10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 1
Average Mileage:
107,730 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 2500 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #39

Apr 272016

Ram 2500

  • 237,682 miles

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

The dash board on almost all of these trucks are severely crashing and if the airbags go off parts of the dash can injury or kill someone from flying parts of the dash board

- Caddo Mills, TX, USA

problem #38

Jul 152017

Ram 2500 8-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
Takata ?- on 7/15/2017 my son was involved in a single vehicle accident as he drove home on the freeway. Lost control of vehicle resulting in the vehicle spinning and impacting a guard rail post, ejecting him from the vehicle on to the freeway where he died. Upon examination of vehicle no airbags in the cabin deployed. *

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #37

Jan 052018

Ram 2500

  • 53,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact noticed that the frame was fractured. The contact called freehold Dodge Ram at 732-462-1600 and was informed that there was no recall and the part was not replaceable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

problem #36

Jul 012016

Ram 2500

  • 150,000 miles

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

Dashboard disintegrated into plastic knives that fly off and cause injury. Also compromising the effectiveness of the passenger airbag and or creating additional debris to be thrown at the occupants during a crash.

- Tonopah, AZ, USA

problem #35

Mar 082016

Ram 2500

  • 87,000 miles
Dash is cracked completely. Pieces of the dash has fallen in the air vents. It's a safety issue if I get into an accident due to a piece might hit me or my passenger. Have a 2002 Ford Focus zts, I have taken care my Dodge better than my Ford and the dash is in perfect condition

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #34

Apr 012010

Ram 2500

  • 150,000 miles
Dashboard disintegrating into hundreds of extremely pointed and sharp shards of heavy gauge plastic some of considerable mass that pose a severe risk in the event of a collision. Daily remove pieces of dash as they break free. Many are heavy enough and pointed enough to severely injure driver or occupants even under severe braking let alone a crash with airbag deployment at supersonic speeds. Under severe braking these shards break free and fly forward toward the windshield then bounce back at the terrified occupants. We now have to always wear protective eyewear to avoid being blinded by a flying piece of debris from the dash. Every time the vehicle hits a small bump another piece or two breaks off or a new crack appears threatening to release another sharp flying object into the passenger compartment. This is not just cosmetic!! this is dangerous. This has been going on for years as a cosmetic issue but now is different.

- Wayne, OK, USA

problem #33

May 082015

Ram 2500

  • 170,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The dealer advised the contact via phone that she needed to have the dashboard repaired prior to the vehicle being repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V312000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Kempner, TX, USA

problem #32

Sep 012016

Ram 2500

  • 210,000 miles
Dash is cracking creating sharp sections that would be an extreme hazard in the event of an airbag deployment.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #31

Sep 052013

Ram 2500

  • 56,003 miles
Vehicle was in motion when I identified a large crack had form in the center of the dashboard above the radio from front to rear. As I drive each day I have more and more cracks forming in all directions with sharp/angular pieces unexpectedly falling into the dash and the cab of the truck. I am concerned about the safety of myself and my passengers especially when I consider what might happen when the airbag deploys as designed, causing the dash to explode and send projectiles throughout the cab. I contacted Chrysler back in 2013 and was told by a representative that this defect is not a warranty issue because of the time since the purchase date. Since then the damage has become more severe and I am concerned that pieces falling behind the dash they will interfere with my ability to control the vehicle (acceleration/braking). These concerns represent significant safety issues that were not disclosed to me when I purchased back in 2003.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #30

Nov 102016

Ram 2500

  • 600,046 miles
Ongoing subframe corrosion was identified while vehicle was stationary and undergoing component replacement. Extensive corrosion was removed between the front bed mounting point and right side rear shock absorber mounting point leaving a 6" X 2" hole. Identified on 11/10/2016 further assessment will take place on 11/12/2016 by a certified mechanic.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #29

Oct 152015

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact observed that the frame of the vehicle was severely corroded, from the inside out. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 01/11/2017

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #28

Jul 012015

Ram 2500

  • 27,000 miles
Complete top of dashboard is cracking and pieces falling inside. Condition is concerning from a safety standpoint. The structural integrity of the dash which also houses the passenger airbag is obviously compromised, there are sharp edges where the dash has cracked and where large pieces of plastic are missing. This would very likely cause injuries in the event of a crash.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #27

Jul 012015

Ram 2500

  • 160,000 miles
Dash board is cracked.

- Lindenhurst, NY, USA

problem #26

Nov 082008

Ram 2500

  • 30,500 miles
Cracked dash could be dangerous in accident fly debris or if air bag goes off this is potentially dangerous to me and my passengers

- St Charles, MO, USA

problem #25

Feb 122012

Ram 2500

  • 52,000 miles
Severe cracking of dash board. Numerous complaints already made about this problem

- Warrenton, OR, USA

problem #24

Oct 192015

Ram 2500

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the dashboard on the passenger side of the vehicle was fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact was not offered a remedy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Monroe, OH, USA

problem #23

Feb 232015

Ram 2500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the dashboard deteriorated over time to the point that it was cracked all the way across. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V770000 (air bags) and 15V312000 (air bags) and stated that the parts needed were not available within a reasonable timeframe to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. The failure mileage was not available.

- Buckatunna, MS, USA

problem #22

Jan 232015

Ram 2500

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the dashboard was falling apart. When the air conditioner was activated, there were particles flying out of the vents. While driving approximately 10 mph over a bump, the steering wheel seized and something on the front end felt loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the upper ball joint and stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the dashboard was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Hudson, FL, USA

problem #21

Aug 172014

Ram 2500 8-cyl

  • 29,823 miles
08/16/2014, dash board was intact and no flaws noted---------------on 08/17/2014, overnight, the dash was found split in two, my biggest concern is that this crack ( with sharp jagged edges ) is located directly over the passenger air bag. Should the bag deploy, it would likely be punctured and my passenger injured. I feel this safety hazard should be Dodge's responsibility to rectify.

- Webster, NY, USA

problem #20

Dec 312013

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
Purchased this 2500 cummins diesel new- have maintain reg. Maintenance, kept in garage, never been wrecked & looks brand new on inside. The paint has begun to come off due to there being a paint defect with no/little clear coat. It has also begun to rust causing a safety hazard. There have been hundreds complaints about the paint on this year truck and Dodge has omitted to the paint defect on several different sites. I take great in this trucks safety however it is now being jeopardized. I have owned trucks longer than this and never had an issue due to the particular care. I have taken this truck to the paint/body shop and to have it repainted the same color will cost approximately $5,000. This is Dodge's problem that they have openly admitted and now need to solve the problem at no expense to the owners.

- Ridge Spring, SC, USA

Read the next 19 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?