MYRModel Year Report

2003 Dodge RAM

▲ Better than typical
2003 Dodge RAM
RENDERED 2026-11-01T16:54:05.954Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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
53
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

15% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 2 complaints 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 22 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 23 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1993: 56 complaints 1994: 481 complaints 1994 1995: 612 complaints 1996: 625 complaints 1997: 398 complaints 1998: 483 complaints 1998 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 147 complaints 2001: 318 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 53 complaints 2003 53 2004: 58 complaints 2005: 40 complaints 2006: 25 complaints 2007: 17 complaints 2008: 25 complaints 2009: 9 complaints 2010: 27 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 22 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 23 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 56 complaints 1994: 481 complaints 1994 1995: 612 complaints 1996: 625 complaints 1996 1997: 398 complaints 1998: 483 complaints 1998 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 147 complaints 2000 2001: 318 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 53 complaints 2003 53 2004: 58 complaints 2005: 40 complaints 2006: 25 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2008: 25 complaints 2008 2009: 9 complaints 2010: 27 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 22 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 23 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 56 complaints 1994: 481 complaints 1994 1995: 612 complaints 1996: 625 complaints 1996 1997: 398 complaints 1998: 483 complaints 1998 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 147 complaints 2000 2001: 318 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 53 complaints 2003 53 2004: 58 complaints 2005: 40 complaints 2006: 25 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2008: 25 complaints 2008 2009: 9 complaints 2010: 27 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints

2003: 53 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19842
198510
198618
198718
198822
198928
199023
199152
199263
199356
1994481
1995612
1996625
1997398
1998483
1999366
2000147
2001318
2002116
200353
200458
200540
200625
200717
200825
20099
201027
20110

Known problem areas

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

Engine and engine cooling

15% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

Structure

15% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing door and frame and members.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Passenger side grab handle failed while entering vehicle. Passenger lost balance and fell to the ground.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-13

Power train

11% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.

CRASHINJURY

Service brakes

9% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Electrical system

8% · 4 reports
FIRE

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. I
    2004-08-26Engineering analysisClosed 2005-12-22 False park
  3. R
    2004-09-27Service brakes, hydraulic04V185000 On certain van and wagon vehicles equipped with 4-wheel antilock brake systems (ABS), aftermarket batteries may leak electrolyte onto the ABS control module connector, which can compromise sealing…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ABS control module connector for electrolyte damage and replace the connector as necessary. The recall will begin on September 27, 2004. Owners should contact…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2007-09-05Equipment07E066000 Certain cequent 90 degree 7-way right angle adaptors sold by distributors in tow packages for aftermarket sales to tow 5TH wheel rv travel trailers. Due to incorrect wiring of the harness, the…

    Remedy: All of the defective tow packages are still at the distributor level and have not been sold to any consumers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2009-06-06Steering09E001000 Chrysler is recalling 18,000 aftermarket steering linkages used for service on some my 2003 through 2008 Dodge RAM heavy duty pickup trucks. The subject linkages may experience drag link inner tie…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering linkage drag link inner tie rod end assembly, and inspect the steering linkage damper bracket free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2009. Owners may contact…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2009-08-28Visibility09E009000 Chrysler is recalling 1,364 windshield wiper modules, p/n 55077098AJ, sold during the 2008 and 2009 calendar year for use as aftermarket replacement equipment on my 2002-2009 Dodge RAM Pickup trucks.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper module assemblies with vented wiper motor housings free of charge. The safety recall began on August 28, 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Dodge RAM — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 6 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V033000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 04V185000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E066000 · Equipment
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E001000 · Steering
  • Recall 09E009000 · Visibility
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Dodge RAM reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Dodge RAM is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge RAM?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge RAM have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.