2003 Dodge Ram problems
The 2003 Dodge Ram has 65 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (12%) concerns engine. After that come body & structure (12%) and brakes (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 65 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 12% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 9 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 8 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 39,000 miles 30 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 | 14 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Among the 30 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 39,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 9 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 8 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 85% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 11th most-complained-about out of 18 model years of the Dodge Ram with enough data (48 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
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.
The consumer lost control of vehicle while driving on an icy road between 30 - 35 MPH. When this occurred, the vehicle hit a pole head on. Upon impact, none of the frontal air bags deployed, and the passenger side seat belt unbuckled. The passenger sustained serious head injuries when his head had come in contact with the windshield. Odi followed up with consumer and learned that the passenger side seat belt buckle did not release as earlier stated in the crash.
2003 dodge ram fuel lines rotted resulting in a severe leak. ***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.
Consumer states there are no head restraints for the rear seats. The consumer is also concerened that in case of an accident that the rear passenger's bead may go through the glass.
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.