2003 Dodge RAM QUAD CAB problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
122 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 96 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 38 of 122 complaints (31.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 16.4% |
| Steering behavior | 18 | 14.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 7.4% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure | 38 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 11 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 5 |
Structure: 38; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 11; Electrical System: 8; Air Bags: 7; Steering: 7; Structure:Body: 6; Suspension: 6; Visibility/Wiper: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 29 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 20 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 29; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 5
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (29). 26 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2005 | 16 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2003: 12; 2004: 15; 2005: 16; 2006: 5; 2007: 13; 2008: 8; 2009: 6; 2010: 11; 2011: 6; 2012: 4; 2013: 1; 2014: 10; 2015: 6; 2016: 1; 2017: 4; 2018: 2; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 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 10033812 · 2003-08-13 (August 13, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, INTERMITTENTLY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP/ BRAKES FAILED, AND TURN SIGNAL WAS NOT WORKING. DEALER HAD INSPECTED VEHICLE 3 TIMES; FIRS T TIME BATTERY CABLE, SECOND TIME DEALER KEPT VEHICLE 1 DAY AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND THIRD TIME INSTALLED A MONITOR FOR TEN DAYS, AND STILL COULDN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM. (DEALER STATED THIS WA SAN ELECTRIC ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033812 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045867 · 2003-11-10 (November 10, 2003)
UNSAFE CONDITION OF STEERING WHEEL SHAKE AND BRAKE PEDAL PULSATING BECAUSE BRAKES ARE PULSATING DUE TO ADVANCED AND PREMATURE ROTOR WARPAGE. THIS TRUCK HAS 18K MILES, AND WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY (OBVIOUSLY INEFFECTIVELY) FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116223 · 2005-04-01 (April 1, 2005)
I DRIVE A DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB SLT 4X4. AN ELECTRICAL FIRE WAS OBSERVED IN THE WIRING HARNESS LEADING FROM ABS CONTROL UNIT. IN THE PAST, I HAVE HAD TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SENSOR AND WIRING HARNESS. ON ONE OCCASION, THE HARNESS WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SENSOR. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, ONLY THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. IN A DOCUMENTED DIAGNOSIS, THE DEALER'S MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS MOISTURE PRESENT IN THE WIRING HARNESS NECESSITATING REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AWAITING AUTHORIZATION FOR REPAIR. I HAD FOU…
Owner-reported narrative. 56,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116223 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081297 · 2004-07-18 (July 18, 2004)
I OWN A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 QUAD CAB SLT VIN 1D7-HU18N53S-188168 ASSEMBLY POINT, WARREN, MICHIGAN. THE TRUCK STALLED WHILE IN TRAFFIC MAKING A 10-15 MPH RIGHT TURN. THE SECOND OCCURENCE WAS JULY15, 2004. VERY CLOSE CALL HERE. I WAS IN THE SMOKEY MOUNTAINS CAMPING. THE SIX HOUR DRIVE HOME TOWING MY POPUP WAS NERVE RACKING TO SAY THE LEAST. ESPECIALLY, SINCE MY 13, 6 AND 3 YEAR OLD WERE IN THE TRUCK. I MENTIONED THAT THE TRUCK RUNS EXTREMELY ROUGH INTERMITTENTLY TO THE DEALER MORGAN DODGE DURHAM NORTH CAROLINA ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS. …
Owner-reported narrative. 32,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10122071 · 2005-05-25 (May 25, 2005)
REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS BEEN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE SINCE DAY OF PURCHASE. PINION SEAL HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY DEALER. THE NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER HAS BECOME UNBEARABLE. DEALER REFUSED TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF UNPROFESSIONAL ASSESMENT OF AXLE. PROFESSIONAL REPAIR SHOP SAID I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE MADE IT AS LONG AS I DID WITHOUT IT LOCKING UP AND CAUSING ME TO CRASH.STILL HAS OVER 6000 MILES LEFT ON FACTORY WARRANTY. WHAT GOOD DOES THAT DO WHEN I LIVE 50 MILES FROM DEALER AND HAVE TO DRIVE HOME BECAUSE OF AN UNCONCERNED, UNPROFFESSIONAL AN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10122071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038916 · 2003-09-15 (September 15, 2003)
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2003 RAM 1500 QUAD CAB SLT WITH THE HEMI (MAGNUM 5.7L SMPL V8 BACK TO ALLEN SAMUELS DODGE IN KATY,TEXAS AT LEAST 3 OR 4 TIMES FOR A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN PUTTING IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE,PLUS AT LEAST 3 TIMES I HAVE TOLD THEM THAT FOR NO REASON AT ALL I CAN PUT MY TRUCK IN GEAR AND IT STARTS TO SHUTTER AND WONT GO OVER 15 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR.THEY PUT A CO-PILOT IN MY TRUCK ON JUNE 23,2003 MY TRUCK DID NOT DO THE SHUTTERING THING BUT ONE TIME AND I PUSHED THE BUTTON AS TOLD.THE DEALERSHIP LISTED IT AS TRANSMISSION CONCERN(INTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038916 at NHTSA ↗