2003 Dodge RAM Pickup Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 16,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Dodge RAM Pickup (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2003 Dodge RAM Pickup. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints (29% of the total), followed by body and structure (3) and brakes (2). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 16,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure3 21%
- Brakes2 14%
- Other or unknown2 14%
- Air bags1 7.1%
- Electrical system1 7.1%
- Equipment1 7.1%
- Exterior lighting1 7.1%
- Steering1 7.1%
- Vehicle speed control1 7.1%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “The vehicle jumped out of park into reverse while parked with the emergency parking brake engaged. Vehicle was idling. The vehicle crashed into an iron post.”
NHTSA complaint #10022545, filed 2003-07, 9,500 milesBody and structure: “Purchased truck in december and noticed at that time the spider cracks in the dashboard. I will try to apply adhesive and a molded dashboard to hold it together. Eventually the dash may come into pieces and present an electrical hazard, so I want to try to prevent this with the dashboard kit.”
NHTSA complaint #10256280, filed 2009-01, 89,500 milesBrakes: “Vehicle: 2003 Dodge ram 1500 2wd, purchased with 6000 miles from carmax. The disc brake rotors were slightly warped. They were promptly turned (carmax) and now at 16k miles with no extraordinary use have warped again. In my opinion, this brings the design/material used in these components into question. I have spoken with a local Dodge dealer and received no credible answers, mitigation, or satisfaction, whatsoever.”
NHTSA complaint #10100844, filed 2004-12, 16,000 milesOther or unknown: “2003 Dodge ram dashboard is cracking. Consumer states that dashboard has not only cracked but has collapsed leaving the entire electrical system exposed. Consumer states that dealer denies any kind of help for this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10221675, filed 2008-03Mileage when problems were reported
80% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,500 and 21,517 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Dodge RAM Pickup in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10139596Sep 3, 2014Equipment, Body and structure. Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a…
- 10017651Nov 2, 2005Steering. Revised power steering system bleeding procedures.
- 10016603Aug 4, 2005Equipment. Air conditioning (a/c) cooling coil odor.
Other model years of the Dodge RAM Pickup
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 14 | 16,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 22 | 49,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 20 | 44,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 8 | 67,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 33 | 67,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 18 | 122,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 17 | 45,004 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 6 | 10,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 7 | 132,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Dodge RAM Pickup model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Dodge RAM Pickup have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2003 Dodge RAM Pickup as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Dodge RAM Pickup is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 4 complaints (29% of the total), followed by body and structure with 3.
Has the 2003 Dodge RAM Pickup been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Dodge RAM Pickup reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 16,000 miles and the middle half falls between 9,500 and 21,517 miles; 80% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.