Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
With aprox. 89,000 miles on the truck I experienced loss of power during normal operations. Replacement of the fuel filter fixed the problem for a short periods of time. Thought the problem was bad fuel. As it turned out it was my transfer pump getting weak. This inturn, due to low juel pressure, caused my fuel injection pump to eventuly fail. I had to have this repaired in May of 2005. From what I have been told by the repair shop this is an inherit problem with the cummings. I have spoken with other cummings diesel owners and they have told me of the same problems. Dodge most be aware of this problem. This is a very expensive repair, $2100 between the two pumps and that is with me replacing the transfer pump myself. There should have been a low fuel pressure inticator install in these trucks at the factory. They are avalible in the aftermarket. …
Dt: the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel engine. The vehicle acted as if it was running out of fuel, but not all the time. If the temperature range was over 100 degrees then this was when the problem occurred. The problem was intermittent. The engine temperature was about 190-195 degrees that did not go up. The vehicle stalled because of this problem. Consumer had this problem for three years, and currently the vehicle ha 93,000 miles on it. Also, had an extended warranty which ran out the July 19, 2005. The vehicle was taken to dealer for service four to five times four of those times it was the same problem, and each time they thought they corrected the problem, but they have not been able to do so. On August 4, 2005 consumer went to a dealership, not a Dodge dealership, two vehicles there had same problem as consumer's vehicle. …
My complaint concerns my vehicle and several thousand others that belong to members of the turbo diesel register. The reason I'm writing is in hopes that we can get a safety issue addressed, and corrected once and for all. There has been a repeated trend over several years now concerning the lift pump (fuel transfer pump) utilized in the 2500/3500 cummins diesel application. I am a member of the failed lift pump club and have experienced this lift pump problems on my 2001 2500 Dodge ctd. This failure caused the truck to loose power and sometimes die. This can be life threatening if the truck owner is on the highway towing a loaded trailer. I would like this design problem corrected. I am not alone in this concern, there are thousands of 1998.5 - 2002, 24 valve cummins turbo diesel owners that are concerned and have complained to Dodge about this problem with no resolution. …
1. Stereing wheel would not center up, vehicle drove straight. Dealer said this is normal to compensate for torque, no warranty repair, took to a suspension shop for repair $ 1200.00 (see details below). 2. Transmission shuddered in torque converter lock up. Delaer found no problems with transmission, but confirmed the problem. $ 2200.00 for new hd torque converter and hp valve body (see detail below) **accelerator stuck wide open while traveling down interstate, had to push hard on brake pedal to slow down to merge to shoulder, place vehicle in neutral and the engine revved to red line, shut down the motor. Motor would not start only crank. Dealer said the injector pump and controller awere bad, $ 3000.00 for reapair. Replaced ball joint 6/2002, replaced transmission 10/2004, replaced fuel injector pump 12/04. Sum total of repairs $ 6600.00.
I was taking a road trip hauling my boat that was around 300 miles or so and got through the first 100 + fine. Driving along when the trucks dies on the interstate and has no power brakes or steering making it very difficult and dangerous to control and come to a stop. After finally and luckily coming to a stop and heart rate started to drop, I had to get on the road again, I managed to get the truck to restart after bleeding the fuel through the fuel filter housing and having to bump the key a few times. I turned around and went back home going very very slow and being o so careful. Come to find out the problem is the lift pump and is extremely to common. This should alert anyone that deals with safety and should prompt a investigation.
1. The first incident, May 11,2000 was a recall for the replacement of the transfer pump due to premature internal armature shaft bushing wear. This was a recall by Dodge. The second incident occurred August 24,2004. 2. The failure causes the vehicle to run extremely rough, and makes the vehicle was not drivable. Failure at highway speeds would cause a sudden slowdown of the vehicle. 3. In both instances, the transfer pump had to be replaced. Currently, this vehicle only has 31,000 miles on it. The cost to replace these pumps can be extremely expensive to the vehicle owner. This appears to be a significant problems with Dodge trucks which have the cummins diesel engine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500. The dealer stated that the fuel transfer pump located and bolted on the side of the engine above the starter was leaking diesel fuel. The failure mileage was 61916. The dealer also advised the contact that they no longer make that type of pump. The contact attempted to reach the manufacturer to file a complaint and was unsuccessful. The contact was never notified that the parts were no longer available, and was aware of the safety risk involved. The current mileage was 62015. Consumer states that he has the old pump. The dealer is putting a plate over where the old pump was bolted on the block. Updated 4/9
Loss of power while entering high speed traffic, causing high speed traffic to take evasive actions to prevent collisions. Failure of transfer pump causing failure of injection pump on numberous occasions, this should be recalled at the time of the last repair their was no replacement for transfer pump available, so an after market electric pump with proper flow rate amd pressure was installed and has been in service for over 1 year. The injection pump still flags as bad and has loss of power until engine is at full running temperture and will eventually need to be replaced.
While driving the consumer noticed that smoked was coming from the rear. The vehicle started to vibrated uncontrollably. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer. The mechanic informed the driver that the fuel injector needed replacing due to cleaning sensors. The consumer indicated that this problem started after pulling a trailer for 200 miles. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the replaced the injector pump.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 hybrid. The contact stated that the water and fuel warning light illumined on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The failure mileage was 158,000 and the current mileage was 161,000.
Fuel System complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2001 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2001 Dodge Ram 2500, 7% of the model year's 469 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2001 Dodge Ram 2500, though it has 1 recall 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 2500 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 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.