66 of the
1,363 complaints about the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the
other systems — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
91,276 miles.
B
66
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Unknown OR Other
6598.5%
Other & Unspecified across every Dodge RAM 1500 year
A few years ago, while driving down a rural road, I saw a tire rolling behind my truck. I stopped to remove it from the road and it turned out to be my spare tire.. The cross brace that is connected to the support cable rusted and folded to allow the tire to drop free. I replaced the cross brace and added heavy duty straps to be a backup support so as to assure this incident would not happen again. Last month my friend's son was injured due to an accident involving what appears to be a Pick-Up truck spare tire lost on a state highway. The tire size and a rusted cross brace led the responding police officer to conclude that it came from a Pick-up truck. Perhaps, pick up truck manufacturers should inspect and install a secondary/back up safety strap?
NHTSA complaint #11631953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spencer, OK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The reason the owners of these Dodges is that the dealers break the already brittle dash boards and REFUSE to repair or replace the dashboard. So most wont have the recall performed. So until the dealers are forced to repair/replace the brittle dashes when they perform these recalls then people will not have it addressed. Also i have owned my Dodge since October 2022. Truck is registered with dodge on the website and yet to receive a recall notice in the mail. Now if i go and look it shows the recall on my truck but many do not register their vehicles with the manufacturers website. All in all the EXPENSIVE dashboards being broke by dealerships performing the recall is why owners wont go thru it. Many have paid thousands in getting the dashes fixed. Also id think brittle dashboards that turn sharp daggers would be a safety hazard as well but yet no recall. My dash is missing HUGE pieces. Leaving sharp jagged edges that will be knives in an accident. I mean if the dashes bust just by replacing an airbag inflator or just sun exposure. Imagine being in an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11531739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sanger, CAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I just bought this car with a smog certificate of less than 90 days ago from today and it caught on fire while I was driving it not even going over 55 miles an hour. I seen a potential recall that would cause a fire like that for the make and model of my vehicle but when I put my vin in it says it wasn’t effected. To be clear my vehicle wasn’t leaking any fluids either.
NHTSA complaint #11507929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellettsville, INFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This vehicle had last been started and driven 7 hrs prior and exploded in the driveway, caught the house on fire and nearly killed my son who was near the inside wall of the house. The engine blew and then the front tires. Three explosions in all before the fire department was able to stop the fire. Luckily they were only a mile away. This was an older but well running vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11484730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesST. Charles, MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2003 RAM 1500: CONCERNS ABOUT CRACKED DASHBOARD BECOMING PROJECTILES
NHTSA complaint #11414654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesFolsom, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DOING 65 ON FREEWAY WHEN WHEN MY DRIVELINE AND PINION BOLT CAME OFF REAR END IN 1 PIECE AND THE REAR TIRES LOCKED UP AND I SLID TO A STOP
NHTSA complaint #11350285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesTullahoma, TN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HEATER VENTS CONTROL FLAP STOPED FUNCINING.
NHTSA complaint #11298264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WAS DOING SOME REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON MY TRUCK CLIMBED UNDER MY TRUCK TO DO MY OIL CHANGE AND A PORTION OF MY FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE ABOUT HALF WAY OF THE CAB IS RUSTED OUT. IT WAS NOT LIKE THIS BOUT 4 MONTHS AGO WHEN I DID MY LAST OLD CHANGE.
NHTSA complaint #11196076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redding, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER A NUMBER OF TIMES REGARDING NHTSA RECALL NUMBER17V-821. THEY STATE THAT THERE IS STILL NO FIX FOR MODEL YEAR 2013 RAM TRUCKS. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11111867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harvest, AL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE REAR END ON MY RAM 1500 HEMI 1500 GEAR IS MAKING A HUMMING SOUND CONSTANTLY, IT NEVER STOPS. I CALLED THE DEALER THEY NO LONGER HAVE THE PART AND I CAN'T FIND ONE, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ONE. PLEASE HELP!!
NHTSA complaint #11101284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesLouisville, KYFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, SMOKE AND FLAMES SUDDENLY APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE SMOKE QUICKLY ENGULFED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
NHTSA complaint #11092202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesWaco, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASH HAS JUST FALLEN APART SHARDS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE. AC RE CIRCULATION DOOR HAS BROKEN OFF SO CAN NOT DIVERT FLOW FROM VENTS TO DEFROST SO I CAN NOT DEFOG THE INSIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD. THE AC QUIT GETTING POWER DO TO IGNITION WIRES GETTING HOT IN CONNECTION.
NHTSA complaint #11065258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesOklahoma City, OK1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASH BREAKING UP TRYING TO GET PIECES OF SO THEY WILL NOT CAUSE ANY INJURIES IF IN ACCIDENT CUT HAND ON SHARP EDGES LEFT NOW AM SCARED OF DASH IF I DO GET IN ACCIDENT WHAT WE'LL HAPPEN WHEN THIS SHRAPNEL IS FLYING AROUND AND PROPELLED BY AIR BAG
NHTSA complaint #11052993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBaton Rouge, LA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASH CRACKED
NHTSA complaint #11032205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesOrlando, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA RECALL. LIKE MANY OTHER DODGE 1500 OWNERS, MY DASH HAS CRACKED AND I CANNOT GET THE RECALL FIXED. BECAUSE IT IS CRACKED THE DEALER WONT TOUCH THE AIR BAGS EVEN THOUGH IT STATES SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH CAN OCCUR IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF.
NHTSA complaint #11024667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 250,000 milesDuncan, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASHBOARD CRACKING AND FALLING APART CREATING SHARP HARD PLASTIC SECTIONS/PIECES THAT CAN BECOME INJURIOUS PROJECTILES IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11024738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesSpring Hill, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASH BOARD CRACKED IN MANY PIECES. PIECES ARE FALLING INTO A/C VENTS, WHEN A/C IS TURNED SOME PIECES BLOW OUT
NHTSA complaint #11015184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,000 milesWiscasset, ME
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
JUST BOUGHT THIS VEICLE SECOND OWNER OF SAID VEHICLE LOOK IT ALL OVER. BROUGHT IT TO A.DEALER SHIP TO HAVE A STATE INSPECTION PERFORMED AND THE FRAME CRUNCHED ON THE LIFT. NOTE THE FRAME STILL HAD BLACK PAINT ON IT FROM.FACTORY. THE FRAME LITERALLY ROTTED FROM INSIDE OUT. AND IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE ONLY ON WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS FRAME HAS NOT LASTED ANYWHERE NEAR THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THE VEHICLE 20 YRS. AND THERE ARE WAY OLDER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD THAT STILL ARE PERFECT. TOYOTA GETS A FRAME RECALL BUT THIS DODGE WON'T AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS SO. THIS IS A PROBLEM CONSIDERING IT'S ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I SEE FRAMES BRAKING WHILE DRIVING THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
NHTSA complaint #11012909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, AL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Palm City, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DASH IS SEVERELY CRACKED AND DISINTEGRATING. PIECES OF THE DASH HAVE COME OFF COMPLETELY AND THEY HAVE VERY SHARP EDGES. THIS IS A MASSIVE SAFETY ISSUE, NOT A COSMETIC ONE. THE MISSING DASH PIECES HAS EXPOSED UNDER DASH WIRING AND AIR BAG MODULES.
NHTSA complaint #10978892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,299 milesWilmington, NC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
OVER A PERIOD OF A FEW YEARS THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CRACKING AND SMALL PIECES BREAKING OFF. RECENTLY THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE A DEFECTIVE EVAPORATOR COIL WHICH IS UNDER THE DASH. WHEN THEY STARTED TO REMOVE THE DASH IT BROKE INTO SMALL PIECES. I WAS NOT TOO WORRIED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED A DASH COVER FROM AN ONLINE COMPANY. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS NOT A COSMETIC PROBLEM, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS SUPPORTED BY THIS DASH AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO A LOT OF EXTRA WORK TO KEEP THE AIRBAG IN POSITION. IT COST ME AN EXTRA $400.00. THE NHTSA IS AWARE THAT THIS IS AN EXTENSIVE PROBLEM YET YOU REFUSE TO CONSIDER A RECALL BECAUSE YOU CONSIDER IT TO BE A COSMETIC ISSUE. ARE YOU AWARE THAT AN AIRBAG IS SUSPENDED FROM THIS DASH AND IF THE DASH CRUMBLES SO DOES THE AIRBAG AND VERY POSSIBLY WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT
NHTSA complaint #10969283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milpitas, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASHBOARD CRACK IN PIECES. BAD QUALITY. STARTED CRACK FEW YEARS AGO AND CONTINUOUS BREAKING. IT CAUSES PERSONAL INJURE IF IF FLYING OFF THE DASH BOARD.
NHTSA complaint #10956996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesBristol, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AROUND 2014 THE DASH IN MY 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 STARTED CRACKING AND FALLING APART. PARTS ARE FALLING INTO THE VENT DUCTS, SO WHEN THE AIR OR THE VENTS ARE TURNED ON SMALL PIECES OF PLASTIC ARE BLOWN OUT THE VENTS THUS CREATING A SAFETY ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10948760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 183,000 milesChristiana, TN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REAR END SEIZED UP AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK WITH MY 17 MONTH OLD CHILD.
NHTSA complaint #10946407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesColumbus, MS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASH CRACKED AND BUSTED, PIECES COME OFF WHEN HITTING BUMPS OR POTHOLES IN THE ROAD
NHTSA complaint #10944168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesMarana, AZ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASHBOARD CRACKS - I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THIS 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL VEHICLE FOR ME OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS WITH VERY MINIMAL PROBLEMS. IN JANUARY 2014, I DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP AND WHILE DOING SO, I HEARD A "POP" SOUND FROM THE DASH AREA. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT AT THE TIME. THE NEXT DAY, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE MAIN DASH AREA THAT EXTENDED FROM THE FRONT TO THE SEAM (3/4 BACK TO THE WINDSHIELD). OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS, AS YOU SEE IN THE PHOTOS, THE CRACKING HAS CONTINUED AND BECOME WORSE TO THE POINT LARGE SECTIONS BROKE OFF AND FALLEN DOWN INTO THE DASH. ONE PIECE HAD JAMMED AN A/C BLENDING DOOR ACTUATOR, WHICH I WAS ABLE TO PRY OUT AND FIX THE DOOR. MY CONCERN IS, IF I AM UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, WHERE ARE THOSE RAZOR SHARP SHARDS OF PLASTIC GOING TO HIT WHEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYS? I NO LONGER ALLOW MY GRANDCHILD TO RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE DASH CRACKS. IF AN AREA OF THE DASH IS PRESSED ON, A LARGE SECTION JUST BREAKS OFF AS IF THE PLASTIC IS THE CONSISTENCY OF A CRACKER. DODGE CREATED THIS DASH AND HAS PUT MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF ALL OTHER OWNER AT RISK. THIS SHOULD BE ON A PRIORITY LIST FOR A RECALL. I'VE OWNED VEHICLES FROM OTHER MAKERS OLDER THAN THIS ONE AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH PLASTIC DASH BOARDS CRACKING.
NHTSA complaint #10910624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesNorth Vernon, IN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE A 2003 DODGE RAM. FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS I HAVE WATCHED THE DASH CRACK AND DETERIORATE INTO HUGE HOLES FULL OF PLASTIC SHRAPNEL WHEN YOU TURN THE FAN MOTOR ON. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AS OF YET WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN, I WILL MOST LIKELY NEED A LARGE AMOUNT OF STITCHES, SO WILL MY PASSENGER. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT DODGE USED A SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL TO MOLD THE DASHES ON ALL OF YOUR 2003 DODGE RAMS AND NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING TO ENSURE THAT YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE NOT PROTECTED FROM DANGEROUS MATERIALS THAT WERE USED IN THE FIRST PLACE. OH YEAH, MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE DASH ORIGINALLY STARTED CRACKING. I WAS DRIVING AROUND 50 MPH WHEN THE FIRST PIECE OF PLASTIC HIT ME. NO ACCIDENT, BUT DARN CLOSE. I'VE NOT EVEN STARTED ON THE RUSTED WHEEL WELLS. MY WHEEL WELLS JUST STARTED TO SHOW A LITTLE RUST LAST YEAR. SMALL LITTLE BUBBLES INT HE PAINT AT FIRST. NOW I HAVE 2 LARGE AREAS ON MY FENDER WELLS THAT ARE RUSTED TOTALLY THROUGH. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY VEHICLE IS 16 YEARS OLD NOW, BUT DANG! OTHER THAN THOSE TWO ITEMS, MY TRUCK RUNS GREAT. IF I KNEW THAT DODGE WOULD DO THEIR CUSTOMER RIGHT, I WOULD BUY ANOTHER DODGE. I'M JUST NOT SURE!!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10910444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I OWN A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH SOME BAD DASHBOARD CRACKING. I JUST RECEIVED A NOTICE TO REPLACE MY AIRBAG. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, CRACKING HAS OCCURRED WELL OVER 10 YEARS ON MY VEHICLE. IF MY AIRBAG IS REPLACED, MY DASHBOARD WILL BE DESTROYED. WHAT CAN I DO? SHOULDN'T DODGE BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE?
NHTSA complaint #10873666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBlacksburg, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA. THE DASH OF MY VEHICLE IS CRACKED AND MISSING IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE REQUIRED REPAIRS FOR THE AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL WILL CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE, IF NOT FULL DESTRUCTION OF THE DASH. ALSO, AS PIECES CONTINUE TO FALL FROM THE DASH, IT CREATES A HAZARD OF EXPOSED WIRING, AS WELL AS THE RISK OF AIRBORNE SHRAPNEL IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN EVASIVE OR EMERGENT BRAKING. DUST AND DEBRIS ARE VISIBLE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DEFROSTER IS ACTIVE DUE TO THE DAMAGE TO THE DASH, CREATING A VISIBILITY AND HEALTH HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10873685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenwood, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I KNOW DODGE CONSIDERS THERE CRACKING DASH BOARDS COSMETIC, BUT IF MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYS, IT WILL SEND HUNDREDS OF PLASTIC SHARDS INTO THE FACE OF THE PASSENGER. CHECKING ONLINE, THERE ARE MANY WHO SHARE THIS CONCERN. THANKS
NHTSA complaint #10872676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.