2003 Dodge RAM 1500 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,171 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,504miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500, 4% of the 1,171 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,504 miles. 4 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.
“The dash board is all cracked up now do to Dodge using cheap materials. I have always put up a sun shade no matter where I park my truck and it is always in my garage when not being driven. Shame on Dodge chrysler products for making such a garbage truck. And the rack & pinion steering should last alot longer than it has. No wonder people buy foreign autos. They are far superior.”
NHTSA complaint #10502598, filed 2013-03, 57,000 miles“Passenger side steering suspension bracket broke away from rusted out frame, on my handicapped van. Drivers side badly cracked, about to break. We were lucky it was not a fatal accident. Chrysler corp. Refuses to accept responsibility. This should be a recall before it becomes a fatal accident. I have a note from my insurance adjuster, that I can forward insurance does not cover.”
NHTSA complaint #10511000, filed 2013-05, 77,575 miles“The dash started to crack on my 2003 RAM 1500 pickup, the cracks just get worse,and a pieace flew off while I was driving, and hit me in the eye, almost lost control of my truck, Dodge needs to recall and fix these dashboards before some one is hurt or killed, afraid to let any one ride in the front seat.”
NHTSA complaint #10551625, filed 2013-11, 3,000 miles“Takata recall my steering wheel is bulged out and the light flashed then goes off? I can be driving then it flashes then disapers and you can feel and see the bulge . Steering issue : I have had over 8 alignments done in the past month and all new parts tires n rims installed and the steering wheel is still sideways ? Its alighned for no more then a day then it starts loosing the straight drive and pulling left or right ? Of had it at multiple places and they can't figure it out.”
NHTSA complaint #10863375, filed 2016-05, 101,000 miles“My 2003 Dodge ram has rack and pinion problems (leaks and stiffness). I have been advised the truck will be undriveable if the rack and pinion system experiences a major fluid leakage, which seems to be common for these vehicles. The design of this system is a safety hazard and should be repaired by the manufacturer. A major accident is on the horizon for this poor design. Let's be proactive on this one. They still have bailout money.”
NHTSA complaint #10299821, filed 2010-01, 198,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10220411Jun 5, 2013If replacing the steering linkage or drag link inner tie rod assembly at the pitman arm on a vehicle built before Febuary 14 th, 2008, verify that the pitman arm part number is…
- 10025346Jun 30, 20082003-2008 (dr) ram truck 1500-steering shudder during parking lot or low vehicle speed maneuvers.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 47 | 7% |
| 2011 | 45 | 7% |
| 2010 | 41 | 8% |
| 2009 | 28 | 4% |
| 2008 | 103 | 19% |
| 2007 | 60 | 12% |
| 2006 | 84 | 11% |
| 2005 | 59 | 5% |
| 2004 | 86 | 8% |
| 2003 | 44 | 4% |
| 2002 | 44 | 5% |
| 2001 | 53 | 5% |
| 2000 | 17 | 3% |
| 1999 | 32 | 5% |
| 1998 | 28 | 5% |
| 1997 | 23 | 6% |
| 1996 | 23 | 8% |
| 1995 | 16 | 8% |
| 1994 | 17 | 15% |
| 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 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsWheels
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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