The Lemon Index2000 Ram 1500.
The 2000 Ram 1500 is better than average by owner complaints: 210 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 50, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 13 to 16 mpg combined. It's the best Ram 1500 year we track.
Covers the whole Ram pickup line (1500, 2500 and 3500): Ram reports their sales together.
Better than average. 2× fewer complaints than average.
Worst year 2012
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 781 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ram 1500 year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 50K to 109K miles on the car (454 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 54K–110K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 43K–83K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 65K–113K miles
Recalls 3
- engine 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530.
- tires 2003
ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SNOW PLOW PREPARATION PACKAGE, THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDER…
- airbags 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ram told dealers about
Ram sent dealers 20 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue…
- Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- Closed2000-2001 dodge ram pickup hood latch2008
- ClosedTire valve2002
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4950 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.9L 6-cyl, 5.2L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Oil leaked out of the rear axle onto the brakes which was due to a defective rear axle seal. The oil saturated the brakes which caused them to lock up when applied.
2000 Ram 1500 owner · NHTSA complaint 10008809
More owner reports
While driving truck pulls badly to right. Dealer told consumer it would straighten up. Consumer states there suppose to be a recall on vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 874805
While driving, vehicle wanders from right side to the left side which may cause a loss of vehicle control and result in a crash. Dealer cannot determine the problem. Consumer still not satisfied with the repair done by the dealer.
NHTSA complaint 857491
Quick answers
Is the 2000 Ram 1500 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 50; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ram 1500 year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2000 Ram 1500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (22%), transmission & drivetrain (20%) and steering (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Ram 1500 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Ram 1500 get?
13 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Ram 1500 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 50,000 and 109,800 miles. The middle report was at 80,000 miles, from 454 complaints.
Does the 2000 Ram 1500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Ram 1500 cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Ram 1500 have?
3.9L 6-cyl, 5.2L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
What Ram 1500 year is better than the 2000?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2017 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works