10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,555 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Mar 202008

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,000 miles

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

Bought a 2 yr old durango with 60,000 miles on it at carmax. At 116,000 miles it started knocking. I took it to allen samuels dealership and they claimed the engine failed. We replaced the engine at our cost for 6K, because we still owed 7K on the vehicle. We bought new tires as we decided to keep the vehicle and try to recover some of the cost. 3 months later, the new engine failed, the vehicle died as I was exiting the freeway and turning under an overpass. I wasn't aware the vehicle had died, until I realized the power steering had gone out when I tried to turn. The dealer is going to replace the engine this time, but we have decided we need to cut our losses and get rid of the vehicle. We cannot afford to keep a car like this. We have 4 children and this is the vehicle that we travel in as a family daily. It is totally undependable and unsafe.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #20

May 122006

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles
Like everyone's else's 2001 Ram 1500 the dash board cracked all over the place, big pieces falling down inside the dash and vents, and also the heads cracked at 75,000 miles or so.

- Highland, CA, USA

problem #19

May 092005

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Purchased new 2001 Dodge Ram paid cash pmt for it 28,000 also a Chevy truck mind you never no big issues with the Chevy on the other hand the Dodge issue after issue now the serious problem cracked collapsing dashboard I use only meguire products O the Dodge take excellent care of it I am very disappointed that daimler Chrysler is not fixing these problems there is a big history of this issue with the 01 I see they do not back up the name Dodge when I am ready for a new truck again I highly doubt look at another Dodge truck even though they are pretty trucks but like I said I have had a big history of issues on my Ram for it being bought new disappointed Dodge Ram owner and this Ram has been taken very good care of. The consumer also stated the heat stopped working and the engine consumed excessive amounts of oil and there was no warning to indicate there was a problem. Updated IVOQ 03/11/11

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #18

Oct 262005

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

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

: 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 #17

Mar 062006

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
I have a 2001 Dodge intrepid with approx 70K miles. I had no warning anything was wrong and when I stopped to pick up my 6 year old child the car never started again. I brought it to a local (trustworthy) mechanic and after a $215.10 bill I was told my engine failed and I would have to pay approx 5K to repair it. My mechanic asked if I kept up on the oil changes and I stated that I did. After research himself he informed me that this is an ongoing problem with the 2.7 engines. I still owe on the vehicle 5K and I am a single parent and now have no car and still paying on it.

- Windsor, CT, USA

problem #16

Jun 102005

Ram 1500

  • miles
Dodge (2001) 1500 Ram pickup (4X2) --- 1- major lower engine failure. Engine oil pressure warning lamp activated followed by engine making "ticking" noise. In doing research, I have found that this "oil pressure / major engine issues" is common for the Dodge Ram. 2- second major Dodge issue--- transmission had to be totally replaced. Again, in doing research, I have found numerous documented issues with the 2001 Dodge Ram transmission failures..

- Sicklerville, NJ, USA

problem #15

Jan 112005

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

A loud banging noise started coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was running rough while driving. The driver was able to pull over. Then, vehicle stalled. The driver was unable to restart. The driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to the coolant leaking into the number three injector.

- Cantonment, FL, USA

problem #14

Jun 152004

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,652 miles
Oil pump failure. Dodge will not honor oem warranty (vehicle at 29 months/29K miles), or extended warranty(7 year/100K mile); claiming neglect of maintenance - sludge in oil. Oil changes done regularly at 3-5K miles. Most recent oil change done 3 days/200 miles before oil pump failure, and oil was claimed to be "sludge".

- Burlington, MA, USA

problem #13

Nov 192003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Consumer complained about defective transmission. Also, engine failed, and vehicle stalled. Consumer has had vehicle for 20 days. Dealership will not assist in repairs.

- Holland, NY, USA

problem #12

Dec 022003

(reported on)

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
While driving, the engine and the transmission lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to dealer. The dealer stated that the transmission overheated and melted a few wires.

- Wagner, OK, USA

problem #11

Apr 242003

Ram 1500

  • miles

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

The vehicle caught on fire under the hood, while in idle.

- De Leon, TX, USA

problem #10

Mar 272003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
The engine light illuminated twice, the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.

- Painesville, OH, USA

problem #9

Mar 182003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Build up of sludge in the engine and burn-out of rod bearings with regular maintenance. We followed the maintenance. Schedule set fort in owners manual and have verifiable proof of completed maintenance. However, system is full of sludge causing the bearings to burn out.

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

problem #8

Oct 262002

Ram 1500

  • miles
The engine rattled.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #7

Jun 012002

Ram 1500

  • miles
No parts available:::::::::the consumer receive a recall for power generator cable crystal Chrysler center 36444 auto park drive cathedral city ca. Service manager robert 760 324 4557. Consumer stated that it has been 7months she receive the recall notice in 01-Jun-02. Dealer is aware of the proiblem.

- Landers, CA, USA

problem #6

Sep 022002

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Camshaft leaking fluid, and is starting to cause problems to transmission.contacted dealer.

- Lahnam, MD, USA

problem #5

Oct 092000

Ram 1500

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
On several occasions, while driving, consumer states clutch seized and vehicle stalled. Dealer replaced clutch assembly and flywheel and found clutch disc burned out. Customer states the transmission clunks when shifting. Customer states vehicle will buck when attempting to start in 1st gear. Vehicle shudders when driving and customer has completely lost clutch.

- Campbell, CA, USA

problem #4

Jan 102002

Ram 1500

  • miles
Engine valve clatter. The engine has a high pitch valve clatter when any load is put on the vehicle such as passing a vehicle. The dealer has performed service bulletin items. The dealer tells me to burn 93 octane fuel. The owners manual says to use 87 octane. Talked with numerous Dodge owners who have the same concern. Does the engine clatter mean an engine problem now or in the future? dealer not concerned.

- Ville Platte, LA, USA

problem #3

Jan 172002

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
Had to replace cylinder heads at 68000 miles, not due to wear and tear according to repair shop. 10 out of the last 12 Dodge trucks into the shop have had to have the same thing done. I was told to keep my peperwork, because there is an obvious problem and they are seeing more and more Dodge trucks with around the same mileage being brought in. Repair shop feels there probably will be a recall on them. Major problems with the Dodge trucks.

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 172002

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
Had to replace cylinder heads at 68000 miles, not due to wear and tear according to repair shop. 10 out of the last 12 Dodge trucks into the shop have had to have the same thing done. I was told to keep my peperwork, because there is an obvious problem and they are seeing more and more Dodge trucks with around the same mileage being brought in. Repair shop feels there probably will be a recall on them. Major problems with the Dodge trucks.

- Clovis, CA, USA

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