Door Lock & Latch complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The clock spring was replaced 3 times, there was a problem with the door locks, speakers, and body scratches. Also no keyless entry as promised when the vehicle was purchased. Also the passenger door regulator was replaced, the roof seam leaked water
The rear door locks on the 2002 Ram 1500 will not unlock without hitting the button more than 8-9 times. This was frustrating because I paid thousands of dollars for this truck, and I would expect things like this to work on first try.
After checking my battery connections and fluid levels I closed my hood as normal and about 24 hours later I was driving my truck and the hood latches failed and the hood opened up with a heavy gust of wind. I was driving about 30-40 miles per hour and had to make a blind stop on the road. This road was rarely traveled and fortunately no one was hurt. My wife and my son were with me. The event bent my hood back to the windshield and over extended the hood hinges. Damage to the hood, hinges and mating areas of the truck.
The hood unexpectedly flew open and smashed the windshield of my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 truck! The front end of the truck is now destroyed and I have come to find out that this truck has already been recalled for this exact same issue from 1994-1999. Obviously it was not fixed after 1999 because I have located 9 other people besides myself who own 2001 models and who have had the exact same problem.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Dodge Ram. While driving 55 MPH the hood of the vehicle opened, which impaired his visibility. He was able to safely drive to the emergency lane and temporarily secure the hood in a latched position. A mechanic, upon inspection concluded that the hood latch failed. He was in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Ram . While driving 40 MPH the hood un latched and slammed against the windshield. Upon further inspection she noticed that the hood latch had fractured. No repairs were made. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was provided. The failure and current mileages were 160,000.
Dt*: the contact stated there is NHTSA recall 01V040000 regarding the hood latch. The secondary hood latch failed and allowed the hood to open striking the windshield and blocking the contact's view while driving 60 MPH. With very limited visibility the contact managed to pull over. The contact tied the hood down with rope because the secondary hood latch was inoperable. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however ,it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. The vehicle has not been seen by a dealer. Ak updated 1/25/2006 -
Tl contact owns a 1999 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the secondary latch on the hood failed. While driving approximately 25 MPH and greater, the vibrations from the uneven pavement cause the hood to open a couple of inches. The latch has not been repaired. NHTSA campaign id number 01V040000 (latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch) is related to the failure, however, the dealer stated that he was a month late for the recall repair. The VIN, purchase date, and engine size were unknown. The current mileage was 163,000 and failure mileage was 162,000.
Related recalls (2)
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
On certain pickup trucks originally sold in or currently registered in the following "salt belt" states: maine, new hampshire, vermont, massachusetts, rhode island, connecticut, new york, new jersey, pennsylvania, delaware, maryland, the district of columbia, west virginia, ohio, indiana, michigan, illinois, wisconsin,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch. Owner notification began September 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within…
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
The secondary hood latch rod can bind on the guide bracket and prevent engagement of the secondary latch.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch bracket.
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram years have door lock & latch problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (28), 1996 (17), 2001 (11), 1997 (9) and 1999 (9) model years. Door Lock & Latch complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram door lock & latch problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 01V-040 (latch, Feb 12, 2001); 95V-056 (latch, Mar 21, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Ram door lock & latch problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles; 11% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hood › latch (71 mentions), followed by the doors › latch (12).
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.