Most common 2001 Dodge Ram Van problems
Share of the 33 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Ram Van complaints by model year
Best Ram Van years: 1995, 2002, 2003. Years to avoid: 1999, 2001. Compare all years →
2001 Dodge Ram Van recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
On certain van and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the ignition/park shift interlock system May become inoperative. This can allow the shifter to be moved out of the "park" position with the ignition key removed (or in the "lock" position).
Remedy: Dealers will replace the gearshift blocker and bracket assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2008. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2001 Dodge Ram Van:
Safety belt cinching latch plate
There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations.
What 2001 Dodge Ram Van owners say
Electrical system
This vehicle belongs to verizon communications. The Van had an under hood fire that originated in the ABS module area. A customer notified the driver that smoke was coming from under the hood of the Van while it was parked at a jobsite where he was working. He extinguished the fire using the customer's fire extinguisher. Daimlerchrysler issued safety recall d20 in 2004 to address this problem but the recall repair has not corrected the problem. Verizon has had 29 incidents that occurred after the recall was performed. This is an unsafe condition that warrants further investigation and action.
This vehicle belongs to verizon communications. The Van had an under hood fire that originated in the ABS module area. The driver noticed smoke coming from under the hood of the Van while it was parked at a jobsite where he was working. He poured water & soda on the fire to extinguish it. Daimlerchrysler issued safety recall d20 in 2004 to address this problem but the recall repair has not corrected the problem. Verizon has had 29 incidents that occurred after the recall was performed. This is an unsafe condition that warrants further investigation and action.
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram Van. While driving approximately 15 MPH in rainy weather, the contact turned the steering wheel quickly to the left and the steering column locked. He was unable to steer to the right and crashed into a railroad gate. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. Months later, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07V555000 (power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift). He filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. The current and failure mileages were 87,000. Updated 01/29/08. Updated 01/29/08
Difficult to get the gearshift out of park. A recall has been done on the ignition/parkshift interlock for an issue "the ignition/park shift interlock system May become inoperative.". The dealership service technician said that the part that has failed is not the same as the part that was replaced under the recall and wants over $2,000 for a new steering column or over $1,000 for a junkyard steering column. Chrysler customer assistance center agrees with the dealership but nobody can explain how the ignition/park shift interlock is not related to the ignition/park shift interlock.
A/C & heater
Vehicle doesn't defrost. All windows steam up and then ice up. Including front window leaving almost zero visibility. Took to lake Dodge, in (feb. 2004) and was told it was the recirculation doors rs that were sticking and needed to be lubed up. Seemed to help until dec. 2004. Windows steamed up and iced up again. Was told by lake Dodge, in that this is a maintenance issue we should take care of. Why should I have to take my entire dash apart to reach these recirculation doors to lube them up every year. First of all, I don't even know what they look like and how to lube them let alone take my entire dash apart without breaking anything! Called chrylser and jennifer said she would have so lake Dodge take care of it this time. This is a very serious issue! I have had quite a few close calls. My children and I May not be so lucky the next time!
Vehicle doesn't defrost. Windows steam up, if cold enough ice up. No visibility out all side windows. Brought in while still under factory warranty, they replaced the thermostat. Went back a few weeks later and was told it is a "characteristic" of this vehicle, "put some cardboard in front of the radiator". I tried it and it didn't work. This is going to result in an accident if this isn't fixed.
2001 Dodge Ram Van engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 15 / 14 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: Van.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Dodge Ram Van a good car?
Based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Ram Van rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Ram Van at the same age. It is one of the Ram Van years we suggest avoiding. 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 2001 Dodge Ram Van?
The electrical system — 5 complaints, 15% of all complaints for this model year, most often about wiring › front underhood. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (4) and a/c & heater (4).
How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Ram Van have?
There is 1 recall for the 2001 Dodge Ram Van, the most recent from December 4, 2007 (column shift). 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 Van?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1995, 2002 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999 and 2001. See the full Dodge Ram Van years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Dodge Ram Van problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 48% 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.