2003 Dodge RAM 3500
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 4 |
| 1992 | 10 |
| 1993 | 20 |
| 1994 | 70 |
| 1995 | 108 |
| 1996 | 124 |
| 1997 | 125 |
| 1998 | 105 |
| 1999 | 104 |
| 2000 | 58 |
| 2001 | 130 |
| 2002 | 44 |
| 2003 | 286 |
| 2004 | 214 |
| 2005 | 196 |
| 2006 | 257 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 173 |
| 2009 | 105 |
| 2010 | 150 |
| 2011 | 223 |
| 2012 | 365 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
27% of complaints: air bags — 77 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20171121
13% of complaints: structure — 36 distinct reports on file.
INJURYShow 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, 20131025
11% of complaints: steering — 32 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow 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, 20180208
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, 20180122
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, 20120422
5% of complaints: suspension — 15 distinct reports on file.
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, 20240725
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, 20120422
5% of complaints: structure — 14 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 SERVICE
Campaign 03V033000 — check if this car was fixed
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 SERV
Campaign 03V212000 — check if this car was fixed
FALSE PARK
FALSE PARK
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 INADVE
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.
Campaign 05V462000 — check if this car was fixed
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 DURI
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.
Campaign 07E009000 — check if this car was fixed
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 FOREIGN
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 REIM
Campaign 07E104000 — check if this car was fixed
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 FABTEC
Campaign 10E013000 — check if this car was fixed
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, MANUFACTUR
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 C
Campaign 11V350000 — check if this car was fixed
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 Meg
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.
Campaign 13V528000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Campaign 15V312000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2003 Dodge RAM 3500 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (77 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (36 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (32 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 03V033000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V212000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V462000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E009000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10E013000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V350000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V528000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V312000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.