10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 12
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,829 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #37

Mar 012007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • miles

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

The dashboard started falling apart shortly after I purchased the truck. Pieces of the dash keep falling down into the area where the wires are at.

- Lithia, FL, USA

problem #36

Jul 032012

Ram 1500

  • 130,000 miles
I own a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. This vehicle however, has a defect, the dashboard cracks and is starting to basically disintegrate. I however, am not the only one with these issues. As you can see on the forums and websites below. www.dashcover.com/dodgeramdash.html forums.motortrend.com/70/6297146/pickups-SUVS/is-your-2001-Dodge-Ram-dash-falling-apart/index.html www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/ram_1500/2001/accessories-interior/cracked_dashboard.shtml www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/ram_1500/2001/accessories-interior/cracked_dashboard-2.shtml www.automotiveforums.com/T429358-cracked_dash_in_2001_2500_truck.html the failure is so common there are youtube videos on how to fix it temporarily: www.youtube.com/watch?V=H7wfcxsy8xi I have seen quotes to get this fixed anywhere from 800 to 1500 dollars. Absolutely absurd. Some people are reporting that their dashboard is cracking and pieces are falling behind the dash and creating rattling noises and some even as severe as taking out electrical equipment causing headlight failure, ac failure, etc. Despite all of these issues Dodge will not issue a recall. One of my biggest concerns is if I were to get into an accident the dashboard could shatter sending sharp edged pieces of plastic towards me under high impact, which could lead to severe injury and/or death. I am highly concerned with this issue and I hope that by you showing interest on mine and others behalf we can resolve this. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Athens, GA, USA

problem #35

Mar 012011

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
Interior dash has several severe cracks. Dash is starting to crumble and collapse.

- Sicklerville, NJ, USA

problem #34

Nov 012007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • miles

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

My Dodge Ram 1500 truck's dashboard started breaking up into pieces and has become worse since 2007. Pieces from dash are falling down into the area that houses the speedometer & other electrical components that are vital to the functioning of the vehicle plus we are very concerned about the air bags being exposed. Every time we go over a bump in the road.....pieces fly off the dashboard & surrounding areas of the dashboard.......my granddaughter was hit by one of these pieces. After checking on computer, I found out that this problem has existed for years on the 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup, complaints range from California to Florida...I am very concerned our safety and the safety of others. Please go online and check complaints about this problem.

- Murrieta, CA, USA

problem #33

Dec 312009

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Two- three years ago years ago I notice a break in my dashboard that break has led to the dashboard falling apart exposing wiring. When the dashboard cave (part of ) in all the gauges stop working (speed, temp. Gas, ect.,) and the air bag warning light came on. This happen while driving.

- Montz, LA, USA

problem #32

Dec 012010

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Dashboard cracking and caved in causing all gauges to stop while driving working and airbag light to come on all wiring was exposed the ( dashboard was cracking for over two years but I just learn of other who had the same issues.

- Montz, LA, USA

problem #31

May 152010

Ram 1500

  • 120,000 miles

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

Several electrical issues due to pieces from broken dashboard falling into dash area wearing and cutting away wiring insulation. Have had problems with headlights turning off and gauges not functioning properly. Also on several occasions have seen smoke rising out of large holes in dash area. Glare from mounting brackets reflecting off inside of windshield has created visibility issues on bright days.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

problem #30

Jul 042009

Ram 1500

  • 100,000 miles
The dash panels on my 01 Dodge 1500 Ram quad cab truck have cracked and are falling apart. The holes in the dash have exposed wiring and electrical components. It appears the molded plastics used in the dash panels are deteriorating over time due to the sun's heat and rays. I suspect, like polypropolene tubing, all dashes made of this defective plastic will desinigrate. Anyway, after some research it seems that a aftermarket dash cover is the best remedy, however I'm concerned about the sharp edges of the old dash panel could cut some wiring over time and cause a vehicle fire.

- Loganville , GA, USA

problem #29

Aug 122010

Ram 1500

  • 210,000 miles
Truck was running just fine. When truck was parked for less than 10 minutes, with engine off it suddenly ignited in the engine compartment. The truck was a complete loss. There was no warning before the event took place.

- Greenville, MI, USA

problem #28

Oct 232007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge 1500 quad cab. The contact was pulling into a residential driveway at relatively low speeds. He utilized the tilt adjust for the steering wheel and when he lifted upward, the electrical components of the vehicle failed. When he adjusted the steering wheel back downward, the electrical components became operable. The contact repeated several times and the failure occurred with each instance. The dealer discovered that the wiring harness wires were too short and was beginning to loosen. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred and the headlights failed. The high beams were the only front-end lights that would operate. The contact was concerned that the failure could potentially cause a crash. Updated 01/20/11 updated 04/20/11

- Redmond, OR, USA

problem #27

May 222010

Ram 1500

  • 125,000 miles

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

Dashboard has cratered and pieces break off to this day. Have had multiple cuts and wiring issues since the beginning of this problem and worried that air bag might be involved with the issues. Have placed a cover over gaping holes while waiting for a recall regarding this problem.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #26

Mar 292010

Ram 1500

  • miles
Dash is cracked and falling in. Vehicle stops running due to wires being exposed.

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

problem #25

Nov 152009

Ram 1500

  • 0 miles
Like many others, the dash fell apart...you aren't doing a thing about it until what" someone dies? 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 truck. Everyone I talk to knows someone whose truck did the same thing. If we are in a wreck and the airbag doesn't deploy due to the support system being missing....falling apart totally....then if we die, will something be done to make Chrysler stand good for the repairs? I have contacted them and they want us to pay 800 for our part. No...it is their widespread defect and we will not pay a penny. We have had a fire in the dash as everything is open to the elements now....we had to stop on the side of the road and crawl up under and find the wires burning. Whenever you turned on the key, it smoked and burned. Finally, after the truck was towed home, he traced the wire to the heated mirrors and removed it. Waiting for the next fire, I guess. What a shame for Chrysler to take bailout money and not help customers and ensure their safety. Will someone please step up????"

- Marble, NC, USA

problem #24

Sep 292009

Ram 1500

  • 100,000 miles
I filed a complaint a few weeks ago about my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 since then I am now having electrical problems. First the windows then the radio and dome light and now this morning when I was leaving for work at :30 my head lights went out. This is ridiculous. What if I had been on the road. I drive down the interstate every morning at around 5:30.

- Dover, AR, USA

problem #23

Jun 282009

Ram 1500

  • 112,000 miles
I own a 2001 Dodge Ram pu truck 5.2.I was driving down road at night and went to click my bright lights on and the lights went out. This has happened several times. Checked the fuse and it was good. This is very dangerous.

- Flovilla, GA, USA

problem #22

Aug 302005

Ram 1500

  • miles
My 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 dash is completely cracked and has several holes in it where the plastic has caved in. I am concerned the holes and continued cracking will cause exposed wires to be burnt or severed, which could endanger the lives of the passengers in the vehicle.

- Milton, FL, USA

problem #21

Jun 012003

Ram 1500

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard cracked into pieces and the speedometer does not work. The dealer stated that the warranty for the interior of the vehicle expired at 36,000 miles. The estimated cost to repair the dashboard front cap is between $450-$600. The contact feels that the failure is a fabric defect and the manufacturer should be responsible for the repair cost. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 37,000 and current mileage was 67,179.

- Anmoore, WV, USA

problem #20

Sep 202005

Ram 1500

  • 70,000 miles
My dash has been cracking out over the last few years. For about the last 10 months to a year I have had check engine light that has no significance to the way it runs, and the code is unrecognizable to auto garage. Also I have wiring problems for about the same amount of time. My dash lights will go out completely on their own and sometimes come back on, sometimes not. Also there are sharp edges on the plastic dash everywhere. As of two weeks ago, a section caved in, leaving a gaping hole about 6 by 8 inches in size. The cracks and hole look identical to pictures of other Dodge truck dashes I've seen on the internet and news. I feel that the sharp edges alone make for a safety issue, and since the cracks are so sharp and sever by the passenger airbag deployment site, I wonder if it would fail during deployment. Combined with the wiring issues that I and so many other owners are experiencing that a safety recall should be issued immediately before someone is seriously injured because of the faulty plastic used on all these Dodge trucks.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #19

May 232008

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 55,500 miles
2001 Dodge quad cab pickup has failing wiring in steering column which makes truck die while driving. Which in turn there is no power brakes or steering and no electrical functions that makes the truck run. Dead on the road literally. Who knows at what speeds this problem may occur. Luckily, it happened to me while going slow and I was able to stop the truck. No known human deaths yet that I have heard of from this. If the problem is not fixed with wiring harness there will be deaths, I'm pretty sure due to this problem. I would like to do my best to keep my family and other families safe. This needs to be dealt with before someone does die unnecessarily in an accident that can be avoided by replacing the problem part of the pickup. The bearing clutch, rear carrier bearing, axle seals, rotors, power steering pump, pinion carrier bearings were all replaced. Also, the right turn signal and headlights failed. The center seat console bolting system fell out of the truck, the plastic dashboard panel and housing around the instrument panel was cracked in four places. The gasket on the water pump was leaking. The gasket, water and timing chain were replaced. The clutch failed, due to the wrong year transmission being installed in the vehicle. A 2000 transmission was installed in the vehicle, instead of a 2001. Updated 10/15/14

- Redmond, OR, USA

problem #18

Jun 212008

Ram 1500

  • 88,117 miles
Flashing light on odometer reads, "no bus" and the gauges do not work. What is wrong with this trucks electrical system?

- Ft. Edward, NY, USA

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