I have taken very good care of my truck and it has rarely seen any mud in it's lifetime. One day I was washing my truck just like I always do when I saw a bubble in the paint on the driver side rear fender. The paint bubbled right off and the bare metal was showing. I bought some touchup paint from Autozone and filled in the hole but soon after I noticed rust bleeding out. This is absolutely rediculous because I haven't even paid off my truck and it's already rusting. I hope there is a law suit and a recall soon.

as my dodge ram began to rust around the wheel wells, i wanted other makes and models of similar age to do the same thing. its not cool that people say its rusting cause its a dodge.. but its true. it is rusting from a poor design. and i see most other dodge rams from my era doing the same thing. this sucks. 2000 dollars was the best and only price i got to fix it. included new wheel arches and hours of body work. most other body shops say new bedsides... and wont even dare tell you how outrageous they cost. i'm really disappointing with dodge for this. i stick up for that company through all odds against anyone but i've come to realize its just so i don't feel stupid for buying one. a recall would be nice for a paint job. as well as the clear coat finish on my hood practically just washing away leaving nearly a square foot of ugly white spots in three perfectly symmetrical and predictable spots. tell me you know what i mean.

I have a 2003 Ram 1500 Quad Cag 4X4. I bought it new in 2003 it has been a great truck for driving, towing my boat. It has been mechanically sound but the exterior is disappointing to say the least. i always kept my truck clean and proud to drive but I am embarrassed to be seen driving now with all the RUST! I would sure like to think it wouldn't rust out in less than 8 years. This is my first Dodge but I would sure be hard pressed to buy another. I just wish that Chrysler would pull up to the pump and make things right.

I noticed the bubbles popping up around the drivers side fender last year, this March it started peeling off, it made me sick to my stomach. Such a nice looking truck, its just not right. I talked to a co-worker who has a 2004 and it has started on his, he felt the same way I did when he saw it in his truck. I have always kept it clean and shiny. I think with all the similar problems I have been reading here that this is a defect and think Chrysler should fix it. I paid 31,000 for this truck in 2003, if anyone knows what can be done please let me know. They have made a lot of money off of these trucks and I don't think it's right that they shouldn't fix it.

I have been doing autobody for almost 30 years and have never seen holes rust right through and paint blisters as bad as fast as on my 2003 dodge 1500, I took the truck back to the dealer and was told it wasnt covered I then took the truck to several bodyshops and they all confirmed what I thought the ploblem was little or no primer before it was painted. dodge should fix the problem I for one will never buy a piece of sh*t dodge again this isnt the only problem Ive had with it but dont have enough time to get in to all the other things

I might have been a little more fortunate than some of these other complaints as far as mileage gone by, but I have tried to maintain my truck the best I could, but just like all these others I too have the same problem. I bought this truck brand new in Oct. 2002 (It is a 2003) and from the very start I have maintained everything myself. I started noticing the bubbles around the crest of the wheel wells around 103,000 miles. I was really upset when they first came about. How could this happen! I took such great care, washed every chance I could, waxed more than some classic car enthusiasts do, and in the winter spent $8+ dollars (usually around 4 min per $2.25) every week at the pressure washing stations rinsing off the whole truck including up under neath from road salt. I have now 133,000 miles on my truck and the rust has now spread from just bubbles, to paint chipping away, cracking, and pealing off almost more than half way around the wheel well.

Since this happened I had got an estimate to get both sides re-done. I wanted it done right so I made sure that the collision company warranty'd it for as long as I owned the vehicle. New fenders, paint, and labor for both sides of the truck.......... $6,300.00.

Wow! As well as some of these other complaints I too think it should be recalled, as well as repainted and problems solved. I am very dissatisfied with the way it looks, but I am just not sure paying $6300 bucks pretty much almost what kbb is appraising these trucks at in fair condition (as a result of these rust marks). Hopefully even though my paint warranty has long expired, this problem will be resolved in the near future!

Bought my 2003 Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab 5.7 Hemi 4X4 brand new and now have 59,000 miles on it. I have had only minor issues with the truck until now. The driver’s side rear wheel well on the bed is now starting to rust from the inside out. When I first bought the truck I also purchased the plastic inserts that mount inside the rear fender wells that protect the metal from the elements. It is obvious that the rusting is not being triggered from the environment since I was proactive with the wheel well install and is a factory defect that should be backed up by Dodge. I am also having some minor rusting on the tailgate which started after only about 4 years of owning the vehicle. I am all about buying American products but it seems that the quality and warranties are still not as good as the imports.

I bought my ram 1500 quad cab in January of 2008 with 58,000 miles on it by October 08 i noticed bubbles under the paint on fender well of the bed first driver side then pass-side now to this date the rust is out of control I have noticed several other 2003 rams with the same problem,I have read the other complaints, And it looks like no one is willing to step up to fix the problem. I say we turn to the news media for help and see how many trucks,have the same problem,the numbers are most likely in the thousands,Then its time for a Class action law suite.

My dodge ram is great, I love it. Except for the rust blowing through my bed above the wheel well. Its horrible and ugly and the manufacture really should live up to the means and quality of their products. Mainly 01 - 04 this is common on 100% of them they will all do it, rust like hell on the bed. i have not seen one that is smooth on both sides and yes it gets worse if you don't fix it fast. within six months it went from one blister to seeing inside the well by a whole big enough to fit your fist in it. if you have an 03 dodge ram any trim i don't care if you clean it every day, it will happen.Sorry but yes its true.

Noticed paint bubbling up on the rear fenders of my '03 ram. Bought in in sept of 2009 with 59000 miles on it. Never noticed it on any other rams in this area but on alot of chevys from 99-02. Took it to two body shops and they both suggested replacing the panels not just repainting costing about 4,000!!!. I've decided to possibly just cut away the bubbles touch up with paint and cover with fender flares!! Not gonna hassel with the Chrysler execs that never gets anywhere. Tried doin that with GM years ago about inadvertant air bag deployment and they were rude and unwilling to do anything!