FaultScore

2001 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission problems

102 of the 1,370 complaints about the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the transmission — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 57,785 miles.

C

102

Complaints

7

Crashes

1

Fires

4

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Automatic Transmission 59 57.8%
Power Train 16 15.7%
Torque Converter 10 9.8%
Axle Shaft 4 3.9%
Differential Unit 4 3.9%
Manual Transmission 3 2.9%
Axle Assembly 2 2.0%
Column Shift 2 2.0%
Gear Position Indication (Prndl) 1 1.0%
Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch 1 1.0%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Dodge RAM 1500 year

1995 31 1.3%
1996 55 2.3%
1997 61 2.5%
1998 89 3.6%
1999 62 2.5%
2000 49 2.0%
2001 102 4.2%
2002 100 4.1%
2003 128 5.2%
2004 188 7.7%
2005 597 24.5%
2006 103 4.2%
2007 64 2.6%
2008 75 3.1%
2009 233 9.6%
2010 230 9.4%
2011 179 7.3%
2012 93 3.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Conroe, TX

POWER TRAIN

The headlights no matter what bulbs I buy are extremely dim making it unsafe to drive at night. Now truck will not start for some unknown reason. It tries to turn over but will not crank. The mileage flashes NO BUS. I was literally only getting at best 8 miles per gallon.

NHTSA complaint #11527071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Taylorsville, KY

POWER TRAIN

There have been three times now in the last two years, six-eight months of which I never drove the vehicle due to being repaired. I was driving at about 60-70mph. At which time there were no odd or sudden noises, no warning at all when the trucks acceleration goes way up till I let of the gas pedal, go to pull over while two of the three times, my drive shaft is bouncing between the road and underneath the truck which could have bounced up into another vehicle's windshield, radiator or whatever and could have actually hurt or even killed someone. Thank God nothing like that ever happened. After inspecting the problem, in which all three cases, the transfer case has broken off part of the tailshaft of the transmission and once, even broke part of the transfer case to. After trying to look up the problem on line, the exact same problem seems to have happened to several people from several different states and even one same instance from the same small town that I'm in. All the same instances that I've seen have been from the same type of vehicle from the years of 1995-2001. It just seems like a wide spread problem to me

NHTSA complaint #11423443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 400,000 miles Tucson, AZ

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS VERY LOOSE AND MOVED A LOT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. ALSO, THE GEAR INDICATOR DISPLAYED DIFFERENT GEARS EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11245461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 185,000 miles Pineville, LA

POWER TRAIN

MY TRUCK HAS 185000 MILES ON IT AND STARTED SOUNDING LIKE THE BACK BRAKES WERE GRINDING. ON THE WAY TO THE MECHANIC THE BACK TIRES LOCKED UP AND BROKE THE DRIVE SHAFT OFF. LUCKY FOR ME I WAS ONLY GOING 40 MILES AN HOUR.

NHTSA complaint #10724067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 217,900 miles Genesee, ID

POWER TRAIN

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR, I HEARD A HORRIBLE RATTLING NOISE. VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION THE REAR DRIVELINE PINION YOKE WAS LOOSE WITH THE NUT HOLDING BY ONE THREAD.. I INSTALLED A NEW NUT AND INSPECTED FOR FURTHER DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10667799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX Crash

POWER TRAIN

POWER TRAIN NORTH STAR DODGE, CHRYSLER AUTO DEALER SAN PEDRO SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS -POWER TRAIN GRAPEVINE DODGE, CHRYSLER AUTO DEALER, GRAPEVINE, TEXAS- POWER TRAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10659505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gastonia, NC

POWER TRAIN

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!

NHTSA complaint #10565216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Aurora, IL

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN)SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND STATED THAT THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE SERVICE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10524209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN

THE DASHBOARD GET DESTROY TO EASLY AND THE DEBRIES FLIES TO THE FACE MAKING DRIVE INSECURE BECAUSE THE PLASTIC PARTS WERE HITING THE FACE. THE POWERS TRAIN GETS VERY EASLY DAMAGE BY ROCKS AND DEBRIS ON THE STREET MAKING IT TO VULNERABLE TO GET DESTROY (AND THAT HAPPEN TO ME) . THE CHARGING REGULATOR GETS BROKES FOR NOTHING ANYTIME AND YOU NEED TO BE CHANGING THE COMPUTER OR ADING AN EXTERNAL ONE AND SOLDER IT TO THE PRINCIPAL CABLES THAT GOES TO THE ALTERNATOR, AND RELAYS.

NHTSA complaint #10515912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Milledgeville, GA

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10481082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 144,000 miles Denver, CO

POWER TRAIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT(NA). WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR AND THE SHAFT ON THE REAR END SPLIT AND DISCONNECTED; IT BEGAN DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT INSPECTED AND NOTICED THAT A BIG NUT WAS HOOKED UNDERNEATH FOUR OTHER BOLTS WHICH WAS LOOSE FROM THE TREAD. HE RE-HOOKED THE NUT TO GATHER IN ORDER TO HAVE THE DRIVE SHAFT STAY INTACT. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000.

NHTSA complaint #10367737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bronx, NY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10349030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Racine, WI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE ENTIRE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO PARK BUT THE SHIFTER WAS STUCK IN THE DRIVE GEAR. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE SHIFTER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE ENGAGING. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHENEVER SHE WOULD DRIVE OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. IN ADDITION, OFTEN WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL AND THE FAILURES DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT RELATED TO THE FAILURE THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA complaint #10345281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,740 miles Plantation, FL

POWER TRAIN

DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 REAR AXLE TUB BROCK AT THE PIG.

NHTSA complaint #10276951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles Wyandotte, MI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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!

NHTSA complaint #10253539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Morristown, MN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10245494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,500 miles Redmond, OR

POWER TRAIN

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. *TR 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

NHTSA complaint #10241972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 92,000 miles Kansas City, MO

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10208922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,600 miles Rockford, WA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10207789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Dubois, PA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*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.

NHTSA complaint #10189988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Hull, IL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10184389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,400 miles Newton, IA

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

DEAR SIR/MAM, I PURCHASED A 2001 DODGE RAM NEW. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES I HEARD ABNORMAL SQUEALING AS I TURNED ONTO OTHER STREETS AT A LOW SPEED. I ALSO NOTICED UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. I WAS ADVISED BY THE DODGE DEALERSHIP THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO DEFECTS AND TO SEEK OUT THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. IN FEBRUARY 2007 WITH APPROXIMATELY 58,400 MILES ON THE TRUCK I WAS TRAVELING THROUGH TOWN AND HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM MY REAR END. I LOCATED A MECHANIC THAT OPENED UP MY DIFFERENTIAL PAN AND FOUND METAL PIECES LAYING IN THE PAN. MY TRUCK HAS A LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL WITH 4:10 GEARS. THIS LAYOUT OF GEARS IS PART OF THE HEAVY DUTY OFF ROAD PACKAGE DODGE OFFERED WITH THEIR TRUCKS AT THE TIME OF MY PURCHASE. MY MECHANICS DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE POSI- TRACTION SPACERS HAD EXPLODED AS THEY HAD APPEARED TO HAVE STUCK TOGETHER. THE PIECES OF METAL THEN EVENTUALLY TRIED TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE RING AND GEAR CAUSING CHIPPING. THE END RESULT IS TO HAVING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COMPLETELY REPAIRED AT A COST WITH PARTS AND LABOR EXCEEDING $1300.00. I RECALLED BACK TO MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT WITH DODGE OF THE EXCESSIVE TIRE SQUEALING AND UNEVEN TIRE WEAR AT 10,000 MILES AND BASED UPON MY KNOWLEDGE BELIEVE THAT THE TIRES WERE SQUEALING WHILE TURNING ONTO OTHER STREETS AS THE REAR END WAS LOCKED UP IN THE POSI TRACTION MODE. I CONTACTED DODGE SEVERAL TIMES AND SPOKE WITH THEIR CHIEF CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE BY THE NAME OF PAT. DODGE STATED AT THE END OF EACH CONVERSATION THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST ME IN THIS ISSUE EVEN AFTER I ADVISED THEM OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE IN THEIR DODGE TRUCKS. I HAVE SPOKE AND LOCATED FOUR OTHER DODGE OWNERS IN MY TOWN THAT HAVE HAD TO REPAIR THEIR DODGE TRUCK REAR ENDS. AFTER OBSERVING THE METAL PIECES IN THE DIFFERENTIAL AND FROM SOME PERSONNEL EXPERIENCE FROM A PREVIOUS INCIDENT IN A FRIENDS TRUCK YEARS AGO I MADE THE FOLLOWING DETERMINATION, THE PIECES THAT EXPLODE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL WILL MAKE A CLUNKING NOICE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL.

NHTSA complaint #10184372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,275 miles Kalamazoo, MI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10177625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,229 miles Malvern, AR Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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. $5000.00 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.

NHTSA complaint #10174357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Bishop, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT*: 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 -

NHTSA complaint #10172990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,500 miles Edgewood, MD

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM WITH 61000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DEALER SAYS I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY TRANSMISSION. I LATE FIND OUT THAT DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN IN 10/02/2000 THAT THIS MODEL HAS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION PRESSURE BOOST VALVE...BULLETIN 21-11-00. SINCE MY FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED THEY ARE TELLING ME I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. I THINK THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL SINCE THE MANUFACTURER KNEW THEY HAD A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION IN 2000 AND STILL ALLOWED CARS TO BE SOLD WITH THE DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10164526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,500 miles East Bangor, PA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT*: 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.

NHTSA complaint #10151453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,570 miles Bonney Lake, WA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10150693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Canton, MS

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10148735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cincinnati, OH

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY, CONTROL ARMS, AND WHEEL HUBS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY LOCAL DEALER. I WAS TOLD BY A TRAINED TECHNICIAN THAT THE WHEEL'S COULD HAVE BROKEN AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE HEATER CORE AND AIR CONDITIONING MAIN ELEMENT STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED BY LOCAL DEALER. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, PINION BEARINGS AND CUPS STOPPED WORKING AT 77,400 MILES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED BY LOCAL DEALER. THIS WAS JUST 2,000 MILES AFTER THE PREVIOUS STATED PARTS HAD MALFUNCTIONED. OLD PARTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, BUT INVOICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL WORK PERFORMED.

NHTSA complaint #10144067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2001 Dodge RAM 1500 problems

← Full 2001 Dodge RAM 1500 report