Dodge

Ram (2nd)

2000-2001 · Compact Sedan · 4 engines
Best Engine Recommended (4.4)
4,750 NHTSA Complaints
17 Recalls
194 Fire Reports
367 Crash Reports

Engine Reliability Comparison

3VZ-E

3.0L 6-cyl / 116 hp
Recommended (4.4)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
1
suspension
1

Known Issues

Steering Issues (1 complaints)
Suspension Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

CHEVROLET Colorado (2004-2012)DODGE Ram (2000-2001)TOYOTA Prerunner (2001-2001)TOYOTA 4Runner (2003-2009)TOYOTA Camry (2007-2011)TOYOTA Prius (2004-2009)

LT1

5.7L 8-cyl
Recommended (4.4)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
1

Known Issues

Steering Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

CHEVROLET Malibu (2004-2007)CHEVROLET Impala (2006-2016)DODGE Ram (2000-2001)CHEVROLET Camaro (2016-2024)CHEVROLET Corvette (2014-2019)CHEVROLET Monte Carlo (2000-2007)CADILLAC Seville (2000-2004)CHEVROLET Malibu (2013-2016) +2 more

Brush Type D.C.

65 hp
Recommended (4.0)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Electric
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
2

Also found in

DODGE Ram (2000-2001)JEEP Wrangler (2000-2006)

L18

8.1L 8-cyl
Recommended (4.0)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
1
engine
1
cooling
1

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (1 complaints)
Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

GMC Suburban (2003-2003)CHEVROLET Avalanche (2006-2006)CHEVROLET Silverado HD (2001-2006)GMC Savana (2002-2002)CHEVROLET Sierra (2003-2003)CHEVROLET S-10 (2001-2001)GMC S Series (2002-2002)CHEVROLET Tahoe (2007-2014) +44 more

Recalls (17)

09E025000Nov 4, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

09E012000Jul 3, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

08E050000Nov 7, 2008serious
Exterior Lighting

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

07E066000Aug 27, 2007serious
Equipment

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

06E060000Jun 28, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

04V185000Dec 3, 2004serious
Service Brakes

ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.

02V042000Jul 1, 2002serious
Electrical System

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE ALTERNATOR WIRE CONNECTION TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER (PDC) CAN LOOSEN.

01V038000Dec 1, 2001serious
Service Brakes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FRONT TIRE/WHEEL AND THE BRAKE HOSE/ABS SENSOR WIRE ASSEMBLY. DURING FULL LOCK TURNS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE TIRE OR WHEEL TO CONTACT THE BRAKE HOSE/ABS SENSOR WIRE ASSEMBLY.

01V289000Oct 8, 2001cosmetic
Tires

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 2500 WAGONS WERE EQUIPPED WITH INCORRECT LOAD RANGE TIRES.

01V153000Aug 4, 2001cosmetic
Air Bags

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.

01V184000May 5, 2001serious
Wheels

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS. A SUBSTITUTE WHEEL LUG NUT TIGHTENING PROCESS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT TO ASSURE PROPER TORQUE OF THE LUG NUTS.

01V008000Apr 30, 2001serious
Suspension

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: QUAD CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A CAMPER PACKAGE AND OVERLOAD SPRINGS. THE REAR AXLE SPACER PLATE COULD LEAD TO DEFORMATION OF THE UPPER SPRING PLATE DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE AXLE TO THE VEHICLE RESULTING A SOFT JOINT.

01V253000Feb 7, 2001serious
Electrical System

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS AND WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT SEATS. IN THE PRESENCE OF ROAD SALT, WATER, AND POSSIBLY OTHER DEBRIS, THE POWER SEAT CONNECTOR LOCATED BENEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT COULD DEVELOP A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CYCLES THE CIRCUIT BREAKER.

00V307000Dec 9, 2000serious
Suspension

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: QUAD CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS ATTACHED WITH CADMIUM COATED NUTS CAN CAUSE THE BOLTS TO STRETCH DUE TO THE APPLICATION OF A HIGHER THAN SPECIFIED CLAMP LOAD. BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER CONTROL ARM FASTENERS COULD CAUSE THE AXLE TO ROTATE FORWARD UNDER BRAKING CONDITIONS.

00V107000Nov 3, 2000cosmetic
Trailer Hitches

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL TRAILER HITCH. THE TRAILER HITCH SIDE BRACKETS WERE MANUFACTURED USING MATERIAL WITH INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH.

00V007000Oct 31, 2000cosmetic
Suspension

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE WELDS AT THE RIGHT SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET TO AXLE TUBE ATTACHMENT MAY HAVE INADEQUATE FATIGUE LIFE DUE TO POOR WELD QUALITY. THIS CAN LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM BRACKET FROM THE AXLE TUBE.

00V366000Sep 10, 2000serious
Child Seat

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2001 Dodge Ram problems?

The 2000-2001 Dodge Ram has accumulated 4,750 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Steering, Brakes, Engine. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Dodge Ram engine is most reliable?

The 2000-2001 Dodge Ram was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the ?L ?-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2000-2001 Dodge Ram a good used car?

The 2000-2001 Dodge Ram can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 4,750 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2001 Dodge Ram have?

The 2000-2001 Dodge Ram has 4,750 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2000-2001 Dodge Ram?

There are 17 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2000-2001 Dodge Ram vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Dodge Ram?

Before buying a used Dodge Ram, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Steering, Brakes, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 4,750 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-06.

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