Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Dodge Ram owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2001 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup has cracked dashboard. Started about 2 years after I bought the truck new. Still has new cracks developing. Some cracks extend into passenger airbag compartment and into driver's instrument panel. Installed carpeted dashboard cover to help prevent the cracks from progressing but they still remain to increase in size. Appears that whenever the A/C or heater is used the cracks extend and can be heard audible. The rapid change in interior temperature when using the A/C or heater can cause the cracks to quickly extend. Have to slowly increase temperature to reduce the failure rate. Have tried everything to prevent the cracks but nothing helps. Concerned now about the airbag compartment being comprised and leading to premature airbag deployment. The dashboard appears to very brittle and every precaution is used not to place any weight on dashboard. …
Bought a 2001 Dodge quad cab sport 4x4 in 2003. The dash had a small crack on the drivers side at time of purchase. The crack spread rapidly to all areas of the dashboard. I used protectants, adhesives and dashboard shades and a dash pad to prevent further spread to no avail. During one evening trip,I hit a bump in the road and the entire dash caved in causing the instrument cluster to lose lighting. I had to collect all the extremely sharp shards of plastic out of the dashboard recess to look for the problem. It was during this incident that a extremely sharp piece of plastic cut deep into my right hand. I should have gotten stitches, but used gauze and wrap until healed. What would have happened if the airbag was deployed with loose plastic parts flying all over the place? Survive the crash and then die from massive lacerations from broken dash pieces? …
I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 ext cab that I bought new from the dealership. At 42,000mi the dash had a crack in the center. I took it back to the dealership but they said it was out of warranty and to use something with uv protection. At 101,000mi the front speakers went out. Now my dash is missing big pieces. I was driving down the road last month and hit a bump in the road. A piece of dash flew up and hit my wife in the forehead. She will no longer let the grandchildren ride in my truck. She is afraid the air bag will go off or a piece of dash will hit them in the eye. Now the front lights have blinked on and off 2 or 3 times on separate occasion. I've called Dodge and they sent me to a service center. They agreed to replace the dash, instrument cover and glove box all which have cracked. But now I have to pay 580.00$. …
Tl contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the vehicle's dashboard began to crack and pieces are falling down into the instrument panel. He has written letters to the attorney general's office, the better business bureau, and daimler Chrysler. No one has responded as of yet. This failure has been ongoing since January of 2004. The contact stated that the vehicle was still under the original warranty when the failure first began. The failure still persists. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage is 91,000 and failure mileage was 36,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was taken to power Dodge for repairs. The consumer stated the dealer will provide a copy of repairs. Updated 06/29/07
While driving on the interstate all of the gauges quit working. While attempting to pullover the horn started to blow and the lights started going off and on. I was able to pullover but the truck would not turn off. A short time later my wife smelled electrical smoke. I opened the hood and the fuse box was on fire. I was able to extinguish the fire and the truck was towed to music city Dodge in murfreesboro tn. After two months vehicle was repaired, explanation by dealer was battery cable not properly installed at the factory.
In traffic going down the road at 65 MPH, the dashboard caved in. Loose pieces everywhere. I didn't know if this had affected the electronics or not at the time. I just had to pull over and cut through three lanes of traffic. Luckily so far, just some minor electrical problems here and there. I am scared this will affect the airbag system later on. Dodge says there is no recall on this. Very unfortunate, last Dodge I will ever own.
While driving 55 MPH, speedometer went from 55 to 0. Then, all other instruments went dead and horn started blaring. Consumer pulled over, and saw an orange glow under hood. Within 2 minutes, passenger's compartment was in flames. Fire department found fire had started in power box, vehicle was totalled. Dodge wants to repair. Consumer states the fires was because of the power distributor box.
I was stopped at a red light and decided to put my headlights on bright in order to see further down the road. When I hit the dimmer, the lights went completely out and would not come back on until the switch was operated several times. After this, I always left my lights on dim for safety reasons. Finally went to a junk yard and pulled a replacement dimmer, which solved the problem, I hope.
I am the original owner of a 2001 Dodge quad cab dashboard is almost completely gone from cracking. Had a piece come off as I was driving, and hit me in the eye while windows were open..called d/c once, no response..called today, and they said they would look at it for me..report from local tv showed this to be a major problem. The electrical components are failed.
2001 Dodge Ram d150 developed a problem with the wiring harness located in the steering column.** answer required***. The wiring harness had broken loose in the steering column and caused the vehicle to shut down. The power train control module failed and caused the check engine light to illuminate.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
On certain pickup trucks, the alternator wire connection to the power distribution center (pdc) can loosen.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the installation of the alternator wire connection to the pdc and if necessary, reposition the wire so that the crimp connection will face upward and tighten the fastener to the correct torque…
Electrical system › Wiring
Vehicle description: vans and wagons not equipped with power front seats. In the presence of road salt, water, and possibly other debris, the power seat connector located beneath the driver's seat could develop a high resistive short circuit that cycles the circuit breaker.
Remedy: Owners will receive instructions for removing the circuit breaker from the fuse panel. If an owner desires, their dealer can perform the repair. Owner notification began August 27, 2001.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment electrical fires
Electrical complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Dodge Ram, 6% of the model year's 459 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Ram electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-042 (alternator/generator/regulator, Feb 7, 2002); NHTSA recall 01V-253 (wiring, Aug 2, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Dodge Ram electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 4 injuries to electrical system 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.