2003 Dodge RAM 2500 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 661 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500, 1% of the 661 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving down the road at approximate 45mph, when I was on a bank and noticed that the truck was hard to steer, the truck had stalled. The truck started back up, thankfully I have a manual, that I did not have to pull off the road (its hard to control a 3/4 ton truck with no power steering), and could just push the clutch in to start the truck. When I got the truck started, it died on me again, started it up, and drove less than a mile, and died again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10523495, filed 2013-07, 180,200 miles“Truck has the same electrical issues as the recalled newer trucks. It melted the fuse box and the truck wont run. I have replaced the fuse box, computer, all coils, all plugs, all wires, throttle body over 3,000.00 and the truck still does not run. Only has 81,000 miles on it. It was towed to a chrysler dealership and towed back out of the dealership because they could not tell us what is wrong with it. After 3,000.00 of lets try this I can not afford any more lets try this or that. This is a common problem and most people think they broke a valve in the hemi motor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10850474, filed 2016-03, 81,000 miles“At 70 MPH the engine turns off as if a switch was flipped. This has happened multiple times, always on the interstate and always with cruise control on and active. It occurs more frequently in the hot summer months (110+ f). The warning light for the throttle control circuit sometimes illuminates. While still moving, selecting neutral, turning the ignition off and then back on allows the engine to restart. This can occur as frequently as every 60 miles, but the average occurrence would be around 150 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11377535, filed 2020-12, 195,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Dodge RAM 2500. The contact stated that the engine was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10704893, filed 2015-04, 99,000 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 44 | 16% |
| 2011 | 29 | 10% |
| 2010 | 20 | 8% |
| 2009 | 5 | 2% |
| 2008 | 16 | 5% |
| 2007 | 16 | 4% |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% |
| 2005 | 6 | 1% |
| 2004 | 13 | 2% |
| 2003 | 5 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 0% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500
159 complaintsBody and structure
146 complaintsAir bags
138 complaintsSuspension
122 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
55 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
45 complaintsOther or unknown
35 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsTires
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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