MYRModel Year Report

2003 Dodge RAM 3500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Dodge RAM 3500
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
286
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 10 complaints 1993: 20 complaints 1994: 70 complaints 1994 1995: 108 complaints 1996: 124 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 105 complaints 1999: 104 complaints 2000: 58 complaints 2000 2001: 130 complaints 2002: 44 complaints 2003: 286 complaints 2003 286 2004: 214 complaints 2005: 196 complaints 2006: 257 complaints 2006 2007: 210 complaints 2008: 173 complaints 2009: 105 complaints 2009 2010: 150 complaints 2011: 225 complaints 2012: 365 complaints 2012
1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 10 complaints 1993: 20 complaints 1993 1994: 70 complaints 1995: 108 complaints 1995 1996: 124 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 105 complaints 1999: 104 complaints 1999 2000: 58 complaints 2001: 130 complaints 2001 2002: 44 complaints 2003: 286 complaints 2003 286 2004: 214 complaints 2005: 196 complaints 2005 2006: 257 complaints 2007: 210 complaints 2007 2008: 173 complaints 2009: 105 complaints 2009 2010: 150 complaints 2011: 225 complaints 2011 2012: 365 complaints
1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 10 complaints 1992 1993: 20 complaints 1993 1994: 70 complaints 1994 1995: 108 complaints 1995 1996: 124 complaints 1996 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 105 complaints 1998 1999: 104 complaints 1999 2000: 58 complaints 2000 2001: 130 complaints 2001 2002: 44 complaints 2002 2003: 286 complaints 2003 286 2004: 214 complaints 2004 2005: 196 complaints 2005 2006: 257 complaints 2006 2007: 210 complaints 2007 2008: 173 complaints 2008 2009: 105 complaints 2009 2010: 150 complaints 2010 2011: 225 complaints 2011 2012: 365 complaints 2012

2003: 286 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19914
199210
199320
199470
1995108
1996124
1997125
1998105
1999104
200058
2001130
200244
2003286
2004214
2005196
2006257
2007210
2008173
2009105
2010150
2011225
2012365

Known problem areas

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

Air bags

28% · 80 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle suddenly crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-21

Structure

19% · 53 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The dash started cracking in 2011, now it has so many cracks and sharp edges, you can't wipe off the dash without getting a cut on your hand. Very dangerous situation, can only imagine what would happen in an accident.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-10-25

Steering

13% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and gear box (other than rack and pinion).

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

When driving the truck around 65 MPH & I hit a bump I get a severe death wobble. This has happened several more times & it's very dangerous

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-08

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge RAM 3500. While driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel was loose and became inoperable without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-22

Driving at hwy. Speeds when you hit a seam or bump on hwy. Front end shakes violently. This happens at random times. You never know when it will happen.it is very dangerous.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-22

Also filed under Suspension

Suspension

12% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing front and upper ball joint.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact who is a certified mechanic, inspected the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-07-25

Power train

9% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle lurched forward in every gear except in neutral when depressing the clutch when starting the engine. The dealer replaced the clutch, but problem recurred.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-09-20

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

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 286 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 3500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 80 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 53 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 38 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 3500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 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.