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U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Dodge RAM VAN problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

16 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

50,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 16 complaints (31.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior318.8%
Transmission and shifting16.3%
Braking behavior16.3%
Fuel system concerns16.3%

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.

Electrical System
5
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
3
Power Train
2
Steering
2
Suspension
2
Air Bags
1
Child Seat
1
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System5
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System3
Power Train2
Steering2
Suspension2
Air Bags1
Child Seat1
Exterior Lighting:Headlights1

Electrical System: 5; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 3; Power Train: 2; Steering: 2; Suspension: 2; Air Bags: 1; Child Seat: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
3
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
3
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0003
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9993
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 5 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.

2003
2
2004
2
2005
2
2007
1
2008
1
2009
2
2010
2
2013
2
2015
1
2016
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20032
20042
20052
20071
20081
20092
20102
20132
20151
20161

2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2013: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10557231 · 2013-12-25 (December 25, 2013)

FOR 2 DAYS PRIOR TO INCIDENT , NOTICED STEERING WHEEL KEPT CHANGING ORIENTATION WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. A LOT OF GROANING AND CREAKING NOISE FROM RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION IN RIGHT TURNS AS WELL AS VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEED. PARKED VEHICLE AND INSPECTED UNDERSIDE TO FIND THAT IDLER ARM BRACKET WAS TEARING AWAY FROM FRAME RAIL DUE TO ROT. AFTER PARKING VEHICLE , I MOVED IT AROUND IN THE DRIVEWAY NO MORE THAN 3 TIMES BEFORE IDLER ARM BRACKET COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME RAIL WITH A VERY LOUD POP.. VAN NOW HAS NO STEERING AND …

Owner-reported narrative. 120,993 miles reported. Look up ODI 10557231 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10780681 · 2015-10-07 (October 7, 2015)

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 65 MPH AND LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF VEHICLE STEERING FOUND OUT IT WAS DUE TO A RUSTED FRAMED. TOTALLY UNSAFE VAN. I WAS GLAD IT WAS NOT VERY BUSY ON THE INTERSTATE OR I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED A MANUFACTURE CAN HAVE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. IT IS TOTAL FRAME LOST TO RUST.

Owner-reported narrative. 148,505 miles reported. Look up ODI 10780681 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10011697 · 2003-04-04 (April 4, 2003)

THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE 4 TIMES FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE SHIFTING GEARS. (ROADTREK RECREATIONAL VEHICLE). *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011697 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10243637 · 2008-09-27 (September 27, 2008)

THIS VEHICLE BELONGS TO VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS. THE VAN HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ABS MODULE AREA WHILE PARKED. THE VAN IS DECLARED A "TOTAL LOSS". DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUED SAFETY RECALL D20 IN 2004 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VERIZON HAS HAD 29 UNDER HOOD FIRE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ACTION. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243637 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10026527 · 2003-06-20 (June 20, 2003)

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PASS A LINE OF MOTOR VEHICLE, A COMPUTER WITHIN THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF THE FUEL PUMP AT EIGHTY SIX MPH, THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO CUT OFF AND ALMOST CAUSED A NEAR FATAL HEAD ON COLLISION. *TT (LAWYER ON BEHALF OF CLIENT MR. DAVID ROMANAK). *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026527 at NHTSA ↗