2003 Dodge RAM 3500 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 4%of 286 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500, 4% of the 286 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,500 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.
“The lift/transfer pump of the fuel system failed while driving on the freeway. (separate from the main fuel pump ). After talking to my mechanic and researching online, I found that apparently the original system was such a terrible design, and the problem I had so common, that Dodge doesn't even make a replacement part for it anymore. Instead, they sell you a kit which requires about 5-6 hours of labor to totally re-do the system (plus $500 parts). Customer service? Forget about it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10357192, filed 2010-09, 66,500 miles“The fuel systems in these model trucks are bad. There was a recall on them years ago, which I just found out and now I still owe on the truck. I was not the first buyer. The original owner did not go to fix the truck when the recall came out and he traded it. Yah, that will fix the problem! Well, the place we bought it from didn't fix the problem either. And we didn't find out about it until way later. And now we are going to be stuck with a truck that doesn't work, but we have to put in a lot of money into. Anyone have any suggestions. …”
NHTSA complaint #10457844, filed 2012-05, 145,210 miles“On the seventh my truck started missing and sputtering. It only had 53,000 miles on it. When I went out the next morning to start my truck, it would not start. I could not make it to college or work that day. It was due to a lift pump failure. I had to buy a whole new fuel system for my truck because Dodge does not make a replacement. It cost me about $700 for the fast fuel system and another $50 for my fuel pressure gauge. Plus time and the damage to my truck during the install. If this would have happened at an intersection, someone could have been hurt.”
NHTSA complaint #10219115, filed 2008-02, 53,500 miles“Failure of 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 with ho diesel engine and manual 6 speed transmission - engine turns over but fails to start. Been to crown in nitro and courts in hurricane a total of 7 times. Dealerships fail to fix. Have spent approx. $2500 and still not fixed. Can stall at intersection or railroad crossing causing grave injury or death; need help to get problem fixed by recall process. All chrysler-Dodge says I apologize . …”
NHTSA complaint #10335728, filed 2010-06, 119,000 miles“The vehicle would not start, driver contacted the dealer, dealer said to pop the hood pump, the primer. Vehicle started 10 minutes later and stalled on highway, consumer feels could have been t-boned as a result of engine stalling and did not feel safe driving.dealer said fuel injectors needed replacement, and will only be replaced one at a time as they fail.”
NHTSA complaint #10034438, filed 2003-08, 207 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10216348Nov 29, 2012Heavy Duty Filtration MOPAR Retrofit or Add On Parts Available
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 40 | 11% |
| 2011 | 16 | 7% |
| 2010 | 18 | 12% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 13 | 5% |
| 2005 | 12 | 6% |
| 2004 | 13 | 6% |
| 2003 | 12 | 4% |
| 2002 | 9 | 20% |
| 2001 | 12 | 9% |
| 2000 | 8 | 14% |
| 1999 | 10 | 10% |
| 1998 | 10 | 10% |
| 1997 | 15 | 12% |
| 1996 | 8 | 6% |
| 1995 | 6 | 6% |
| 1994 | 7 | 10% |
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 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 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