2000 Dodge Ram 3500

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 58 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the structure. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
87,285 milesMedian miles at failure

30 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension › Front6
000
Structure6
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission5
104
Steering3
000
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System2
000
Fuel System, Diesel2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel2
020
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine2
000
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash2
020
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Air Bags01V153000
Filed May 8, 2001216,100 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure
Filed Apr 3, 201577,571 milesGA

THE CRACKING HAS DONE NOTHING BUT GET WORSE. THE DASH HAS BEGUN HAVING CHUCKS OF BROKEN PLASTIC FALL OFF INTO THE INSTRUMENTATION AND ON THE FLOOR. IT HAS DISPROPORTIONATELY DEVALUED THE TRUCK. THE DASH SHOULD BE REPLACED BY DODGE ALONG WITH THE BEZEL ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHICH HAS 2 CRACKS IN IT. THE CRACKS IN THE DASH ARE ALSO WERE INHIBITING THE DEFROSTER FROM CLEARING THE WINDSHIELD WHEN FOGGED UP ON THE INSIDE. THIS WAS PROVING VERY DANGEROUS UNTIL I REMOVED THE PIECES THAT WERE BLOCKING THE AIR FLOW. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 23, 2014686,533 milesIN

HAD A CAR PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN CRASH. EXCESSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, INSURANCE TOTALED TRUCK. ALSO HAD A FRIEND 2 WEEKS PRIOR INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH EXCESSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, INSURANCE TOTALED HIS TRUCK AND HIS AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HIS TRUCK WAS A 2006 RAM 3500. DOES DODGE HAVE AN AIR BAG PROBLEM IN THESE TRUCKS? SEEM TO. *TR

Structure
Filed Jul 7, 2013150,000 milesMO

DODGE CASE # [XXX] CRACKED DASHBOARD DUE TO DEFECTIVE PLASTIC WHEN TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2000. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN AN INSULATED ENCLOSED GARAGE EXCEPT WHEN BEING DRIVEN. DUE TO THE SEVERE CRACKS, SHARP PIECES COULD POTENTIALLY FLY THROUGH THE CAB UPON IMPACT DURING AN ACCIDENT CAUSING SERIOUS TO FATAL CUTS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE DEFECTIVES DASHBOARDS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

EquipmentCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 27, 2012CA

ON APRIL 2, 2012 I WENT TO A RANCH THAT I WORK AT, PUT MY TRUCK IN PARK, PUT THE BRAKE ON, AND OPENED THE GATE. I DROVE THROUGH AND DID THE SAME PROCEDURE TO GO TO CLOSE THE GATE. MY TRUCK POPPED OUT OF PARK,RAN THROUGH IT'S PARKING BRAKE, THE DOOR KNOCKED ME DOWN AND THE FRONT TIRE OF MY DODGE 3500 RAN OVER BOTH OF MY LEGS AND MY ARM. IT BROKE MY LEGS BUT DID NOT BRAKE MY ARM. I AM STILL RECOVERING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS MY FAULT UNTIL I LEARNED THAT THIS HAPPENS A LOT AND PEOPLE EVEN DIE AS A RESULT OF THIS INJURY. IT IS NOT ONE PARTICULAR KIND OF VEHICLE EITHER AND THE ATTORNEY'S DO NOT WANT TO EVEN ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THE REASON IT HAPPENS IS BECAUSE THERE IS NO NEUTRAL BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. ALSO IF YOU HAD THE PARKING BRAKE ATTACHMENT IN THE FRONT BRAKES AS YOU DO ON THE REAR BRAKES THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD HOLD WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARD. MY TRUCK ROLLS WITHOUT PEDDLE PRESSURE AT 6 MILES PER HOUR. THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO NOT CHANGE THIS REQUIREMENT, BUT I AM ONLY ONE PERSON, PLEASE HELP ME SAVE LIVES. IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY ALONE WE HAD IN APRIL ONE DEATH AND THREE INJURIES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE THE IDEA AND I AM ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC. I DO NOT PRACTICE AS A MECHANIC, I AM 68 AND JUST COULD NOT DO THE WORK IF I TRIED ESPECIALLY NOW. ALSO I DO NOT INTEND TO SEEK A PROVISIONAL PATENT, I JUST WANT THE PROBLEM FIXED. PLEASE HELP ME HELP ALL OF US THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THIS ENGINEERING CHANGE NEEDS TO HAPPEN. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM

Engine
Filed Jul 11, 201298,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission1 injured
Filed Jun 12, 2012CA

CONSUMER STATES DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL POPPED OUT OF PARK CAUSING INJURIES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE HIT HER AND THE TRUCK RAN OVER HER, BREAKING BOTH OF HER LEGS. *JB

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 2, 201280,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS SEVERELY CRACKED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 04/30/13*LJ

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 2, 2011120,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TURNING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY HE HEARD A LOUD CLANGING NOISE. WHEN HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED THE DRAG LINK MOUNT HAD COME OFF THE FRAME AND WAS RUSTED THROUGH IN MANY PLACES. UPDATED 02/03/12

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 24, 2011100,000 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FROZE. THE CONTACT HAD TROUBLE GETTING THE WHEEL BEARING OFF AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD COME OFF WHEN MORE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED MORE PRESSURE, THE THREADS ON THE DRIVE AXLE AND AXLE NUT STRIPPED AND THE CONTACT THEN HAD TO REPLACE THE HUB, NUT AND AXLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE TRIED TO PULL THE HUB OFF THE AXLE AND IT SEPARATED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE HUB, AXLE AND NUT. THE DRIVE AXLE AND NUT ARE AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH THE DEALER; AXLE $760 AND NUT $31.00. UPDATED 09/19/11

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Oct 29, 2010107,456 milesKY

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER FROM REGARDING DODGE RAM TRUCKS PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THREE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURES. THE FIRST INCIDENT CAUSED $600 IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *JB

Trailer Hitches
Filed Sep 24, 2010135,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAILER HITCH SIDE BRACKETS FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND INQUIRED IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V107000 (TRAILER HITCHES). THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Structure
Filed May 20, 201055,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD DISINTEGRATED AND BEGAN TO FALL FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURE ADVISED THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO HIS AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000. UPDATED 07/19/10 *BF UPDATED 09/07/10

Structure
Filed Mar 23, 200980,000 milesFL

2000 DODGE RAM 3500 DASH CAVED IN , ALL PLASTIC IS BREAKING. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 24, 2008132,000 milesNJ

WHILE TOWING A TRAILER BRAKE LINE NEAR THE REAR OF FUEL TANK RUPTURED CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE FOUND THAT OTHER DODGE TRUCKS WITH SAME PROBLEM EXISTED CALLED DODGE SAFETY RECALL 800 NUMBER WAS TOLD THERE IS NO SUCH ISSUE I OWN A 2000 DODGE RAM 3500. *TR

Structure
Filed Feb 28, 2008100,000 milesAZ

DASH BOARD HAS SEVERAL CRACKS. THEY MAKE POPPING NOISES AND ARE GETTING WORSE. *TR

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Feb 20, 2008106,000 milesGA

ELECTRIC SEAT FIRE, SAFETY FUSE FAILED TO BLOW. FUSE BLOCK MELTED, SEAT MOTOR SHORTED OUT,WIRING HARNESS BURNED INTO FIRE WALL, ACROSS CARPET, AND UNDER SEAT INTO FOAM PADDING. TRUCK WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, AND WAS NOT ON. PROBLEM OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, AND HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN ON THAT DAY. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ORIGINAL SEAT WIRING HARNESS HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AT THE PLANT. CHRYSLER HAS INSPECTED THE TRUCK AND DENIED ANY LIABILITY, AND HAS FAILED TO OFFER ANY CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. YET ON 2-20-2008 THEIR PARTS MANAGER ADMITTED THAT THEY HAD REROUTED THE NEW WIRING HARNESS WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO GO, AND FURTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES ARE STILL OCCURRING. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A TRUCK FOR 6 WEEKS NOW, AND MY STATE FARM INSURANCE IS HAVING TO COVER AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURE FLAW. *TR

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Jan 24, 2008105 milesGA

2000 DODGE RAM 3500 QUAD CAB/ELECTRIC SEAT WIRING HARNESS FIRE. SAFETY FUSE FAILED, THUS RESULTING IN SMOLDERING FIRE BETWEEN SEAT FOAM AND ALONG CARPET BELOW THE SEAT. HARNESS WAS INSTALLED OVER METAL FRAME, AND COMPROMISED WHEN ANYONE WOULD SET ON THE SET. OVER TIME THE PROTECTIVE COATING WORE OFF AND THE WIRING GROUNDED OUT ON SEAT FRAME. WE GOT UP ONE MORNING ONLY TO FIND THE TRUCK FILLED WITH SMOKE, AND WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE REASON. I CONTINUED TO USE THE TRUCK OCCASIONALLY, EVEN THOUGH I HAD NO DASH LIGHTS, RADIO, DOME LIGHTS, ETC... FINALLY ONE DAY ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS LATER I HAPPENED TO LEAN ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT AND SAW A BURNED PLACE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I WAS ABLE TRACE A FIRE TRAIL. I DROVE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT, AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. THAT I WOULD HAVE TO FIX IT MYSELF. I RETURNED HOME WITH THE TRUCK AND CONTACTED AN ELECTRICIAN TO COME LOOK AT THE TRUCK FOR ME. HE TOOK ONE LOOK AT THE DAMAGE AND SAID THAT IT WAS A FAULTY WIRING JOB FROM THE FACTORY, AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP ME. HE SUGGESTED I CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP. SO I RETURNED WITH THE TRUCK AND CONTACTED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH THE 800 NUMBER I WAS GIVEN. BOTH CHRYSLER AND MY STATE FARM AGENT SAID THE TRUCK WAS UNSAFE AND NOT TO DRIVE IT UNTIL A REPRESENTATIVE FROM CHRYSLER INSPECTED THE TRUCK. STATE FARM'S ADJUSTER WAS NOT ALLOWED TO SEE THE TRUCK UNTIL AFTER CHRYSLER FINISHED THEIR 'INVESTIGATION'. I RECEIVED A LETTER 1/18/2008 FROM CHRYSLER ABSOLVIN

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jan 2, 2008160,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE CRACKING ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL CLUSTER. THE CRACKING HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED AND CREATED A LARGE HOLE IN THE PANEL, CAUSING PARTICLES TO FALL INWARDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Dec 7, 200787,285 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING MY DODGE VAN, IT WILL SHUT OF, NO GAS TO ENGINE. I CAN CRUISE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MOST OF THE TIME. HAD THE VEHICLE WORKED ON, NEW FUEL PUMP, CLEANED THE GROUND AS ADVISED MY A DODGE SERVICE CENTER, HAD A COMPLETE TUNE UP AND ANYTHING ELSE MYSELF OR MY MECHANIC COULD THINK OF. THE VEHICLE STILL CUTS OFF WHEN IT WANTS WITHOUT WARNING. IT WILL RESTART AFTER 4-5 MINUTES. *TR

Fuel System, Other › Fuel Injection System
Filed Nov 11, 200771,000 milesFL

DIESEL ENGINE LEAKING FUEL AND ECM MANDATING REPLACEMENT OF INJECTION PUMP AS WELL AS THREE AND ONE HALF WEEKS DOWN TIME TO SECURE PARTS. PROBLEMS BEGAN IN JUNE 2007. *TR

20 of 58 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2012
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2012366980Above average
2011225550Above average
2010150940Do not drive
2009105520Do not drive
200817311140Do not drive
200721014140Do not drive
20062571142Do not drive
2005196761Fatalities reported
2004214740Above average
2003286910Do not drive
200244100Routine
2001130130Routine
2000 — this page58151Fatalities reported
1999104161Fatalities reported
19981051100Routine
19971251120Routine
19961241100Routine
1995108160Routine
199470170Routine
199320000Routine
199210000Routine
19914000Routine

Compare every Ram 3500 year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 8, 2001. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.