2003 Dodge Ram problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling (5) · Structure (4) · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Ram model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
26 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (63)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump 2010-02-02 · SB-14-001-10 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dodge: electronic fuel control actuator (fca) available for service/new diagnostics available for dtc p0251. engine surges at idle or mil illumination. further investigation may identify dtc p0251-cp3 pump regulator control-diesel. if p0251 is present, follow the diagnostics in this sb. if other
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2008-01-08 · 2500108 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system freezes in extreme cold ambient temperatures -- involves installing revised pcv system components. *nj
Unknown Or Other 2007-04-13 · 2301307 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
trailer towing mirror - new mirror glass locking tab - new removal procedure. *kb
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger 2007-03-14 · 1802207 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
5.9l turbo - diesel engine system enhancements. *kb
Tires 2006-10-07 · 2200506 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
front end shimmy on 4x4 vehicles when traveling over rough surfaces in the road. *kb
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2006-08-25 · 0803006 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
powertrain control module initialization. *kb
Showing the 6 most recent of 63 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2012-08-27 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System · 65,000 mi“the ventilation system failed as is common with these vehicles. due to weal parts, the, "doors" that control air flow through the ventilation ducts broke. i have slowly replace each of the four doors as they failed. as they went out it affected every aspect of ventilation, including the defrost. after doing some research it is evident dodge was ful…”
2012-07-03 · Vehicle Speed Control · 168,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram. the contact stated that while driving 55 mph and attempting to brake, the vehicle hesitated to come to a full stop. the contact released the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated independently. the electronic throttle control warning light was also illuminated. the vehicle was inspected by a mechanic who adv…”
2012-05-13 · Structure:body:door · 116,960 mi“passenger side grab handle failed while entering vehicle. passenger lost balance and fell to the ground. *tr…”
2012-02-15 · Structure · 70,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the dashboard was fractured, causing small fragments to fall into the vents. once the ventilation system was activated, the contact stated that those small fragments would fly out of the vents and into her eyes. the dealer did not offer any assistance. the manufacturer failed to of…”
2012-02-01 · Structure“dash board on 2003 dodge ram 2500 is cracked in multiple areas. windshield defroster vent panels have crumbled and fallen into the air handler system causing defroster to stop functioning. *tr…”
2012-01-10 · Structure · 60,000 mi“the dashboard in my 2003 has alot of cracks and now pieces are falling into the vents. this is a safety hazard to have pieces of the dashboard breaking off,it's just a matter of time before the entire dashboard caves in. *tr…”
2011-08-23 · Structure“my 2003 dodge ram has a cracked dashboard. *tr…”
2011-08-12 · Electrical System · 137,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram. the contact stated the wire connecting the ignition wire melted causing the windshield defroster to malfunction. the wire melted due to the size of the terminals to the connector. the lack of a defroster made driving very difficult for the contact. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer stated the wire …”
2009-10-20 · Exterior Lighting · 200,000 mi“poor reliability of electrical control and distribution system causes numerous and sometimes intermittent failures of exterior safety-related lighting such as headlamps (low beam and high beam), taillamps, turn signals, brake lamps, and trailer lamps. problems seem to be exacerbated if vehicle is not operated for a few weeks. dealer is quoting re…”
2007-12-13 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 10,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram. the contact stated that his vehicle has a jake brake mechanism that leaks while idling or decelerating. he heard the leak near the engine compartment. the dealer inspected the vehicle and stated that it was an exhaust leak caused by the jake brake system, but stated that this was a normal occurrence for the …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.