2003 Dodge RAM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
53 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
38,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 53 complaints (9.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 18.9% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 9.4% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 9.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 7.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Structure | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Electrical System: 4; Structure: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 3; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 27 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 | 10 |
| 2004 | 20 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 6 |
2002: 2; 2003: 10; 2004: 20; 2005: 5; 2006: 2; 2007: 5; 2009: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 6
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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 10053852 · 2004-01-12 (January 12, 2004)
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10053852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080056 · 2004-06-28 (June 28, 2004)
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WARPED ROTORS. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT BRAKES AND BOTH ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10080056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065261 · 2004-03-11 (March 11, 2004)
AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE STALLING PROBLEM, THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE THE LEMON LAW. *PH THE REAR PASSENGER OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS LOOSE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10065261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067115 · 2004-04-13 (April 13, 2004)
WHILE STARTING UP THE VEHICLE ENGINE IDLED ON ITS OWN. ALSO, WHEN COMING TO STOP VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART, AND WAS ABLE TO START VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071449 · 2004-04-20 (April 20, 2004)
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH 2003 DODGE RAM SINCE OWNERSHIP. *PH THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A STALLING PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP OR IDLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED DUE TO FAULTY CLAMP. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO A FAULTY OUTPUT SEAL AT THE TRANSFER CASE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075482 · 2004-06-01 (June 1, 2004)
WHILE TRAVELING 65-70 MPH AND CHANGING LANES POWER STEERING BECAME HARD. THIS RESULTED IN A TRACTOR TRAILER REAR ENDING CONSUME'S VEHICLE AND PUSHING IT ON SIDE OF MOUNTAIN. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10075482 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101103 · 2004-11-16 (November 16, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE SHIFTING. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT COOLANT LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED, IT RECURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101103 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037681 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
FUEL IS LEAKING FROM A HIGH PRESSURE FITTING, AND MAY BE DRIPPING ON THE MANIFOLD OR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. CONSUMER FEELS THAT EVENTUALLY THIS WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS FIRE. *AK THIS WAS THE SECOND FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR SYSTEM. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8020209 · 2002-10-04 (October 4, 2002)
THE FUEL TANK ON THE VEHICLE FELL OFF WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. *MR PER INVOICE-THE THE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND THE STRAP HAD COME LOOSE, DROPPING THE FUEL TANK AND DAMAGING IT-REPLACED. *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8020209 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10289147 · 2009-10-20 (October 20, 2009)
POOR RELIABILITY OF ELECTRICAL CONTROL AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM CAUSES NUMEROUS AND SOMETIMES INTERMITTENT FAILURES OF EXTERIOR SAFETY-RELATED LIGHTING SUCH AS HEADLAMPS (LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM), TAILLAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LAMPS, AND TRAILER LAMPS. PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE EXACERBATED IF VEHICLE IS NOT OPERATED FOR A FEW WEEKS. DEALER IS QUOTING REPAIR COST IN EXCESS OF $2000 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER, WHICH IS REPORTEDLY NOT A SERVICEABLE UNIT. THIS HIGH REPAIR COST WILL UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSE OWNERS TO "TAKE THEIR CHANCES" …
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289147 at NHTSA ↗