2003 Dodge RAM PICKUP: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
16,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 14 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 28.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 21.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Structure: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Equipment: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Power Train: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 9 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 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
2003: 4; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 2
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10022545 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE WHILE PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. VEHICLE WAS IDLING. *AK THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN IRON POST. *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023211 · 2003-06-17 (June 17, 2003)
HEADLIGHTS ON MANY VEHICLES ARE MOUNTED AT A LEVEL EQUAL TO THE EYE LEVEL OF A PERSON DRIVING A STANDARD PASSENGER VEHICLE, THEREBY CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL GLARE, REDUCING ABILITY OF THE PASSENGER VEHICLE DRIVER TO SEE BEYOND THE ONCOMING VEHICLE WITH THE HIGH-MOUNTED HEADLIGHTS. THE GLARE IS EQUALLY DISTRACTING WHEN THE VEHICLE WITH THE HIGH-MOUNTED LIGHTS IS AT THE REAR OF A STANDARD PASSENGER VEHICLE. I IMPLORE CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION RESTRICTING THE HEIGHT OF HEADLIGHTS, OR OTHER LIGHTS PROJECTING A BEAM TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, TO B…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10023211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042780 · 2003-10-10 (October 10, 2003)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WHEN IT SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, ROLLED DOWN THE STREET, AND HIT SEVERAL MAILBOXES MADE OF BRICK AND MORTAR. STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED, AND TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051645 · 2003-12-17 (December 17, 2003)
VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGHER SPEED WITHOUT ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. WHEN IN SECOND OR THIRD GEAR, AND DRIVER RELEASED THE CLUTCH, VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. WHEN PARKED, BUT IDLING THE RMPS WERE HIGH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075817 · 2004-06-04 (June 4, 2004)
LTR FM WILLIE DODDS (IL) PURCHASED A NEW DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP 2-DOOR TRUCK MODEL YEAR 2003 BURNED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL WIRE SHORTAGE SUGGEST NHTSA INVESTIGATE. REPLY DIRECTLY TO THE CONSTITUENT. *MR *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10075817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100844 · 2004-12-01 (December 1, 2004)
VEHICLE: 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 2WD, PURCHASED WITH 6000 MILES FROM CARMAX. THE DISC BRAKE ROTORS WERE SLIGHTLY WARPED. THEY WERE PROMPTLY TURNED (CARMAX) AND NOW AT 16K MILES WITH NO EXTRAORDINARY USE HAVE WARPED AGAIN. IN MY OPINION, THIS BRINGS THE DESIGN/MATERIAL USED IN THESE COMPONENTS INTO QUESTION. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH A LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND RECEIVED NO CREDIBLE ANSWERS, MITIGATION, OR SATISFACTION, WHATSOEVER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100844 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120711 · 2005-05-11 (May 11, 2005)
NORMAL BRAKE USAGE WITH NO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING. A FEW PANIC STOPS WHERE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS USED. SEVERE BRAKE SHUDDER CAUSES SUSPENSION HOP - UNSAFE TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY IN WET - OR WINTER CONDITIONS. REPLACED FRONT PADS AND ROTORS TWICE. 1ST REPLACEMENT AT 21.5K MILES UNDER TSB. 2CD REPLACEMENT AT 29.3K MILES WAS PURCHASED BY OWNER (WARRANTY WOULD NOT BE HONORED). 2003 TRUCK HAS 29K MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 21,517 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120711 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143900 · 2005-11-29 (November 29, 2005)
MY VEHICLE VEERS TO THE RIGHT SEVERLY. IT STARTED OUT AS A MILD PULL AND NOW IT IS A CONSTANT STRUGLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE GOING STRAIGHT. I HAVE TAKEN TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. WORK DONE BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED - BOTH U JOINTS REPLACED - ALL 4 BRAKES REPLACED ( AT MY EXPENSE VEHICLE UNDER 30,000 MILES ) - TIRES EXCHANGED WITH NEW - FRONT END ALLIGNMENT ( I PAID FOR AS WELL ) TRUCK STILL HAS PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIPS CANNOT FIX PROBLEM. TOLD TO DEAL WITH IT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143900 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.