2003 Dodge RAM Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RAM years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 10th of 17 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge RAM. That ranks 10th out of 17 RAM model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (8 complaints, 15%), typically at around 16,900 miles. Complaints mention 6 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 53owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 6complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 Dodge RAM problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 8 | 15% | 16,900 | — | — |
| Structure | 8 | 15% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 6 | 11% | 51,567 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 4 | 8% | 8,400 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 4 | 8% | 137,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 8% | 10,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 4 | 8% | 3,779 | — | — |
| Visibility | 4 | 8% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 3 | 6% | 54,900 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 6% | 88,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 4% | 200,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 4% | 7,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 4% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 4% | 91,643 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 4% | 1,920 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 2% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 Dodge RAM recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Problem: 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.
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.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: Certain pickup trucks, equipped with cummins diesel engines and manual transmissions, may experience an elevated idle speed after extended cruise control use.
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- False park (EA04025) — opened Aug 26, 2004, closed Dec 22, 2005, led to recall 05V462000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
Passenger side grab handle failed while entering vehicle. Passenger lost balance and fell to the ground. *tr
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…
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
Other Dodge RAM years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 RAM | 0 | 4 |
| 2010 RAM | 27 | 5 |
| 2009 RAM | 9 | 5 |
| 2008 RAM | 25 | 2 |
| 2007 RAM | 17 | 1 |
| 2006 RAM | 25 | 0 |
| 2005 RAM | 40 | 0 |
| 2004 RAM | 58 | 1 |
| 2003 | 53 | 2 |
| 2002 RAM | 116 | 2 |
| 2001 RAM | 318 | 9 |
| 2000 RAM | 147 | 6 |
| 1999 RAM | 366 | 9 |
| 1998 RAM | 483 | 13 |
| 1997 RAM | 398 | 7 |
| 1996 RAM | 625 | 10 |
| 1995 RAM | 611 | 12 |
See all Dodge RAM problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge RAM?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, structure, power train problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 8 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Dodge RAM?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 Dodge RAM a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RAM model years, the 2003 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.