2003 Dodge RAM 3500 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 80about this part
- Share
- 28%of 286 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,250miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 80 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500, 28% of the 286 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,250 miles. 3 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.
“Safety recall notice p78 / NHTSA 14v-770 I have received several notices about this safety issue over the past year. Called dealer for service each time and every few months and they always tell me no parts are available yet. At what point is the manufacturer required to resolve this issue?”
NHTSA complaint #10807685, filed 2015-12, 123,000 miles“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 airbags had gone bad again. I was advised the airbags were fine but the control module had failed. Then I was told that chrysler Dodge no longer makes the replacement module and they would have to seek one from a salvage company they do business with. …”
NHTSA complaint #11129504, filed 2018-09, 142,630 miles“On the date noted above I noticed a 10 inch long crack had developed on the passenger side front dashboard slightly to the right of center. In a collision where the front airbags are deployed, this will become razor sharp shrapnel causing severe injury or death. Dodge refuses to do anything to mitigate this flaw, which they have acknowledged is due to Dodge utilizing sub-standard materials when making the dashboards for the ram truck series. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of complaints regarding the cracked dashes in ram trucks from frustrated owners. …”
NHTSA complaint #10526222, filed 2013-07, 71,201 miles“The dashboard on my 2003 Dodge 3500 quad cab had developed cracks which has split the dash into pieces directly in front of the passenger seat and directly over the passenger side airbag. The cracks and broken dash pieces will not allow the passenger side airbag to deploy properly in the event of a crash and not only will the airbag harm the passenger, the broken pieces of dash will be dangerous as well. This vehicle has been properly maintained, and is in good condition. The dash cracked and broke as a result of normal driving; the vehicle has never been in an accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10372348, filed 2010-12, 104,500 miles“I have received at least four recalls from FCA (the same problem all four times passenger airbag inflator) every time I go into the dealer to get the problem fixed they tell me that they do not have the parts and they will contact me when the parts come in.Dodge has never called I roughly guess that this has been going on for a couple of years. Please help”
NHTSA complaint #10854501, filed 2016-04Related recalls
- 15V312000May 26, 2015DO NOT DRIVEChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured August 29, 2002, to July 25, 2003 to address a…Covers: Dodge RAM 3500 2003, RAM 1500 2003, RAM 2500 2003
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 15 | 4% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 12 | 11% |
| 2008 | 18 | 10% |
| 2007 | 36 | 17% |
| 2006 | 33 | 13% |
| 2005 | 33 | 17% |
| 2004 | 43 | 20% |
| 2003 | 80 | 28% |
| 2002 | 4 | 9% |
| 2001 | 11 | 8% |
| 2000 | 2 | 3% |
| 1999 | 5 | 5% |
| 1998 | 9 | 9% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 2 | 2% |
| 1995 | 2 | 2% |
| 1994 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500
53 complaintsSteering
37 complaintsSuspension
32 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsTires
16 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500
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