RoadVitals

2003 Dodge Ram 3500 Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest May 9, 2012
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 286 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Fuel system
Filed May 9, 2012

THE FUEL SYSTEMS IN THESE MODEL TRUCKS ARE BAD. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THEM YEARS AGO, WHICH I JUST FOUND OUT AND NOW I STILL OWE ON THE TRUCK. I WAS NOT THE FIRST BUYER. THE ORIGINAL OWNER DID NOT GO TO FIX THE TRUCK WHEN THE RECALL CAME OUT AND HE TRADED IT. YAH, THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM! WELL, THE PLACE WE BOUGHT IT FROM DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER. AND WE DIDN'T FIND OUT ABOUT IT UNTIL WAY LATER. AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO BE STUCK WITH A TRUCK THAT DOESN'T WORK, BUT WE HAVE TO PUT IN A LOT OF MONEY INTO. ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS. IF A VEHICLE HAS A RECALL WHY DO THEY ONLY GIVE YOU A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME, TO GET IT FIXED. THAT IS NOT FAIR FOR PEOPLE THAT BUY VEHICLES LATER ON, WHEN YOUR NOT THE FIRST TO PURCHASE IT. WHAT DO WE DO?!? *TR

NHTSA ID
10457844
Incident
Jan 3, 2011
Mileage
145,210 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 7, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE AT A CAR WASH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LIFT PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 216,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 227,000.

NHTSA ID
10446983
Incident
Oct 7, 2011
Mileage
216,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 31, 2011

SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN IT IS DAMP OR RAINING. DOESN'T OCCUR WHEN IT IS DRY. REVS UP ON ITS OWN, EVEN IN GEAR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. IT HAS DONE THIS AT LEAST ONCE. WHEN FIRST CRANKED UP IT HAS REVVED UP WIDE OPEN. IT HAS DONE THIS AT LEAST TWICE. WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN ACCELERATING AND YOU LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR A LITTLE IT ACTS JUST LIKE YOU HAVE TAKEN YOUR FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE ACCELERATOR. IT HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER THE WEATHER DRIES UP AND YOU CRANK IT A FEW TIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO OFF. THE LIGHT WILL STAY OFF UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT IS DAMP AND IT DECIDES TO GO CRAZY. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON JUST AS SOON AS THE ENGINE STARTS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I THINK THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10393906
Incident
Mar 31, 2011
Mileage
135,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 23, 2010

THE LIFT/TRANSFER PUMP OF THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. (SEPARATE FROM THE MAIN FUEL PUMP ). AFTER TALKING TO MY MECHANIC AND RESEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND THAT APPARENTLY THE ORIGINAL SYSTEM WAS SUCH A TERRIBLE DESIGN, AND THE PROBLEM I HAD SO COMMON, THAT DODGE DOESN'T EVEN MAKE A REPLACEMENT PART FOR IT ANYMORE. INSTEAD, THEY SELL YOU A KIT WHICH REQUIRES ABOUT 5-6 HOURS OF LABOR TO TOTALLY RE-DO THE SYSTEM (PLUS $500 PARTS). CUSTOMER SERVICE? FORGET ABOUT IT. IF YOU FINALLY GET THROUGH TO TALKING TO YOUR "CASE MANAGER" ALL YOU'LL HEAR IS: "IT'S NO LONGER COVERED BY THE WARRANTY" THE PROBLEM MANIFESTED ITSELF BY MY TRUCK STALLING OUT IN THE FAST LANE ON THE FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR- NOT A LOT OF FUN TRYING TO STEER/BRAKE A 6000+ POUND TRUCK WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES! HOW COULD THIS NOT BE A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10357192
Incident
Sep 10, 2010
Mileage
66,500 mi
Fuel systemOther / unspecified
Filed Jun 10, 2010

FAILURE OF 2003 DODGE RAM 3500 WITH HO DIESEL ENGINE AND MANUAL 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION - ENGINE TURNS OVER BUT FAILS TO START. BEEN TO CROWN IN NITRO AND COURTS IN HURRICANE A TOTAL OF 7 TIMES. DEALERSHIPS FAIL TO FIX. HAVE SPENT APPROX. $2500 AND STILL NOT FIXED. CAN STALL AT INTERSECTION OR RAILROAD CROSSING CAUSING GRAVE INJURY OR DEATH; NEED HELP TO GET PROBLEM FIXED BY RECALL PROCESS. ALL CHRYSLER-DODGE SAYS "I APOLOGIZE". CHRYSLER-DODGE KNOWS OF PROBLEM B/C WILL FIX ON AS NEED BASIS IF UNDER WARRANTY; TOLD BY CROWN, NITRO THAT WE WERE LUCKY FUEL PUMP LASTED AS LONG HAS IT HAD WHEN REPLACED (WE HAD TO PAY) OVER A YEAR AGO. HAS CAUSED COMPOUNDED PROBLEMS WITH INJECTORS. MOSTLY LIKELY HAS CAUSED HIGH PRESSURE PUMP THEN INJECTORS TO FAIL AS THESE PARTS USE THE LUBRICATING PROPERTIES OF DIESEL FUEL AS THE LUBRICANT FOR THESE PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10335728
Incident
May 7, 2010
Mileage
119,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 28, 2008

STARTED NOTICING TRUCK HARD TO START, THEN IT DIES AT IDLE, IN TRAFFIC ETC, IT HAPPENS ABOUT ANYWHERE FROM 4 TIMES A DAY TO 4 TIMES A WEEK JUST DEPENDS, TOLD THAT THE TRUCK TRANSFER PUMP IS A DEALER ITEM ONLY AT ABOUT 400.00 OVER THE COAST OF INTERNET PRICING FOR THE KIT, WOULDN'T THIS BE A RECALL? I HAVE SEARCHED AN FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINS ON THIS SAME PROBLEM , BUT SINCE DODGE DISCONTINUED THE EXTERIOR TRANSFER PUMP THEN IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE A RECALL I HAD MY TRUCK DIE ON MY 2 TIMES TODAY IN TRAFFIC MOVING 70 MILES AN HOUR WITH KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT AND AN 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME , THE TRUCK HAS NO OTHER PROBLEMS BUT I DON'T THINK DODGE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CHANGE THE DESIGN WITH OUT HAVING A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10247092
Incident
Oct 28, 2008
Fuel system
Filed Feb 25, 2008

ON THE SEVENTH MY TRUCK STARTED MISSING AND SPUTTERING. IT ONLY HAD 53,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I WENT OUT THE NEXT MORNING TO START MY TRUCK, IT WOULD NOT START. I COULD NOT MAKE IT TO COLLEGE OR WORK THAT DAY. IT WAS DUE TO A LIFT PUMP FAILURE. I HAD TO BUY A WHOLE NEW FUEL SYSTEM FOR MY TRUCK BECAUSE DODGE DOES NOT MAKE A REPLACEMENT. IT COST ME ABOUT $700 FOR THE FAST FUEL SYSTEM AND ANOTHER $50 FOR MY FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE. PLUS TIME AND THE DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK DURING THE INSTALL. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT AN INTERSECTION, SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10219115
Incident
Feb 7, 2008
Mileage
53,500 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed May 26, 2006

WHEN TOWING WITH THE VEHICLE IT DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. HAVE TO PULLOVER LET TRUCK REST FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES BEFORE TRUCK WILL MOVE WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10158363
Incident
Apr 3, 2006
Mileage
68,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 8, 2004

POOR FUEL MILEAGE IN COMPARISON TO SEVERAL OTHER DODGE'S OF THE SAME YEAR. *PH WHILE PULLING A TRAILER AT 63 MPH THE VEHILCE HAD A LOW OF 6.85 MPG. ON AVERAGE THE VEHICLE GOT 7.5-8.0 MPG LOADED AND 12-14 MPG EMPTY. THE DEALER REFLASHED THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER BUT NOW IT WAS MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE TRUCK WAS LEFT THERE FOR A WEEK BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINED THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS ERETURNED TO THE CONSUMER. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE COSUMER TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO PERFORM SERVICE SUGGESTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER THE TRUCK STARTED BLOWING TRANSMISION FLUID THROUGH THE RADIATOR OVERFLOW. THE DEALER HAD TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION COOLER. THE U-JOINT AT THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVE SHAFT TO COLLAPSE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE FUEL LIFT PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE LEAKED.

NHTSA ID
10066977
Incident
Oct 7, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Aug 25, 2003

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, DRIVER CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER SAID TO POP THE HOOD PUMP, THE PRIMER. VEHICLE STARTED 10 MINUTES LATER AND STALLED ON HIGHWAY, CONSUMER FEELS COULD HAVE BEEN T-BONED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE STALLING AND DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING.DEALER SAID FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT, AND WILL ONLY BE REPLACED ONE AT A TIME AS THEY FAIL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10034438
Mileage
207 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 25, 2003

WHEN TOWING THE TRUCKS LIFT PUMP WOULD NOT SUPPORT THE MOTOR AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DIE OUT. THE LIFT PUMP WAS NOT PUMPING ENOUGH FUEL TO THE MOTOR. *AK *CB *NLM

NHTSA ID
10024765
Fuel system
Filed Feb 6, 2003

THE GAS NOZZLES ARE TOO SMALL, GAS IS BEING POURED EVERYWHERE. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A FIRE COULD START. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

NHTSA ID
10006707

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .