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 1 of 3)

problem #46

Nov 282006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated when the brake was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three occasions. On the first occasion the dealer replaced the rotors and calipers. The vehicle was taken to the dealer 5,000 miles later, but the dealer refused to repair the vehicle again. The vehicle was taken to another repair shop, and 9,000 miles later, the rotors and calipers were changed a second time. The contact stated that the rotors were too small for the vehicle. The failure mileage was 92,000.

- Santa Rosa Beach, FL, USA

problem #45

Jan 192006

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 quad cab - shimmy felt in steering wheel while braking. 1st repair 12/16/03 (7217 miles), 2nd repair 3/24/05 (23401 miles) - Dodge replaced front brake calipers, pads and machined rotors. 3rd complaint 1/19/06 (33315 miles) - Dodge refuses to repair because it's over the 1 year/12000 mile warranty period.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

problem #44

Jul 162004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,102 miles
The contact stated there was major vibration in the front end of the vehicle due to rotor warpage. When depressing the brake pedal from any speed over 20 mph the front end of the vehicle shimmied, and it was very difficult to hold the vehicle on the road. The vehicle has been to the dealership on four occasions. The brake rotors, calipers, and pads were repaired every four to five months. The manufacturer was contacted. There were no recalls. Updatd 01/25/06.

- Chagrin Falls, OH, USA

problem #43

Mar 072004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

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

1] no problem just applied brakes 2] when I apply brakes it vibrates the front end. 3] I took to randall knoll dealership in terrell and they kept the vehicle all day and said they didn't find a problem and ask if I wanted to put new brakes on so I said if it would fix the problem so they applied the new brakes and nothing changed the vibration. Or shaking when you applied the breaks. This problem has been going on for over a year. Took the truck to a local shop and had the rotors turned and then replaced and still the problem exists. Please advise what the problem is when you have to apply the breaks quick you become afraid that the vehicle will not stop.

- Grand Saline, TX, USA

problem #42

Jan 102004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles
My rotors warped after about 10,000 miles, the dealer resurfaced them. They warped again after another 8,000 miles, they replaced them. Then they warped again after another 6,000 or so miles. I don't do heavy traffic driving, so I am not riding my brakes, and even if I were, they should not be warping so quickly.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #41

May 012004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25 miles
When slightly depressing the brake pedal, lots of shaking.

- National City, CA, USA

problem #40

Dec 142004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,000 miles

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

Before 9000 miles, my front brakes had severe vibration and pedal pulsation. The dealer said the rotors were warped and replaced them. After only 13000 additional miles the problem re-occurred. Again the dealer said the rotors were warped and needed replacement. I have corresponded with the manufacturer and they have denied any problem. The brakes are unreliable and cannot be expected operate correctly in case of an emergency.

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

problem #39

Nov 302004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,706 miles
I own a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with 20" wheels. Problem is warping rotors. At 8,706 mile had the rotors replaced. At 30,941 miles tsb replaced calipers and turned rotors. At 43,412 miles turned rotors. At 47,300 miles replaced rotors. At 56,137 miles turned rotors. I traded a 1998 Ram 1500 for the 2003, it had 192,000 miles and never warped the rotors. The vibration from the warped rotors has to decrease the efficiency of the brakes, and could eventually cause a failure in a steering or suspension component. If this is not addressed, someone could be seriously injured or killed.

- Gatesville, TX, USA

problem #38

Sep 302003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles
I purchased my Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 in June of 2003. In September of 2003 I was working in richmond, va. And started getting a vibration in the steering wheel when I braked. I took it to a Dodge dealership in richmond, where they found nothing wrong with the truck. In October of 2003 I traveled to California for work, and still had the problem. I took it to a dealership in orange county where they found "nothing wrong with the truck.". I then returned to Texas where I took it to a dealership in corpus christi, tx. Where they told me the rotars where warped, and I must have gotten my brakes wet and warped them. After 7 hours, the district manager ok'd them to turn my rotors- the truck was past its 12,000 mile warranty. They then told me I may have future problems with my rear rotors. In Aug. Of 2004, I came to Florida to work and started having a severe vibration in my brakes. Since the dealerships were closed during the hurricanes, I took the truck to a Goodyear, where they turned my rear rotars. I know have a worse vibration in the front end of the truck. Dodge is giving me the run around- the calipers and rotars need to be replaced( dealership service manager in winter haven, fl. Told me that Dodge is aware of the calipers not being large enough for the torque put out by the hemi engine and they have issued new calipers. I need help. This has been going on since the truck had 8,000 miles and I am now at 49,000.

- Bishop, TX, USA

problem #37

May 152004

Ram 1500

  • miles
Warped front brake rotors within first 7500 miles. Dealer turned rotors but rotors warped again within 5000 more miles. Dealer says out of warranty.

- Bonners Ferry, ID, USA

problem #36

Oct 292004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles

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

Heavy vibration and squealing when brakes applied. Took truck to dealership where the calipers were to be replaced and roters turned. When the roters were turned they completely disentegrated. Technician stated that I was extremely lucky this did not occur while driving. Calipers and roters were replaced

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #35

Oct 262003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles
Brake rotors warp every 7000 miles or so. Rotors replaced by dealer 12/29/2003 at approximately 8K miles. Now have 15K miles and steering wheel shakes and shudders when stopping, just like before. There is a safety defect here.

- Jeffersonville, PA, USA

problem #34

Oct 192004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While applying the brakes, the pedal went to the floor and the brake pedal pulsated when applied. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. The mechanic informed the driver that the rotors needed to be replaced.

- Chagrin Falls, OH, USA

problem #33

Jun 202004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles
I own a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The brake rotors warped within 10,000 miles. After extensive talks with the dealer they machined the rotors. After another 10,000 miles, they warped again. After talking to several Dodge Ram 2003 owners I learned that many have been having similar problems. I feel that the dealer should replace my rotors. The steering wheel has extreme wobble when breaking with the warped rotors.

- Indian Trail, NC, USA

problem #32

Sep 242004

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • 32,000 miles
Consumer rotors are warping. Tsb work was done on the truck at 16000 miles, now at 32000 miles all four of the trucks rotors warped.

- Unknown, DC, USA

problem #31

May 062004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,090 miles
Front end shakes when braking. Tires are blad on on side due to frount end out of place. This has been in too the dealer 3 times for the front end and 2 times for the brakes.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #30

Oct 272003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,883 miles
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab w/17" wheels. Taken in at 17,883 miles for brake shudder or vibration. They gave a free brake inspection and resurfaced the front rotors. It was taken in again at 25,506 miles for the same brake shudder or vibration. They replaced caliper's, washer br, pad kit, and resurfaced rotors. Now at 34,000 miles I have the same brake shudder or vibration.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #29

Jun 082004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,900 miles
I went to midas and had my brakes checked due to the fact when I began to slow down my truck would shake and bounce like the rotors were warped. My truck has only 30,000 miles and it has always shaked a little from the day I got it.

- Bartlett, TN, USA

problem #28

Jun 282004

Ram 1500

  • miles
While applying the brakes a loud squeaking noise was heard from the front. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that both front brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced due to warped rotors. Consumer informed the mechanic this was the second time that brakes and both rotors needed to be replaced, and the problem was not resolved.

- Smithsburg, MD, USA

problem #27

Aug 012003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,000 miles
Normal driving use arped rotors-pulsating brake pedal and shaking steering wheel-almost was in an accident bacause of shaking when braking. Dealer will not replace rotors.-nothing.

- San Jose, CA, USA

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