2003 Dodge Ram Owner Complaints

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 RESEARCH IT IS EVIDENT DODGE WAS FULLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT MADE NO IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SYSTEM, CONTINUING TO SELL THESE VEHICLES TO AN UNSUSPECTING PUBLIC FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10472710

Incident

Aug 14, 2008

Mileage

65,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO COME TO A FULL STOP. THE CONTACT RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL THROTTLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

NHTSA ID

10464043

Incident

Jun 30, 2012

Mileage

168,000 mi

PASSENGER SIDE GRAB HANDLE FAILED WHILE ENTERING VEHICLE. PASSENGER LOST BALANCE AND FELL TO THE GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ID

10458237

Incident

May 12, 2012

Mileage

116,960 mi

TL* 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. THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE EITHER SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID

10448708

Incident

Jan 1, 2006

Mileage

70,000 mi

DASH BOARD ON 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 IS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE AREAS. WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER VENT PANELS HAVE CRUMBLED AND FALLEN INTO THE AIR HANDLER SYSTEM CAUSING DEFROSTER TO STOP FUNCTIONING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10446137

Incident

Feb 1, 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10443323

Incident

Jan 4, 2010

Mileage

60,000 mi

MY 2003 DODGE RAM HAS A CRACKED DASHBOARD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10421153

Incident

May 1, 2011

TL* 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 DEALER STATED THE WIRE THAT CONNECT THE IGNITION TO THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO TO DRIVE DUE TO THE IMPAIRED VISION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA ID

10419214

Incident

Aug 9, 2011

Mileage

137,000 mi

POOR RELIABILITY OF ELECTRICAL CONTROL AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM CAUSES NUMEROUS AND SOMETIMES INTERMITTENT FAILURES OF EXTERIOR SAFETY-RELATED LIGHTING SUCH AS HEADLAMPS (LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM), TAILLAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LAMPS, AND TRAILER LAMPS. PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE EXACERBATED IF VEHICLE IS NOT OPERATED FOR A FEW WEEKS. DEALER IS QUOTING REPAIR COST IN EXCESS OF $2000 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER, WHICH IS REPORTEDLY NOT A SERVICEABLE UNIT. THIS HIGH REPAIR COST WILL UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSE OWNERS TO "TAKE THEIR CHANCES" AND CONTINUE OPERATING VEHICLES IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION BECAUSE THE REPAIR IS SO COSTLY AND THE PROBLEMS ARE INTERMITTENT. SOME USERS HAVE REPORTED NEEDING TO COMPLETE THIS REPAIR MORE THAN ONCE OVER THE VEHICLE LIFETIME, WHICH FURTHER CONFIRMS THERE IS AN INHERENT RELIABILITY PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. OTHER USERS REPORT SIMILAR ISSUES WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPORTEDLY DUE TO THE SAME UNIT FAILURE. BECAUSE DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS HAVE AT LEAST TEN DIFFERENT MODEL CATEGORIES AND MULTIPLE MODEL YEARS FOR REPORTING IN THE NHTSA ONLINE REPORTING STRUCTURE, THE COMPLAINTS ARE SPREAD OUT AND THE CONCENTRATION OF PROBLEMS ENDEMIC TO THIS VEHICLE MAY NOT BE READILY APPARENT TO ODI INVESTIGATORS. COMPLAINTS MAY BE REPORTED UNDER "1500", "2500", "3500", "RAM", "RAM 1500", "RAM 2500", "RAM 3500", "RAM QUAD CAB", "RAM PICKUP", "DODGE TRUCK", ... , ALL DUE TO THE SAME MODULE FAILURE. COMPLAINTS ARE ALSO SPREAD OUT AMONG MANY DIFFERENT COMPLAINT CATEGORIES, FURTHER DILUTING THE RECOGNITION THAT THERE IS ONE FUNDAMENTAL ROOT CAUSE OF A DOZEN OR MORE DIFFERENT FAILURE MODES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10289147

Incident

Oct 19, 2009

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL*THE 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 NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR THE VEHICLE. CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES ARE ALSO ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ID

10211827

Incident

May 7, 2005

Mileage

10,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE IN HER DRIVEWAY. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPEN. SHE THEN HEARD A LOUD POP AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. SHE WAS UNABLE TO ENTER AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS STRUCK SEVERAL TIMES BY THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. SHE WAS PINNED BETWEEN A METAL POST AND THE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO FREE HERSELF AND SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER MIDRIFF, BACK, AND HEAD. THE POWERTRAIN, SPEED, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,900. UPDATED 01/17/08 *BF THE DEALER STATED THE RIGHT BRAKE LAMP IS INOPERABLE. THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED ALL MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION AND REPAIR INVOICES PERTAINING TO THE INCIDENT. UPDATED 01/17/08 *TR

NHTSA ID

10210797

Incident

Sep 7, 2007

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON MY 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 FAILED AT 60,300 MILES. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER AND CHRYSLER THAT THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER WHEEL BEARINGS / HUB ASSEMBLIES. THE 2006 VERSION OF THIS VEHICLE HAS A NATIONAL RECALL ON THE SAME ASSEMBLY / PART DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. THIS TRUCK IS NOT USED FOR COMMERCIAL OR TOWING, IT IS PRIMARILY A PASSENGER VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10210043

Incident

Nov 27, 2007

Mileage

60,300 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM. WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE, THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL FOUR LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, 10MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 49500 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 52000. THE ENGINE SIZE IS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10190776

Incident

Dec 13, 2006

Mileage

49,500 mi

TL* - 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 HILL PULLING A 30 FT TRAVEL TRAILER AT 50 MPH, THE CONTACT TRIED TO DOWN SHIFT, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULDN'T USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO ASSIST IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO HIS LOCAL DEALER( DUB HERRING IN PICAYUNE, MS) AND THEY COULDN'T DETECT ANY FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE COPIES OF THE INVOICE REPAIR IF NEEDED. *NM UPDATED 03/14/07. *JB

NHTSA ID

10179168

Incident

Sep 1, 2005

Mileage

51,567 mi

2003 DODGE RAM FUEL LINES ROTTED RESULTING IN A SEVERE LEAK. *KB ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER CANNOT OR WILL NOT PRODUCE A REPLACEMENT FUEL LINE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE THE TRUCK WAS SITTING IN IDLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE BACKWARDS. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH NO SUCCESS. THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL AND INTO A TREE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AFTER HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10162631

Incident

Apr 21, 2006

I TOOK MY '03 DODGE RAM TO MCPEEK DODGE DEALERSHIP IN ANAHEIM, CA FOR WARRANTY WINDSHIELD WIPER REPAIR WORK. THE TRUCK WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE WIPERS. LATER IN THE DAY THE SERVICE PERSON CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW THE WORK WAS COMPLETED, BUT "BY-THE-WAY, WE NOTICED YOUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON - DO YOU WANT US TO CHECK THIS OUT?" I REPLIED FIRST OF ALL THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN AND SECOND I WAS NOT GOING TO PAY ANY DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND I EXPECT IT TO BE CORRECTED WHEN I PICK IT UP. IT WAS NOT CORRECTED AND DELIVERED BACK TO ME. OBVIOUSLY, DEALERSHIPS (ESPECIALLY BIG 3 MANUFACTURERS) ARE TRYING TO RECOUP LOSSES THROUGH FRAUDULENT / UNNECESSARY SERVICE DUE TO THE MINIMAL MARGINS AND VOLUME OF SALES OF NEW VEHICLES. I AM A MECHANIC AND UNDERSTAND THE SALES PITCH - WHILE I WAS SITTING IN THE WAITING ROOM I FELT SORRY FOR A LITTLE OLD LADY THAT THE SERVICE GUY PREYED ON. SHE JUST WANTED A OIL CHANGE, BUT ENDED UP HAVING HER BRAKES INSPECTED AND PROBABLY REPLACED ONLY BECAUSE "HE NOTICED THEY WERE SQUEAKING". ANYWAY BACK TO MY STORY - IT TOOK ME ALL OF 5 MINUTES WHEN I GOT HOME TO POP THE HOOD AND FIND A WIRE TO THE AIR CLEANER SENSOR THAT THE MECHANIC HAD DISCONNECTED PROBABLY INTENTIONALLY SINCE THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WIPERS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. I FOUND OUT THAT THE MANAGEMENT AT THIS DEALERSHIP HAS INSTRUCTED THE STAFF TO MAKE SURE TO UP-SELL EVERY CUSTOMER AND MAKE SURE SOME OTHER WORK IS FOUND BESIDES ANYTHING THAT THE VEHICLE IS BROUGHT IN FOR. THAT'S FINE IF SOMETHING IS NEEDED, BUT TO INTENTIONALLY DAMAGE A VEHICLE OR REPLACE PARTS UNNECESSARY TO MAKE MORE MONEY IS JUST NOT RIGHT. I SAVED $150, BUT AM STEAMING MAD! MCPEEK DODGE IS A CROOK. I WILL NEVER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THERE AGAIN AND NEVER SERVICE THERE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10153900

Incident

Mar 14, 2006

DT: THE CONTACT STATED DEFOGGER SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING DUE TO THE DESIGN. THE INNER ROUTING FLAP BROKE, ALLOWING THE HEAT TO GO TO THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS INSTEAD OF THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER BLOWER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE DUE TO EXCESSIVE EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10144540

Incident

Nov 28, 2005

Mileage

78,000 mi

DT: THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX AND PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REMEDIED THE PROBLEM(S). *AK *SC

NHTSA ID

10126005

Incident

Apr 30, 2005

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL.") I EXCHANGED THE 4TH TIRE OFF MY PICKUP. IT IS A GOODYEAR LT235/80R17 WITH MANY SIDE WALL OPEN WIDE, CRACKS. IT WAS DONE AT WEST TIRE, 4000 HWY 281 NORTH,, MARBLE FALLS ,TX78654 PHONE 830/693-0475,,FAX 830/693-0602. IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU WOULD IMPOUND THAT CASING FOR YOUR EXAMINATION AND FACT FINDING. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR HARD HITTING A CURB INVOLVED , IT JUST APPEARED THE TIRE HAD 10./32NDS RUBBER LEFT OF 15/32NDS AND WAS DISCOVERED AT AN OIL CHANGE, SURELY THESE MANY FAILURES ARE WORTH EXAMINING." *NM *TC

NHTSA ID

10108622

Incident

Jan 18, 2005

Mileage

83,285 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL COMPLETELY DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *JB *SC

NHTSA ID

10108731

Incident

Jan 1, 2005

THE WINDOWS OF THE VAN WILL NOT CLEAR OF FOG WITH THE HEATER ON HOT AND THE BLOWER ON HIGH. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM,THAT ALL VANS OF THIS YEAR ACT THE SAME. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE REAR WINDOW OPEN. *AK

NHTSA ID

10108152

Incident

Feb 21, 2004

Mileage

10 mi

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10103548

Incident

Dec 10, 2004

A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AXLE U BOLTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10101548

Incident

Nov 22, 2004

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE SHIFTING. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT COOLANT LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED, IT RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10101103

Incident

Nov 16, 2004

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED WHEN APPLIED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB *TC

NHTSA ID

10097194

Incident

Oct 19, 2004