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.
The steering is very loose, when going over a bump the vehicle is pulled into another direction and you temporarily lose control of the vehicle. The 4X4 was not operating properly, so the transfer case was replaced. Upon replacing transfer case the rear differential locked up and the rear wheels won't move. This seems to be a very common issue with this vehicle. All of these issues are common among Dodge Ram 1500S of this year( 2003) these issues should be recalled!
Traveling at about 40mph, driveshaft fell off. After further investigation, I saw the pinion loose hanging inside the differential. I took cover off differential and the pinion and gear were destroyed. The pinion nut was off. That being said, nut came loose, causing pinion to drop into gear box, destroying it. However, my VIN was not recalled. Multiple issues like this on this year also.
As I was driving to my drs appointment in a city street at 40 mph. I heard a popping noise from the rear of my truck and I immediately lost power, I was able to pull over to the side of the road and found my drive shaft laying on the road, my rear axle locked up, I had to have my truck towed home, after farther inspection I found out that the pinion nut came off.I research the and found out many complains of this problem with Dodge trucks of this year, with no response from Dodge.what is going to take a fatality before Dodge issue a recall.
- Tucson, AZ, USA
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The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the rear differentials gears seized and caused the vehicle to swerve and come to an abrupt stop. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. (michiciana Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of mishawaka, Indiana) was made aware of the failure and requested that the vehicle be brought in for a rear differential assessment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
On February 11, 2018, while returning home from emt training, I heard a whining noise and then boom. Pinion nut backed off, dropped down into the gear area causing my drive shaft and yoke to break and my rear end to lock up, putting me into a skid. I found 35 other complaints where Chrysler corporation was notified and nothing was done. I also found out that the 2wd trucks were recalled but not the 4WD. When I contacted Chrysler corporation, I was told to keep my receipts and if any recalls were to come they would contact me. Chrysler knows of the problem but will do nothing about it. They put my life and my families lives in danger and will not honor their mistake. The following link is all other complaints: Https://www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/ram_1500/2003/drivetrain/rear_differential_failure.shtml.
While driving the vehicle on a flat, paved road a sudden small grinding noise was detected. Without warning, the rear axle froze and the rear wheels locked up. As the vehicle slid to a stop, a loud noise was heard. After the vehicle stopped moving a quick visual inspection revealed that the drive shaft had broken off and was hanging down. A large amount of viscous fluid was spilled on the road. The truck was not able to move forward or backward at this point due to the locking of the rear wheels and lack of a functioning drive shaft. The vehicle was on a blind curve on a well traveled road and the police were called. It was necessary for the officer to remain and direct traffic around the vehicle due to the dangerous situation. The vehicle was towed to a local Dodge dealer and a claim (# 32479801) was filed via the Dodge customer care hotline.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 15 mph, the contact heard a loud noise from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle lost power without warning and was towed to the contact's residence. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
While driving down the interstate my 03 Dodge 1500 started making a whining noise. We pulled over and check the rear end fluid. It was fine. Got back on the highway and it was still whining. Made it about 50 miles do that and my truck shuts of. No power at all. I put it in natural and got it started and got off on an exit. It barely had power to move. Pulled into a motel and power picked up. I was 265 miles from home. I had to have my truck towed the 265 miles not knowing the problem and awaited to drive it any :* that. Got home my husband replaced the bearings and seals in the rear end. Well that didn't fix it. As we had the cover off the punkin of the rear end we found a broken piece in the bottom. A friend told me it was a part of the opinion gear. I don't know but a new rear end cost $2500 if not more. A used one costs $350 to $800. I'm stuck and don't know what to do.. I love my truck but I can't afford the rear end and I have to have a way to work.
Currently my 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 has a howling noise coming from the rear end. After reading numerous accounts of this same problem I feel lucky that my rear-end has not yet locked up on me. This is a definite safety issue as if lock up were to occur at highway speeds severe injury or even death could result.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at approximately 60 mph, a loud noise came from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that upon deceleration the gear shift shook rapidly. While putting the vehicle in park, the driveshaft fell and the rear driveshaft axle lifted. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to his residence where he diagnosed that the rear driveshaft axle failed due to a loose rear axle pinion nut. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
While driving down a hill at aprox 45mph I heard a loud bang and my drive shaft hit the ground and my differential locked up due to pinion nut backing off. I had no clue anything was going to happen. Thank god my family wasn't injured or killed.
2003 Dodge Ram 1500. Consumer writes in regards to light switch still not working after repairs. The brakes and rotors were replaced. Also, the left front axle seal was starting to leak.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle shifted gears abnormally. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an O2 sensor malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V312000 (air bags), but the part to do the repair was not available. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 35 mph, an abnormal sound emitted from the rear of the vehicle and it stopped abruptly without warning. In addition, the vehicle failed to move forward. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the pinion nut loosened and caused the driveshaft to fracture from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V038000 (power train). The failure mileage was 175,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Kissimmee, FL, USA