10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,799 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Dodge Ram 1500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #31

Sep 152005

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,640 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact stated while driving at low speeds less than 10 mph, the ABS pump activated, causing difficulty in depressing the brake pedal. This occurred on dry road conditions and under normal braking. There were no warning indicators prior to the first incident. He took the vehicle to a nearby garage, who replaced the ABS sensor and the ABS modulator. The garage then took the vehicle to the dealership to have the codes put in for the ABS modulator. The vehicle had the same problem again. The manufacturer was contacted, and they told the contact to take the vehicle to the dealership. No repairs have been made. Updated 1/11/2006.

- Berne, NY, USA

problem #30

Dec 032005

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,756 miles
When in panic stop brake pedal is hard, but brakes do not apply. Almost feels like sliding on ice, also had this happen on 91 Dakota.

- Pgh, PA, USA

problem #29

Aug 152005

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
While driving down a hill the brakes went out. The contact was able to get it safely off the highway. This occurred on August 15, 2005. The contact took vehicle to a mechanic. They said that it was due to the way that the van was built. He said that it caused the battery to leak and burn a whole in the brake line. The vehicle is still at the mechanic's shop. The contact was concerned that someone else could have an accident due to the problem with the vehcile's structure.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #28

Jan 012003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On August 30, 2005 the caller's husband was involved in an accident while traveling 25 mph. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. The caller's vehicle hit a school bus. There was no indication that the air bag would not deploy. Caller's husband was injured. A police report was taken. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. Caller said a week before the wreck she had the vehicle at the dealer for brakes, she said the brakes locked and the tires made a screeching sound. She did not know if the brakes and the accident were connected. The consumer stated there was another accident prior in which the air bags did not deploy.

- Holt Summit, MO, USA

problem #27

Mar 172005

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The brake pedal went to the floor while traveling on the highway. This caused consumer's vehicle to rear end a tractor trailer, lost control of the vehicle, and flipped twice, landing on the shoulder of the highway. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained head and back injuries, and was transported by ambulance to a hospital. The vehicle was towed.

- White Oak, TX, USA

problem #26

Dec 282004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When the consumer applied the brakes, the pedal went to the floor. The consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and rear ended another vehicle. Both air bags did not deploy. No injuries. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. Please fill in additional information.

- Manor, TX, USA

problem #25

Oct 252001

Ram 1500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,380 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The steering wheel was hard to turn while driving at a low speed. The vehicle wandered across the road. The vehicle has been to the dealer on three separate occasions. The dealer replaced the steering box on two separate occasions and made some other repairs, however the problem continued. The consumer stated the brakes would grab, however the mechanic informed the consumer that was the way ABS worked.

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #24

Feb 232004

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles
Purchased vehicle 2003 with 32,000 miles. At 45,000 miles motor had to be rebuilt.new crankshaft, rod bearings, main bearings, oil pump. 2 days after picking up the truck after work was done, main seal went out and lost oil on highway on my way to work. Everything covered under warranty, but it's just the fact that the truck still has problems with such low mileage and year. Ongoing electrical problem. Fuse for climate control, air bags, ABS brakes, power windows, mirror defrost and reverse lights keeps blowing. Has blown 5 times in the past 3 months. Dealer replaces the fuse, says there is nothing wrong with it.

- Lebanon, IN, USA

problem #23

Jun 182003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When the brakes were applied they locked up and caused extended stopping distance. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer several times but they indicated that the rear ABS system functioned as designed.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #22

Feb 272003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
When the brake was applied, the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance.

- Lockport, NY, USA

problem #21

Feb 062003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rear brakes locking up. ABS option installed.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #20

Jan 112003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 27,000 miles
The vehicle was involved in a collision and the air bags failed to deploy. Consumer believed the brakes may have locked up.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #19

Oct 012001

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Mars Hill, NC, USA

problem #18

Aug 152002

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer applied brakes at 35 mph, pedal went to the floor. Dealer replaced ABS sensor. On 26 August 2002 at 40-45 mph ABS light came on, brake was applied, and pedal again went to the floor. Vehicle is at dealership at this time. Please provide additional information.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #17

Jul 122002

Ram 1500

  • miles
When braking vehicle will pull to the left, and it will be hard to control. Dealer notified.

- Lees, MO, USA

problem #16

Aug 052002

Ram 1500

  • miles
ABS system on this vehicle will not stop in panic situations... excuses include consumer education, and vehicle design... brake pedal goes hard in panic stop, and will not allow vehicle to be stopped.. had to use the emergency brake... dealer no help... also, had to replace dragging brake pad at 24,000 miles... now the vehicle is back in the shop for no battery voltage, and, to check brakes... they said there is no problem with the brakes, and they are working as designed... help!!

- Alvin, TX, USA

problem #15

Feb 152002

Ram 1500

  • miles
Intermittently when applying brakes vehicle wheels would lock up and cause vehicle to skids before stopping. Vehicle been to the dealer on four occasions, and the problem still reoccurring.

- Scottdale, AZ, USA

problem #14

Jan 102002

Ram 1500

  • miles
Truck brakes continue to go soft. The dealer(s) have worked on the brakes. Changed master cylinder. At low speeds the pedal goes to the floor, but not every time. Now the brakes are simply slow to engage. Feels like you are going to put your foot through the floor. Of course, the dealer has only been able to replicate the problem once! any other reports of problems" solutions" not comfortable driving the vehicle. Have had to take the shoulder several times to avoid collisions. Just started the legal route since Chrysler has been less than cooperative.

- Ville Platte, LA, USA

problem #13

Mar 082002

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1500 quad cab, brake failed at 50-60 mph. There was a grinding noise. Dealer determined that bearings on right wheel were grounded to dust, no grease was visible.

- North Brunswick, NJ, USA

problem #12

Feb 012002

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 10 mph, brakes were applied to avoid a collision, brakes locked up, and vehicle was involved in a front crash. Vehicle was totalled, no injuries.

- Deale, MD, USA

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