2003 Dodge RAM Van Problems
- Complaints
- 16filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 14 mpgcombined, 3.9L 6-cyl RWD · 13 city / 15 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Dodge RAM Van (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2003 Dodge RAM Van. The part named most often is electrical system, with 5 complaints (31% of the total), followed by visibility (4) and steering (2). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 45% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 19 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins 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.
- Electrical system5 31%
- Steering2 13%
- Suspension2 13%
- Air bags1 6.3%
- Exterior lighting1 6.3%
- Other or unknown1 6.3%
- Seats1 6.3%
- Body and structure1 6.3%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Van shuts down any where any time any speed and reads no bus this has been happen for to long and they don't even offer a solution.I bought a scanner for a 100.00 dollars it was a waste off money can't read codes with the no bus any way if it's not the PCM then why have codes for all the other sensors if it turns off anyway.”
NHTSA complaint #10367303, filed 2010-11, 143,508 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The driver and passenger side windows fog up and ice over while driving in freezing temperatures. Typically the front windshield also fogs over on the corners forming an oval that is fog free. Turning the vent system to full defrost does very little to remove the fog and frost. I have had to purchase fans to assist in keeping my windows clear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10104111, filed 2004-12, 14 milesSteering: “For 2 days prior to incident , noticed steering wheel kept changing orientation while driving in a straight line. A lot of groaning and creaking noise from right front suspension in right turns as well as vibration at highway speed. Parked vehicle and inspected underside to find that idler arm bracket was tearing away from frame rail due to rot. After parking vehicle , I moved it around in the driveway no more than 3 times before idler arm bracket completely separated from the frame rail with a very loud pop.. Van now has no steering and is junk sitting in my driveway. …”
NHTSA complaint #10557231, filed 2013-12, 120,993 milesMileage when problems were reported
45% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 21,000 and 143,508 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Dodge RAM Van. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAM Van · coupe | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2003 Dodge RAM Van version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ram Van 1500 2WD | 3.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 13 | 15 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Ram Van 1500 2WD | 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 15 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Ram Van 1500 2WD | 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Ram Van 2500 2WD | 3.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 12 | 13 | 13 | $5,150 |
| Ram Van 2500 2WD | 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 15 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Ram Van 2500 2WD | 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 17 | 13 | $5,150 |
| Ram Van 2500 2WD CNG | 5.2L 8-cyl · natural gas | 4-speed automatic | 10 | 18 | 13 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Dodge RAM Van 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. 19 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10229256Jul 22, 2020Electrical system. KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the…
- 10221686Jul 22, 2020Electrical system. KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the…
- 10175743Apr 30, 2020Body and structure, Equipment. Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
- 10175735Apr 22, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty…
- 10220101Nov 20, 2019Body and structure. Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10220099Nov 20, 2019Body and structure. Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
- 10220097Nov 20, 2019Equipment, Body and structure. Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 10169249Nov 20, 2019Equipment, Body and structure. Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10169247Nov 20, 2019Equipment. Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
- 10169245Nov 20, 2019Body and structure. Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
Other model years of the Dodge RAM Van
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 16 | 50,000 | 0 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 14 | 56,030 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 33 | 60,000 | 1 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 29 | 49,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 47 | 71,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 22 | 111,374 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 16 | 95,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 18 | 31,365 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 14 | 144,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 6 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Dodge RAM Van model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Dodge RAM Van have?
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2003 Dodge RAM Van as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Dodge RAM Van is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 5 complaints (31% of the total), followed by visibility with 4.
Has the 2003 Dodge RAM Van 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.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Dodge RAM Van get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Dodge RAM Van (Ram Van 1500 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 15 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Dodge RAM Van reported?
Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 21,000 and 143,508 miles; 45% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.