2003 Dodge Ram 3500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (70) · Structure (35) · Steering (24)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Ram 3500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
163 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2015-05-26 · campaign 15V312000 · 385,686 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured August 29, 2002, to July 25, 2003 to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on March 16, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R26. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 14V770.
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly 2013-11-06 · campaign 13V528000 · 706,664 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly 2011-07-06 · campaign 11V350000 · 242,780 vehicles
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTO
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman 2010-05-03 · campaign 10E013000 · 1,500 vehicles
Defect: FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS93001 AND FT44039, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, AND 1500 4WD MEGA CAB VEHICLES. THE PITMAN ARM CAN FRACTURE AND BREAK AWAY FROM THE STEERING BOX CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Risk: STEERING LOSS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED INSTALLERS WILL INSPECT FOR DEFECTIVE PITMAN ARM AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 1-877-432-2832.
Service bulletins (30)
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.
Power Train 2024-10-30 · 101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
plate - planetary
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Structure 2020-04-30 · 23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
disinfectant solution recommended for covid-19
Equipment 2020-04-22 · 08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
charging system, battery diagnostic tools and warranty this information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
Structure 2019-11-20 · 3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
use of aftermarket parts this bulletin involves discussing fca us llc position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
Showing the 6 most recent of 30 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-07-25 · Suspension · 225,000 mi“the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. the contact who is a certified mechanic, inspected the vehicle. upon expecting the vehicle, the contact determined that both upper control arms had completely rusted and needed to be replaced. th…”
2020-06-26 · Structure:body · 116,000 mi“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. *tr…”
2018-11-16 · Structure:body“dash board is cracking and caveing in.…”
2018-11-15 · Power Train“had to replace carring bearing and sleeve bushing on drive shaft had a lot of wable in steering…”
2018-09-14 · Air Bags · 142,630 mi“"takata recall" my vehicle has been recalled twice over this issue, each time the repair has been completed. the current problem with my vehicle relates to the air bag module. my air bag warning light came on about a month ago at which time i took it to my local dodge dealership thinking the airbags had gone bad again. i was advised the airbags…”
2018-08-29 · Tires:tread/Belt · 120,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500 equipped with general ameri-trac tr tires, size: 235/80/17 (na). while driving 70 mph, the contact felt a vibration coming from the front driver's side of the vehicle. the contact mentioned that the tire thread separated from the tire and damaged the vehicle. the tire was swapped with a spare tire. the veh…”
2018-02-08 · Steering · 110,000 mi“when driving the truck around 65 mph & i hit a bump i get a severe death wobble. this has happened several more times & it's very dangerous…”
2018-01-22 · Steering · 210,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500. while driving 25 mph, the steering wheel was loose and became inoperable without warning. the local dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified. the vin was unknown. the failure mileage was 210,000.…”
2017-11-21 · Air Bags · 42,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500. the contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, the vehicle suddenly crashed into the rear of another vehicle. the air bags failed to deploy. the front passenger sustained bruises and cuts that required medical attention. a police report was filed. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was…”
2017-10-27 · Unknown Or Other“the dash is completely fractured and broken into shards of sharp hard plastic that should the takata airbag ever deploy will be propelled like shrapnel through the passenger compartment at explosive speeds. it's like driving a car with broken class covering the dashboard. this issue, the dash fracturing and splitting into pieces as a result of sun …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.