2003 Dodge RAM 3500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 9%of 286 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500, 9% of the 286 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,000 miles. 4 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.
“Was changing oil on my 03 Dodge RAM 3500 and noticed the frame rail near cab mount on drivers side was completely rusted thru with a hole approximately 2 inches long and 1/4 wide. I'm afraid to haul my goose neck trailer under these conditions. I'm afraid that additional weight could cause the frame to collapse. I don't remember seeing a recall for this condition.”
NHTSA complaint #10672046, filed 2015-01, 230,000 miles“My 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 diesel has been jumping into reverse from park. This has happened three times. The first time was in the middle of january. I parked at mini mart at 6am to get a cup of coffee. It was cold so I left the engne idling to warm up. I came out to find my vehicle gone. I looked across the street and found it smashed into a building. The truck had minimal damage, but extensive damage was done to the building. …”
NHTSA complaint #10095932, filed 2004-10, 5,000 miles“The transmission keeps slipping into neutral while driving and sometimes upon pulling out. The truck is 10 weeks old and has been in the shop for this condition 4 times, with the malfunction light on 3 of those trips, once it went in on a rollback because it would not move at all. It has also downshifted into a lower gear, barked the tires and slung us forward so hard it almost snapped our necks twice now. This has been reported also. They now say since I am requesting a full refund for the truck that there is no mechanical problems or damage only a software problem with the computer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10056965, filed 2004-02, 1,311 miles“Dt: the contact owns a 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 one ton. The warning lights kept coming on. The dashboard lights came on and off. The contact cited a recall on manual transmissions, and his vehicle had automatic transmission. He noticed this on 9-13-05.”
NHTSA complaint #10136638, filed 2005-09, 50,000 miles“- the contact owns a 2003 Dodge RAM 3500. The vehicle was serviced for recall 05v46200 concerning the power train automatic transmission. The dealer installed an out of park alarm system. The alarm system will activate if the vehicle door is open while reverse gear was engaged. The alarm caused the horn to blow, and the lights to flash. The contact stated he did not want this system in this vehicle. The dealer stated they were unable to remove the out of park alarm system because it was mandated by NHTSA. The vehicle currently had 52,000 miles. Updated 05/21/07”
NHTSA complaint #10187673, filed 2007-04, 52,000 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 3500 2003–2005, RAM 2500 2003–2005
Related service bulletins
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 28 | 8% |
| 2011 | 9 | 4% |
| 2010 | 8 | 5% |
| 2009 | 4 | 4% |
| 2008 | 10 | 6% |
| 2007 | 14 | 7% |
| 2006 | 22 | 9% |
| 2005 | 32 | 16% |
| 2004 | 64 | 30% |
| 2003 | 26 | 9% |
| 2002 | 5 | 11% |
| 2001 | 14 | 11% |
| 2000 | 8 | 14% |
| 1999 | 22 | 21% |
| 1998 | 19 | 18% |
| 1997 | 26 | 21% |
| 1996 | 19 | 15% |
| 1995 | 19 | 18% |
| 1994 | 10 | 14% |
| 1992 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500
80 complaintsBody and structure
53 complaintsSteering
37 complaintsSuspension
32 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 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