2003 Dodge RAM 3500 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 3%of 286 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 132,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500, 3% of the 286 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 132,500 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.
“Air will not blow through the defrosters. Hot air will only blow through the air conditioning vents. There was a recall for this problem on 2009 and 2010 models. The recall should include all vehicles having this problem. It is a safety hazard not being able to defrost your windows.”
NHTSA complaint #10652688, filed 2014-11, 98,000 miles“Wiper only functions when washer mode in pushed. Then only make 1 swipe. Have replaced wiper motor and transmission, repaced multifunction switch, repaced wiper relay in fuse box. Still no wipers.”
NHTSA complaint #10934008, filed 2016-12, 150,000 miles“These trucks have a common problem with the HVAC blend/mode door. The doors break and then fall down into the HVAC system and block airflow to the defrost vents. This can cause a major visibility issue with you cannot defrost your windshield. The warm air will only blow through the floor or face vents, not the defrost. Windshield becomes iced or covered in snow and cannot melt to see. This is a very common problem on Dodge trucks and numerous other owners have experienced the same problem. Chrysler needs to recall this as a safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10447154, filed 2012-02, 115,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Dodge RAM 3500. The floor and defroster vent failed. When the window was frosted, the vent would blow air, but not defrost the window. The contact replaced the heater flap before and it currently needs to be replaced again. The failure mileage was 160,000 and current mileage was 198,000. Updated 3/18/08 updated 03/18/08”
NHTSA complaint #10217689, filed 2008-02, 160,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Dodge RAM 3500. The contact stated that the headlights failed intermittently without warning. In addition, the windshield wipers failed intermittently and worked only at the slow setting. The dealer diagnosed that the tipm module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the part was on back order. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 06e023000 (exterior lighting) and 09e009000 (visibility). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000. Updated 08/14/2017”
NHTSA complaint #10969589, filed 2017-03, 230,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 4% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% |
| 2006 | 31 | 12% |
| 2005 | 9 | 5% |
| 2004 | 15 | 7% |
| 2003 | 8 | 3% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 3 | 2% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 3 | 4% |
| 1992 | 1 | 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 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
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 28, 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