2003 Dodge RAM 3500

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #15V312000May 26, 2015385,686 vehicles affected

  Do not drive: NHTSA advises this until the repair is done.

  air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

  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.

  In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

  Remedy

  Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on March 16, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R26. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 14V770.

• NHTSA recall #13V528000November 6, 2013706,664 vehicles affected

  steering: linkages: tie rod assembly

  Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.

  A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.

• NHTSA recall #11V350000July 6, 2011242,780 vehicles affected

  steering: linkages: tie rod assembly

  Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 4X4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 3500 cab chassis 4X2, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; and model year 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 mega cab 4X4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through august 15, 2008, because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.

  This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 3, 2011. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

• NHTSA recall #05V462000October 6, 2005250,433 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift

  On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines and automatic transmissions, in an attempt to exit the vehicle quickly without shutting off the engine and removing the key, the driver may inadvertently leave the automatic transmission shift control in indicated reverse.

  This error is an unintended action that may result in a lack of transmission park pawl engagement and possibly delayed rearward movement of the vehicle.

  Remedy

  Dealers will perform a software modification to equip these vehicles with an out-of-park alarm. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

• NHTSA recall #03V212000June 5, 20031,086 vehicles affected

  wheels: hubcap/cover

  Certain heavy duty pickup trucks, the aluminum wheels may have excessive porosity in the center hub area which Can cause a wheel to crack.

  This could cause a loss of vehicle control and result in a crash without warning.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the wheels and replace them if necessary. Owner notification is expected to begin june 17, 2003.. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

• NHTSA recall #03V033000February 5, 200319,500 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  Certain pickup trucks, equipped with cummins diesel engines and manual transmissions, may experience an elevated idle speed after extended cruise control use.

  This Can result in unintended acceleration and a reduction in braking effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will reprogram the software in the cummins engine controller. Owner notification began on march 10, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Other model years

• 1994 70
• 1995 108
• 1996 124
• 1997 125
• 1998 105
• 1999 104
• 2000 58
• 2001 130
• 2002 44
• 2003
• 2004 214
• 2005 196
• 2006 258
• 2007 210
• 2008 173
• 2009 105
• 2010 150
• 2011 225
• 2012 366