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FaultScore report

2003 Dodge RAM Pickup problems

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2003 Dodge RAM Pickup with NHTSA between 2003 and 2010. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 6 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Dodge RAM Pickup All 2003 cars
D

FaultScore 69/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Dodge RAM Pickup.

How this is worked out

The numbers

19

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

21,517 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

88%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 38 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 38
Against the median year of the Dodge RAM Pickup. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
88% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2003 compares with every other Dodge RAM Pickup

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2003 Dodge RAM Pickup

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Brakes 4 21.1%

Median failure at 21,517 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 4 21.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 9,500 mi

Body & Structure 3 15.8%

Median failure at 89,500 miles

Other & Unspecified 2 10.5%
Equipment & Accessories 1 5.3%

Median failure at 21,517 miles

Lights 1 5.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 5.3%
Steering 1 5.3%

Median failure at 100 miles

Airbags 1 5.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Electrical System 1 5.3%

0 crashes, 1 fires

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 12.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 12.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 5 62.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 12.5%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jun 2003 peak 4 Aug 2010

NHTSA investigations into the 2003 Dodge RAM Pickup

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA04025 Opened 26 Aug 2004 Closed 22 Dec 2005 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

FALSE PARK

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION (WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON) UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND AN IGNITION-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Franklin, WI Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

I AM A BATTALION CHIEF WITH A FIRE DEPARTMENT AND RECENTLY HAD A DODGE RAM WITH SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INSTANCE OF THIS HAPPENING WITH A DODGE RAM PICK-UP I WOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU SOME PICTURES OF THIS MOST RECENT ACCIDENT IF YOU WOULD LIKE.

NHTSA complaint #10264456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Karnak, IL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

LTR FM WILLIE DODDS (IL) PURCHASED A NEW DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP 2-DOOR TRUCK MODEL YEAR 2003 BURNED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL WIRE SHORTAGE SUGGEST NHTSA INVESTIGATE. REPLY DIRECTLY TO THE CONSTITUENT. *MR *SC

NHTSA complaint #10075817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 9,500 miles Bonita, LA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE WHILE PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. VEHICLE WAS IDLING. *AK THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN IRON POST. *CB

NHTSA complaint #10022545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Oakdale, CA

STRUCTURE

CRACKED DASH.

NHTSA complaint #10352730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mantua, NJ

POWER TRAIN

I HAVE 2003 DODGE RAM 4X4 PICK UP THAT I BOUGHT NEW. I HAVE HAD 4 REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURES: 1ST 9/18/07 WITH 83834 MILES, 2ND 6/19/08 WITH 95894 MILES, 3RD 7/17/09 WITH 117481 MILES AND 4TH 7/22/10 WITH 144125 MILES. ALL 4 WERE CAUGHT EARLY WHEN I FIRST HEARD WHINING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. ALL REPAIRS WERE DONE AT MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER. EACH REPAIR TOOK AT LEAST TWO DAYS. I HAVE HAD MANY VEHICLES, SEVERAL I'VE DRIVEN TO OVER 200K MILES AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH REAL DIFFERENTIALS. SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. A TOTAL REAR DIFFERENTIAL COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS CRASH. I ENTERED THE DATE OF THE FIRST INCIDENT BELOW IN THE ?APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE? FIELD. OBVIOUSLY IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SUBSEQUENT FAILURES.

NHTSA complaint #10346251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Franklin, WI Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

I AM A BATTALION CHIEF WITH A FIRE DEPARTMENT AND RECENTLY HAD A DODGE RAM WITH SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INSTANCE OF THIS HAPPENING WITH A DODGE RAM PICK-UP I WOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU SOME PICTURES OF THIS MOST RECENT ACCIDENT IF YOU WOULD LIKE.

NHTSA complaint #10264456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,500 miles Ashland, VA

STRUCTURE

PURCHASED TRUCK IN DECEMBER AND NOTICED AT THAT TIME THE SPIDER CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. I WILL TRY TO APPLY ADHESIVE AND A MOLDED DASHBOARD TO HOLD IT TOGETHER. EVENTUALLY THE DASH MAY COME INTO PIECES AND PRESENT AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD, SO I WANT TO TRY TO PREVENT THIS WITH THE DASHBOARD KIT.

NHTSA complaint #10256280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Leander, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2003 DODGE RAM DASHBOARD IS CRACKING. CONSUMER STATES THAT DASHBOARD HAS NOT ONLY CRACKED BUT HAS COLLAPSED LEAVING THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EXPOSED. CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER DENIES ANY KIND OF HELP FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10221675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Leander, TX

STRUCTURE

2003 DODGE RAM DASHBOARD IS CRACKING. CONSUMER STATES THAT DASHBOARD HAS NOT ONLY CRACKED BUT HAS COLLAPSED LEAVING THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EXPOSED. CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER DENIES ANY KIND OF HELP FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10221675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jupiter, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UPON CHANGING THE SPARE TIRE, THE MECHANISM BROKE AND I AM NOT ABLE TO PUT THE SPARE TIRE BACK IN PLACE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE SPARE TIRE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE MECHANISM.

NHTSA complaint #10178162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Lisle, NY

STEERING:LINKAGES

MY VEHICLE VEERS TO THE RIGHT SEVERLY. IT STARTED OUT AS A MILD PULL AND NOW IT IS A CONSTANT STRUGLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE GOING STRAIGHT. I HAVE TAKEN TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. WORK DONE BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED - BOTH U JOINTS REPLACED - ALL 4 BRAKES REPLACED ( AT MY EXPENSE VEHICLE UNDER 30,000 MILES ) - TIRES EXCHANGED WITH NEW - FRONT END ALLIGNMENT ( I PAID FOR AS WELL ) TRUCK STILL HAS PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIPS CANNOT FIX PROBLEM. TOLD TO DEAL WITH IT.

NHTSA complaint #10143900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,517 miles Scotts, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

NORMAL BRAKE USAGE WITH NO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING. A FEW PANIC STOPS WHERE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS USED. SEVERE BRAKE SHUDDER CAUSES SUSPENSION HOP - UNSAFE TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY IN WET - OR WINTER CONDITIONS. REPLACED FRONT PADS AND ROTORS TWICE. 1ST REPLACEMENT AT 21.5K MILES UNDER TSB. 2CD REPLACEMENT AT 29.3K MILES WAS PURCHASED BY OWNER (WARRANTY WOULD NOT BE HONORED). 2003 TRUCK HAS 29K MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10120711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,517 miles Scotts, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

NORMAL BRAKE USAGE WITH NO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING. A FEW PANIC STOPS WHERE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS USED. SEVERE BRAKE SHUDDER CAUSES SUSPENSION HOP - UNSAFE TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY IN WET - OR WINTER CONDITIONS. REPLACED FRONT PADS AND ROTORS TWICE. 1ST REPLACEMENT AT 21.5K MILES UNDER TSB. 2CD REPLACEMENT AT 29.3K MILES WAS PURCHASED BY OWNER (WARRANTY WOULD NOT BE HONORED). 2003 TRUCK HAS 29K MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10120711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,517 miles Scotts, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

NORMAL BRAKE USAGE WITH NO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING. A FEW PANIC STOPS WHERE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS USED. SEVERE BRAKE SHUDDER CAUSES SUSPENSION HOP - UNSAFE TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY IN WET - OR WINTER CONDITIONS. REPLACED FRONT PADS AND ROTORS TWICE. 1ST REPLACEMENT AT 21.5K MILES UNDER TSB. 2CD REPLACEMENT AT 29.3K MILES WAS PURCHASED BY OWNER (WARRANTY WOULD NOT BE HONORED). 2003 TRUCK HAS 29K MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10120711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,517 miles Scotts, MI

EQUIPMENT

NORMAL BRAKE USAGE WITH NO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING. A FEW PANIC STOPS WHERE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS USED. SEVERE BRAKE SHUDDER CAUSES SUSPENSION HOP - UNSAFE TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY IN WET - OR WINTER CONDITIONS. REPLACED FRONT PADS AND ROTORS TWICE. 1ST REPLACEMENT AT 21.5K MILES UNDER TSB. 2CD REPLACEMENT AT 29.3K MILES WAS PURCHASED BY OWNER (WARRANTY WOULD NOT BE HONORED). 2003 TRUCK HAS 29K MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10120711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,000 miles Knox, IN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

VEHICLE: 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 2WD, PURCHASED WITH 6000 MILES FROM CARMAX. THE DISC BRAKE ROTORS WERE SLIGHTLY WARPED. THEY WERE PROMPTLY TURNED (CARMAX) AND NOW AT 16K MILES WITH NO EXTRAORDINARY USE HAVE WARPED AGAIN. IN MY OPINION, THIS BRINGS THE DESIGN/MATERIAL USED IN THESE COMPONENTS INTO QUESTION. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH A LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND RECEIVED NO CREDIBLE ANSWERS, MITIGATION, OR SATISFACTION, WHATSOEVER.

NHTSA complaint #10100844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Karnak, IL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

LTR FM WILLIE DODDS (IL) PURCHASED A NEW DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP 2-DOOR TRUCK MODEL YEAR 2003 BURNED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL WIRE SHORTAGE SUGGEST NHTSA INVESTIGATE. REPLY DIRECTLY TO THE CONSTITUENT. *MR *SC

NHTSA complaint #10075817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa FE, NM

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGHER SPEED WITHOUT ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. WHEN IN SECOND OR THIRD GEAR, AND DRIVER RELEASED THE CLUTCH, VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. WHEN PARKED, BUT IDLING THE RMPS WERE HIGH.

NHTSA complaint #10051645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa FE, NM

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGHER SPEED WITHOUT ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. WHEN IN SECOND OR THIRD GEAR, AND DRIVER RELEASED THE CLUTCH, VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. WHEN PARKED, BUT IDLING THE RMPS WERE HIGH.

NHTSA complaint #10051645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Valley City, UT

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WHEN IT SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, ROLLED DOWN THE STREET, AND HIT SEVERAL MAILBOXES MADE OF BRICK AND MORTAR. STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED, AND TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL.

NHTSA complaint #10042780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Canton, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHTS ON MANY VEHICLES ARE MOUNTED AT A LEVEL EQUAL TO THE EYE LEVEL OF A PERSON DRIVING A STANDARD PASSENGER VEHICLE, THEREBY CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL GLARE, REDUCING ABILITY OF THE PASSENGER VEHICLE DRIVER TO SEE BEYOND THE ONCOMING VEHICLE WITH THE HIGH-MOUNTED HEADLIGHTS. THE GLARE IS EQUALLY DISTRACTING WHEN THE VEHICLE WITH THE HIGH-MOUNTED LIGHTS IS AT THE REAR OF A STANDARD PASSENGER VEHICLE. I IMPLORE CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION RESTRICTING THE HEIGHT OF HEADLIGHTS, OR OTHER LIGHTS PROJECTING A BEAM TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, TO BE LOWER THAN EYE LEVEL OF DRIVERS IN STANDARD PASSENGER TYPE VEHICLES. SUCH A RESTRICTION WILL ALSO AID DRIVERS OF THE TRUCKS AND SUV'S THAT HAVE THE HIGH-MOUNTED LIGHTS BECAUSE IN FOG OR SNOW CONDITIONS THE HIGH-MOUNTED LIGHTS REFLECT GLARE BACK INTO THE SIGHT OF THE DRIVER.

NHTSA complaint #10023211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 9,500 miles Bonita, LA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE WHILE PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. VEHICLE WAS IDLING. *AK THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN IRON POST. *CB

NHTSA complaint #10022545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.