Highest complaint count among 11 RAM model years — 2nd most.
6recalls
147complaints
31crashes
6fires
34injuries
68,000median miles
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.
Does your car have an open recall? Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Problem: On certain van and wagon vehicles equipped with 4-WHEEL antilock brake systems (ABS), aftermarket batteries May leak electrolyte onto the ABS control module connector, which can compromise sealing integrity of the connector.
Original NHTSA wording
ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.
Risk: This May allow development of a short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.
Original NHTSA wording
THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy & notes
Dealers will inspect the ABS control module connector for electrolyte damage and replace the connector as necessary. The recall will begin on September 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Daimlerchrysler recall no. D20.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Electrical System
Aug 2, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V253000 · 98,000 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Original NHTSA wording
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.
Risk: If the circuit breaker cycles for an extended period of time, heat could build up in the connector, possibly resulting in a fire.
Original NHTSA wording
IF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER CYCLES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, HEAT COULD BUILD UP IN THE CONNECTOR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy & notes
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. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Air Bags
May 8, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V153000 · 216,100 vehicles
Problem: Vehicle description: Pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. Note: The Ram pickup trucks were built at the warren assembly plant ("s" in the 11TH VIN position) from May 16, 2000 through October 23, 2000; st. Louis north assembly plant ("j" in the 11TH VIN position) from May 19, 2000 through October 23, 2000; lago alberto assembly plant ("m" in the 11TH VIN position) from May 23, 2000 through October 23, 2000; and saltillo assembly plant ("g" in the 11TH VIN position) from May 23, 2000 through October 23, 2000. Important: Vehicles that have already had the proper clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been excluded from this recall. In addition, 1997-2000 model year vehicles that have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been added to this recall.
Original NHTSA wording
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Risk: When this occurs, the material could interfere with the clockspring ribbon and cause an open circuit. The driver air bag system will become disabled, and the air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the instrument panel.
Original NHTSA wording
WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy & notes
Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began June 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, will also be included in this campaign. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Service Brakes
Feb 12, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V038000 · 2,000 vehicles
Problem: Vehicle description: Pickup trucks equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Some vehicles May have inadequate clearance between the front tire/wheel and the brake hose/abs sensor wire assembly. During full lock turns, it is possible for the tire or wheel to contact the brake hose/abs sensor wire assembly.
Original NHTSA wording
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FRONT TIRE/WHEEL AND THE BRAKE HOSE/ABS SENSOR WIRE ASSEMBLY. DURING FULL LOCK TURNS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE TIRE OR WHEEL TO CONTACT THE BRAKE HOSE/ABS SENSOR WIRE ASSEMBLY.
Risk: This could ultimately result in wire damage and/or a hole in the brake line, affecting brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Original NHTSA wording
THIS COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN WIRE DAMAGE AND/OR A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE, AFFECTING BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy & notes
Dealers will replace the front brake hose assemblies, and the ABS sensor wire will be inspected and replaced if necessary. Owner notification began March 8, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Problem: Vehicle description: Pickup trucks equipped with optional trailer hitch. The trailer hitch side brackets were manufactured using material with insufficient strength.
Original NHTSA wording
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL TRAILER HITCH. THE TRAILER HITCH SIDE BRACKETS WERE MANUFACTURED USING MATERIAL WITH INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH.
Risk: Brackets built without proper material could fatigue and fracture in the area where the trailer hitch mounts to the frame.
Original NHTSA wording
BRACKETS BUILT WITHOUT PROPER MATERIAL COULD FATIGUE AND FRACTURE IN THE AREA WHERE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTS TO THE FRAME.
Remedy & notes
Dealers will inspect the trailer hitches and replace any trailer hitch showing signs of fatigue cracking. If no evidence of cracking exists, the dealer will install two reinforcement brackets.
Owner notification began April 24, 2000.owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Suspension
Jan 11, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V007000 · 76 vehicles
Problem: Vehicle description: Light duty pickup trucks. The welds at the right side lower control arm bracket to axle tube attachment May have inadequate fatigue life due to poor weld quality. This can lead to separation of the control arm bracket from the axle tube.
Original NHTSA wording
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE WELDS AT THE RIGHT SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET TO AXLE TUBE ATTACHMENT MAY HAVE INADEQUATE FATIGUE LIFE DUE TO POOR WELD QUALITY. THIS CAN LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM BRACKET FROM THE AXLE TUBE.
Risk: If the bracket separates the vehicle could experience reduced directional stability, braking degradation and/or vehicle pull under braking.
Original NHTSA wording
IF THE BRACKET SEPARATES THE VEHICLE COULD EXPERIENCE REDUCED DIRECTIONAL STABILITY, BRAKING DEGRADATION AND/OR VEHICLE PULL UNDER BRAKING.
Remedy & notes
Dealers will replace the front axle with a properly welded front axle.
Daimlerchrysler recall no. 861.owner notification began March 20, 2000.owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.
Complaints by year filed
NHTSA investigations
2000-2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP HOOD LATCH
PE08047 · opened Jul 25, 2008 · closed Dec 17, 2008
Summary
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 HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
2000 vs. other Dodge RAM years
Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2000. Click a bar to switch year.
Questions
Does the 2000 Dodge RAM have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns covering the 2000 Dodge RAM, the latest from Apr 12, 2004 (service brakes). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge RAM?
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (23), service brakes (23), steering (22). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.
Recalls by Model
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