2003 Dodge RAM VAN: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
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.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 18.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 6.3% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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: 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 ↗
Owner report 10058535 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW HOURS WITH THE LIGHTS ON IN THE EVENING TIME THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE HAD OCCASSION TO SIMPLY GO OUT. IF I STOP FOR ABOUT 10 MIN OR SO THE LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON. I WITNESSED ANOTHER VAN EXPERIENCE THE SAME THING AND FOLLOWED THE DRIVER TO CONFIRM THE SITUATION. THAT DRIVER ADVISED THAT THEIR IS A BAD SWITCH THAT GETS TO MUCH VIBRATION AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SO FAR I'VE BEEN LUCKY AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,179 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104111 · 2004-12-20 (December 20, 2004)
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS FOG UP AND ICE OVER WHILE DRIVING IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES. TYPICALLY THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ALSO FOGS OVER ON THE CORNERS FORMING AN OVAL THAT IS FOG FREE. TURNING THE VENT SYSTEM TO FULL DEFROST DOES VERY LITTLE TO REMOVE THE FOG AND FROST. I HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE FANS TO ASSIST IN KEEPING MY WINDOWS CLEAR. THIS CONDITION PREVENTS ME FROM BEING ABLE TO USE MY SIDE MIRRORS AS WELL AS SEEING IF THERE IS ON COMMING TRAFFIC WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN, TYPICALLY I HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOW OR EVEN THE DOOR IF THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 14 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10112216 · 2005-02-26 (February 26, 2005)
IN COLD WEATHER ALL WINDOWS IN THE VAN FREEZE UP. I HAVE TO TURN THE DEFROST BLOWER TO HIGH JUST TO SEE OUT THE FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD. TO TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT I HAVE TO LOWER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS TO SEE IF THERE IS ONCOMING CARS. GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE I AM NOT ABLE TO SEE OUT THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS. THE ONLY WAY TO SEE A LITTLE IS TO USE MY ICE SCRAPER ON THE INSIDE OF THE VAN. HAVING FOUR SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VAN I SEE THIS AS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE SENT IT TO THE DODGE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10112216 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121933 · 2005-05-23 (May 23, 2005)
DT: 2003 DODGE CARAVAN, THE MAIN COMPUTER SHUTS THE CAR OFF. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT THE MAIN COMPUTER ITSELF. WITH OUT THE COMPUTER ON, THE CAR STAYS ON. WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS REQUESTED BUT FOUND OUT ON 5/20/05 THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN ADDED TO PURCHASE PRICE.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121933 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182251 · 2007-02-11 (February 11, 2007)
WINDOWS IN 2003 DODGE RAM VAN FOG UP AND FROST IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THE FASTER I GO, THE MORE IT FROSTS UP. WE HAVE TO USE AN ICE SCRAPER ON THE INSIDE, WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN I PARK THE VAN FOR A FEW MINUTES, IT DEFROSTS. CHRYSLER SAYS THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO FOR IT. AIR IS LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE VAN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10182251 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 ↗
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.