2003 Dodge RAM 2500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 55about this part
- Share
- 8%of 661 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500, 8% of the 661 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On a 35mph street, truck suddenly bucking as if it was going to stall, and the RPM's were erratic. I put it in n pulled over and shut it off. It restarted with no issues. I drove about 9 miles, pulled into my driveway and was coasting up it, when suddenly the truck accelerated. I depressed the brake, nothing. I slammed it in park and shut it off. It happened a few times while idling, or moving at a slow rate. I was stopped at a light when it suddenly accelerated into a 50mph, 4 lane main thoroughfare. I stepped on parking brake, turned it off and thanked god that I was unharmed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11390758, filed 2021-01, 135,000 miles“Over a long period of time, my 2003 Dodge ram diesel has gradually exhibited shift problems. It hangs in gear and downshifts when it randomly gets into this mode. I can work-around this problem by shifting from park directly to first, then back to drive. I have to pull over when this occurs to prevent damage to the trans.”
NHTSA complaint #10211392, filed 2007-12, 7,666 miles“I drive to work on a highway 5 days a week and started to have lots of vibration and it only occurred at higher speeds and would clunk. Turns out both u-joints for the rear drive-shaft had started to fail and were allowing unwanted movement. After replacing the u-joints the truck was fine for a few weeks then I heard squealing of metal on metal contact and there was a slight wobble. Took it to a shop and they said the hub bearings were shot and were moving so much as to allow the wheel to move. …”
NHTSA complaint #10447662, filed 2012-02, 48,256 miles“My son and I have 2003 Dodge RAM 2500 diesels with the recall alert where the transmission will not readily shift into park and chrysler as a possible solution will install an alarm on the transmission. The problem is much too serious to be corrected by an alarm. Chrysler needs to get to the root of the problem by correcting the transmission problem itself. I am considering legal counsel if nothing is done to actually correct the transmission problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10211990, filed 2007-12, 176 miles“I lost control of steering , the steering wheel just spun with no control and I was driving through a school zone with grade school letting out and I went in other lane of traffic in between cars and headed to a gas pump at gas station and I hit brakes as soon as I was out of opposite lane with head on traffic and gas pump was rite off side of road I could have been killed or killed others when this happened, I had to fix my truck because I never knew of recall and also transmission went out at 55,000 miles and transfer case also another 20,000 miles later , I have a truck I can't drive…”
NHTSA complaint #10782613, filed 2015-10, 182,000 milesRelated recalls
- 05V462000Oct 6, 2005On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines and automatic transmissions, in an attempt to exit the vehicle quickly without shutting off the engine…Covers: Dodge RAM 2500 2003–2005, RAM 3500 2003–2005
Related service bulletins
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 35 | 12% |
| 2011 | 16 | 5% |
| 2010 | 13 | 6% |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% |
| 2008 | 20 | 6% |
| 2007 | 17 | 5% |
| 2006 | 37 | 6% |
| 2005 | 63 | 15% |
| 2004 | 110 | 19% |
| 2003 | 55 | 8% |
| 2002 | 19 | 12% |
| 2001 | 28 | 6% |
| 2000 | 15 | 7% |
| 1999 | 35 | 11% |
| 1998 | 29 | 13% |
| 1997 | 32 | 15% |
| 1996 | 44 | 15% |
| 1995 | 39 | 15% |
| 1994 | 24 | 14% |
| 1993 | 6 | 15% |
| 1992 | 3 | 9% |
| 1991 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500
159 complaintsBody and structure
146 complaintsAir bags
138 complaintsSuspension
122 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
45 complaintsOther or unknown
35 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsTires
11 complaintsEquipment
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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