KnownCarProblems2003 Dodge Ram Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge Ram, most often about the body and structure (15% of complaints). It is 5th of 11 Ram model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Dodge Ram problems
Body and structure
8 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The dashboard in my 2003 has alot of cracks and now pieces are falling into the vents. This is a safety hazard to have pieces of the dashboard breaking off,it's just a matter of time before the entire dashboard caves in.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard was fractured, causing small fragments to fall into the vents. Once the ventilation system was activated, the contact stated that those small fragments would fly out of the vents and into her eyes. The dealer did not offer any assistance.…
Engine
8 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: engine.
While driving 60 MPH vehicle shut off. As a result, consumer had to coast off the road. When the vehicle shuts down there was no power steering or brakes. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer but they have been unable to duplicate or correct the problem.
When accelerating from a stop vehicle would only go 5-10 MPH. Consumer would have to restart the vehicle to temporarily fix the problem. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Transmission
6 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
- on 09/05/05 while driving on a major road, the contact stated that his 2003 Dodge Ram was unable to shift out of a low gear staying at a speed of 25 MPH. The contact took his vehicle to allen samuels in houston, tx and they stated that they couldn't detect any failure on the vehicle. On 10/28/06 while driving down a…
Fuel system
5 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: fuel injection system, storage, delivery.
Fuel is leaking from a high pressure fitting, and may be dripping on the manifold or the exhaust system. Consumer feels that eventually this will cause a serious fire. This was the second fuel leak from the fuel injector system.
Air bags
4 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: frontal.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision while driving at 60 MPH. Upon impact, neither driver's side nor passenger's side air bags deployed. There were no injuries or fatalities. However, vehicle was totaled.
The consumer lost control of vehicle while driving on an icy road between 30 - 35 MPH. When this occurred, the vehicle hit a pole head on. Upon impact, none of the frontal air bags deployed, and the passenger side seat belt unbuckled. The passenger sustained serious head injuries when his head had come in contact with…
Brakes
4 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that his vehicle has a jake brake mechanism that leaks while idling or decelerating. He heard the leak near the engine compartment. The dealer inspected the vehicle and stated that it was an exhaust leak caused by the jake brake system, but stated that this was a…
Electrical
4 complaints · 8%The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram. The contact stated the wire connecting the ignition wire melted causing the windshield defroster to malfunction. The wire melted due to the size of the terminals to the connector. The lack of a defroster made driving very difficult for the contact. The contact took the vehicle to the…
The ventilation system failed as is common with these vehicles. Due to weal parts, the, "doors" that control air flow through the ventilation ducts broke. I have slowly replace each of the four doors as they failed. As they went out it affected every aspect of ventilation, including the defrost. After doing some…
Steering
4 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist.
We bought our 2003 Dodge 2500 diesel Ram pickup on january 25, 2003 with 10 miles on it. We noticed it pulled to the right and once in awhile would shake a little, we thought it was out of alignment. On april 27, 2003 we where driving on the freeway at about 80 miles per hour when all of a sudden the truck was…
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 recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: This may allow development of a short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the ABS control module connector for electrolyte damage and replace the connector as necessary. The recall will begin on september 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain van and wagon vehicles equipped with 4-wheel antilock brake systems (ABS), aftermarket batteries may leak electrolyte onto the ABS control module connector, which can compromise sealing integrity of the connector.
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
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
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Ram?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (8 complaints); engine (8 complaints); transmission (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Ram have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 12, 2004 (brakes). 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?
- It is 5th of 11 Ram model years by number of complaints, with 53 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.