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2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 122 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab, most often about the body and structure (37% of complaints, typically around 69,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Ram Quad Cab model year since 2000.
Most common 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab problems
Body and structure
45 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The dashboard in my truck has multiple cracks and my daughter has been cut by one of the cracks it is unsafe and should be replaced by the Dodge the cracks are getting bigger every day and soon I will loose a large section of the dash.
While having new tires installed the mechanic and I heard sounds from under truck as if the lift was crushing a rusty muffler. Once the truck was up in the air it was discovered that the bottom side of the frame on the drivers side under the rear seat had rotted completely through. A cancer hole about 6" long by 1"…
Brakes
20 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 11,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc, supply.
Front brake pulsation. Rotors machined at 13000, 18000 and problem keeps recurring. Dodge will not admit any problems and will not repair under warranty as it is a wear item. This truck is less than a year old and only sees highway miles, not stop and go driving. The brakes are pulsating again at 22000 miles. What is…
I have had problems with the brake on my 2003 ram 1500, at 14000 miles had front calipers replaced, new front rotors and they turned the rear rotors. This was all because of warped rotors I now have 23000 miles on teh truck and will again be taking it in to have the rotor replaced. I can't believe that there are so…
Suspension
13 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 12,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
The ball joint and axle failed, which caused the tire to separate from the vehicle. The ball joint and axle failed, which caused the tire to separate from the vehicle. Puerto rico police report 03-6-004-00805.
I own a 2003 Dodge ram 1500 4x4 quad cab slt VIN 1d7-hu18n53s-188168 assembly point, warren, michigan. The truck stalled while in traffic making a 10-15 MPH right turn. The second occurence was july15, 2004. Very close call here. I was in the smokey mountains camping. The six hour drive home towing my popup was nerve…
Electrical
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 30,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
I own a 2003 Dodge ram 1500 4x4 quad cab slt VIN 1d7-hu18n53s-188168 assembly point, warren, michigan. The truck stalled while in traffic making a 10-15 MPH right turn. The second occurence was july15, 2004. Very close call here. I was in the smokey mountains camping. The six hour drive home towing my popup was nerve…
For 2 years my truck has had issues with the lights on the dashboard turning on and off for no reason. Now the lamp out, ABS and brake light are on all the time. Leaving my left turn signal unable to work. When the dashboard dies, nothing will work. This includes the lights, windshield wipers, speedometer, and all…
Steering
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: column, column locking, hydraulic power assist.
My truck all of the sudden when driving the night before was unable to turn to the right (very difficult..no proper steering to the right). To the left it was fine. It continued to have the problem when I tried driving again today. I took it to the Dodge dealership today (next morning) and they told me the truck…
2003 Dodge ram 1500 quad cab 4x4 power steering rack began leaking at 35months/31,000 miles. Replaced by dealer, part not avail. No noticeable effect as fluid was kept up. Began leaking again at 47months/36,000miles. Replaced again, part not avail. No noticeable effect as fluid was kept up began leaking again at 56…
Transmission
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, axle assembly, automatic transmission.
(rear axle shear), t 4:00 pm on march 19th 2005, I was driving this vehicle south bound on california state highway 71. When all of a sudden the right side rear axle sheared, causing the vehicle to go into a forced left handed 360 degree spin. I tried to correct the spin, but the vehicle would not respond or stop. The…
(rear axle sheared) at 4:00 pm on march 19th 2005, I was driving this vehicle south bound on california state highway 71. When all of a sudden the right side rear axle sheared, causing the vehicle to go into a forced left handed 360 degree spin. I tried to correct the spin, but the vehicle would not respond or stop.…
Air bags
10 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: frontal.
While driving approximately 55 MPH vehicle hit three cows that were in the road and the front air bags did not deploy. Driver was transported to the emergency room for treatment of back pain. Also, the driver had an appointment to check for any internal head injuries.
The dash board on this vehicle is cracking all over. It has cracked around the passenger airbag and pieces have fallen into the airbag compartment. This has not caused injury yet, but if involved in an accident, the broken pieces will definitely cause injury and I hope that they do not affect the airbag deployment.…
Visibility and wipers
7 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system.
The windshield appears weak having many pock marks in it. This causes the windshield wipers to need to be replaced often. The dash is severely cracked and we are afraid that this is going to cause the air bag to rupture on the passenger side (besides the fact that it is coming apart).
The dash board on this vehicle is cracking all over. It has cracked around the passenger airbag and pieces have fallen into the airbag compartment. This has not caused injury yet, but if involved in an accident, the broken pieces will definitely cause injury and I hope that they do not affect the airbag deployment.…
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 Quad Cab recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
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
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
Questions about the 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (45 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles); brakes (20 complaints, typically around 11,500 miles); suspension (13 complaints, typically around 12,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Dodge Ram Quad Cab?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Ram Quad Cab model year since 2000, with 122 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.