2003 Dodge 1500 Suspension Problems

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven by a friend at 45 MPH, the rear axle detached. The driver was stranded by the roadside. The vehicle was towed to the driver's residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. An unknown local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.

NHTSA ID

11716771

Incident

Feb 7, 2026

Mileage

300,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel and the front wheels were uncontrollable. While driving from Georgia to Memphis, there was an unknown object loose by the wheel. The ball joint suspension was replaced by an independent mechanic. The low tire pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to an unstated location. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11704481

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

Mileage

180,000 mi

Rear fenders are rusted such that wiring harness falls off from underside if fenders and rubs on tires. Middle of frame rusted through on right and left side and dealer's floor lift went about half-way through both sides when the technician. tried to raise truck to check wiring under truck. The lift only crunched about halfway through near the middle of the frame. That was the point when the technician noticed the truck was lifting unevenly and making a crunching sound when he started trying to lift it. He left the truck as it was - with two wheels on the floor and two wheels about an inch off the floor He hollered for th shop supervisor to look at, who came and got me in the waiting room to show me what happened. The dealership could not repair the frame, but said there was a welding shop a couple of miles away down a back road in Zachow, WI where I could safely drive to if I went really slow. I don't know when the frame started rusting or the date the dealer's hydraulic lift broke through the frame. The truck's rear fenders were starting to significantly rust when it was about 3-4 years old. It was purchased new. I don't know how badly the frame had rusted at that time. I'm fairly certain the truck had less that 100,000 miles on it when the dealer found that the frame was rusted through. It's 22 years old now and was bought new in 2003. It has 147,000 miles on it today. Assuming that the miles/year were roughly the same at 6,682, and the tail lights started acting "funny" (the reason we brought the truck to the dealership),happened the year after we bought our new 2013 Lund boat (2014), that would put the mileage on the truck at 73,502. This type of dangerous deterioration should not happen with a low-mileage vehicle like ours.

NHTSA ID

11640702

Incident

May 4, 2014

Frame damage where steering box separates

NHTSA ID

11476656

Incident

Jul 30, 2022

THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE, WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP THE VEHICLE IS PULLED INTO ANOTHER DIRECTION AND YOU TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE 4X4 WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, SO THE TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED. UPON REPLACING TRANSFER CASE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED UP AND THE REAR WHEELS WON'T MOVE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE COMMON AMONG DODGE RAM 1500S OF THIS YEAR( 2003) THESE ISSUES SHOULD BE RECALLED!

NHTSA ID

11308629

Incident

Feb 11, 2020

Mileage

160,000 mi

MY TRUCK HAS HAD THE DEATH WOBBLE FROM DAY 1. COUNTLESS TRIPS TO FIX WHAT I NOW KNOW HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE. THE TRUCKS FRONT END GOES INTO MASSIVE SHAKING OUT OF THE BLUE

NHTSA ID

11186001

Incident

Mar 9, 2019

THE REAR END ON MY RAM 1500 HEMI 1500 GEAR IS MAKING A HUMMING SOUND CONSTANTLY, IT NEVER STOPS. I CALLED THE DEALER THEY NO LONGER HAVE THE PART AND I CAN'T FIND ONE, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ONE. PLEASE HELP!!

NHTSA ID

11101284

Incident

Dec 3, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK ABNORMALLY AND A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL HUBS BECAME DETACHED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR GLASS SHATTERED AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A MINOR REAR END COLLISION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

NHTSA ID

11010279

Incident

Jul 24, 2015

Mileage

145,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN CLICKING NOISE AND THE REAR END SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PINION NUT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PINION RING, CUP DIFFERENTIAL, AND SEVERAL OTHER COMPONENTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10939237

Incident

Nov 17, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE PINION NUT DETACHED AND CAUSED THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND GOT STUCK IN MUD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACT'S FAMILY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

10928211

Incident

Nov 26, 2016

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RUST WAS DISCOVERED ON THE TORSION BAR MOUNT UP TO THE FRONT OF THE LEAF SPRING MOUNT. IN ADDITION, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS MOUNTED ON JACK STANDS, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

NHTSA ID

10874633

Incident

Jun 16, 2016

Mileage

81,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON DECELERATION THE GEAR SHIFT SHOOK RAPIDLY. WHILE PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE DRIVESHAFT FELL AND THE REAR DRIVESHAFT AXLE LIFTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE WHERE HE DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVESHAFT AXLE FAILED DUE TO A LOOSE REAR AXLE PINION NUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10873892

Incident

Jun 11, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES, CALIPERS, AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HUB BEARING, WHEEL HUB, AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY, AND DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. LASTLY, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE HEAD LAMP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 201,281. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID

10860581

Incident

Apr 4, 2016

Mileage

201,281 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND IT STOPPED ABRUPTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PINION NUT LOOSENED AND CAUSED THE DRIVESHAFT TO FRACTURE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ID

10853537

Incident

Apr 3, 2016

Mileage

175,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE WHEEL BEARING DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10790751

Incident

Nov 9, 2015

Mileage

80,000 mi

REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE. ON SEPT 14, 2015 I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG. MY TRUCK STOP MOVING CAUSING ME TO APPLY THE BRAKE. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THERE WAS A PERSON WALKING IN THE PARKING LOT AND INFORMED ME THAT MY REAR END WAS LEAKING FLUID. I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE SO I WAS ABLE TO COAST IN A PARKING SPACE AND APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK I SEEN THE FLUID POURING OUT. AT THIS TIME I CALLED AAA AND HAD A TOW TRUCK SENT TO THIS AREA. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED THE DRIVER WAS LOADING THE TRUCK ONTO THE FLAT BED AND THAT'S WHEN MYSELF AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SEEN A SILVER DOLLAR SIZE HOLE ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE PUMPKIN JUST BELOW THE DRIVE SHAFT. I CONTACTED MY MECHANIC AND TOLD HIM ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AND LET HIM KNOW I WOULD BE SENDING THE TRUCK TO HIM FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. MY MECHANIC CONTACTED ME ON SEPT 15, 2015 AND INFORMED ME THAT THE PINION SHAFT SNAPPED OFF THE GEAR AND THE HOLE I SEEN WAS THE SHAFT TRYING TO COME THROUGH THE HOUSING. MY MECHANIC STATED IN HIS PROFESSIONAL OPINION THIS WAS A FACTORY DEFECT THE WAY THIS SHAFT SNAPPED OFF CLEAN. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS (KILLED). I WAS ONLY DRIVING ABOUT 7MPH THROUGH THE PARKING LOT., HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS COULD HAVE ENDED FATAL FOR ME OR ANYONE TRAVELING NEXT TOO ME. BEING THAT THIS SHAFT WAS ABLE TO DO THIS KIND OF DAMAGE TO A STEEL HOUSING MOVING AT THIS LOW RATE OF SPEED.

NHTSA ID

10779528

Incident

Sep 14, 2015

Mileage

120,119 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR TIRES SEIZED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID

10762972

Incident

Sep 9, 2015

Mileage

190,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID

10747849

Incident

Aug 10, 2015

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, ABNORMAL NOISES WERE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE REAR PINION BOLT VIBRATING OFF THE REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. MA 10/23/15 UPDATED 12/8/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10743734

Incident

Jul 24, 2015

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR PINION NUT LOOSENED AND DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID

10724076

Incident

Apr 25, 2015

Mileage

106,000 mi

THE REAR END GRINDS AND HAS BEEN FOR MANY YEARS OR IS GRINDING LITTLE METAL PIECES OFF TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ANY LONGER UNTIL REAR END GETS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10714141

Incident

Apr 19, 2011

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I FELT MY ENTIRE TRUCK SHUDDER. PULLED OVER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND SAW DRIVESHAFT LAYING ON THE GROUND. HAD TRUCK TOWED BACK TO MY RESIDENCE, WHERE I INSPECTED THREAT END AND SAW THAT THE PINION BUT HAD BACKED OFF AND CAUSE DRIVESHAFT TO COME UNDONE FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL MY ENTIRE REAR END IS LOCKED UP AND NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR 2004 AND 2005 FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. HOWEVER THE RECALL STATES THIS COULD HAPPEN. UNFORTUNATELY IT DID HAPPEN TO ME AND CURRENTLY MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE LIST. 2003 RAM 1500 HAS 9.25 REAR END, SAME AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT I SHOULD GET VEHICLE REPAIRED AND HOLD ONTO RECEIPT IN CASE A RECALL ARISES WITH MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT SINCE IT'S ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME TRUCK WITH SAME EQUIPMENT AND THIS EQUIPMENT FAILURE ISN'T A POTENTIAL ISSUE, IT'S ALREADY RUINED MY REAR END THAT I NOW HAVE TO PAY MYSELF DUE TO FAULTY EQUIPMENT, RECALL THAT SHOULD COVER MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10683610

Incident

Jan 12, 2015

Mileage

126,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR WHEELS SUDDENLY SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVESHAFT AXLE FAILED DUE TO A LOOSE REAR AXLE PINION NUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 259,000.

NHTSA ID

10682981

Incident

Jan 29, 2015

Mileage

259,000 mi

PULLING BOAT AND REAR END BROKE LEAVING ME WITH NO STEERING. THE TRAILOR JACKKNIFED AND THE BOAT ENDED UP NEXT TO THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10622142

Incident

Jun 27, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD, CONTINUAL NOISE FROM THE REAR AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

10572747

Incident

Mar 10, 2014

Mileage

120,000 mi