20 of the
866 complaints about the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500 are about the
braking system — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
77,195 miles.
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT REMAIN ON ANYTIME MY TRUCK IS RUNNING. TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. QUOTING FROM MY BILL..."REPLACED WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. FURTHER DIAGNOSIS REVEALED CORRODED CONNECTION AT ABS MODULE. NEED TO REPLACE ABS MODULE CONNECTION AND MODULE. CUSTOMER DECLINED REPAIRS AT THIS TIME/QUOTE FOR $1200.00" I HAD ALREADY SPENT $191.90 FOR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ABOVE. DEALER SAYS THE ABS PROBLEM IS NOT SHOWING AS RECALLED FOR MY TRUCK'S VIN. I HAVE FOUND A RECALL (D20 ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER 2004) FOR CORRODED ABS CONNECTORS ON 2003 DODGE RAMS. WHY IS MY 2003 RAM NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #11034327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesCenterville, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKING WHILE APPROACHING INTERSECTION; THE BRAKE PEDAL JUST WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLYING APPROXIMATELY TWO HUNDRED FEET BEFORE INTERSECTION; APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO EFFECTIVELY STOP;SPEED WAS BELOW 30 MPH WHEN APPROACHING INTERSECTION AND BRAKE LOSS OCCURRED; TRUCK HAS ALSO HAD FOUR "DEATH WOBBLE" EXPERIENCES EVEN WITH PITTMAN ARM AND ASSOCIATED PARTS REPLACEMENT; TWO EXPERIENCES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION (POSSIBLE JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE) OF THE TURBO, LEADING TO LOSS OF CONTROL; SUDDEN ACCELERATIONS OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER CRUISE CONTROL USAGE AND TRAVELING LESS THAN 30 MPH; WHILE STATIONARY, VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED WIRING HARNESS SHORT AND FIRE ON FIREWALL WHILE CONNECTED TO TRAILER. PICTURES ATTACHED WERE TAKEN WITHIN 12 HOURS OF SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10985145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Homer, AK
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V528000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10947445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 303,549 milesDiamond, MO
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE BRAKE PEDAL STIFFENED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP SEVEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 303,549. UPDATED 04/13/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10823161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesColchester, CT
SERVICE BRAKES
ALL BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING A BRAKE FAILURE
NHTSA complaint #10750106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesMinneapolis, MN
SERVICE BRAKES
THE DODGE RAM 2500 TRUCK HAS A CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE WITH COMMON RAIL FUEL INJECTION. MARCH 2013 WHILE ON A TRIP PULLING A TRAILER, THE NUMBER 5 & 6 FUEL INJECTOR LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED / CORRODED WHICH RESULTED IN A BAD FUEL LEAK. I LOST CLOSE TO 30 GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL IN 40 MILES DRIVING DISTANCE. THE UNDER HOOD AND UNDERBODY OF THE TRUCK WAS COATED IN FUEL. VEHICLES BEHIND ME HAD SOME FUEL SPRAY AS WELL. IT WAS SMOKING BAD BEHIND ME DUE TO THE FUEL BEING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I HAD A DODGE DEALER REPLACE TWO OF THE SIX FUEL INJECTOR LINES. NO CHOICE. THE DEALER ALSO CLEANED THE UNDERBODY. ONCE I RETURNED HOME FROM THE TRIP, I HAD A DIFFERENT DODGE DEALER REPLACE THE OTHER FOUR INJECTOR LINES. IF THIS WAS A GAS ENGINE, THE TRUCK WOULD'VE BURNED TO THE GROUND. NOW, NOVEMBER 2014, I SEE THE BRAKE LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS BRAKE CONTROLLER ARE ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED / CORRODED. THEY ARE NOT LEAKING YET. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. I WILL HAVE THEM REPLACED PRIOR TO TAKING ANY TRIPS, AND WILL HAVE THE BRAKE SYSTEM COMPLETELY FLUSHED TOO. PULLING A TRAILER WITH THE TRUCK AND LOSING THE BRAKE SYSTEM COULD PROVE TO BE FATAL. THE TRUCK NOW HAS 96000 MILES, AND IS ALWAYS PARKED INSIDE A GARAGE. THESE LINES SHOULD NOT HAVE CORRODED SO BADLY, EVEN IN MINNESOTA.
NHTSA complaint #10654766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,391 milesPlymouth, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS ON DIRT ROAD HEARD HORRIBLE SOUNDS IN THE FRONT OF TRUCK. NOTICEABLY LOUDER AND VERY CONCERNED TO DRIVING THE TRUCK ANY MORE, MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND I 9 MONTHS PREGNANT ARE VERY LUCKY. MADE TO OUR HOME 15 MILES AWAY. I CALLED MECHANIC AND TRUCK WAS IN THE SHOP NEXT DAY.
NHTSA complaint #10560167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesN Brunswick, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. AS A PRECAUTION, THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000. UPDATED 4/24/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER REPLACING BUSHINGS, POWER STEERING GEAR BOX, AND IDLER ARMS. UPDATED 06/4/2013 *JS.
NHTSA complaint #10500925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,500 milesMission Hills, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
ON A ROAD TRIP I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND I HIT A SMALL LIGHT DECAL THAT DELINEATES THE LINES ON THE ROAD AND MY TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND SO SEVERELY THAT I NEARLY LOST CONTROL. BRAKING DID NOT STOP THE SHAKING, NOT ACCELERATING UNTIL IT SLOWED TO ABOUT 35 MPH DID STOP THE SHAKING. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE I WAS TERRIFIED THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. SINCE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE I DECIDED THAT I WOULD DRIVE AGAIN BUT AT A SLOWER PACE. THIS TIME I DROVE AT 55 MPH AND WHEN IT HIT A TINY BUMP AGAIN IT BEGAN TO SHAKE HORRIBLY AGAIN. AND ONCE AGAIN I WAS STRESSED BEYOND BELIEF THAT I WAS BARELY ABLE TO CONTROL THIS TRUCK. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEEDS AND IF THERE IS ANY RUFFNESS ON THE ROAD. PLEASE RECALL THESE TRUCKS AND FIX THEM. I PAID ALOT OF MONEY FOR A TRUCK THAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE GOOD QUALITY AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH A PIECE OF JUNK THAT I CANNOT DRIVE FASTER THAN 35 MPH FOR FEAR THAT I WILL KILL MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. AND I REFUSE TO SELL THIS LEMON TO SOME OTHER POOR SOUL.
NHTSA complaint #10470281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 250 milesRedwood City, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SLOW DOWN. I HIT THE BRAKES A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THAT ONLY MADE IT WORSE AND CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE MANNER WAS IMPOSSIBLE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE SHAKING IS TO TAKE FOOT OFF OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND RIDE IT OUT, THIS CREATES ANOTHER MAJOR PROBLEM. THE VEHICLES BEHIND YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AND SOMEONE ALMOST REAR ENDED ME BECAUSE MY BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT GO ON. HE PASSED ME AND HONKED HIS HORN AT ME AND GAVE ME THE "FINGER" SELF EXPLANATORY. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND DODGE WILL NOT ADMIT IT TO ANYONE.
NHTSA complaint #10448930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,000 milesMount Juliet, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE AT 50 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PUSHED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWLY DRIVEN HOME. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE LINE WAS TOUCHING THE RIM. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10156052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aston, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
05/26/05 NOISE IN FRONT END CLUNKING WHILE DRIVING, TOOK TO DEALER NOT WHERE WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT HELPING US WITH ANY OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS WE WERE HAVING. BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE HUB FROZEN REPLACED THE RIGHT HUB BEARING AND BOTH SIDE BALL JOINTS. REPLACED THE FRONT AXLE U JOINTS REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS NOW IT IS MARCH 13 2006 AND THE BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN , AND U JOINTS ARE BAD. SEEMS TO BE ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER.
NHTSA complaint #10152635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesLagrange, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
2003 DODGE RAM 2500 PICKUP WITH CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES SIMULTANIOUSLY DUE TO FAILURE OF FITTING ON POWER STEERING PUMP. HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY WHILE TOWING A TRAILER MAKING STOPPING AND MANUVERING DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED EVENT. I KNOW OF SEVERAL OTHERS WITH SAME EVENTS DUE TO POWERSTEERING PUMP /HOSE ISSUES. SOME OFTHESE ARE DETAILED ON THE WEB SITE WWW.TURBODIESELREGISTRY.COM WHICH IS A SITE FOR OWNERS OF DIESEL DODGE RAMS NOTE: BELOW DATE IS AN APPROXIMATEDATE. DID NOT FEEL NEED TO REPORT IT UNTIL HEARING OF OTHERS WITH SIMILAR FAILURE. IF EXACT DATE IS NEEDED PLEASE E-MAIL ME. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE SAFETY OF THE MOTORING PUBLIC.
NHTSA complaint #10121841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesRedmond, ORCrash
PARKING BRAKE
WHEN IDLING IN PARK ON A FLAT SURFACE THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT THE PARK GEAR TO REVERSE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK AND HIT A CAR. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10099540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newbury Park, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES ON A 2003 DODGE RAM. *MR THE BRAKES WOULD SELF ENGAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS, THE A/C WAS ALWAYS INOPERATIVE BLOWING OUT HOT AIR, THE A/C COMPRESSOR MADE A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR MAJOR ENGINE REPAIRS, A BROKEN PISTON ROD WAS FOUND AND COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE FOR THE ENGINE KNOCKING, THERE WAS A VIBRATION UPON ACCELERATION. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10089110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10087229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20 milesLA Mesa, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE FUMES FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. THE FUMES WERE COMING FROM THE BLOW DOWN PIPE WHICH COMES OFF THE CRANK CASING OF THE ENGINE. WHEN THE COOLING FAN WAS IN USE IT BLEW THE FUMES INTO THE CLIMATE CONTROL , THUS BLOWING IT INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INSTALLED A RUBBER PIPE ON THE END OF THE BLOW DOWN PIPE, THAT LEADS UNDER THE MAIN CAB OF THE VEHICLE, SO NOW WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A COMPLETE STOP, WITH THE WINDOW OPEN, THE FUMES ARE COMING THROUGH THE WINDOW. ALSO AT 15,000, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD AND THE FAILS TO STOP IMMEDIATELY. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED.
NHTSA complaint #10074223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,250 milesAlberta, 00
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, BOTH THE ANTI LOCK AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME THAT VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. *AK THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT FIX THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED.*CB
NHTSA complaint #10046320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,591 milesBuena Park, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I BOUGHT A NEW 2003 DODGE 2500 CUMMINS DIESEL 5.9L 24L FROM CERRITOS DODGE ON FEB 26TH 2003 , NOW MILES 2591 3 WEEKS LATER I RECEIVED A TRANSMISSION RECALL. ON 9TH MAY I GAVE THE TRUCK FOR SUGGESTED REPAIRS AND RECEIVED BACK SAME EVENING. NEXT MORNING 10TH OF MAY 2003 , SATURDAY , TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT ,I WENT TO WORK HEADED 91 WEST , ON RAMP CARMENITA & EXITED GARFIELD . USE OF BRAKES WAS PRACTICALLY NOT REQUIRED . THE TRUCK WAS PARKED ALL DAY. AROUND 6 IN THE EVENING HEADED FWY EAST 91 , IN MEDIUM TRAFFIC , WHEN THE TWO CARS IN FRONT OF ME HAVE A FENDER BENDER , AND STOP IN THE FAST LANE I AM WATCHING ALL THIS AS I AM GOING ABOUT 40 MPH. I PRESS THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES WORK JUST A BIT HALF WAY THEN BECOME LIKE WET SPONGE , GIVE WAY AND THE PEDAL GOES DOWN. THE BRAKES FAIL , AND I CAN'T STOP THE TRUCK. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR. A POLICE REPORT IS PROCESSED, THE FRONT FENDER PUNCTURED MY TRUCKS RADIATOR, AND THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO CERRITOS DODGE . MY FAMILY ARRIVES . MY WIFE, DAUGHTER, AND MY SON ALL 3 CHECK THE BRAKES AND THE DIDN'T WORK. THE FLEET MANAGER MR DAN PETTY , WHO WAS ON DUTY AT THIS TIME, AND HAD NEGOTIATED THE SALE OF THIS VEHICLE TO ME , PHYSICALLY TESTED THE BRAKES . HE CONFIRMED THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THERE WAS NO PRESSURE - NO BRAKES. MR DAN PETTY DISCUSSED WITH HIS SALES STAFF, MR RICO BARRIOS AND THE MANAGER ON DUTY THEY CONFIRMED THAT THIS WOULD BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND WOULD HAVE TO BE LOOKED INTO BY CHRYSLER CORPORATION. TODAY IS 1 WEEK PAST - THE 17TH OF MAY 2003, ANOTHER SATURDAY . THE TRUCK HAS BEEN PARKED AT THE CERRITOS DODGE DEALERSHIP SERVICE LOT . NO ONE FROM CHRYSLER HAS SHOWN UP. THE SERVICE PERSONNEL JUST SAY- WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING .THIS IS A CHRYSLER PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS A BRAND NEW TRUCK WITH ONLY 2591 MILES . *JB NO ONE IS TAKING ANY ACTION. PLEASE HELP
NHTSA complaint #10018847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,518 milesSalem, ORCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. *NLM *TS ALSO THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB THE AIR CONDITION WAS INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10017801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.