Tires. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 01V153, filed May 8, 2001: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  14. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 17 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 18 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 15 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 QUAD CAB L/BOX 2WD: length 240 in, width 79 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 155 in, curb weight 4,945 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 QUAD CAB L/BOX 4WD: length 240 in, width 79 in, height 75 in, wheelbase 155 in, curb weight 5,282 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 QUAD CAB S/BOX 2WD: length 220 in, width 79 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 139 in, curb weight 4,791 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 QUAD CAB S/BOX 4WD: length 220 in, width 79 in, height 75 in, wheelbase 139 in, curb weight 5,038 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAM 1500 REG CAB L/BOX 2WD: length 220 in, width 79 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 135 in, curb weight 4,427 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.