2003 Dodge RAM 3500 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 286 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,056miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500, 1% of the 286 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,056 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.
“2003 Dodge cummins ho pickup, I have a new truck that has an injector that sticks. It has stuck wide open 4 times, closed two times and partially open many times. When it sticks wide open the knock can be heard through a vehicle window with air & radio running. The safety issue is a black cloud of smoke that is so thick that the sun and road cannot be seen. On interstate 90 I stopped all traffic east & west when it happened. My wife was following me on the way home from kellogg id to ellensburg wa. …”
NHTSA complaint #10037252, filed 2003-09, 111 miles“Exhaust pipe outlet does not extend out past the body on my 2003 Dodge 3500 truck. It seems that the pipe was designed for a 2500 or 1500 model truck, which have no external fenders. I am under the impression that the pipe is supposed to be long enough to direct the exhaust gases away from, not under, the body.”
NHTSA complaint #10047084, filed 2003-11“While driving a burning odor was coming inside of the vents. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that gasket, fan, and oil pressure sending unit needed to be replaced, and were replaced. Consumer informed the mechanic that the problem recurred, and had not been resolved.”
NHTSA complaint #10079725, filed 2004-06Related service bulletins
- 10223854Sep 7, 2016Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies…
- 10191455Sep 7, 2016Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only.
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
- 10229181Feb 12, 2015Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must…
- 10223602Feb 12, 2015Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must…
- 10139009Feb 13, 201368069384A$, R8069384A$, 68086182A$, R8027067A$, RL002012A$ - Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover Before replacing injectors for Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204…
- 10033104May 1, 2010Dodge: california emissions recall reprogram ecm-obd readiness. Recall affects ram trucks and cab chassis. Csc letter was rec'd.
- 10015075Apr 28, 2005New water pump for 3.7l engine - no longer common with 4.7l. Advanced service information #05-002.
- 10015060Apr 21, 2005Long crank times in ambient temperatures below freezing.
- 10013210Apr 3, 2004Oil pressure falls below normal during vehicle operation. This includes chevrolet and gmc 4500 series and isuzu npr and nprhd models.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 10 | 3% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 6 | 4% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 13 | 8% |
| 2007 | 17 | 8% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 10 | 5% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 4 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 5% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
| 2000 | 5 | 9% |
| 1999 | 12 | 12% |
| 1998 | 7 | 7% |
| 1997 | 6 | 5% |
| 1996 | 7 | 6% |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% |
| 1994 | 3 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500
80 complaintsBody and structure
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500
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