2000 Dodge Ram 1500 problems & reliability
513 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Dodge Ram 1500, alongside 2 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
37 complaints report injuries (50 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure → | 248 | 48% |
| Power Train → | 45 | 9% |
| Unknown OR Other | 42 | 8% |
| Air Bags → | 41 | 8% |
| Electrical System → | 35 | 7% |
| Suspension → | 35 | 7% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 25 | 5% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 23 | 4% |
| Steering → | 17 | 3% |
| Equipment → | 14 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 80,000 miles (middle 50% between 52,000 and 109,380 miles), based on 297 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Unknown Will be driving down the road and the truck will shut off. When this happens it also affects the power steering and the power brakes. Has happened at a spotlight and I had to push it thru a busy intersection. Has happened going down the road just at random. No warning. But it does show (No Bus) when this…”
Engine · filed Jun 17, 2022
“I purchased a used 2000 dodge ram 1500 and noticed that my suspension on my truck is not right. I experience jerking upon braking. It sounds like metal upon metal while I am driving. It is extremely loud also. Under my foot while I am driving I can feel the grinding noise and often it feels very hot.”
Suspension · filed Sep 29, 2020
“The lights do not illuminate well enough to drive at night. I know that when I search by make and model, there are 17 recalls in which the lights are recalled, yet my truck isn't showing the recalls by the vin.”
Exterior Lighting · filed Sep 7, 2020
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- 2000-2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP HOOD LATCH
Preliminary Evaluation PE08047 · opened Jul 25, 2008 · closed Dec 17, 2008
Technical service bulletins
17 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2000 Dodge Ram 1500. The 10 most recent:
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
This SKU is a Clock Spring. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the internal spring. If the internal spring is not seated, the electrical circuit for the horn is disconnected and…
DOR-X6W2U-06 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 23, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
31-005-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
31-003-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-006-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2000 Dodge Ram 1500?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 80,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.