VehicleVerdict

2000 Dodge Ram 3500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 is among the quieter years of the Ram 3500 on NHTSA's books: 77 complaints (52% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 7 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (11), electrical system (9), and body & structure (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

77

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

12

Fires reported

7

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Ram 3500 years?

Ram 3500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted502 complaints1991: 5 complaints1992: 11 complaints1993: 26 complaints1994: 102 complaints1995: 132 complaints1996: 182 complaints1997: 153 complaints1998: 134 complaints1999: 146 complaints2000: 77 complaints2001: 168 complaints2002: 59 complaints2003: 330 complaints2004: 276 complaints2005: 240 complaints2006: 349 complaints2007: 284 complaints2008: 221 complaints2009: 130 complaints2010: 214 complaints2011: 293 complaints2012: 502 complaints
Ram 3500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ram 3500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension1114%
Electrical System912%
Engine912%
Fuel System912%
Body & Structure912%
Transmission912%
Steering56%
Brakes56%
Other34%
Airbags23%
Visibility & Wipers23%
Tires & Wheels11%
Trailer Hitch11%
Seats11%
Speed Control11%

Does the 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

01V153000AirbagsMay 8, 2001 · 216,100 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE IN EXTREMLY WINDY CONDITIONS, VEHICLE WOULD WANDER FROM SIDE TO SIDE MAKING STEERING A REAL PROBLEM, VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND A ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AS WELL AS REPLACING FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 1, 2000

“CONSUMER STATES THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR PROBLEM THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THE ENGINE, IN MARCH THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT, THE OIL WAS CHANGED 1-2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED FROM THE ALTERNATOR, THE FIRE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO MELT AND ACID GOT ALL OVER, THE FIRE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 1, 2000 · fire

“TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT DODGE HAS KNOW ABOUT FOR YEARS AND REFUSES TO REPAIR- AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, GOVERNOR SOLENOID, AND SENSOR CAUSING NO TRANSMISSION UP-SHIFT. THESE HAVE BEEN FAILING ON VEHICLES FOR MANY YEARS AND ESTIMATES ARE 4 OUT OF 5 FAIL BEFORE 100,000 MILES. YOU PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 30, 2004 · crash

“CONSUMER STATES THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR PROBLEM THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THE ENGINE, IN MARCH THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT, THE OIL WAS CHANGED 1-2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED FROM THE ALTERNATOR, THE FIRE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO MELT AND ACID GOT ALL OVER, THE FIRE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 1, 2000 · fire

“I DROVE MY 2000 DODGE 3500 CUMMINS DIESEL WITH 85000 MILES TO WORK AND TURNED IT OFF, WHEN I CAME BACK IT WOULD NOT START. CHRYSLER REFUSED TO HELP. I THEN HAD THE VP44 INJECTOR PUMP REPLACE AT A COST OF $1550.00 TO ME . EXPRESSWAY DODGE TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BY CUMMINS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 8, 2005

2000 Dodge Ram 3500 — common questions

Is the 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 77 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Ram 3500 year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2000 Ram 3500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (11 complaints), electrical system (9 complaints), body & structure (9 complaints).

Does the 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2000 Dodge Ram 3500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Ram 3500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ram 3500 years to avoid are 2012, 2006, 2003, 2011, 2007, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2009. The cleanest record among Ram 3500 years belongs to 1991.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.