Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the fog light and the tail lights failed to illuminate without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power distribution overheated and burned out. The dealer stated that the part was no longer available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 221,000.
Transmission does not want to shift from first to second without leaving off of the gas. Now it doesn't go into park just stays in reverse. Called repair shop and they said it happens a lot to Dodge trucks. $3,000 to replace or repair.
My 2001 Dodge Ram started stalling out so I called for an appointment to have the censor checked out. They said that wasn't it - it was the transmission itself and they would have to drop the pan, that was fine until they told me there was at least a 1/2 inch of shavings in the pan and that they had never seen that amount in a newer truck- especially with my milage being so low. This sets off an alarm that this is a factory defect. I contacted the manager and he was suppose to get back to me-which he hasn't as of yet...surprise. Oh yes, in order to fix this because the warranty had run out 2000 miles prior it would cost me $5,395.14. (now being disable this is sure a boost to me) and that isn't even checking out the 4 wheel drive which it has bound to effect also. The warrenty was for 36000 miles and I have 39000 on it now. …
I owned a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9l diesel 6 speed manual transmission for a time until I had the problem I am referring to about the vehicle. The truck refused to shift into first gear anytime I went to take off, and so I took it to the dealer to diagnose the problem. I was told the pressure plate fingers were bent, and the total cost was going to be over $1000 to replace everything. I also personally talked to the mechanical who stated the problem with the pressure plate absolutely could not have been caused by myself and must have been manufacturer defect. Dodge refused to warranty any of the work because it had 40000 miles on the truck and was over their 36000 mile warranty limit. They also said I didn't qualify for their power train warranty without any further explanation. I kept all the replaced parts and still have them to this day. …
While driving vehicle's steering wheel locked up. Dealer notified. Ts steering wheel wouldn't turn. Power steering pump replaced. Tire pressure was too low. Steering box failed and replaced. Windshield cracked and replaced. Vehicle won't shift at 40 MPH. Clunking noise from park to reverse. Found normal operation. Oil leak in front of motor. Overflow bottle too full. Vehicle wandered all over the road. Steering box adjusted. And low tire pressure was to blame. Console on seat doesn't close properly. Turbo whistles on acceleration. No problem found. Transmission surges at 10 to 45 MPH. No problem found. Power steering box leaked and replaced second time. Leak was found at vacuum pump seal caused leak at power steering reservoir. Steering drifts to right and wheel is off center. Center drag link adjusted second time. After set for a few days, vehicle won't move when it is placed in drive. …
At 41,857 miles, my 2001 Dodge cummins diesel 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup truck began to lose power on the highway. I bought this truck new on May 24, 2000 and have had difficulty with the stiff, rigid gears and clutch ever since. I complained but to no avail. I was told that due to the torque, it was "normal". Then, the clutch failed and I barely made it to town and to the dealers garage. This truck was bought n from the local dealer, ridgewood motors and has been meticulously maintained ever since. It should not have failed with such low mileage. Since ridgewood mechanics replaced the clutch, it drives like a different truck, smooth and efficient. I called and emailed daimler-Chrysler about this problem and they said it wasn't covered by warranty and it was my tough luck. I'm out $898.26 and now wonder what else will fail in a truck that Dodge calls "Ram tough"! …
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. …
Just after the power train warrenty was up the trans started to slip. I check fluid. It was okay. Took it to the dealership and they rebuilt the trans at my cost of 2500. It still didn't shift right. The dealership told me it was fine. Last year I had to have the trans rebuilt again at 2500. It ran fine for exactly 12 months. The truck is currently in the shop again to have the trans rebuilt for the third time by a licenced facility. I had it fixed one time by a friend also. The trans shop will warrenty the labor this time but, they want over 1600 for parts. This truck was $40,000 and 2,500 per trans per year and the front end redone 3 times also. The engine is too heavy and powerful for the truck and trans. A fault by engineers at Chrysler should not be a constant head ache for myself and my wallet. I have replaced nearly every part on this truck x 3. …
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.
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 dashboard cracking . Tv investigation slot shown on internet. My vehicle has the same problem - purchased new dashboard panel from Dodge dealer $200. In the past year have front axle seals, water pump, power steering pump , fuel injection pump and automatic transmission failed. Repaired over $ 6400 in expense - the dash problem broke the monkey's back.
Transmission complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Dodge Ram 2500, 6% of the model year's 469 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.