2003 DODGE RAM — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
65
Owner Complaints
7
Recalls
29
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2003 DODGE RAM
The 2003 DODGE RAM has received a total of 65 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, STEERING:LINKAGES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 29 technical service bulletins have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Cooling (5 complaints), Electrical System (4 complaints), and Structure (4 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 DODGE RAM
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2003 DODGE RAM, potentially affecting up to 127,073 vehicles.
Recall 09E009000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
| 1,364 vehicles affected
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,364 WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULES, P/N 55077098AJ, SOLD DURING THE 2008 AND 2009 CALENDAR YEAR FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MY 2002-2009 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER CAPABILITY.
Consequence: WHEN THE WIPER SYSTEM FAILS, THE OPERATOR WILL HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLIES WITH VENTED WIPER MOTOR HOUSINGS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
View full details →Recall 09E001000 — STEERING:LINKAGES
| 18,000 vehicles affected
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 18,000 AFTERMARKET STEERING LINKAGES USED FOR SERVICE ON SOME MY 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE SUBJECT LINKAGES MAY EXPERIENCE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD TO PITMAN ARM BALL STUD FRACTURE, ALSO, THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER ATTACHING BRACKET MAY YEILD AND SHIFT ON THE LINKAGE. THE PART NUMBERS OF THE AFFECTED ASSEMBLIES IS...
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE RESTRICTED ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN ONE DIRECTION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY, AND INSPECT THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 07E066000 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
| 175 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Consequence: IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
View full details →Recall 06E049000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 27,176 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
View full details →Recall 04V185000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
| 44,588 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.
Consequence: THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTROLYTE DAMAGE AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
View full details →Recall 03V033000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 19,500 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINES AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELEVATED IDLE SPEED AFTER EXTENDED CRUISE CONTROL USE.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND A REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SOFTWARE IN THE CUMMINS ENGINE CONTROLLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 DODGE RAM
65 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 DODGE RAM. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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 FULLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT MADE NO IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SYSTEM, CONTINUING TO SELL THESE VEHICLES TO AN UNSUSPECTING PUBLIC FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *TR
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 FULLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT MADE NO IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SYSTEM, CONTINUING TO SELL THESE VEHICLES TO AN UNSUSPECTING PUBLIC FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *TR
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 ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL THROTTLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
PASSENGER SIDE GRAB HANDLE FAILED WHILE ENTERING VEHICLE. PASSENGER LOST BALANCE AND FELL TO THE GROUND. *TR
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 OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE EITHER SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Safety Rating for the 2003 DODGE RAM
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 DODGE RAM in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 DODGE RAM
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 29 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 DODGE RAM. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
2500106 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM FREEZES IN EXTREME COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *TT
1400405 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
ELECTRONIC FUEL CONTROL (EFC) ACTUATOR AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE. *TT
1400205 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INACTIVE THROTTLE BODY IN COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. 2005 DODGE RAM *SC
2300505 — STRUCTURE:BODY
MUD OR DIRT MAY ACCUMULATE ON THE ROCKER PANEL CAUSING CUSTOMERS TO COMPLAIN THAT THEIR CLOTHING GETS DIRTY WHEN THEY ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. *TT
10182004 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
MINIMUN REAR ROTOR THICKNESS. *EH
0300304 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
LAUNCH SHUDDER. *TT
0500803 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE SHUDDER OR VIBRATION. *TT
0900604 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE AT START UP IN TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING. *TT
0900504 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
GROWLING SOUND ON ACCELERATION. *TT
42 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS ON CERTAIN TRUCKS MAY ALLOW WATER TO ENTER INTO THE CONNECTORS. WATER AND THE RESULTING CORROSION IN A PCM CONNECTOR CAN CAUSE THE SPEED CONTROL AND/OR TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE FUNCTION TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION NO C42. *TT
Showing 10 of 29 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 DODGE RAM
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2003 DODGE RAM.
Investigation EA04025 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) Closed
Opened:
FALSE PARK
Other Model Years of the DODGE RAM
- 1998 DODGE RAM — 644 complaints
- 1999 DODGE RAM — 496 complaints
- 2000 DODGE RAM — 212 complaints
- 2001 DODGE RAM — 417 complaints
- 2002 DODGE RAM — 152 complaints
- 2003 DODGE RAM (current)
- 2004 DODGE RAM — 71 complaints
- 2005 DODGE RAM — 47 complaints
- 2006 DODGE RAM — 36 complaints
- 2007 DODGE RAM — 20 complaints
- 2008 DODGE RAM — 33 complaints
Other DODGE Models
- DODGE DURANGO — 19,139 total complaints
- DODGE GRAND CARAVAN — 18,729 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 1500 — 15,420 total complaints
- DODGE CARAVAN — 14,266 total complaints
- DODGE DAKOTA — 9,227 total complaints
- DODGE CHARGER — 8,114 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 2500 — 8,092 total complaints
- DODGE INTREPID — 8,078 total complaints