Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 65 MPH, the hood of the vehicle opened and smashed into the windshield. The contact and the passenger did not sustain any injuries and was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but the details were unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the hood latch failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.
I was traveling in the range of 30-45mph when out of no where my hood flew open and smashed against my windshield, causing me to be totally blinded and crash into a tall curb tearing apart some suspension parts and also the wipers were pinched and later began smoking. Followed by the truck not going into reverse. The truck is a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4.
Tl-caller owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 new england limited edition. Current mileage is 66,200. Failure mileage was 66,150. While driving down a hill at 30 MPH the hood flew up and put a line across the bottom of windshield. The visibility was zero. He slammed on brakes and stopped vehicle. He got on top of the vehicle and had to force the hood back down. It would not stay closed on its own so he had to bungee it down. There was extensive hood damage he drove home about four blocks away. Called dealer next morning and was told there was no recall for that year and model the hood recall was only for 1994-1999. Ktf the consumer stated received a letter from daimler Chrysler stating that there was a recall for the 1994-1999 due to the fact that the hood latch had failed and was rusted in the open position that was why the recall was issued for the years previously stated. …
I checked the oil level on the vehicle and closed the hood. I then tried to lift the hood after it was closed to make sure that it was well closed. I could not. I then proceeded to drive on the street at 30-40 miles per hour and 5 minutes after checking the oil, the hood popped up, bent backwards, and smashed the front windshield. No police report was filed but it occurred at 10:30 am in front of the east greenbush, ny walmart, and an east greenbush police officer did stop to help me reattach the bent hood and secure it so I could drive home to arrange repairs. I have no idea why the hood popped up. It should have stayed closed. I wonder why even the hood safety latch appeared to have failed. The front hood had to be replaced as well as the front windshield, the safety latch, and the hood brackets ($1800). I kept the old parts after they were replaced. …
Driving 40mph my hood released and stood straight up nearly touching the windshield. This bent the hood attachment brackets on both sides, and bent the edge of the hood at the bracket areas. I had to look under the hood to pull over on the shoulder. My Dodge Ram is a 2001 and was not included in the other recalls for this incedent which included model years 1994-1999. After looking at the hood latch assembly it is very corroded and failed due to this corrosion. After standing on my windshield and forcing the hood back down I it would not engage beyond the secondary latch. I slowly drove home and applied tons of wd40 which has temporarily loosed the latch assembly enough for it to work. However, the brackets and hood are still bent and I cannot open the hood further than a foot or so. I have secured the hood shut with strapping untill I can get this fixed.
While accelerating on I-65 to cruising speed of 70, the hood on my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 flipped up and banged against the windshield, cracking the glass and causing loss of sight of the road ahead. I was able to get the truck off to the side by looking out the side window. In traffic on a 3-4 lane expressway, I would have had a major accident. In talking with the Dodge dealer, I was told there was no indicated defect in the latch, which obviously had failed, including the safety latch. I am wondering how many more of these incidents have occurred. I am very disappointed in the response I got from my dealer. My insurance company is covering the damage under my comprehensive policy. I will keep the old parts.
My 2001 Dodge 1500 truck experienced hood latch failure while driving today, 10-3-08. I had the hood open earlier in the day and closed it the same way I've done for 7 years, which is with enough force to latch the hood. Five minutes into my drive to pick up my daughter and driving appx. 30 MPH, the hood unlatched and flip completely up onto the windshield. Fortunately neither myself, my son or others were hurt when I had to stomp the breaks and get off the road. The hinges and hood are both bent. I came across the NHTSA action number : pe08047 while I was on the net attempting to find out how to fix the damage. Please include me as part of the complaint file. Thank you, glenn zimmerman
Tl contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact was driving approximately 35 to 40 MPH when suddenly, the hood released in an upward position towards the windshield without assistance. The vehicle was driven onto the emergency lane with extreme caution. The contact inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the hood latch mechanism was defective. The hood was secured with a piece of material in order for the contact to reach his destination. The contact will notify the manufacturer of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Dt: the hood flew up while driving down the road at 30 MPH. This was the first incident. Upon inspection the was not working. Took vehicle to a dealer, who said the secondary hood latch froze. Repairs were scheduled at this time. Contacted daimler/Chrysler, who claimed vehicle it was not under warranty, and there was no recall. Owner's manual suggested lubrication at oil changes, and consumer should conatct insurance company. Consumer wished to add that there were other recalls on older Dodge models for the same issue, but not on this.
I was driving about 35mph, when the hood of my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 popped open. It bent the corners of the hood, I was able to push the hood down, with the help of 2 other guys. If I would have been driving faster, I believe it would have smashed my windshield. It has only happened once, but I am scared that it's going to happen again. We haven't looked into fixing it, because we just don't have the money. We are hoping to at least get it looked at this spring, unless it happens again.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 2001 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the locks & latches of the 2001 Dodge Ram 1500, 2% of the model year's 1,112 complaints. The component named most often is hood › latch (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches recall for the 2001 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 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to locks & latches 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.