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Electrical system

2001 Dodge Ram Electrical problems

Owners have filed 100 complaints about the 2001 Dodge Ram's electrical system with NHTSA - 7% of all its complaints, most recently on November 21, 2025. They describe 2 crashes, 18 fires and 3 injuries. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Complaints
100
Recalls
2
Crashes
2
Fires
18
Injuries
3
Deaths
0

Electrical recalls for the 2001 Dodge Ram

Electrical system: alternator / generator / regulator

02V042000268,740 vehicles affected

The problem
On certain pickup trucks, the alternator wire connection to the power distribution center (pdc) can loosen.
The risk
THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
The fix
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 setting. Owner notification began may 20, 2002. 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.

Electrical system: wiring

01V25300098,000 vehicles affected

The 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.
The risk
If the circuit breaker cycles for an extended period of time, heat could build up in the connector, possibly resulting in a fire.
The fix
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.

Electrical complaints

Electrical systemFire

While driving and operating the heater, unbeknowst to me leaves/pine needles had come in through the fresh air cowl vent and built up on the heater blower resistor resulting in a fire. This design in dangerous as the default for the air intake is open and allows debris to enter and drop directly into the fan and blower motor resistor. I've searched online and seen multiple reports of this issue. I have a video I can provide if contacted.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11700714
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The headlights no matter what bulbs I buy are extremely dim making it unsafe to drive at night. Now truck will not start for some unknown reason. It tries to turn over but will not crank. The mileage flashes NO BUS. I was literally only getting at best 8 miles per gallon.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11527071
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel systemFire

I turned the key to start the engine and as it started cranking smoke started coming out of the defroster and then fire started coming out the engine hood. Luckily I had a fire extinguisher handy and opened the hood and put out the fire. Wondered where the fire started so tried starting again and fire started immediately at the rear of the engine or on top of the bell housing. I also smelled fuel. The truck was next to my garage and had been driven a few days earlier. If I had not put out the fire my whole house could have burned down. I donated the truck to wheels 4 vets.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11360192
Electrical system

Dashboard falling apart; sharp/jagged pieces of dash cutting into electrical wiring causing shorts, failure of electrical equipment on board truck; while driving on street, highways in motion straight-line and turning.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11186553
Electrical systemLights

I have a dodge ram 1500 truck. My entire dash is coming apart. A piece flew off and hit me in the face while driving I slammed on the brakes and my wife hit the windshield cracking it. My lights on my ceiling went out don't work

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11084254
Electrical system

The dash is cracked bad and could cause a person to get cut from this.Really cracked badly from the sun.Poorly made from plastic.If you want photos,let me know,and I will send you some.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11062865
Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the dash assembly for the instrument panel failed and caused the controls to collapse inward into the dashboard. In addition, the air bag on/off switch was attached to the panel, the headlamp switch, instrument cluster, and other controls. The contact was concerned that the failure could cause electrical issues and prevent the air bags from deploying or operating correctly. The dealer was no longer in business. The contact stated that the failure...

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has been occurring since 2009 and was initially informed that it was a cosmetic issue with the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed again of the failure and stated that since the vehicle was sixteen years old with 240,000 miles, it could not be serviced by them. The failure mileage was 110,000. *Bf the consumer stated the failure had been ongoing since 2005. In 2005 the failure was not considered a safety defect, but now that it is the vehicle is out of warranty due to age. *Js

Filed Incident Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 10980907
Electrical systemLightsBody, doors & structure

Dash is falling apart and causing electrical problems. While driving

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · StructureNHTSA 10808665
Electrical systemLightsAirbagsBody, doors & structure

After about 11,000 miles the dash began to get cracks and fall apart. It gradually has gotten to the point that there are very large holes and pieces of the dash have gotten into the duct work of the vehicle. Also have been having electrical problems with fuses blowing. That is when I took the vehicle to vann dodge in vineland nj and reported the problem. They took photos and later called me and said the determined that the dash was failing because of exposure to sun!!! The vehicle is garaged or parked in the...

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shade for most of its early life and cracks and chunks happened for no apparent reason, but this is probably their way out of fixing the problem. Now comes another problem or incident that happened to me because of this faulty plastic that was used to construct the dash. I was driving down the road and turned on my defroster and a piece of plastic blew out of the vent on the top of the dash or lack there of, and hit me in the face causing me to swerve and almost hit an oncoming car. I was lucky that the car avoided me or it could have been tragic. I went back to the dealership 2 months ago to have service on a different vehicle and questioned them on the status of any recall and they asked me for my vin # of my dodge ram pickup which I provided and they said there is no record of me taking the vehicle to them for a inspection, which is totally false!!! They conveniently lost my records on my pick up!!!!! Something has got to be done to prevent someone from being killed due to this fault of chrysler corp. I have put a replacement skin on the dash but there was not much left to adhere the skin to at a cost of nearly $300 but the pieces continually fall into the vents. Thank you *tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Air bags · StructureNHTSA 10766690
SteeringElectrical systemBody, doors & structureBrakes

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. While driving 30 mph, the power steering failed. The vehicle had a past failure with the brakes, corrosion of the frame, a cracked dashboard, and warning indicators illuminating since 26,000 miles. The vehicle was repaired for these failures, but not for the steering failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.....Updated 01/04/2016 *bf

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · Structure · Service brakesNHTSA 10743865
Electrical system

BLOWS FUSE FOR DASH LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS. *TR

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10621306
SteeringElectrical systemBody, doors & structure

My father bought this truck new in 2001, and I bought it from him in 2008. About 20000 miles on the unit when I bought it. In 2008, the dash started cracking and became very brittle, pieces began to break out and has continued to crack and break. It is now 2014, about 32000 miles on this unit, and I am going to have to replace the dashboard with an aftermarket product. Based on the number of complaints from other owners, I would believe that the materials used in the original dash were below acceptable quality. No...

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front end zerk fittings for steering components- cheap design and construction. I had to have new front end assemblies with zerk fittings, at a cost of about $1400.00. (Because chrysler/dodge went cheap in construction.) My last dodge vehicle, I think I can do better. *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 10595412
SteeringElectrical systemAcceleration & cruise control

I have the same issue as thousands of others with the dash falling apart, this incident happened when the bezel just fell off of the dash onto the steering wheel while traveling down a busy highway. I had to try and steer with one hand while using the other to dislodge the bezel and hold it away from the steering wheel until I could safely pull over to the shoulder of the road. Since then my glove box has fallen off along with the drink holder. I am also concerned that if I am involved in an accident where the...

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air bags may be deployed that the passenger side airbag will cause the dash to explode and send plastic schrapnel inside the cab. This could cause serious damage or death for the passenger and\or driver.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10583310
Electrical systemAirbagsBody, doors & structure

The dashboard has been cracking for over 2 years. Large pieces are breaking off and falling into the dash area where there are many electrical wires and vacuum hoses. The pieces that are breaking off are large and have sharp edges that may cut into the wires and hoses and may start fires or electrical failures/shorts. I researched and found out this is a common failure in this vehicle year due to manufacturing. Sometimes as I'm driving, the broken pieces pop out towards passengers in the vehicle. I'm also concerned that a short may deploy the airbags. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · StructureNHTSA 10553898
Electrical systemFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the vehicle caught on fire without warning. The fire department extinguished the fire and a police report was filed. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic stated that the cause for the fire was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 227,000. The vehicle was destroyed.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10543112
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemCrash1 injury

The dashboard get destroy to easly and the debries flies to the face making drive insecure because the plastic parts were hiting the face. The powers train gets very easly damage by rocks and debris on the street making it to vulnerable to get destroy (and that happen to me) . The charging regulator gets brokes for nothing anytime and you need to be changing the computer or ading an external one and solder it to the principal cables that goes to the alternator, and relays.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10515912
Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

I am an owner of a 2001 dodge 1500 truck that was in perfect condition up until 2 days ago, that was when my dashboard caved in. I took my truck to my mechanic for a summer tune-up. I live in arizona and when those triple digits start rolling in you want to be sure your ac is blowing cold and mine seem to be having some airflow problems. When my mechanic got through inspecting the truck he discovered that my dashboard was slowly "caving in" causing some electrical problems. He decided to take the dash off to get...

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a better look and when he took the screws out the whole dashboard just broke into many pieces. I am very concerned because that dash has many electrical components behind it which could potentially cause some major problems. I am also in favor of a recall, because the dashboard inspector must of been on vacation in 2001 when they let this truck leave the factory with issues like that. Recall that dash!!! *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 10512255
Electrical systemAirbagsBody, doors & structure

Dash had began to crack and cracks have progressed to point of they reach the trim bezel. Initially dealer said to just wait they felt dodge would recall because it was very common problem. They didn't advise to replace because it would just happen with new one as well. But nothing was ever done and after contacting dodge customer assistance I was told because of age of truck and mileage now (60,000) nothing could be done. My concerns are if involved in an accident the dash could just crumble and send sharp pieces flying throughout interior. As well as interior of dash being exposed and causing operational issues while driving. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · StructureNHTSA 10504693
Electrical systemAirbagsBody, doors & structure

My 2001 dodge ram 1500 has had the dashboard disintegrating since 30,000 miles as I was informed by the previous owner. It only had cracks but since I have owned it the dash has literally disintegrated with sharp objects flying about the cab when windows are down. My research suggest that chrysler used inferior products as a cost reduction, did not acquire the proper manufacturing temperatures which results in cracking, and the dash is inadequately mounted causing flexing. This is a very dangerous...

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situation.........And not a cosmetic issue as dodge has hidden behind!! When the dash breaks, sharp objects are in flight throughout the cab. When it breaks near the air bags, I believe they will deploy themselves and that alone is a serious event while driving in traffic! Dodge has a history all the way back to my first purchase of a brand new 1973 dodge ram, ignoring warranty and making excuses of why things aren't their fault! It's high time this company assumes it's responsibility especially after tax payers bailed them out!!!! I have fought many battles with this company concerning warranty issues as well where a brand new 1976 dodge ram I purchased spun the races in the rears as a result of defective manufacturing!!! The time for making excuses is old, it's time for action and assuming responsibility for an inferior product!!! *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · StructureNHTSA 10499755
Engine & coolingElectrical system

My 2001 dodge ram 1500 4x4 keep stalling when decelerating. The engine will start right up again when I turn the key but unless I keep my foot on the gas it dies again and again. It's always at low speeds like in a parking lot or approaching stop signs or red lights. This is very dangerous in traffic. I have had it to 3 different mechanics and we've replaced the alternator and the battery (twice on the battery) and it is still doing the same thing. Sometimes it runs fine and then it just starts quitting on my. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10484030
Electrical systemLights

Headlights were on high beam and dimmed lights and lost all of the headlights . It was early morning but there was enough light for me to slow and pull over to the side of the road. I kept moving the dimmer switch back and forth between high and low beam until the lights finally came back on. I left them in low beam and drove the rest of the way to work on low beam. When I got home later after work I waited till night time and pulled my truck into my car port and repeated what had happened on that morning. On about...

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the fifth try the lights went out again , I then repeated flipping the dimmer switch back and forth between high and low beam and after many attempts was able to get the headlights back on. The next day took it to the dealer for repairs , they replaced the dimmer switch and the mechanic who worked on my truck told me that was no the first one he had replaced and told me I was very lucky. If it had failed in heavy traffic on a two lane highway and under darker night conditions and at a higher rate of speed I probably would have wrecked. I believe this is a design flaw. *Tr *js

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10476518
Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

The dashboard started falling apart shortly after I purchased the truck. Pieces of the dash keep falling down into the area where the wires are at. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 10473018
Electrical systemLightsBody, doors & structure

I own a 2001 dodge ram 1500. This vehicle however, has a defect, the dashboard cracks and is starting to basically disintegrate. I however, am not the only one with these issues. As you can see on the forums and websites below. Http://www.Dashcover.Com/dodgeramdash.Html http://forums.Motortrend.Com/70/6297146/pickups-suvs/is-your-2001-dodge-ram-dash-falling-apart/index.Html http://www.Carcomplaints.Com/dodge/ram_1500/2001/accessories-interior/cracked_dashboard.Shtml ...

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http://www.Carcomplaints.Com/dodge/ram_1500/2001/accessories-interior/cracked_dashboard-2.Shtml http://www.Automotiveforums.Com/t429358-cracked_dash_in_2001_2500_truck.Html the failure is so common there are youtube videos on how to fix it temporarily: http://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=h7wfcxsy8xi I have seen quotes to get this fixed anywhere from 800 to 1500 dollars. Absolutely absurd. Some people are reporting that their dashboard is cracking and pieces are falling behind the dash and creating rattling noises and some even as severe as taking out electrical equipment causing headlight failure, ac failure, etc. Despite all of these issues dodge will not issue a recall. One of my biggest concerns is if I were to get into an accident the dashboard could shatter sending sharp edged pieces of plastic towards me under high impact, which could lead to severe injury and/or death. I am highly concerned with this issue and I hope that by you showing interest on mine and others behalf we can resolve this. [[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · StructureNHTSA 10468258
Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

Interior dash has several severe cracks. Dash is starting to crumble and collapse. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 10452939
Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

My dodge ram 1500 truck's dashboard started breaking up into pieces and has become worse since 2007. Pieces from dash are falling down into the area that houses the speedometer & other electrical components that are vital to the functioning of the vehicle plus we are very concerned about the air bags being exposed. Every time we go over a bump in the road.....Pieces fly off the dashboard & surrounding areas of the dashboard.......My granddaughter was hit by one of these pieces. After checking on computer, I...

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found out that this problem has existed for years on the 2001 dodge ram 1500 pickup, complaints range from california to florida...I am very concerned our safety and the safety of others. Please go online and check complaints about this problem. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 10443735

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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