2003 Dodge RAM 1500 body problems

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Rear fenders are rusted such that wiring harness falls off from underside if fenders and rubs on tires. Middle of frame rusted through on right and left side and dealer's floor lift went about half-way through both sides when the technician. tried to raise truck to check wiring under truck. The lift only crunched about halfway through near the middle of the frame. That was the point when the technician noticed the truck was lifting unevenly and making a crunching sound when he started trying to lift it. He left the truck as it was - with two wheels on the floor and two wheels about an inch off the floor He hollered for th shop supervisor to look at, who came and got me in the waiting room to show me what happened. The dealership could not repair the frame, but said there was a welding shop a couple of miles away down a back road in Zachow, WI where I could safely drive to if I went really slow. I don't know when the frame started rusting or the date the dealer's hydraulic lift broke through the frame. The truck's rear fenders were starting to significantly rust when it was about 3-4 years old. It was purchased new. I don't know how badly the frame had rusted at that time. I'm fairly certain the truck had less that 100,000 miles on it when the dealer found that the frame was rusted through. It's 22 years old now and was bought new in 2003. It has 147,000 miles on it today. Assuming that the miles/year were roughly the same at 6,682, and the tail lights started acting "funny" (the reason we brought the truck to the dealership),happened the year after we bought our new 2013 Lund boat (2014), that would put the mileage on the truck at 73,502. This type of dangerous deterioration should not happen with a low-mileage vehicle like ours.

NHTSA complaint #11640702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The frame/chasis rusted through and dealer could not raise truck because lift went through frame. If it had not been noticed at dealership, we and others could have been killed if the frame had broken through on the highway. The dealership and repair shop can confirm. The box and other body components are severely rusted. The body around the gas filler cap is so rusty that I have to hold the gas dispenser just so as to prevent gas leakage from the filler apparatus going into the gas tank. The gas tank fell off the truck twice and the truck was towed into the dealer to be fixed. The truck has less than 150,000 miles, and was purchased new. The incidents occurred between 2004 and 2020 - approx. No police reports or injuries, but no help from dealer.

NHTSA complaint #11617781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The truck was brought in to dealer to inspect/repair wiring for trailer outlet. When they and began raising the vehicle, the rear lift arms broke through the frame on both sides. When I drove it short way to the repair shop (about 5 miles), the frame on the left broke and sagged and I nearly lost control. The repair shop was in sight and I was able to make it at under 10 mph. The road between the dealer and repair shop was an old country road and I never exceeded 45mph. The rusted frame was first noticed by Witt Ford in Pulaski and the frame was reinforced/surrounded by welded plate steel. There was no warning of the defect. If I had been travelling at highway speed and this failure occurred, I would have lost control, the left side of the truck would have been dragging as well as fuel tank. There would have been a crash and probably a fire.

NHTSA complaint #11476666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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DASH IS CRACKED AND PIECES ARE FLYING EVERYWHERE WHEN THE AC IS TURNED ON. VERY UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #11374758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TRUCK BODY RUSTED THROUGH AROUND REAR WHEEL WELLS STARTING IN 2005. RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN 2007 (DEALER WOULDN'T REPAIR UNDER 7-YEAR RUST-THROUGH WARRANTY, AND APPEARED MUCH THE SAME AS IN RECENT PHOTO. IN 2019 THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES IN THE REAR WERE NOTED TO BE RUSTED ALL THE THROUGH AND REINFORCING PATCHES NEEDED TO BE WELDED ON AS SEEN IN PHOTO.

NHTSA complaint #11327089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V312000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER HAYES CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF GAINESVILLE LOCATED AT 3115 FRONTAGE RD, GAINESVILLE, GA 30504, WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR COULD COMPLETED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11302355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. -FRAME CORRODED -VEHICLE UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN.( BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ) -RUST -THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT DETERMINED THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA complaint #11253176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. -THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. -VEHICLE UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN ( DIAGNOSTIC BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ) -RUST -THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THEY DETERMINED VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA complaint #11253172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ROTTING. THE CONTACT CALLED MILLER MOTOR SALES (LOCATED AT 1196 MILWAUKEE AVE, BURLINGTON, WI 53105, (888) 449-0974) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,000.

NHTSA complaint #11241287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CRACKS WERE PRESENT ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, WHILE OPERATING THE AIR BLOWER, DEBRIS BLEW INTO THE CABIN AND DISTRACTED THE DRIVER. FURMAN DODGE (24252 STATE RD 54, LUTZ, FL) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA complaint #11233283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LARGE THUMP. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD DETACHED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT, BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND HAZMAT UNIT WERE ALSO AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KAHLO CHRYSLER DODGE (9900 PLEASANT ST, NOBLESVILLE, IN 46060), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11231944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THANKS FOR REVIEWING. I BOUGHT NOT JUST ONE BUT TWO 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT LARAMIE OFF ROAD 4/4. AFTER ONLY 6-7 YEARS OF SERVICE THE TRUCK STARTED TO RUST. I WENT FOR MAINTENANCE AND WHEN RAISING THE VEHICLE THE TECHNICIAN GOT EXCITED AND STOPPED HE CALLED ME OVER TO SHOW ME MY DRIVER SIDE FRAME RAIL WAS SO DETERIORATED HE WAS UNSURE HE COULD SAFELY RAISE THE VEHICLE. I WAS SHOCKED. BECAUSE I HAD THE TRUCK FROM THE DEALER BRAND NEW AND KNEW THE CARE IN WHICH THE TRUCK RECEIVED. THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE AND THOUGHT I COULD JUST BUY A REPAIR. THE REPAIR COST AS MUCH AS BUYING A DIFFERENT TRUCK WHICH I DID. SAME ONE. AND GUESS WHAT THE SAME PROBLEM. RUST OVER THE WHEEL, BUMPER AND YES THE FRAME RAIL. I COULD POKE MY FINGER THOUGHT IT AND IT WOULD FALL APART. I CALLED DODGE TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN FOR THE AMOUNT OF TRUCKS LIKE THIS ON THE ROAD. THEY TOLD ME MY TRUCK WAS OLD AND THAT'S WHY. FOR A COMPANY TO ADVERTISE THEIR TRUCKS BEING THE TOUGHEST ON THE PLANT I DON'T THINK SO. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS MY SON HAS A 1986 FORD TRUCK WHICH EVERYTHING FELL OFF EXCEPT THE FRAME, ON THE OTHER HAND, I HAVE A TRUCK WHICH ALL WORKS AND I CAN'T DRIVE. I'M SURE A LITTLE INVESTIGATION YOU WILL FIND 100000S OF THESE BROKEN FRAME TRUCKS THAT MOST DON'T EVEN KNOW IT'S HAPPENING. IT'S UNSAFE TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN A VEHICLE TO PROVIDE PROTECTION IN CASE OF THE UNTHINKABLE. BUT DODGE HANDED OUT A BUNCH OF TRUCKS THAT HAVE TICKING TIME BOMBS IN THEM. I IMAGINE THE VEHICLE RESPONDING MUCH DIFFERENTLY IF IN A COLLISION WITH A RUSTED UN SUPPORTED FRAME. JUST LIKE A HOUSE IN FLORIDA WITHOUT BUILDING FOR A HURRICANE TO PASS. I FEEL DODGE COVERED UP THE PROBLEM AND SACRIFICED THE VERY PEOPLE THAT KEPT THEM IN BUSINESS. I WILL CONTINUE TO BRING LIGHT TO THIS AND I'M SURE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. A VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND VALUELESS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

NHTSA complaint #11228602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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EXTREME RUST AND CORROSION ABOVE BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR WHEEL WELLS. DOOR LOCKS WILL RANDOMLY LOCK BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING, STOPPED OR IN PARK. HAS LOCKED ME OUT AFTER STEPPING OUT TO OPEN A GATE, HAD TO GO GET A SPARE SET OF KEYS TO UNLOCK.

NHTSA complaint #11103673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE DETERIORATION ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V312000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER (AUBURN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 1901 GRASS VALLEY HWY, AUBURN, CA 95603, (888) 268-8026) STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FIRST IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE REPAIR. THE DEALER OPTED NOT TO COMPLETE THE RECALL AND ASKED THAT THE CONTACT REPLACE THE DASHBOARD FIRST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE CONCERNING THE DASHBOARD AND THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL FROM THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11065726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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DASH CRACKED/BROKEN DUE TO INFERIOR/CHEAP/CORNER & COST CUTTING ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING PRACTICES.

NHTSA complaint #11051021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN MANY PLACES RESUTLING IN VERY SHARP PIECES THAT ARE LOOSE AND COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS UPON A SUDDEN STOP.

NHTSA complaint #11042656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE DASH PAD HAS SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A LARGE CRACK ACROSS THE TOP. I'M CONCERNED THAT SHOULD MY AIRBAG DEPLOY, THIS PIECE WILL SHATTER AND CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO DEFLATE PREMATURELY, OR CAUSE INJURY FROM PLASTIC SHARDS. THIS OCCURED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, AND UNOCCUPIED.

NHTSA complaint #11032029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTING IN THE CABIN AND EXTERIOR CARGO AREA LIGHTING BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.

NHTSA complaint #11019609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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DASH IS CRACKED ALL WAY CAUSING A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH SHARP PIECES.

NHTSA complaint #11003553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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PAINT CORROSION ON THE HOOD AND TOP OF CAB, DOORS AND HAD I HAD ENGINE FAILURE AT 70,000 PLUS AND AT 107,000.

NHTSA complaint #10984574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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DASHBOARD MADE OF INFERIOR PLASTIC MATERIAL THAT HAS SPIDER CRACKS AND DISINTEGRATED IN SOME AREAS. THE RESULTS ARE JAGGED PIECES THAT CAN INJURE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS IN A VEHICLE CRASH DUE TO THE IMPACT ITSELF AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS. WITH THE MOST RECENT RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAG INFLATORS, THE CHANCES OF CREATING ADDITIONAL FRAGMENTATION IN AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS MADE MORE LIKELY.

NHTSA complaint #10949162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE DASH BOARD IS COMPLETELY FALLING APART , BREAKING INTO MANY PIECES THEY ARE FALLING INTO THE DUCT WORK AND RATTLING WHEN THE DEFROST IS TURNED ON. LOOKS LIKE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD MAKE THIS RIGHT. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10917164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE DASHBOARD FRACTURED AND CAUSED RAZOR SHARP PIECES TO FORM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

NHTSA complaint #10892117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. . UPDATED 08/31/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG RECALL HAD NOT BEEN COMPLETED.

NHTSA complaint #10884310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RUST WAS DISCOVERED ON THE TORSION BAR MOUNT UP TO THE FRONT OF THE LEAF SPRING MOUNT. IN ADDITION, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS MOUNTED ON JACK STANDS, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

NHTSA complaint #10874633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V312000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER,T THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #10872214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND HAD LARGE HOLES. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS SO DETERIORATED THAT YOU COULD SEE THE CONTAINER FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA complaint #10851108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V312000 (AIR BAGS), THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED DUE TO DRY ROTTING. THE TECHNICIAN REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL DUE TO THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10850738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.