10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 2
Average Mileage:
15,928 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Dodge Ram 1500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

Jun 082004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake shimmy, warped rotors at 6,000 miles. Resurfaced and failed again at 15,000. Truck is mom's mini-van. Only pulled a tent trailer once. I believe there is a design flaw or brakes too small for heavier "hemi" engine.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #25

Mar 162004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles
I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 truck. Within 8 months of purchasing this truck the trucks brake rotors warped, causing the truck to shake violently upon pressing the brakes. Dodge has yet to issue any sort of recall and I have read thousands, upon thousands of other owners have the same issue. There are times when I drive my car where I have to struggle just to keep the car in control when I brake. Something needs to be done about this.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #24

May 092003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles
2003 Dodge Ram 1500, hemi w/20" wheels.brake rotors were warped at 4000 miles(another 1000 miles were put on before the parts came in).replaced under warranty front brake calipers, front rotors and hoses.the second occurrence was at 10238, this time the dealer replaced both front rotors.the third occurrence was at 13073, at which time the dealer machined the two front rotors.now, how long this will last is the question, it seems to me that once a rotor is warped and machined down, it becomes thinner and more likely to warp again(quick fix but not the solution).daimler Chrysler knows it has a problem but are not doing anything about it.with this problem it causes the truck to hop, vibrate excessively and the steering wheel to work back and forth uncontrollably when braking.I believe this to be a very serious condition and in which my safety and others safety is in great risk!

- Danville, IL, USA

problem #23

Feb 242004

Ram 1500

  • 108,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While braking steering wheel vibrated and consumer heard a squeaking noise coming from the front brakes. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Porterville, CA, USA

problem #22

Jun 242003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,525 miles
Vehicle shudders under braking at all speeds. (warped rotors)first occurance @ about 9000 miles. Dealer turned rotors. Second occurance @ about 19000 miles. Dealer did not want to repair under warranty. Relented to repairing front only even though rear is also warped per their inspection. Also indicated a recall on front calipers and pads but not rotors. It appears that this vehicle will continue to warp the rotors at a regular interval. To me, this indicates defective rotor design/materials and should be seriously addressed as a safety concern. I am still trying to get the dealer to concede to repair the front and rear under warranty. The issue has yet to be resolved. In addition to the decreased capacityof the vehicle to stop safely, this warpage and consequent repeated turning of the rotors will obviously lead to eventual replacement of the rotors themselves at considerable expense.

- Chatsworth, CA, USA

problem #21

Dec 042003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,932 miles
Pulsation when braking. Rotors pitted per dealer. Resolution of turning not accepted by customer. Rotors replaced at 8936 miles.

- Diamond, OH, USA

problem #20

Feb 202004

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving at 60 mph vehicle vibrated, and took longer to stop the vehicle when applying the brakes. Dealer determined that rotors were warped, and were not cover under warranty. Consumer indicated that on the www. carmax.com found many complaints on warped rotors for the Dodge, Ram, 1500.

- Ebensburg, PA, USA

problem #19

Feb 042004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Second time to go to dealership about warped rotors. They try to get away with just turning them, but issue just returns. DC has some major issues with their rotors and safety is a major factor, but the way they are dealing with the situation also needs to be addressed.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #18

Dec 302003

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles
While driving consumer depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and front of the vehicle vibrated, the brake pedal went down to the floor, and the vehicle hit the rear of another vehicle. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that front left rotor was bent. This could have caused the brake failure.

- High Point, NC, USA

problem #17

Jan 122004

Ram 1500

  • miles
While applying the brakes pedal went to the floor. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for analysis, and mechanic noticed that the rotors were warped and needed to be replaced.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #16

Jun 062003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,490 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Starting at June, 06, 2003. 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 series. Warped rotors at 5490 miles, again at 10643 miles. Have been to dealer both times for repairs. Pulsating still occurs after repairs. Braking ability problems still occuring. Brakes locking sometimes when putting in drive to move.grinding and pulsating sensation when turning and braking.ohter problems drive-line vibration -has been in for repairs. Computer printed circuit for overhead console replaced at (2023 miles) keyswitch replaced, left rear tail - light printed circuit, replaced, left rear shock absorber left loose from factory.

- Madera, CA, USA

problem #15

Mar 052003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles
Front brakes: Pulsation, vibration, shaking. New rotors were replaced. Dealer wants to re-surface front brakes and install front brake pads? I've had nothing but problems with the front brakes. The emergency brake cable broke and was replaced as well. I see a serious safety concern here and an accident waiting to happen. I guess they will only worry about this when there are fatalities.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

problem #14

Dec 152003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 15,000 miles
At approximately 15,000 (mostly highway driving) miles on my 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 truck, when depressing the brake pedal, increasingly severe cab and steering wheel vibration occurs. Warranty for brakes expired at 12 mos/12K miles. Dealer initial recommendation was to offer to turn the front disc rotors. Dealer said problem caused by driving style or vehicle usage, although I don't tow or carry heavy loads. Dealer did not acknowledge a tsb for this problem till I brought it to their attention. Tsb says to turn rotor, replace pads, and replace calipers. Seems like the rotor is the issue and should be replaced.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

problem #13

Dec 222003

Ram 1500

  • 26,000 miles
The vehicle's front brake rotors warped. This caused the pedal to lock up and resulted in extended stopping distance. The dealer is aware of the problem.

- Monroe, NH, USA

problem #12

Nov 052003

Ram 1500

  • 21,950 miles
While braking in rainy weather rotors caused the vehicle to vibrate. Dealership tried to repair the vehicle 4 times, but had not resolved the problem.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #11

Nov 212003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 13,000 miles
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 and brakes started pulsating at about 13000 miles..told dealer..told me was a wear item..tuff luck..now I have a 30K truck that bouces when the brakes are applied. I cant believe the brake rotors are already junk..and now the trucks stopping ability is not as good. Can I make the dealer install new rotors?

- Waterboro, ME, USA

problem #10

Nov 062003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,700 miles
Warped brake rotors have been replaced several times on the front and once on the rear of the truck. This problem started at 11700 miles and continues to this day.

- Brownstown Twp., MI, USA

problem #9

Nov 302003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles
Front brake rotors warped in less than 8000 miles causing a strong front-end vibration when braking at highway speeds.

- Davie, FL, USA

problem #8

Nov 032003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,400 miles
I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab - at approximately 5400 miles, the front end began to shake like the rotors were possibly warped. I took it to the dealership to have it checked and was told the rotors were definitely warped. The rotors were replaced, but I have a really big problem question. Why is this happening" I don't drive the truck hard or use excessive braking, but I have found numerous complaints regarding other '03 Dodge Ram owners and warped rotors at low mileages (www.dtwtrucks.com/forums/topic.ten"id=56542L). Shouldn't there be a service bulletin on this issue already or even a recall" with the amount of complaints that I've seen, it seems as though no one wants to do anything about this but replace or turn the rotors and leave it at that. The warranty on the brakes only lasts 12 months or 12,000 miles. If they keep warping, then the rotors will have to be replaced every 6,000 miles or so for as long as I own the truck. Not something I want to have to do. Will someone please fix this before Dodge is faced with a possible lawsuit" should that happen, I feel there will be many Dodge Ram owners that will want a part of the outcome...

- Kingston, PA, USA

problem #7

Nov 052003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles
Front brake rotors have warped and caused a vibration / pulsation in the braking. Dealer re-surfaced the rotors but I think this is only a temporary fix. Why would rotors warp at 5,000 miles"?" must be a defective design.

- Monroe, WA, USA

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