Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags458
- Structure237
- Power train125
- Unknown or other66
- Electrical system62
- Service brakes, hydraulic62
- Suspension57
- Engine and engine cooling56
- Steering44
- Visibility24
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 80 injuries and 6 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In the United Kingdom
0 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1 more were declared off the road (SORN).
0licensed, end of 2025
0%of those still registered are on the road
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 13 variants: combined 14.6–18.6 L/100 km (about 13–16 mpg US), CO₂ 336–428 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.5 | 12.2 | 14.6 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.0 | 12.8 | 15.1 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.4 | 13.3 | 15.6 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.5 | 13.1 | 16.1 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.3 | 13.9 | 16.3 |
| Ram 1500 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.8 | 14.6 | 16.9 |
| Ram 1500 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 19.1 | 14.4 | 17.0 |
| Ram 1500 Van · Van: Cargo · Regular gasoline | 17.9 | 15.9 | 17.0 |
| Ram 1500 Van · Van: Cargo · Regular gasoline | 18.6 | 15.8 | 17.3 |
| Ram 1500 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 20.5 | 14.4 | 17.8 |
| Ram 1500 Van · Van: Cargo · Regular gasoline | 20.7 | 14.2 | 17.8 |
| Ram 1500 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 20.4 | 15.3 | 18.1 |
| Ram 1500 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 21.3 | 15.4 | 18.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
15V312000 · Air bags26 May 2015 · 385,686 vehicles
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured August 29, 2002, to July 25, 2003 to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010205 | Plate - Planetary |
| 10229256 | 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 "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty. |
| 10229181 | Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine. |
| 10224768 | Connecting to the DRB III Emulator for Cummins Engines |
| 10223854 | Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. Installation: 1. Clean the oil pan T-joints.~ 2. Fill the T-joint between the pan rail/gear housing and pan rail/rear seal retainer with sealant. Use Mopar Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant or equivalent. 3. Apply a 2-mm [0.063-in] bead of Mopar Engine Sealant RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive, to the oil pan flange.~ 4. The four piece gasket will need to be assembled to make |
| 10223602 | Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine. |
| 10221686 | 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 "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty. |
| 10220471 | Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio. |
| 10220411 | If replacing the steering linkage or drag link inner tie rod assembly at the pitman arm on a vehicle built before Febuary 14 th, 2008, verify that the pitman arm part number is 68039930AA. The part number is embossed on the pitman arm.~If the pitman arm is not a 68039930AA, it must be replaced with a 68039930AA.~ Issue 2: For 2003 to 2007 MY only. If the OE steering linkage has been replaced with 52122362AA, 52122362AB, 52122362AC, 52122362AD, 52122362AE, or 52122362AF and pitman arm 68039930AA the following service parts are available. |
| 10220101 | 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. |
| 10220099 | 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. |
| 10220097 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
| 10191460 | Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling. |
| 10191455 | Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. |
| 10191442 | Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio. |
| 10175743 | Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19 |
| 10175735 | 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 reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary. |
| 10169249 | 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. |
| 10169247 | 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. |
| 10169245 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
| 10139596 | 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 kit. If the insulator requires replacement please order kit 68253161AA. Insulator only used on Auto-RWD transmission Note: The color of the insulator is not relevant for service. |
| 10139595 | Part Description: Insulator in Lever Assembly - Valve Body - Trans Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and an instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator requires replacement lease order 68253099AA. Note: Insulator color is not relevant for service |
| 10139009 | 68069384A$, R8069384A$, 68086182A$, R8027067A$, RL002012A$ - Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover Before replacing injectors for Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, and/or P0206, please make sure that the wiring loom and/or connector in the valve cover gasket is not the root cause to your concern. In addition, make sure that the wiring attaching nuts are torqued to their proper value.~ |
| 10129008 | 82212076, 82203694 - Fabric Cleaner This "fabric cleaner" is not intended for sale in California, the otc states (Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington dc), and some ladco states (Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio). Mopar offers an alternative product (82213192) which is a water based product approved for sale in the aforementioned states.~ ~ Please inform the customer & your prep dept that spraying excessive amounts of the fabric protector on load floors will result in the breaking down of the adhesive (glu |
| 10025346 | 2003-2008 (DR) RAM TRUCK 1500-STEERING SHUDDER DURING PARKING LOT OR LOW VEHICLE SPEED MANEUVERS. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
EA21002 · Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleopened 17 Sept 2021
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
EA15001 · Air bagsopened 24 Feb 2015
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
PE14016 · Air bagsopened 11 Jun 2014 · closed 2 Mar 2015
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation