MYRModel Year Report

2003 Dodge RAM 1500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Dodge RAM 1500
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,171
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

39% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1999: 610 complaints 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1,112 complaints 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1,171 complaints 2003 1,171 2004: 1,097 complaints 2005: 1,169 complaints 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2008: 554 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2012: 697 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaint
1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1993 1994: 116 complaints 1995: 213 complaints 1995 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1999: 610 complaints 1999 2000: 513 complaints 2001: 1,112 complaints 2001 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1,171 complaints 2003 1,171 2004: 1,097 complaints 2005: 1,169 complaints 2005 2006: 792 complaints 2007: 517 complaints 2007 2008: 554 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2011 2012: 697 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2014
1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 6 complaints 1993 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1995 1996: 298 complaints 1996 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1998 1999: 610 complaints 1999 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1,112 complaints 2001 2002: 815 complaints 2002 2003: 1,171 complaints 2003 1,171 2004: 1,097 complaints 2004 2005: 1,169 complaints 2005 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2007 2008: 554 complaints 2008 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2010 2011: 688 complaints 2011 2012: 697 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaint 2014

2003: 1,171 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19917
19920
19936
1994116
1995213
1996298
1997361
1998520
1999610
2000513
20011,112
2002815
20031,171
20041,097
20051,169
2006792
2007517
2008554
2009670
2010485
2011688
2012697
20141

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

39% · 458 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The 2003 Dodge Ram was struck on the front right side near the front tire by another vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The Ram was spun around and struck the other vehicle again on the back right side on the truck bed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-11

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge RAM 1500. The contact was driving 55 MPH when he crashed into a semi-automatic truck. None of the air bags deployed and the contact sustained chest injuries as a result of impacting the steering wheel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-22

brought my 2003 dodge ram 1500 to Romeo dodge to have a Passenger Airbag Recall Repair on [XXX] and I was called one hour later and told my airbag replacement was finished and I could pick up my truck.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-05

Also filed under Electrical system

Structure

20% · 238 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

11% · 128 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Service brakes

7% · 82 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Electrical system

5% · 63 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Blower motor wiring harness failed. It burns up in steering column. It in turn causes blower motor to not work . When you are driving windshield fogs up you can not get defrost to come on.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-11-17

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 1,171 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2006-04-20Engine and engine cooling06E024000 Certain replacement k&n fuel performance kits, p/nos. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, and 57-1530. Also, a small percentage of these kits were sold under the mopar…

    Remedy: K&n will provide owners with a free repair kit along with repair instructions. The recall began on April 20, 2006.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2008-01-15Visibility07E104000 Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp inc., identified as DOT-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and…

    Remedy: Safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. Retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. Safelite will notify its wholesale customers and…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2010-05-24Steering10E013000 Fabtech is recalling certain aftermarket replacement pitman arms, p/nos. Fts93001 and FT44039, installed for use on certain 2003 through 2008 Dodge 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, and 1500 4WD mega cab vehicles.

    Remedy: Fabtech will notify owners and authorized installers will inspect for defective pitman arm and replace if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on May 24, 2010. Owners may contact…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2010-09-15Wheels10E040000 Federal-mogul is recalling certain carquest, national, and percision brand wheel hub assemblies, p/nos 515073 and 515073, sold for use as replacement equipment on model year 2002 through 2008 Dodge…

    Remedy: Federal-mogul will notify owners of record and technicians will replace the affected hub assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on September 15, 2010. Owners may contact federal-mogul…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  7. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  8. R
    2016-03-16Air bags15V312000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Dodge RAM 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 458 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 238 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 128 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E024000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
  • Recall 10E013000 · Steering
  • Recall 10E040000 · Wheels
  • Recall 15V312000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.