Dodge Ram Pickup 2003
Model Ram Pickup made in 2003 by Dodge got 20 consumer complains there are 3 investigations as well as 12 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags, electrical system and exterior lighting. Technical service bulletines regarding engine and engine cooling, equipment and fuel system, gasoline. The car had one investigation (power train).
Model 2003
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| 1802703 | 07/04/2003 | 10003418 | No throttle response, lack of power while towing and diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p2638/p0700. *tt | 10/20/2003 | |
| 1803502 | 11/29/2002 | 10000449 | Engine throttle control light illumination and / or malfunction indicator light illumination with diagnostic trouble code p2181 - cooling system performance. *tt | 02/27/2003 | |
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER | |||||
| 2401305 | 08/04/2005 | 10016603 | Air conditioning (a/c) cooling coil odor. *tt | 09/26/2005 | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | |||||
| 1400502 | 11/08/2002 | 10000447 | Fuel filter/water separator drain valve restriction. *tt | 02/27/2003 | |
| POWER TRAIN | |||||
| 1800503C | 03/30/2003 | 1801304 | 10003540 | Transmission shift / speed control improvements / possible malfunction indicator lamp illumination. *tt | 10/23/2003 |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) | |||||
| C17 | 05/01/2003 | 10002448 | The powertrain control module (pcm) was programmed with errors in the automatic transmission diagnostic information. as a result, the pcm will not detect a transmission governor pressure sensor problem, or illuminate the malfunction indica | 08/29/2003 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER | |||||
| 01 | 01/01/2003 | 10000913 | Customer satisfaction notification - 3/8 torque converter drain back valve. *tt | 04/03/2003 | |
| 33 | 12/01/2002 | 0222 | 10000834 | Customer satisfaction notification - torque converter drain back valve. *tt | 04/01/2003 |
| STEERING | |||||
| 1900805 | 11/02/2005 | 1900805A | 10017651 | Revised power steering system bleeding procedures. *sc | 11/14/2005 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | |||||
| 1800503B | 07/04/2003 | 1800503A | 10003415 | Transmission shift/speed control improvements/possible malfunction indicator lamp illumination. *tt | 10/20/2003 |
| 1800503A | 04/25/2003 | 1800503 | 10002190 | Transmission shift/speed control improvements/possible malfunction indicator lamp illumination. *tt | 08/15/2003 |
| 1800503 | 03/07/2003 | 10001176 | Transmission shift/speed control improvements. *jb | 04/17/2003 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | ||||||
| EA04025 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 08/26/2004 | 12/22/2005 | FALSE PARK | 05V462000 | |
| The subject vehicles are heavy duty pickup trucks with diesel engines and automatic transmissions commonly used for commercial and work purposes.a column mounted shift lever is used for gear selection and an electronic prndl on the instrument panel provides gear position information to the driver.the subject vehicles are also equipped with a brake-transmission shift interlock that prevents the shift lever from being moved from the park position (when the engine is on) unless the brake pedal is depressed and an ignition-shift interlock that prevents key removal unless the transmission is in the park position.complainants generally report that the vehicle was being operated in a forward gear and brought to a stop through brake application on alevel surface, at which time the operator moved the shift lever to engage the park position.the operator then opened the driver side door and, without verifying park engagement (e.g., prndl gear indication), securing the park brake, or turning the engine off, exited the vehicle.initially, no vehicle movement was apparent, however, a short time later, typically reported as 10 to 30 seconds, the vehicle moved rearward under engine power.the incident often ended in a vehicle crash, and sometimes involved serious injury.two fatalities are alleged.odi | ||||||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | ||||||
| EA04025 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 08/26/2004 | 12/22/2005 | FALSE PARK | 05V462000 | |
| The subject vehicles are heavy duty pickup trucks with diesel engines and automatic transmissions commonly used for commercial and work purposes.a column mounted shift lever is used for gear selection and an electronic prndl on the instrument panel provides gear position information to the driver.the subject vehicles are also equipped with a brake-transmission shift interlock that prevents the shift lever from being moved from the park position (when the engine is on) unless the brake pedal is depressed and an ignition-shift interlock that prevents key removal unless the transmission is in the park position.complainants generally report that the vehicle was being operated in a forward gear and brought to a stop through brake application on alevel surface, at which time the operator moved the shift lever to engage the park position.the operator then opened the driver side door and, without verifying park engagement (e.g., prndl gear indication), securing the park brake, or turning the engine off, exited the vehicle.initially, no vehicle movement was apparent, however, a short time later, typically reported as 10 to 30 seconds, the vehicle moved rearward under engine power.the incident often ended in a vehicle crash, and sometimes involved serious injury.two fatalities are alleged.odi | ||||||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT | ||||||
| EA04025 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 08/26/2004 | 12/22/2005 | FALSE PARK | 05V462000 | |
| The subject vehicles are heavy duty pickup trucks with diesel engines and automatic transmissions commonly used for commercial and work purposes.a column mounted shift lever is used for gear selection and an electronic prndl on the instrument panel provides gear position information to the driver.the subject vehicles are also equipped with a brake-transmission shift interlock that prevents the shift lever from being moved from the park position (when the engine is on) unless the brake pedal is depressed and an ignition-shift interlock that prevents key removal unless the transmission is in the park position.complainants generally report that the vehicle was being operated in a forward gear and brought to a stop through brake application on alevel surface, at which time the operator moved the shift lever to engage the park position.the operator then opened the driver side door and, without verifying park engagement (e.g., prndl gear indication), securing the park brake, or turning the engine off, exited the vehicle.initially, no vehicle movement was apparent, however, a short time later, typically reported as 10 to 30 seconds, the vehicle moved rearward under engine power.the incident often ended in a vehicle crash, and sometimes involved serious injury.two fatalities are alleged.odi | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL | |||
| 03/12/2009 | 1 | ||
| I am a battalion chief with a fire department and recently had a dodge ram with significant front end damage and no air bags deployed. this is not the first instance of this happening with a dodge ram pick-up i would like to send you some pictures of this most recent accident if you would like. *tr | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 01/16/2004 | 1 | 09/23/2003 | |
| Ltr fm willie dodds (il) purchased a new dodge ram 1500 pickup 2-door truck model year 2003 burned due to an electrical wire shortage suggest nhtsa investigate. reply directly to the constituent. *mr *sc *jb | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS | |||
| 06/16/2002 | 1 | ||
| Headlights on many vehicles are mounted at a level equal to the eye level of a person driving a standard passenger vehicle, thereby causing substantial glare, reducing ability of the passenger vehicle driver to see beyond the oncoming vehicle with the high-mounted headlights. the glare is equally distracting when the vehicle with the high-mounted lights is at the rear of a standard passenger vehicle. i implore congress to pass legislation restricting the height of headlights, or other lights projecting a beam to the front of the vehicle, to be lower than eye level of drivers in standard passenger type vehicles. such a restriction will also aid drivers of the trucks and suv's that have the high-mounted lights because in fog or snow conditions the high-mounted lights reflect glare back into the sight of the driver. *jb | |||
| OTHER | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 1 | ||
| 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. *kb | |||
| 01/03/2007 | 1 | ||
| Upon changing the spare tire, the mechanism broke and i am not able to put the spare tire back in place. this is the first time the spare tire has been removed from the mechanism. *nm | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 06/05/2003 | 9500 | 2 | |
| The vehicle jumped out of park into reverse while parked with the emergency parking brake engaged. vehicle was idling. *ak the vehicle crashed into an iron post. *cb *jb | |||
| POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION | |||
| 04/17/2003 | 2 | ||
| Vehicle accelerated to a higher speed without accelerator pedal being depressed. when in second or third gear, and driver released the clutch, vehicle accelerated by itself. when parked, but idling the rmps were high. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION - FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY | |||
| 01/01/1900 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle was parked in driveway when it slipped out of gear, rolled down the street, and hit several mailboxes made of brick and mortar. steering wheel was locked, and transmission was in neutral.*ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER | |||
| 05/09/2005 | 21517 | 2 | 11/14/2003 |
| Normal brake usage with no aggressive driving. a few panic stops where the anti lock brake system was used. severe brake shudder causes suspension hop - unsafe to drive especially in wet - or winter conditions. replaced front pads and rotors twice. 1st replacement at 21.5k miles under tsb. 2cd replacement at 29.3k miles was purchased by owner (warranty would not be honored). 2003 truck has 29k miles. | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS | |||
| 05/09/2005 | 21517 | 2 | 11/14/2003 |
| Normal brake usage with no aggressive driving. a few panic stops where the anti lock brake system was used. severe brake shudder causes suspension hop - unsafe to drive especially in wet - or winter conditions. replaced front pads and rotors twice. 1st replacement at 21.5k miles under tsb. 2cd replacement at 29.3k miles was purchased by owner (warranty would not be honored). 2003 truck has 29k miles. | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR | |||
| 05/09/2005 | 21517 | 2 | 11/14/2003 |
| Normal brake usage with no aggressive driving. a few panic stops where the anti lock brake system was used. severe brake shudder causes suspension hop - unsafe to drive especially in wet - or winter conditions. replaced front pads and rotors twice. 1st replacement at 21.5k miles under tsb. 2cd replacement at 29.3k miles was purchased by owner (warranty would not be honored). 2003 truck has 29k miles. | |||
| 11/24/2004 | 16000 | 1 | 05/24/2004 |
| 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. *ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES | |||
| 06/27/2003 | 100 | 700 | 06/22/2003 |
| My vehicle veers to the right severly. it started out as a mild pull and now it is a constant strugle to keep the vehicle going straight. i have taken to 2 different dealerships. work done both wheel bearings replaced - both u joints replaced - all 4 brakes replaced ( at my expense vehicle under 30,000 miles ) - tires exchanged with new - front end allignment ( i paid for as well ) truck still has problem and the dealerships cannot fix problem. told to deal with it. *nm | |||
| STRUCTURE | |||
| 12/30/2008 | 89500 | 1 | |
| 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. *tr | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 1 | ||
| 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. *kb | |||
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||
| 08/10/2010 | |||
| Cracked dash | |||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - ACCELERATOR PEDAL | |||
| 04/17/2003 | 2 | ||
| Vehicle accelerated to a higher speed without accelerator pedal being depressed. when in second or third gear, and driver released the clutch, vehicle accelerated by itself. when parked, but idling the rmps were high. *ak | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LA | BASTROP | 71220 | DIAMOND DODGE CRYSLER | |
| MI | KALAMAZOO | 49048 | M&M MOTOR MALL | 269-381-5800 |
| NY | CORTLAND | 13045 | CORTLAND CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP INC. | 607-753-3352 |