53 of the 330 complaints about the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 are about the body and structure — 16% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 85,000 miles.
53
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES. SERVICE PROVIDER HAD PROBLEMS PLACING TRUCK ON LIFT DUE TO FRAME INTEGRITY TO REPLACE BRAKE LINES. UPON MY INSPECTION FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES. CANNOT DETERMINE IF TRUCK IS SAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #11331110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
DASH BOARD IS CRACKING AND CAVEING IN.
NHTSA complaint #11152071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE CRACKING AND DETERIORATION OF THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN FOR THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE PART. THE DEALER STATED THAT TO COMPLETE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V312000 (AIR BAGS), THE DASHBOARD WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE PARTS HAD NOT BEEN AVAILABLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME SO THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHEN THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE COMPLETED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 01/27/17
NHTSA complaint #10924317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THERE ARE STRIPES OF MELTING PLASTIC ON THE BACK OF THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR AND ON THE BACK OF THE FRONT SEATS
NHTSA complaint #10735980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
SHARP PARTS AND PIECES KEEP FALLING OFF THE DASH OF MY TRUCK AND MOST OF NOT ALL HAVE EITHER HIT MY PASSENGER OR MYSELF WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10700711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
WAS CHANGING OIL ON MY 03 DODGE RAM 3500 AND NOTICED THE FRAME RAIL NEAR CAB MOUNT ON DRIVERS SIDE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU WITH A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES LONG AND 1/4" WIDE. I'M AFRAID TO HAUL MY GOOSE NECK TRAILER UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I'M AFRAID THAT ADDITIONAL WEIGHT COULD CAUSE THE FRAME TO COLLAPSE. I DON'T REMEMBER SEEING A RECALL FOR THIS CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10672046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
CRACKED DASH 3RD YEAR IS STILL CRACKING.
NHTSA complaint #10661343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
I HAVE HAD A DASHMAT COVERING ON MY DASHBOARD SINCE SPRING OF 2003. I HAD NOT TAKEN IT OFF EXCEPT TO CLEAN A COUPLE OF TIMES A YEAR. NOW I HAVE CRACKS AND PIECES THAT I HAVE HAD TO TAPE SO THEY DON'T STICK UP INTO MY MAT. IT APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM COMMON TO DODGE TRUCKS. FYI -- MY 1999 Q45 INFINITY "DOESN'T" HAVE A DASHMAT OR ANY CRACKS.
NHTSA complaint #10627904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
WHILE CLEANING THE TRUCK, I NOTICED A CRACK HAD APPEARED THAT RAN ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD IS ALWAYS SHADED BY A SUNSCREEN WHEN THE TRUCK IS PARKED. I CALLED MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER TO ASK WHAT COULD BE DONE TO REPAIR THE DASHBOARD AND THEY TOLD ME TO CALL CHRYSLER/DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE, EXPLAINED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD UNEXPECTEDLY CRACKED AND THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO MY LOCAL DEALER WHERE DIGITAL PICTURES WOULD BE TAKEN AND SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW. FIVE DAYS LATER I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER STATING THAT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. I CALLED CHRYSLER/DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE TO FOLLOW UP. THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO AND CONFIRMED THAT THE CLAIM HAS BEEN DENIED. THE CRACK CONTINUES TO GET LARGER AND EVENTUALLY I EXPECT THE DASHBOARD TO DISINTEGRATE AS HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OTHER DODGE RAM DASHBOARDS ARE DOING. DODGE SHOULD RECALL THE FAULTY DASHBOARDS FOR REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THERE IS A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR PLASTIC SHARDS AND SPLINTERS TO CAUSE INJURY DURING AN ACCIDENT OR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10597142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE 3500 RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THE CABIN. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE FOUR OUT OF THE FIVE CAB LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10596622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD FRACTURED IN THE CENTER CLOSE TO THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE FRACTURE CONTINUED TO SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD FAILURE WAS NOT RECALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #10577156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE CRACKS LOCATED BY THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,500.
NHTSA complaint #10559396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THE DASH STARTED CRACKING IN 2011, NOW IT HAS SO MANY CRACKS AND SHARP EDGES, YOU CAN'T WIPE OFF THE DASH WITHOUT GETTING A CUT ON YOUR HAND. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, THE QUALITY OF MATERIALS CHRYSLER USED IS FLAWED AND NOW EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. MY TRUCK HAS LOW MILEAGE AND CHRYSLER IS PLAYING FAVORITES BY REPLACING SOME AND NOT OTHERS..TOTALLY NOT FAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10549459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD AND SHE FEARED THAT THERE WOULD BE PROJECTILES DURING A COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA complaint #10545538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
MY DASHBOARD HAS BEEN DISINTEGRATING RAPIDLY IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS. STARTED WITH A LARGE CRACK, THEN SEVERAL CRACKS, THEN CHUNKS. I NEVER KNOW WHEN A CHUNK IS GOING TO LET LOOSE, I CHECK EVERY TIME I GET INTO THE TRUCK FOR ANYTHING LOOSE, BUT IT NEVER FAILS TO STARTLE ME AND I EVEN GOT PULLED OVER ONCE ON A SUSPECTED DUI WHEN A CHUNK FLEW OFF AND HIT ME BETWEEN THE EYES. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES TO BOTH ME AND ANY PASSENGER I MIGHT BE TRANSPORTING. CHRYSLER SAYS ITS A COSMETIC ISSUE, BUT I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT ONLY FOR THE TRUCK OWNER,BUT ANYONE ELSE WHO HAPPENS TO BE ON THE ROAD WITH ONE. PLEASE LEAN ON CHRYSLER TO RECALL THIS AND MAKE THE ROADS A BIT SAFER FOR ALL. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10536315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON THE DATE NOTED ABOVE I NOTICED A 10 INCH LONG CRACK HAD DEVELOPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DASHBOARD SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT OF CENTER. IN A COLLISION WHERE THE FRONT AIRBAGS ARE DEPLOYED, THIS WILL BECOME RAZOR SHARP SHRAPNEL CAUSING SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. DODGE REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING TO MITIGATE THIS FLAW, WHICH THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED IS DUE TO DODGE UTILIZING SUB-STANDARD MATERIALS WHEN MAKING THE DASHBOARDS FOR THE RAM TRUCK SERIES. THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE CRACKED DASHES IN RAM TRUCKS FROM FRUSTRATED OWNERS. ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED WHEN ONE OF THESE DASHES EXPLODES LIKE A GRENADE WHEN THE AIRBAG GOES OFF DURING A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10526222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
CRACKED DASH AND BROKEN, VERY SHARP ALL OVER , JUNK.
NHTSA complaint #10516247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THE TWO PIECE DASH ON MY 2003 RAM 3500 TRUCK HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THIS CONTINUES TO GET WORSE WITH ADDITIONAL CRACKS SHOWING UP IN SEVERAL AREAS. THE EDGES OF THIS DASH ALONG THE CRACKS IS VERY SHARP AND IN A CRASH THIS WOULD CAUSE A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. CHRYSLER IS NOT RESPONDING WELL TO THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS AS WELL EVEN THOUGH THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING IN SEVERAL YEAR MODELS AS WELL AS OTHER CAR MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10488904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
DASH HAS CRACKED AND THERE IS A WHOLE LARGE ENOUGH TO PUT YOUR HEAD INTO IT. PARTS FELL OUT ONTO MY FEET WHILE DRIVING. A PILLAR GRAB HANDLES HAVE PULLED OUT WHILE CLIMBING INTO TRUCK. I FELL AND CRACKED A RIB. DODGE REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THEY ARE SAFETY RELATED. THE DASH PIECES ALMOST CUT MY FOOT OPEN. IF I HAD OF BEEN WEARING SHOES INSTEAD OF BOOTS IT WOULD HAVE. MY TRUCK IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IT FELL ON TOP OF MY ANKLE AND WEDGED ON THE PEDALS WHILE I WAS HOLDING CLUTCH IN THE BOOTS PROTECTED MY ANKLE WHEN I LET OFF THE CLUTCH TO GRAB THE PLASTIC PIECE. IF NOT IT WOULD HAVE CUT MY ANKLE PRETTY GOOD AS IT LEFT A GOOD MARK IN THE LEATHER OF MY BOOT.
NHTSA complaint #10469904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
CRACKED DASHBOARD, MY CONCERN IS, IF AND WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY, WILL BRITTLE PLASTIC FROM THE CRACKED DASHBOARD PROJECT INTO SOMEONE EYES/ FACE? SEEMS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH DODGE.
NHTSA complaint #10464167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
DASH JUST SUDDENLY STARTED CRACKING WAS CLEANING DASH AND A FINGERS WENT THROUGH IT CUTTING MY FINGER NOW DASH A OVER 20 CRACKS AND HOLES IN IT. IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT I THINK SPLINTERS OF DASH WOULD IMPALE ME.
NHTSA complaint #10447653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED LARGE CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CRACKS HAD BECOME LARGER OVER TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 11/18/11*LJ UPDATED 11/28/11
NHTSA complaint #10426782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
CRACK IN THE DASH OF MY 03 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THERE ARE TWO CRACKS ONE HAPPENED ABOUT 3/4 YEARS AGO AND THEN THE OTHER ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2003. ONE CRACK IS ABOUT A FOOT LONG AND THE OTHER IS A FEW INCHES.
NHTSA complaint #10421288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
2003 DODGE 3500 DASH CRACKING SEVERELY. YOU TOUCH IT AND YOUR FINGER GOES THROUGH IT. I CUT MY FINGER TWICE PASSING IT OVER THE DASH TO TRY TO CLEAN IT. YOU GUYS KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM BUT YOU SAY IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I DISAGREE CUT FINGER TWICE AND NOW THE WIRING IS GETTING SO HOT BEING EXPOSED TO THE SUN IT IS A HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10421192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS DEVELOPING CRACKS THROUGHOUT THE SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THIS FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 276,000.
NHTSA complaint #10421200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A BLACK 2003 DODGE 3500 RAM. THE DASH HAS CRACKED IN 3 PLACES OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS. I JUST NOTICED ONE DAY THAT THERE WAS A CRACK AND THEN SEVERAL MONTHS LATER ANOTHER CRACK SPLIT ACROSS THE DASH. NOW IN THE PAST YEAR ANOTHER CRACK HAS APPEARED. THIS DASH IS CRACKING AND I HAVE USED A SUNSHIELD TO PROTECT IT. THE SUNSHIELD DOES NOT SEEM TO HELP, IT JUST CRACKS NO MATTER WHAT.
NHTSA complaint #10413797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE HAND GRIP IN THE CAB OF THE PICKUP HAS BROKEN AWAY TWICE SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE. THIS TIME I WRENCHED MY BACK WHEN THIS BROKE AWAY. I CONFRONTED DODGE DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS NOT A LIFTING HANDLE BUT AN ASSIST HANDLE? IF THEY PUT IT IN THE TRUCK THEY SHOULD MAKE IT SAFE ENOUGH SO THAT SOMEONE WON'T GET HURT
NHTSA complaint #10403438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK, DASH PANEL IS SEVERELY CRACKED AND COMING APART IN SEVERAL PLACES, THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED AS EARLY AS JUNE 2006 TO THE NHTSA, THIS IS A MFG. DEFECTIVE THAT HAS EFFECTED MANY TRUCK OF THIS MODEL, I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUCK, MY BROTHER HAS A 2002 AND ITS THE SAME WAY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, CAN'T LAY ANYTHING ON IT, HAVE TO WARE GLOVES WHEN YOU CLEAN.
NHTSA complaint #10402294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
CRACKED DASH.
NHTSA complaint #10373823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2003 DODGE 3500 QUAD CAB HAD DEVELOPED CRACKS WHICH HAS SPLIT THE DASH INTO PIECES DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AND DIRECTLY OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE CRACKS AND BROKEN DASH PIECES WILL NOT ALLOW THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND NOT ONLY WILL THE AIRBAG HARM THE PASSENGER, THE BROKEN PIECES OF DASH WILL BE DANGEROUS AS WELL. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED, AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION. THE DASH CRACKED AND BROKE AS A RESULT OF NORMAL DRIVING; THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WILL NOT PAY TO REPLACE THE DASH. NOT ONLY WILL THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY DUE TO THE CRACKED AND BROKEN DASH AND THREATEN THE PASSENGER, IT COULD ALSO DEPLOY IN A MANNER HAZARDOUS TO THE DRIVER. THIS IS A DEFECT MANY 2003-2005 DODGE 3500 TRUCK OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED AND IS WIDELY DISCUSSED ON INTERNET FORUMS. DODGE 3500 2003 MODEL DASHBOARDS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY DEALERS BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE DASHES INSTALLED BY DODGE ARE A HIGH SAFETY HAZARD FOR PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS AS WELL DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY WILL NOT ALLOW THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. WHILE I MUST INCLUDE AN INCIDENT DATE BELOW THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AND EXPANDED OVER THE COURSE OF 2010.
NHTSA complaint #10372348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.