2003 Dodge RAM 1500 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,171 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500, 2% of the 1,171 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We have a 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 pickup. We are having problems with our brake lights, turn signals and trailer lights and took our truck into a Dodge dealer. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. We were told we need a new pdc block (power distribution center). We were told it would be $500. They couldn't order the part because they say they are back ordered with almost 200 orders. It would take anywhere from 2 - 12 weeks to get the part it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10232179, filed 2008-06, 63,000 miles“On my way to work in the dark my headlights went completely out while doing 50 MPH, luckily I was on a straight stretch of road and was able to pull over on the shoulder. As I came to a stop the headlights came back on so I started to pull back on the road. Within a few seconds the headlights started to flash off and on. I was able to get the truck into a parking lot off of the road where I sat for awhile with the lights off. I turned the headlights back on and they seemed to work for the time. I made it to work with out the lights going out again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10485327, filed 2012-11, 72,000 miles“I have a 2003 Dodge RAM 1500, that when I put on my left turn signal, the right blinks. And when I turn on the right the left will blink, then sometimes it works properly.”
NHTSA complaint #10335032, filed 2010-06, 60,000 miles“While driving down the interstate, it started to rain, I turned on my windshield wipers and they did not work, neither did my turn signals and hazard flashers. I pulled over and after a while they started working, now there are times when the windshield wipers and turn signals do not work, and then sometimes you turn the left turn signal on and the right one flashes and vise versa. I am taking it into the dealership monday this issue doesn't happen all the time, I would guess about fifty percent of the time.”
NHTSA complaint #10166598, filed 2006-08, 50,000 miles“While driving on the freeway at night the headlights, tail lights, blinkers, 4-ways, brake lights, and tail lights went out and when slowing down to pull over the engine stalled. The engine started back up to get to the side of the road and stalled again with no warning. The truck now stalls at all stop lights and stop signs and is not giving any codes. The truck now has a large draw and kills the battery shortly after turning the truck off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10670023, filed 2015-01, 155,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 46 | 7% |
| 2011 | 29 | 4% |
| 2010 | 10 | 2% |
| 2009 | 19 | 3% |
| 2008 | 17 | 3% |
| 2007 | 37 | 7% |
| 2006 | 139 | 18% |
| 2005 | 22 | 2% |
| 2004 | 29 | 3% |
| 2003 | 18 | 2% |
| 2002 | 35 | 4% |
| 2001 | 17 | 2% |
| 2000 | 9 | 2% |
| 1999 | 9 | 1% |
| 1998 | 6 | 1% |
| 1997 | 17 | 5% |
| 1996 | 12 | 4% |
| 1995 | 13 | 6% |
| 1994 | 8 | 7% |
| 1993 | 1 | 17% |
| 1991 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500
458 complaintsBody and structure
237 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
125 complaintsBrakes
73 complaintsOther or unknown
67 complaintsElectrical system
62 complaintsSuspension
57 complaintsEngine cooling
56 complaintsSteering
44 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology