Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge Ram, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Structure8
- Power train6
- Steering4
- Visibility4
- Electrical system4
- Air bags4
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Vehicle speed control3
- Suspension3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 5 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 247 2003 Ram vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 119 people died inside them, and 53 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Dodge Ram failed the safety check 1.70% of the time — 19% less often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 164,047 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
3 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
9 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 Dodge Ram.
| 2015229 27 May 2015 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the passenger frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the … |
| 2015093 3 Mar 2015 | Airbag Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Program involving Takata driver and/or passenger airbag inflators installed … |
| 2013395 7 Nov 2013 | Steering A safety defect may exist in aftermarket steering linkage equipment sold as service replacement parts for 2500 and 3500 4x4 pickup trucks. If the drag link ass… |
| 2011253 14 Jul 2011 | Steering On certain 2008-2011 Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4, Ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2 and 4x4, and 2008 Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 vehicles, the left outer tie rod ball stud could fr… |
| 2009081 11 Mar 2009 | Electrical Certain aftermarket replacement windshield wiper motor assemblies, sold during the '08 and '09 calendar year for use as service equipment on 2002-2009 Dodge Ram… |
| 2009019 21 Jan 2009 | Steering Defective aftermarket steering drag links many have been sold as service replacement parts for 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The drag link assemblies in questio… |
| 2005307 12 Oct 2005 | Other Certain Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty pickup trucks equipped with a diesel engine and automatic transmission may experience inadvertent rearward movement. The… |
| 2003148 5 Jun 2003 | Wheels On certain 2500 and 3500 heavy duty pickup trucks, the optional cast-aluminum wheels may exhibit an elevated level of porosity, which could result in reduced wh… |
| 2003033 13 Feb 2003 | Other On certain 2500 and 3500 series heavy duty pickup trucks equipped with a Cummins diesel engine and a manual transmission, an elevated idle speed may occur after… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINES AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELEVATED IDLE SPEED AFTER EXTENDED CRUISE CONTROL USE.
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: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 635734 | INFORMATION ON TAMPERING WITH VP44 FUEL PUMP ON CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINES. *TT |
| 635730 | INFORMATION ON THE USE OF SYNTHETIC REAR AXLE LUBRICANT. *TT |
| 635721 | SUBJECT REGARDING REVISION IN DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES AND LABOR OPERATION TIMES FOR RE TRANSMISSIONS. *TT |
| 635689 | SOME 2003 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DUAL REAR WHEELS, BUILT PRIOR TO JULY 15, 2003, MAY HAVE AN INCORRECT NUMBER AS THE SIXTH CHARACTER OF THE VIN. *TT |
| 634272 | FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC |
| 634112 | REVISION OF FLASH PROCESS FOR NEW ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FROM CUMMINS. *SLC THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES BULLETIN 18-019-02 DATED JUNE 17, 2002. *TT |
| 634082 | CHROME WHEEL CARE. *SLC |
| 10033546 | DODGE: ELECTRONIC FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR (FCA) AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE/NEW DIAGNOSTICS AVAILABLE FOR DTC P0251. ENGINE SURGES AT IDLE OR MIL ILLUMINATION. FURTHER INVESTIGATION MAY IDENTIFY DTC P0251-CP3 PUMP REGULATOR CONTROL-DIESEL. IF P0251 IS PRESENT, FOLLOW THE DIAGNOSTICS IN THIS SB. IF OTHER DTC'S ARE PRESENT, REPAIR AS NECESSARY BEFORE PROCEEDING FURTHER. MODEL RAM TRUCK. *PE |
| 10024083 | POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM FREEZES IN EXTREME COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES -- INVOLVES INSTALLING REVISED PCV SYSTEM COMPONENTS. *NJ |
| 10021687 | TRAILER TOWING MIRROR - NEW MIRROR GLASS LOCKING TAB - NEW REMOVAL PROCEDURE. *KB |
| 10021423 | 5.9L TURBO - DIESEL ENGINE SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS. *KB |
| 10021239 | POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE INITIALIZATION. *KB |
| 10020919 | FRONT END SHIMMY ON 4X4 VEHICLES WHEN TRAVELING OVER ROUGH SURFACES IN THE ROAD. *KB |
| 10020213 | 5.9L TURBO-DIESEL ENGINE SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS. *TT |
| 10020139 | REAR SUSPENSION VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TT |
| 10019529 | POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM FREEZES IN EXTREME COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *TT |
| 10017000 | 45RFE/545RFE TRANS - DELAYED ENGAGEMENT DUE TO COOLER RETURN FILTER REPLACEMENT. *SC |
| 10016021 | CUMMINS DIESEL DIAGNOSTICS. *TT |
| 10016020 | ELECTRONIC FUEL CONTROL (EFC) ACTUATOR AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE. *TT |
| 10015075 | NEW WATER PUMP FOR 3.7L ENGINE - NO LONGER COMMON WITH 4.7L. ADVANCED SERVICE INFORMATION #05-002. *TT |
| 10015060 | LONG CRANK TIMES IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING. *TT |
| 10013996 | MINIMUN REAR ROTOR THICKNESS. *EH |
| 10013994 | STABILIZER BAR LINK NUT TORQUE SPECS CHANGED. *EH |
| 10013731 | POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE INITIALIZATION. *SC |
| 10013705 | INACTIVE THROTTLE BODY IN COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. 2005 DODGE RAM *SC |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FALSE PARK
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation