2003 Dodge Ram Pickup problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure (2) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor (2) · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Ram Pickup model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (13)
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.
Structure 2014-09-03 · 9002849 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
part description: insulator on lever assy manual valve - valve body - rwd transmission issue description: the manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a kit. if the insulator requires replacement please order kit 68253161aa. insulator only used on auto-rwd
Steering 2005-11-02 · 1900805 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
revised power steering system bleeding procedures. *sc
Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner 2005-08-04 · 2401305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
air conditioning (a/c) cooling coil odor. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2003-07-04 · 1802703 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
no throttle response, lack of power while towing and diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p2638/p0700. *tt
Vehicle Speed Control 2003-07-04 · 1800503B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
transmission shift/speed control improvements/possible malfunction indicator lamp illumination. *tt
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2003-05-01 · C17 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the powertrain control module (pcm) was programmed with errors in the automatic transmission diagnostic information. as a result, the pcm will not detect a transmission governor pressure sensor problem, or illuminate the malfunction indicator light (mil) if this sensor fails in the future. the pow
Showing the 6 most recent of 13 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2010-07-30 · 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…”
2009-04-08 · Air Bags:frontal · 💥 crash“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. *tr …”
2009-01-25 · Structure · 89,500 mi“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. *tr…”
2008-03-13 · 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. *kb…”
2007-01-09 · 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. *nm…”
2005-11-29 · Steering:linkages · 100 mi“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 - fr…”
2005-05-11 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor · 21,517 mi“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 (war…”
2004-12-01 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor · 16,000 mi“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 r…”
2004-06-04 · Electrical System:wiring · 🔥 fire“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 *jb…”
2003-12-17 · 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. *ak…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.