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2003 Dodge RAM 3500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 286 owner complaints about the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-312 the manufacturer reports only 20% of affected cars repaired.

2003 Dodge RAM 3500
35
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the RAM 3500 median · #3 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Lowest repair rate 20%Owner complaints28616 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage102kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 25, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 has problems

286 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags803
Structure532
Steering371
Suspension321
Power train264
Tires160
Electrical system91
Vehicle speed control81
Exterior lighting60
14 other systems410

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2003 Dodge RAM 3500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

20%repaired · 2017 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 15V-312 · May 26, 2015 · 385,686 vehicles · 78,178 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

32%repaired · 2015 Q1

Linkages: tie rod assembly

Recall 13V-528 · Nov 6, 2013 · 706,664 vehicles · 224,931 repaired

Risk. A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Linkages: tie rod assembly

Recall 11V-350 · Jul 6, 2011 · 242,780 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Lever and linkage: column shift

Recall 05V-462 · Oct 6, 2005 · 250,433 vehicles

Risk. THIS ERROR IS AN UNINTENDED ACTION THAT MAY RESULT IN A LACK OF TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL ENGAGEMENT AND POSSIBLY DELAYED REARWARD MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 03V-033 · Feb 5, 2003 · 19,500 vehicles

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND A REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other RAM 3500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAM 3500 median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529AQ14003 · closed May 16, 2016
    No recall
  2. FALSE PARKEA04025 · closed Dec 22, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-462
  3. Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA15001 · still open
    Led to recall 15E-042
  4. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
  5. FALSE PARKPE04039 · closed Aug 26, 2004
    No recall
  6. Air Bag Inflator RupturePE14016 · closed Mar 2, 2015
    Led to recall 13V-172
In owners' words

What RAM 3500 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

"TAKATA RECALL" MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED TWICE OVER THIS ISSUE, EACH TIME THE REPAIR HAS BEEN COMPLETED. THE CURRENT PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE RELATES TO THE AIR BAG MODULE. MY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT A MONTH AGO AT WHICH TIME I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP THINKING THE…
Complaint 11129504 · Sep 14, 2018 · 142,630 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES AND CUTS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE…
Complaint 11047848 · Nov 21, 2017 · 42,000 miles
THE DASH IS COMPLETELY FRACTURED AND BROKEN INTO SHARDS OF SHARP HARD PLASTIC THAT SHOULD THE TAKATA AIRBAG EVER DEPLOY WILL BE PROPELLED LIKE SHRAPNEL THROUGH THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AT EXPLOSIVE SPEEDS. IT'S LIKE DRIVING A CAR WITH BROKEN CLASS COVERING THE DASHBOARD. THIS ISSUE, THE DASH…
Complaint 11040570 · Oct 27, 2017

Own a 2003 RAM 3500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.