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2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 661 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500, most often about the steering (24% of complaints, typically around 86,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Ram 2500 model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 problems
Steering
159 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist system, gear box (other than rack and pinion).
Death wobble, on many, many occasions exceeding over a dozen. I have replaced numerous front end parts to no avail, including tires and rims. It always occurred at hi-way speeds of 65 MPH and above, the best way to describe it is a crash happening with out the bent metal. I am sure this is going to get someone killed…
I have nearly lost control of my vehicle after driving over an interstate overpass at highway speeds and/or a bump in the road. The first few times it occurred, the feeling was unsettling and not 'normal' - subsequently, when the problem progressed, it was a new level of shaking and wobbling after crossing an overpass…
Body and structure
146 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Overnight a crack appeared in my dashboard from the windshield all the way to the front of the dash right behind the steering wheel. The crack is on the driver side of the truck. I have been told that Dodge is not responsible. My vehicle is a 2003 and has been garage kept. I have not yet completed paying for the…
On 9/20/2008 I noticed some small cracks in my dash. After about a week the dash had several cracks and the small ones were now large cracks going from the front of the dash all the way to the windshield. I feel this is a safety hazard as the dash gets worse pieces can fall in to the electronics in the dash and effect…
Air bags
138 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14v770000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer and manufacturer stated that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that, intermittently, the air bag light…
The contact owned a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, with the cruise control engaged, the consumer crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. During the failure, the contact lost consciousness due to a medical issue. A police report was filed. The contact was…
Suspension
122 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear, multiple axle.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle drove over a pothole and began to shake violently. The dealer named the failure the "death wobble" and stated that there were no recalls for this failure. The manufacturer and dealer would not repair it for free. The current and failure mileages…
Death wobble! This has happened to me to many times to count. I have had the front end of my 2003 Dodge ram cummins repaired twice. Both times I have had ball joints and tie rods replaced along with axle u joints and followed by alignment. I have also added a dual steering stabilizer system. That has helped a little…
Transmission
55 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 12,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission, clutch assembly.
Had vehicle in park when child shifted the gear unexpectedly into drive. And vehicle started to roll. Was able to get into vehicle, and shift back into park to stop vehicle. Will take vehicle to dealership to check it out.
After vehicle was warmed up a clanking sound started. Also, when towing a fifth wheel trailer, after and after traveling 100 miles vehicle shook like the rear end was going to fall out. Dealer duplicated the problem , and stated it was either the rear end or the differential. Manufacturer offered no help. The consumer…
Visibility and wipers
45 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield wiper/washer, rearview mirrors/devices, windshield.
The heater/ defroster does not function properly. It results in no heat by my lower extremities and poor defrosting of windshield. I contacted the dealership and they informed me that I was not the only 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 to have this issue. I took it to another mechanic and he confirmed that I was not the first with…
The defroster will not activate-found tsb 24-004-03 relates to this issue. Chrysler should have recalled these vehicles for repair due to numerous number of failures and safety issue related to not having de-ice or defrost capability.
Other or unspecified
35 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles.
Since I purchased this vehicle in 2012, the dash board has been so severely cracked that there are sharp edges exposed. The previous owner had a carpet dash cover on the dash. Directly above the passenger airbag the lip of the dash is cracked from the airbag all the way to the windshield. I am afraid of that cracked…
Dash cracked and falling apart and falling into the defroster ducts. Plastic parts have jammed the heater/defroster/air conditioning controls/flappers
Electrical
26 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 91,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
The defroster will not activate-found tsb 24-004-03 relates to this issue. Chrysler should have recalled these vehicles for repair due to numerous number of failures and safety issue related to not having de-ice or defrost capability.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle began to lose power and the electronic control warning light illuminated. The vehicle then stalled with the illumination of the check engine and the overdrive warning lights. The contact disconnected and re-attached the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on march 16, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r26. Note: this recall partially supersedes recall 14v770.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2003 dodge ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured august 29, 2002, to july 25, 2003 to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.
Steering: tie rod assembly
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in january 2014. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is n62.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 dodge ram 3500 4x2 cab chassis and model year 2006-2008 dodge ram 1500 mega cab 4x4 trucks manufactured february 12, 2002, through february 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Steering: tie rod assembly
Risk: This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 3, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 2500/3500 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; and model year 2008 dodge ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through august 15, 2008, because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
Transmission: column shift
Risk: This error is an unintended action that may result in a lack of transmission park pawl engagement and possibly delayed rearward movement of the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will perform a software modification to equip these vehicles with an out-of-park alarm. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines and automatic transmissions, in an attempt to exit the vehicle quickly without shutting off the engine and removing the key, the driver may inadvertently leave the automatic transmission shift control in indicated reverse.
Wheels and tires: hubcap/cover
Risk: This could cause a loss of vehicle control and result in a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wheels and replace them if necessary. Owner notification is expected to begin june 17, 2003.. 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 1-800-992-1997.
Full defect summary
Certain heavy duty pickup trucks, the aluminum wheels may have excessive porosity in the center hub area which can cause a wheel to crack.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: This can result in unintended acceleration and a reduction in braking effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the software in the cummins engine controller. Owner notification began on march 10, 2003. 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.
Full defect summary
Certain pickup trucks, equipped with cummins diesel engines and manual transmissions, may experience an elevated idle speed after extended cruise control use.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Chrysler's execution of 13v-528 & 529
Summary
Rmd opened this audit query (aq) investigation in order to better understand and evaluate chrysler's process(es) for timely and efficient execution of its safety recall campaigns, including its oversight and management of its parts division mopar.prior to opening this investigation, rmd had raised concerns with the company related to its execution of two safety recalls, 13v-528 and 13v-529, both of which involved safety defects that could cause the involved vehicles, fca?s heavier dodge ram trucks, to lose steering control suddenly and without warning.specifically, rmd inquired about the availability of parts for recall repairs, by email and phone on january 15, 2014 and february 19, 2014, d
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
False park
Summary
The subject vehicles are heavy duty pickup trucks with diesel engines and automatic transmissions commonly used for commercial and work purposes.a column mounted shift lever is used for gear selection and an electronic prndl on the instrument panel provides gear position information to the driver.the subject vehicles are also equipped with a brake-transmission shift interlock that prevents the shift lever from being moved from the park position (when the engine is on) unless the brake pedal is depressed and an ignition-shift interlock that prevents key removal unless the transmission is in the park position.complainants generally report that the vehicle was being operated in a forward gear a
False park
Summary
There have been 50 complaints to odi and daimlerchrysler alleging incidents of reverse powered rollaway in subject vehicles that were parked with the engine running and the parking brake disengaged.the incidents are alleged to have resulted in 42 crashes and 3 injuries. According to daimlerchrysler, incident vehicle inspections have not identified any misadjusted or broken parts.a typical incident is believed to involve the following set of conditions:(1) with the vehicle on a relatively level surface, an attempted shift into park inadvertently places the transmission in a position between the reverse and park gear detents; (2) the driver exits the vehicle with the key in the ignition, the e
Questions about the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (159 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles); body and structure (146 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); air bags (138 complaints, typically around 95,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 26, 2015 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Dodge Ram 2500?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Ram 2500 model year since 2000, with 661 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.