Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Unknown Will be driving down the road and the truck will shut off. When this happens it also affects the power steering and the power brakes. Has happened at a spotlight and I had to push it thru a busy intersection. Has happened going down the road just at random. No warning. But it does show (No Bus) when this happens but it does not trigger a code or engine light Try to start it and it will not start. Sometime it's only a few minutes up too 1/2 Hour the last time it cut off.
Linkage in steering column will remain in 2nd gear when I have put it in drive. It has been in mechanics twice. Twice into mechanics regarding antifreeze spilling inside the cab of truck. Repair was on water pump both times. Still having problems with both concerns. Resulting in health issues being at risk linkage while in motion on highway. Antifreeze spewing inside cab of truck on windshield, carpet and mats, also center of cab near 4 wheel gear shifter.occurs when stationary or when driving.
Engine shuts off while driving and stops in the middle of the highway. This happens several times per day. To start the engine back up, I have to come to a complete stop, cut the ignition switch completely off, wait 1-5 minutes, cut the ignition switch completely back on and if the gas meter gauge comes on, then the engine will start up again. The engine will cut off again while driving in 1 minute to a few hours.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500. After putting 400 miles on the vehicle, it began overheating while driving uphill at an unknown speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they replaced the transmission cap. When the windows were rolled down, they would not go back up. In addition, the headlights would dim when the windows were rolled up and down. While driving between 5-10 MPH uphill, the exhaust system fell off the vehicle. The bolts were not properly tightened. The cd changer had to be replaced after failing twice. There was also a grinding noise in the transmission when the shifter was placed into gear, and there was a hesitation when placing the gear into reverse or drive. The transmission has been rebuilt, but the vehicle is still grinding and hesitating when placed into gear, drive, or reverse. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering assist suddenly malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering pump was faulty. The power steering pump was replaced and the defect was remedied. The contact also indicated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle suddenly lost power as the vehicle independently decelerated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 126,000.
Dt: noticed on September 25, 2005 the engine has been making a loud ticking noise. Took the vehicle to two different dealers, one said it was the valve train ,and the other dealer said it was exhaust system echoing. Both dealers said it was normal for the vehicle to sound like that. Could stand two to three hundred feet away and hear it roar, and even if im inside a vehicle. When first starting it up it doesn't make the sound right away. But once the vehicle is warmed up it makes this sound every time when driving the vehicle .
My Dodge truck driving on the freeway at 65 all gauges zero out and the no bus reading is displayed on the odometer readout the truck is unresponsive losing power all warning lights are displayed on instrument panel. The truck now stalls at stop lights and runs rough. It has been at two shops the shops have replaced the computer the instrument cluster the body control module and has checked every wire and has not found any solutions.
Vehicle keeps stalling out while driving. I could be doing 60 MPH or I could be doing 25 MPH. There would be no warning it would just die. Lucky for me I was able to restart the vehicle in a few minutes. I brought it into the dealer 5 times to fix still it isn't running properly. They replaced numerous wires & the crank sensor. This has been going on since 10/07 and as of 1/5/08 problem still occurring. (5 times in total).
The "check gauges" indicator alerted and the oil pressure went to zero. The vehcile sputtered and the engine stopped. I found out from my mechanic that the engine had siezed and would cost $5000.00 to repair.I have already had two transmissions replaced at a cost of 3,300.00 and cannot put anymore into this defective vehicle. 2000 dodge1500 Ram 4x4.
While driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle made a grinding noise and stalled. Other than the grinding noise, there was no other indication that there was a problem with the vehicle. The manufacturer and the dealer are aware of the problem.
Engine complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Dodge Ram 1500, 5% of the model year's 513 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Dodge Ram 1500, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.