12.4% of complaints about the 2001 Dodge RAM 3500 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2001 vehicle — around the middle of the 216 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is structure (30 complaints), typically at 7.8 yr or about 100,000 miles.
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.
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.
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON A ROAD ONTO A SERVICE RAMP AND WAS TURNING LEFT. WHEN TURNING VEHICLE BACK TO RIGHT STEERING DIDN'T MOVE AT ALL. ALSO, AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON THE PANEL, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WASN'T OPERABLE.*AK
STEERING IS MESSED UP, IT WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO STAY ON ROAD ABOVE 45MPH. *AK STEERING GEAR BOX REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WOULD NOT TRACK, ANY CORRECTION WOULD CAUSE FISHTAILING AND VEHICLE WOULD OVER CORRECT ITSELF. *SLC
STEERING IS MESSED UP, IT WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO STAY ON ROAD ABOVE 45MPH. *AK STEERING GEAR BOX REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WOULD NOT TRACK, ANY CORRECTION WOULD CAUSE FISHTAILING AND VEHICLE WOULD OVER CORRECT ITSELF. *SLC
WHILE APPLYING ABS AT LOW SPEEDS, BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN A MINOR COLLISION. DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT SEALS OF MASTER CYLINDER/ FRONT DISC ROTORS, AND CALIPERS WERE RUINED. *AK THE CALIPERS WERE LEAKING FLUID ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE. THE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKES WERE FINE SO CONSUMER DROVE ON. THE NEXT DAY THE BRAKES FALIED TO STOP VEHICLE CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT A SEMI TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE BRAKES, CALIPERS AND REAR SHOES WERE REPLACED. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS BAD AND NEEDED REPLACING. *JG