MYRModel Year Report

2003 Dodge RAM 2500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Dodge RAM 2500
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
661
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1993: 39 complaints 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 267 complaints 1996: 291 complaints 1997: 213 complaints 1997 1998: 225 complaints 1999: 313 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 469 complaints 2002: 155 complaints 2003: 661 complaints 2003 661 2004: 581 complaints 2005: 422 complaints 2006: 668 complaints 2006 2007: 361 complaints 2008: 317 complaints 2009: 214 complaints 2009 2010: 236 complaints 2011: 298 complaints 2012: 283 complaints 2012
1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1993: 39 complaints 1993 1994: 168 complaints 1995: 267 complaints 1995 1996: 291 complaints 1997: 213 complaints 1997 1998: 225 complaints 1999: 313 complaints 1999 2000: 211 complaints 2001: 469 complaints 2001 2002: 155 complaints 2003: 661 complaints 2003 661 2004: 581 complaints 2005: 422 complaints 2005 2006: 668 complaints 2007: 361 complaints 2007 2008: 317 complaints 2009: 214 complaints 2009 2010: 236 complaints 2011: 298 complaints 2011 2012: 283 complaints
1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1992 1993: 39 complaints 1993 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 267 complaints 1995 1996: 291 complaints 1996 1997: 213 complaints 1997 1998: 225 complaints 1998 1999: 313 complaints 1999 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 469 complaints 2001 2002: 155 complaints 2002 2003: 661 complaints 2003 661 2004: 581 complaints 2004 2005: 422 complaints 2005 2006: 668 complaints 2006 2007: 361 complaints 2007 2008: 317 complaints 2008 2009: 214 complaints 2009 2010: 236 complaints 2010 2011: 298 complaints 2011 2012: 283 complaints 2012

2003: 661 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199116
199232
199339
1994168
1995267
1996291
1997213
1998225
1999313
2000211
2001469
2002155
2003661
2004581
2005422
2006668
2007361
2008317
2009214
2010236
2011298
2012283

Known problem areas

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

Steering

26% · 169 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and rack and pinion.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

At approx. 55-60 MPH, the truck began to shake very violently. Applied brake, to attempt to get truck under control; we ended up in the ditch. Myself and my daughter were injured. Luckily, neither of us were injured bad, just bumps and bruises.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-11

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge RAM 2500. The contact was driving 35 MPH and attempting a right turn when the driver side tie rod fractured, causing minimal control of the steering function.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-21

Structure

22% · 146 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Takata ?- on 7/15/2017 my son was involved in a single vehicle accident as he drove home on the freeway.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-08

Also filed under Air bags and latches/locks/linkages

Air bags

21% · 138 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The brake pedal went to the floor when the brake was applied. *nlm *ts also the air bags failed to deploy. *jb the air condition was inoperative.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-29

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Suspension

20% · 135 reports

Most commonly citing front and upper ball joint.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

8% · 56 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer pulled into a parking space and placed the vehicle in park with engine on and got out of the car. About 40 seconds later, heard a crash. The vehicle had rolled backwards and hit another moving car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-09

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 661 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2003-03-10Vehicle speed control03V033000 Certain pickup trucks, equipped with cummins diesel engines and manual transmissions, may experience an elevated idle speed after extended cruise control use.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2003-06-17Wheels03V212000 Certain heavy duty pickup trucks, the aluminum wheels may have excessive porosity in the center hub area which can cause a wheel to crack.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2004-04-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-08-26 False park
  5. I
    2004-08-26Engineering analysisClosed 2005-12-22 False park
  6. R
    2006-03-20Power train05V462000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2007-03-12Suspension07E009000 Certain lki enterprises, inc., brand name superlift suspension, pitman arms sold as replacement equipment for 2003-2007 Dodge RAM 2500 and 3500 4X4 light trucks. Due to inadequate heat treatment…

    Remedy: Lki will notify owners and replace the pitman arm, if necessary. The recall began on March 12, 2007. Owners may contact lki at 1-800-551-4955.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. 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 →

  9. 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 →

  10. R
    2011-10-03Steering11V350000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2014-01-17Steering13V528000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  13. I
    2014-10-20Audit queryClosed 2016-05-16 Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
  14. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  15. 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 →

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

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Dodge RAM 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 169 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 146 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 138 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V033000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 03V212000 · Wheels
  • Recall 05V462000 · Power train
  • Recall 07E009000 · Suspension
  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
  • Recall 10E013000 · Steering
  • Recall 11V350000 · Steering
  • Recall 13V528000 · Steering
  • 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 2500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500 have?
9 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.