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2001 Dodge RAM 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most RAM 1500 years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 520.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

741 reports with mileage · 371 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 548 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

65 crash reports34 fire reports65 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

84 reports
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78,000 miles · Apr 26, 2007
Air Bags

I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN MY DASH RIGHT BEHIND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. NOW, I HAVE THREE CRAKS IN THE DASH, TWO OF THEM ARE ABOUT SIX INCHES LONG AND THE ONE ABOVE THE AIRBAG NOW GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN THE DASH. I FEEL THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED DUE TO THE FACT THAT …

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I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN MY DASH RIGHT BEHIND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. NOW, I HAVE THREE CRAKS IN THE DASH, TWO OF THEM ARE ABOUT SIX INCHES LONG AND THE ONE ABOVE THE AIRBAG NOW GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN THE DASH. I FEEL THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE SECOND GENERATION DODGE RAMS. ALSO, IT SHOULD VERY EASILY BE A SAFETY CONCERN AS FAR AS POSSIBLY RIPPING AN AIRBAG UPON DEPLOYMENT, OR SENDING LOOSE PIECES OF JAGGED PLASTIC FLYING IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10188954

75,000 miles · Apr 10, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE AHEAD SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP, AND WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE AHEAD SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP, AND WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE , THEN TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTION STATION. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE RATE OF DECELERATION REQUIRED TO ACTIVATE THE AIR BAGS WAS NOT PRESENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 75,000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10187455

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR CRASH RESULTING FROM THE OTHER CAR RUNNING A RED LIGHT. THE RAM HAD MAJOR FRONT IMPACT AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE IMPACT. THE DRIVERS AIRBAG DID NOT COME OUT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO DRIVERS FACE, ARM AND WRIST. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10177571

104,000 miles · Aug 14, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A LARGE TREE WITHOUT WARNING AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A LARGE TREE WITHOUT WARNING AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE; THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE AGENCY AS A RESULT. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10165427

128,000 miles · Jul 18, 2006
Air Bags

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONTAL SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED INSIDE THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THERE WAS NOT AN IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE LOCAL DEALERS REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE AFTER A BRIEF INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED BUT ALSO OFFER…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONTAL SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED INSIDE THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THERE WAS NOT AN IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE LOCAL DEALERS REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE AFTER A BRIEF INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED BUT ALSO OFFERED NO RESOLUTION TO THE CONTACT IN REGARDS TO SERVICING ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10162733

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2006
Air Bags

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CRACKED THE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS NO PRE-BRAKING OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ENCOUNTER DEBRIS, POTHOLES OR ANYTHING ELSE. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10162316

107,000 miles · Apr 17, 2006
Air BagsCrash

HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH TREE GOING ABOUT 25 MPH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT CAR WAS TOTALED. NO INJURIES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10155544

91,517 miles · Jan 31, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT WAS WEARING THE SEAT BELT THERE WERE INJURIES SUSTAINED TO THE NECK AND HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE CRASH SITE. THE VEHICLE H…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT WAS WEARING THE SEAT BELT THERE WERE INJURIES SUSTAINED TO THE NECK AND HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE CRASH SITE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. UPDATED 2/28/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10149149

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH ON 8-26-05 / GOING WEST BOUND, AND AN EAST BOUND VEHICLE OVER CORRECTED ON A CURVE AND HIT MY PICK UP AT 30-35 MPH IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AREA, THROWING US OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A TELEPHONE POLE - AND NEITHER OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS CAUSED INJURY TO MYSELF, AND MY DAUGHTER LUCKILY JUST BU…

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I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH ON 8-26-05 / GOING WEST BOUND, AND AN EAST BOUND VEHICLE OVER CORRECTED ON A CURVE AND HIT MY PICK UP AT 30-35 MPH IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AREA, THROWING US OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A TELEPHONE POLE - AND NEITHER OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS CAUSED INJURY TO MYSELF, AND MY DAUGHTER LUCKILY JUST BUSTED HER LIP ON THE DASH. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10136588

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2005
Air BagsSteeringStructure

2001 DODGE 1500 QUAD CAB I CALLED THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER IN MARSHALL TEXAS AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN A FEW OF THE DASHBOARDS. I EXPLAINED IT WAS CRUMBLING. HE TOLD ME IT WOULDN'T HURT ANYTHING AS THE AIR BAGS ARE BOLTED IN HE ALSO STATED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I CALLED THE MAIN CUSTOMER 800 SERVICE LINE THAT TX DEALER …

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2001 DODGE 1500 QUAD CAB I CALLED THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER IN MARSHALL TEXAS AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN A FEW OF THE DASHBOARDS. I EXPLAINED IT WAS CRUMBLING. HE TOLD ME IT WOULDN'T HURT ANYTHING AS THE AIR BAGS ARE BOLTED IN HE ALSO STATED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I CALLED THE MAIN CUSTOMER 800 SERVICE LINE THAT TX DEALER GAVE TO ME AND ONCE AGAIN I WAS TOLD IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY DIDN'T CARE WHO I CONTACTED AFTER I TALKED TO THEM AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I EVEN TOLD THEM I WOULD CALL THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THEY STILL DIDN'T CARE. THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKS RUNNING ACROSS THE ENTIRE BOARD. WILL IT FALL? WILL IT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT? I HAVE PICTURES THAT I WILL BE SENDING WHEN I HEAR FROM YOU. *JB *SC

NHTSA ODI #10125694

Official recalls

2

03V504000 · Tires

Dec 10, 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 FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT P245/75R16 TIRES TO MEET THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND ACCOMMODATE THE ADDITION OF A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SNOW PLOW AND HARDWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

01V153000 · Air Bags

May 8, 2001

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE08047 · 2000-2001 Dodge RAM Pickup Hood Latch

Opened Jul 25, 2008 · Closed Dec 17, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch; Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments

THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments

THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

PE00025 · Rear Safety Belt Anchorage Disengagement

Opened Jul 6, 2000 · Closed Dec 27, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:rear/other

ALLEGE THAT BOTH REAR INBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES WERE FOUND TO LACK PROPER ATTACHMENTS.