2003 Dodge Ram 1500 problems
Owners have filed 1,366 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 34% of complaints. After that come body & structure (17%) and drivetrain & axles (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,366 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 34% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 106 and 15
- Injuries and deaths
- 102 and 6
- Typical mileage
- 70,000 miles 807 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 151 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 75 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 93 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 127 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 94 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 71 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 64 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 50 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 34 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 17 |
| 200k+ miles | 31 |
What the data shows
Among the 807 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 70,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 112,000 miles (94 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 106 complaints mention a crash; 15 complaints mention a fire; 102 injuries reported; 6 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 8th most-complained-about out of 19 model years of the Dodge Ram 1500 with enough data (414 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* takata recall. The contact and the deceased driver owned a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving at a high rate of speed, another vehicle crashed into the driver side of the contact's vehicle. The driver lost control and crashed head on into a utility pole. The air bags did not deploy. The driver was fatally injured from the impact of the crash and the failure of the air bags. A police report was filed.
While driving 35 MPH consumer had to make an emergency stop. Consumer slammed on the brake pedal and vehicle did not stop. It hit the passenger's side of another vehicle. Vehicle continued to roll after impact with the driver's foot still on the brake pedal. The passenger in the other vehicle died in the crash. The cause of the brake failure was not determined, but it was suspected that the antilock braking system was the cause of the crash.
This is an update to the complaint I filed due the incident with my stepfather. That complaint is #10246879 wherein I reported a failure in the ignition/parking system that caused his 2003 this is an update to complaint odi 10246879 wherein I reported the failure of the ignition / parking system of his 2003 dodge ram 1500 truck. The failure caused his truck to roll over him, catching him up under the truck and dragging him over a curb where it jumped the neighbors fence before coming to a stop.
My 2003 dodge ram has rack and pinion problems (leaks and stiffness). I have been advised the truck will be undriveable if the rack and pinion system experiences a major fluid leakage, which seems to be common for these vehicles. The design of this system is a safety hazard and should be repaired by the manufacturer. A major accident is on the horizon for this poor design. Let's be proactive on this one. They still have bailout money.
My 2003 dodge ram 1500 was in the shop for an A/C repair when they had to remove the dash board. About 3 months later a small crack appeared, followed by many more larger cracks. In 2 different parts of my dash board. The dash board continues to spider crack 9 months later. The dealer looked at it early on and never contacted me back saying it is a problem w/ these trucks. Nothing they will do about it. Treated me as if it was my fault. Blamed everything from the elements, the design, me and didn't care to help.