Most common 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 problems
Share of the 513 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Ram 1500 complaints by model year
Best Ram 1500 years: 1997, 2005, 1998. Years to avoid: 2001. Compare all years →
2000 Dodge Ram 1500 recalls (2)
Tires
On certain 4x4 pickup trucks equipped with the snow plow preparation package, the tires supplied on some vehicles May have gross axle weight ratings that slightly exceed the maximum tire load capacity as defined in federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Dealers will provide replacement p245/75r16 tires to meet the load carrying capacity specified on the vehicle certification label and accommodate the addition of a commercially available snow plow and hardware.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began June 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed,…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2000 Dodge Ram 1500:
2000-2001 Dodge Ram pickup hood latch
The agency opened this investigation based on 30 complaints alleging that the hoods on model year (my) 2000 and 2001 Dodge Ram pickup trucks flew up and blocked the driver's vision.these vehicles have a primary hood latch and a secondary (backup) hood latch.the secondary latch is designed to secure the hood if the primary hood latch is not properly closed or otherwise malfunctions.in these complaints, the secondary…
What 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 owners say
Body & structure all 248 →
Shortly after we purchased the vehicle back in 2000 the dashboard started to crack. Throughout the years the plastic dash has become more brittle and the broken pieces have the strength and texture of peanut brittle but are rather sharp. We would find pieces all over the cab of the truck and if you dropped something down in the dash and tried to retrieve it, you would often come in contact with the sharp edges of the plastic that was still attached to the rest of the dash assembly. Here recently the inner-frame that is also made of the same faulty plastic which holds the radio, temperature controls, headlight switch, airbag control switch, instrument panel, etc has also started to crack and the components are beginning to detach from the rest of the dash assembly. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500. While reversing at a low speed, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact had to engage the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed that there was brake fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the dashboard fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic who diagnosed that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Transmission & drivetrain all 45 →
I have a 2000 Dodge Ram 4x4. My truck had 56,000 miles on it when the posi unit in the rear end exploded and tore up the gearing in the rear end. I was driving the truck down I-95 when this happed I did not know anything was wrong I got off 95 and thank god I did about a mile down lantana road I lost control of the steering and the rear tire started locking up. There were 3 of us in the truck if this would have happened on I-95 I dont know if we would still be here. Dodge built these trucks knowing there was a defect in the rear end along with mine there were 5 others with in miles of each other all with the same rear end problem. I contacted Dodge and ask them why this problem hasd not been fixed or recalled there answer was they did not care. This is a major problem in Dodge rams with a posi rear end we got lucky but what about the other millions who have one of these trucks. …
Driving my vehicle down a city street I started to approach a stop sign. As the vehicle came almost to a stop I heard a scraping noise and then the vehicle abruptly stopped. When I pressed the accelerator pedal the engine would rev and the truck would act like it was in park while in "d". I got out of the truck to inspect and found my driveshaft was no longer attached at the rear of the vehicle, to the transfer case. No abnormal noises were heard prior to this, or any running issues that would have indicated a problem. The truck will not move in forward position, but will roll backwards in neutral. Once I was able to remove the driveshaft from the transfer case and inspect, I found that the pinion nut had backed off and was still encased inside the rear flange attached to the driveshaft & u-joint. Fluid had been blown out and covered all of the rear axle and differential. …
Air bags all 41 →
In March of 2003 I was involved in a fairly high speed collision head on with a older style Ford bronco. My vehicle is a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 sport edition. I was cited for failure to maintain my vehicle at a safe distance, and hit the "broken down" Ford bronco with the nose end of my vehicle into the rear end of his vehicle at roughly 50 miles per hour. Unfortunately my air bags did not deploy. As I do understand that you need to hit certain spots on the vehicle to cause a reaction in the airbags, I assumed I did not activate the sensors, even though I hit the vehicle square on and my entire front end was buckled back roughly a 1'2" in (totaling in $9,600 in repairs at 30,000miles). …
My 2000 Dodge Ram 4x4 almost killed me no air bag and I was buckled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In williamsburg va. I had a 2000 Dodge Ram and was in a rear end collision accident on route 60 west at 55 MPH. I hit a stationary vehicle in the rear making a left turn. I have 17 stitches in my nose , broken nose, and bruised ribs. I was severely bruised by the seat belt and when the air bag did not go off at 55mph to zero deceleration my face was split open by the steering wheel. The air bag did not deploy and I was buckled, I read about all these problems with Dodge and the airbags, I am the second owner of the truck and I am very good friends with the original owner he and I have all service records this is not right I could have been killed now I am scared for life please assist me in any possible to remedy this issue my son sure liked seeing his father look like beast in …
2000 Dodge Ram 1500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 13 / 19 / 15 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 12 / 18 / 14 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 17 / 13 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 15 / 13 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 13 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 a good car?
Based on 513 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 Ram 1500 rates average: 20% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Ram 1500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Dodge Ram 1500?
The body & structure — 248 complaints, 48% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (45) and air bags (41).
How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2000 Dodge Ram 1500, the most recent from December 10, 2003 (tires). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Ram 1500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1997, 2005 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001. See the full Dodge Ram 1500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 78,000 miles; 23% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.