10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,532 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #86

Mar 112002

Ram 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission overheats after a few minutes of driving.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #85

Feb 122009

Ram 1500

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07V555000 (power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift) and immediately called the dealer. A technician stated that he would have to pay a diagnostic fee prior to the repair and the parts were unavailable. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 90,000.

- Daytona Beach, FL, USA

problem #84

Sep 192004

Ram 1500

  • 43,000 miles
I own a 2001 Dodge Ram truck. I bought the truck used from a dealership with 40,000 miles on it. One week later the transmission blew. I had to pay $1500 to get it fixed. This has been an ongoing problem with the truck since I bought it. No body can figure out what is wrong with it. Im out all this money and the truck is worthless to me. Everyone I talk to that owns one of these trucks has transmission problems "everyone". I think the Chrysler Corp. Should have a recall on these transmissions!

- Wyandotte, MI, USA

problem #83

Dec 012004

Ram 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have replaced 4 46re transmissions in my 01 Dodge Ram sport 4X4. The 46re is a terrible transmission and they are known for being bad. They even have that as a reputation. Chrysler needs to do a recall on these transmissions for what has happened to many consumers. I have been through 4 transmission from 46,000miles to 109,000 miles, and I need to replace the one that is in it now. It has failed out of nowhere without any warning and has almost caused accidents. It costs atleast 2000 to replace the transmission and I've had to pay for 1 of them because they aren't covered under any warranty. Chrysler should be held accountable.

- Morristown, MN, USA

problem #82

Nov 102007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles
Purchased truck new in 2001. In 2004 truck started shifting hard into 4th. Also after sitting overnight in high humidity would start rough or not start at all. Would only start after engine warmed or "dried" out. Problem could not be found after running diagnostics on either problem. 2007; throttle sensor went out. Nov 2007, truck would start out in 2nd gear, would not shift down into 1st. Three days later transmission would shift at all, had to drive home a top speed of 25 mph at 2,000 RPM's. it's now getting a new transmission.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #81

Jul 012007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,600 miles
My 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab automatic transmission with only 84600 miles just died without warning or slipping of the tranny, I took it to get repaired. It got a tranny flush but still didn't want to shift so I took it back in and in the investigation, we realized that it needed a new tranny.theres no way a transmission should go out with only 84000 miles and with all the complaints I researched, I believe as well as all the complainants, that Dodge should be liable and make a national recall for this continuing problem.

- Rockford, WA, USA

problem #80

Apr 282007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that friction material has built up within the transmission cooler and has burned the transmission. The contact was driving 50 mph when the transmission suddenly failed. The vehicle was towed. The current and failure mileages were 50,000.

- Dubois, PA, USA

problem #79

Mar 062007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles
2001 Dodge Ram, the dash is cracked and rotten all the way across. This new of a vehicle should not look like trash on the inside, and there is a real safety concern with all the dash components working correctly. There is a serious issue going on here, if every Dodge dash is cracking. Dodge transmission- normal highway use and the transmission is already junk, all other brands are still going fine on their first transmission and theirs are a lot older than mine. Transmission just quit and nearly caused me to crash, this needs to be dealt with in a serious manner.

- Hull, IL, USA

problem #78

Dec 212006

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,275 miles
With no warning, the transmission on our 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab pick up failed. It was during a turn in an intersection and power was lost and then surged. Fortunately, on-coming traffic was able to avoid a collision. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer where we were informed that no recalls were issued and that it was only covered under a 36,000 mile warranty (our vehicle had 56,000 miles). The entire transmission had to be rebuilt and the mechanic informed us that it was caused by a pump failure. The cost was $3200. We contacted daimler Chrysler and were told that they didn't see a transmission failure as a safety concern.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #77

Nov 302006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving 55 mph on the highway, the vehicle hesitated and lost power without warning. It was maneuvered off the road and towed to the dealer, who determined the transmission needed to be replaced. Also, while driving various speeds, the driver seat moved. The dealer determined a bolt fractured and the track needed to be replaced.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #76

Nov 112006

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 107,229 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Dodge Ram 1500 sport 4X4 went from park to drive without pressing the brake pedal while the ignition was off. My 3 year old pulled the shifter while standing in the front seat. The truck was parked on an incline and rolled down the hill and crashed into trees. Causing approx. $5000 worth of damage. Have been told that it should not do this by the Dodge dealership. Have heard several other complaints from other Dodge owners about this same type of problem. Fortunately, there were no injuries this time. But, this type of problem could have very easily caused major injury or death to my child.

- Malvern, AR, USA

problem #75

Oct 262005

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
: the contact stated the automatic transmission slipped, shuttered and made whinning noises. The vehicle has been taken to the service dealer five times for the transmission, but they have been unable to fix the problem. The engine has also been making a knocking sound. The vehicle has not been to the service dealer for the engine problem. Updated 12/26/2006 -

- Bishop, GA, USA

problem #74

Feb 282006

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,500 miles
: the contact stated while driving 50 mph after the gears changed the transmission failed in the vehicle. There was no warning or warning lights to alert the contact of this failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealership, upon inspection the problem was the input shaft in the transmission had failed. The manufacturer has been alerted, no repairs made.

- East Bangor, PA, USA

problem #73

Feb 112006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,570 miles
While driving a 2001 Dodge Ram pickup with an automatic transmission the torque converter disintegrated. The damage cascaded through the transmission and made it barely operable. The entire transmission needed to be overhauled.

- Bonney Lake, WA, USA

problem #72

Jan 152006

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
I am about to put 4th transmission in 2001-1500-Dodge Ram-4X4 I have never pulled a thing and have had it in 4X4 less than 10 times. My dashboard has cracked in several places and I understand this is a common problem with a Dodge. The transmission problem is common in these trucks. The first transmission I had replaced was done by a dealer. The mechanic told me that the part that caused the problem was a part that Dodge had "redesigned". so basically Dodge knew there was a problem and did not offer to pay for what they knew was a failure.

- Canton, MS, USA

problem #71

Oct 202005

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles
I was going home from work, traffic real heavy stopped for traffic, started to go truck would not move, could not drive it out of the traffic or on the shoulder of the road. I had it towed found out the transmission was gone in it. Had it fixed, very high priced. I know there has been a lot of complaints about the transmission, shouldn't it be a recall on this. It could have cost me my life or others. There was no other signs, other than it would not move. This year truck models has been a nightmare. First the dash spit in many places, then the air condition went out and then the transmission. When it started it was only 3 years old, its not paid for. I will never buy a Dodge again, unless the Dodge company shows me that they are a bit concern. None of these things were fixed by them or a recall. I have been talking to a lot of the truck owners and they are having these same problems. There should at least be a recall on the transmission, thank god that it wasn't anyone hurt but it was very much dangerous. Please look into this model, its not what I am paying for. Thank you.

- Eden, GA, USA

problem #70

Sep 272005

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,900 miles
September 2005 while at work I got out of my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 6 cylinder. Truck for about 1 minute. I left the motor running and somehow it went from park to reverse and caused 2,800 dollars worth of damage to another vehicle.

- Alvarado, TX, USA

problem #69

Mar 042003

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39 miles
Transmission failure rebuilt 2 times.

- Green Bay , WI, USA

problem #68

Jul 122005

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles
I have a Dodge 1500 V6 truck that has been a pain every since I have had it. It never ran right from day one and I would take it back to the dealership and they said nothing was wrong with it. Now at 64,000 miles the transmission is blown. They really suck this was my 3rd vehicle from Dodge and I had problems with everyone

- Waller, TX, USA

problem #67

Jul 082005

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,590 miles
I purchased a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab, VIN [xxx], from fowler Dodge in Oklahoma city. The vehicle was sold as is with engine problems. Upon taking the vehicle to a mechanic, I was told that it will need over $2000 in repairs in order to be safe and reliable. The problems are as follows: #1 engine cylinder has burnt valve, not creating adequate cylinder pressure #5 cylinder has burnt valve, not creating adequate pressure #8 cylinder has burnt valve, not creating any pressure brakes rotors require replacement transmission slipping between 1st and 2nd gear headlights operate in full high beam only, all the time. Faulty headlght switch the mechanic I took the vehicle to has reccommended that I get a lawyer, write to you and Chrysler and give fowler Dodge a chance to make the repairs under good faith. The mechanic also stated that on numerous Dodge Ram maintenance forums, this is a common problem. I have seen these first hand and it is true. I have seen posts with people stating that their dealer told them there was a problem with the cylinder heads which lead to burnt valves, requiring cylinder head replacement. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

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