10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,901 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

problem #18

Dec 102012

Ram 1500

  • 78,000 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 the dashboard was cracked. The contact also stated that the heating coil was leaking without warning. The failure has occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who diagnosed that the heater coil failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

- Orangeburg, SC, USA

problem #17

Dec 072004

Ram 1500

  • miles
Since Dec of 2004 I have had my transmission replaced 3 times on this vehicle, the last time I was on a highway when it "blew" and was told by several ppl that I was very "lucky" it didn't catch fire, L know of many others who have owned these trucks and have had similar transmission problems!! I also have had my spare tire cable break while the truck was on a roadway, and my spare tire when rolling down the road behind me, by the grace of god...no cars were coming, in addition, I have a severely cracked dash, I am having to have the heater core replaced...smoke coming out of the vents...when the core is replaced, the dash will have to be replaced also, due to the condition of the dash!! Dodge needs to do something about these vehicles!

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #16

Aug 012011

Ram 1500

  • 119,000 miles
My 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 keep stalling when decelerating. The engine will start right up again when I turn the key but unless I keep my foot on the gas it dies again and again. It's always at low speeds like in a parking lot or approaching stop signs or red lights. This is very dangerous in traffic. I have had it to 3 different mechanics and we've replaced the alternator and the battery (twice on the battery) and it is still doing the same thing. Sometimes it runs fine and then it just starts quitting on my.

- Halifax, MA, USA

problem #15

Apr 092011

Ram 1500

  • 50,000 miles

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

Engine completed seized, was told sludge in engine. Mechanic stated common problem with this year and vehicle. $5000 to replace engine.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #14

Dec 082010

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 113,000 miles
I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2 V-8 engine. The engine has very poor performance due to tapping valves and lifters, when trying to merge onto the highway the truck losses power so I'm afraid this may be a serious safety issue by causing a accident on the highway. I have complained to Chrysler Dodge and they do nothing we as consumers really need the help.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #13

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 #12

Apr 212007

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram. While driving 10 mph under normal driving conditions and pulling a trailer the contact smelled something burning and the engine shut off without warning. Smoke was coming from under the hood. The vehicle would not restart, and was towed to a mechanic. The mechanic stated that the crank angle sensor was burned. The vehicle was repaired, and the no further failures occurred. The current mileage was 95,099. There was no damage to the vehicle.

- Didalia , GA, USA

problem #11

May 012006

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 78,926 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle stalled three times while driving on the highway at various speeds of 10-35 mph. There was no warning prior to the vehicle stalling. The contact turned the key in the ignition up to three times before the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to a local Dodge service center where they concluded the problem was a defective crankshaft sensor.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #10

Sep 012005

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles
The contact states when the vehicle is at an idle the engine stalls and suddenly dies. This problem is intermittent in nature and is most common in cold temperatures. He has not taken the vehicle to a dealer for inspection of the problem. He has cleaned the throttle body and replaced the temperature sensor. These repairs have not corrected the problem. No further repairs have been made.

- Corrigan, TX, USA

problem #9

Apr 122004

Ram 1500

  • miles
While driving the vehicle at an undetermined speed, the driver heard a clicking noise coming from the engine. The owner had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The mechanic informed the owner that the engine block had cracked. This caused the transmission to fail.

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #8

Feb 152003

Ram 1500

  • Manual transmission
  • 48,000 miles

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

Dealer couldn\\'t diagnose fuel pump problem. Kept reprogramming computer until total engine failure @ 30,000 km. 10 month fight for engine. 6 weeks to replace in shop. Electrical problems still exist since new. Truck has 77,000 km now. It is totally incapable of towing rv, what truck was bought for. Max fuel mileage empty is 10 mpg, 4 loaded. Excessive smoke. All symptoms verified by outside sources, and Dodge states the problem is with me. Am a former diesel mech, and trucker. Dodge refuses outside diagnosis including cummins. This truck has over 18 months of downtime. Just got truck from dealer today again, was told 2 weeks ago that this engine is toasted, then all of a sudden dealer says nothing is wrong with engine. They didn\\'t even have the courtesy to return phone calls or even to call for me to pick up the truck. Dodge will not even accept fuel logs. Have spent in excess of $20,000 out of pocket to keep this bucket going, for things that should have been warranty and outside diagnosis. Am setting up lawsuit now, as I cannot use this vehicle. It has even failed gov\\'t emmision test. Who cares? thanks

- Sherwood Park, UN, USA

problem #7

Mar 122004

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles
Vehicle just died no warning no check engine lights oil pressure gauge normal, and now I have a blown engine. I was told there was some sludge in the engine due to lack of regular oil changes. The oil was changed every three to five thousnd miles. Still has extended warranty coverage that the dealer where it was towed to will not honor.

- Wilmington, MA, USA

problem #6

Jan 262004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,500 miles
Loosing oil pressure.

- Ruston, LA, USA

problem #5

Jan 302004

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Engine warning light kept illuminating. Consumer stated engine slipped. Dealer determined that engine heads and transmission needed to be replaced.

- Monterey, CA, USA

problem #4

May 082003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
The vehicle was 2 years old when purchased. The front brake were defective and caused the vehicle to vibrate while braking. The timing chain made noise. The spare tire was bald. The catalytic converter failed.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #3

Apr 092003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,300 miles
Engine idle is erratic, both in neutral and in gear. Will speed up while driving, or while at a stop light, or while in park. Has caused vehicle to lurch forward. Dealer cannot find problem. It is more severe when cold.

- Sharptown, MD, USA

problem #2

Jan 292003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 29,000 miles
The vehicle shut off and caught fire. The dealer was notified. Ph scc

- Cordele, GA, USA

problem #1

Nov 012002

Ram 1500

  • miles
When driving vehicle engine skips alot. Consumer states vehicle consumes a lot of oil. Consumer states mechanic said gunk is building up inside engine, due to spark plugs not fire. Unknown.ph

- Dallas, GA, USA

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