2003 Dodge RAM 2500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
661 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
77,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 461 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 141 of 661 complaints (21.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 112 | 16.9% |
| Braking behavior | 52 | 7.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 30 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 26 | 3.9% |
| Engine operation | 15 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 141 |
| Air Bags | 135 |
| Structure | 99 |
| Suspension | 75 |
| Structure:Body | 39 |
| Unknown Or Other | 35 |
| Suspension:Front | 27 |
| Electrical System | 25 |
Steering: 141; Air Bags: 135; Structure: 99; Suspension: 75; Structure:Body: 39; Unknown Or Other: 35; Suspension:Front: 27; Electrical System: 25
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 71 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 68 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 82 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 74 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 99 |
| 150,000 and above | 67 |
Under 25,000: 71; 25,000 to 49,999: 68; 50,000 to 74,999: 82; 75,000 to 99,999: 74; 100,000 to 149,999: 99; 150,000 and above: 67
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (99). 200 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 18 |
| 2004 | 43 |
| 2005 | 35 |
| 2006 | 22 |
| 2007 | 33 |
| 2008 | 21 |
| 2009 | 38 |
| 2010 | 52 |
| 2011 | 48 |
| 2012 | 44 |
| 2013 | 25 |
| 2014 | 60 |
| 2015 | 93 |
| 2016 | 65 |
| 2017 | 40 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2002: 2; 2003: 18; 2004: 43; 2005: 35; 2006: 22; 2007: 33; 2008: 21; 2009: 38; 2010: 52; 2011: 48; 2012: 44; 2013: 25; 2014: 60; 2015: 93; 2016: 65; 2017: 40; 2018: 4; 2019: 6; 2020: 3; 2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 112 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 52 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 30 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006409 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
SEAT BECOMES A PROBLEM WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GETS COLDER. COOL MORNINGS WILL CAUSE THE SEATS TO RISE 3 INCHES CAUSING DRIVER OR PASSENGER NOT TO SIT CORRECTLY AND BUCKLE SEAT BELT. THIS ALSO CAUSES DRIVER TO READJUST MIRROR AS TEMPERATURES RISE AND CUSHION LOWERS. AS THESE CHANGES OCCUR DRIVER MUST ADJUST SEAT FORWARD AND BACK MAKING USE OF MIRRORS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT NUMEROUS CORRECTIONS DAILY.ALSO, VEHICLE WANDERS ON HIGHWAY, DRIVER MUST CONTINUOUSLY MOVE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP VEHICLE BETWEEN LINES ON CONSUMER'S SIDE OF THE ROAD. IN ADDITION…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034026 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FELL APART, THE DRIVER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING SHAFT FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE PINCH BOLT FALLING OUT. *AK THE CONSUMER MAKING A RIGHT TURN TOWING A SMALL TRAILER WHEN THE STEERING SHAFT SEPARATED AND THE VEHICLE VEERED INTO THE DITCH. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017801 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. *NLM *TS ALSO THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB THE AIR CONDITION WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,518 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018847 · 2003-05-17 (May 17, 2003)
I BOUGHT A NEW 2003 DODGE 2500 CUMMINS DIESEL 5.9L 24L FROM CERRITOS DODGE ON FEB 26TH 2003 , NOW MILES 2591 3 WEEKS LATER I RECEIVED A TRANSMISSION RECALL. ON 9TH MAY I GAVE THE TRUCK FOR SUGGESTED REPAIRS AND RECEIVED BACK SAME EVENING. NEXT MORNING 10TH OF MAY 2003 , SATURDAY , TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT ,I WENT TO WORK HEADED 91 WEST , ON RAMP CARMENITA & EXITED GARFIELD . USE OF BRAKES WAS PRACTICALLY NOT REQUIRED . THE TRUCK WAS PARKED ALL DAY. AROUND 6 IN THE EVENING HEADED FWY EAST 91 , IN MEDIUM TRAFFIC , WHEN THE TWO CARS IN FRONT O…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,591 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018847 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018590 · 2003-05-12 (May 12, 2003)
I HAVE A 2003 2500 DODGE RAM DIESEL WITH 15,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE JUST BEGUN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION TROUBLES. AS I'M DRIVING 80 MPH DOWN THE FREEWAY THE TRUCK WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN (ON ITS OWN) SLIP DOWN INTO 2ND GEAR (NOT 3RD, BUT 2ND) WHILE GOING 80. THE ENGINE IS RED-LINING AND ABOUT TO BLOW. I CHECK THE DASH AND THE COLUMN AND ALL SAY IT IS STILL IN D(RIVE) WHEN IN FACT IT'S IN 2ND. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE TRUCK JUST SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL ALL BY ITSELF AND THE DASH AND COLUMN SAY IT IS STILL IN D(R…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018590 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072133 · 2004-04-29 (April 29, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE. *PH (THE LIGHTENING BOLT SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD) AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED NORMALLY. THE CONSUMER FOUND IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THERE WAS NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10072133 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120211 · 2005-05-08 (May 8, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE. (THE LIGHTENING BOLT SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD) AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED NORMALLY. THE CONSUMER FOUND IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THERE WAS NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS RECENT…
Owner-reported narrative. 44,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058642 · 2004-02-21 (February 21, 2004)
THE ENGINE MISFIRES AND ALMOST STALLS. I HAVE TO PULL INTO SAFE AREA AND REV ENGINE TO RESTORE POWER. THIS IS NOT ALWAYS CONVENIENT, LIKE WHEN IT HAPPENED GOING UP THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE ON I-10 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER BEHIND ME DOING 70 MPH. I HAVE REPORTED PROBLEM TO DEALER BUT THEY UNABLE TO HELP BECAUSE NO CODES ARE GENERATED BY THE COMPUTER. THEY CLAIM THAT THEY ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AND MY EXPERIENCE IS UNIQUE. ON A RELATED/UNRELATED MATTER, THE MUFFLER HAS TURNED BLUE FROM OVERHEATING AND TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10078734 · 2004-06-24 (June 24, 2004)
FIRST TIME I WAS IN A PARKING LOTON MAY 23,04 , I BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPOT PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT STALLED. STARTED IT UP AGAIN PUT IN DRIVE ENGINE SOUNDED RUFF BUT DID GO. GOT ONTO FREE-WAY AND COULD ONLY GET SPEED PU TO 50 WITH GAS PEDDEL TO FLOOR. A FEW MILES DOWN, THE ROAD TURNS TO TWO LANE AND THERE IS A STOP LIGHT. LIGHT WAS RED AS I GOT TO IT HAD TO SLOW BECAUSE OF A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, LIGHT CHANGED AS I GOT TO IT MY SPEED NOW ABOUT 30 THE CAR AHEAD OF TAKES OFF. WITH ME GAS PEDAL TO FKOOR COULD TELL IF ENGIN WAS RUNNING SO I LOOKED AT…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10078734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127540 · 2005-07-05 (July 5, 2005)
TRUCK STARTED AND IDLED ROUGH, TURNED OFF TRUCK AND RESTARTED BUT WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO RUN. HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO DEALER WAS TOLD DESIEL FUEL WAS MIXED IN GAS TANK. I RUN A MAJOR LAWN SERVICE AND HAVE HAD ABSOULTELY NO PROBLEMS WITH ANY EQUIPMENT FAILURES DUE TO FUEL PROBLEMS! THE STATION WHERE I BUY MY GAS DOESN'T EVEN CARRY DESIEL FUEL. SO FAR THE DEALER WANTS TO DRAIN GAS TANK CLEAN FUEL INJECTORS, REPLACE SPARKPLUGS.
Owner-reported narrative. 27,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158795 · 2006-06-01 (June 1, 2006)
MY 2003 RAM 2500 HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. IN FIRST TWO YEARS THE BEARINGS/HUBS, U-JOINTS, UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED, I HAVE SPENT OVER $2000.0 IN FRONT END PARTS ALONE. MY FRIEND HAS A 2003 DUALLY, HE HAS REPLACED ALL THE SAME PARTS. ALSO, AN INJECTOR LINE RUPTURE ON CHRISTMAS EVE, WHILE I WAS IN RURAL MAINE, NEEDLESS TO SAY IT GOT VERY EXPENSIVE, ONCE THEY FOUND A PART IN MICHIGAN. ALL I CAN SAY IS NO MORE DODGES FOR ME OR MY FAMILY, BUYING A TOYOTA OR NISSAN NEXT TIME. THE DODGE IS A $40,000 PIECE OF CRAP....TF.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10158795 at NHTSA ↗