10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,301 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 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #50

Sep 222016

Ram 1500

  • 106,000 miles

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

Dashboard made of inferior plastic material that has spider cracks and disintegrated in some areas. The results are jagged pieces that can injure drivers and passengers in a vehicle crash due to the impact itself and deployment of the airbags. With the most recent recall regarding the air bag inflators, the chances of creating additional fragmentation in an air bag deployment is made more likely.

- Aiea, HI, USA

problem #49

Feb 042015

Ram 1500

  • 80,000 miles
The dash board is completely falling apart, breaking into many pieces they are falling into the duct work and rattling when the defrost is turned on. Looks like the manufacturer should make this right. I am not the only one with this problem.

- Bristol, VA, USA

problem #48

Jun 012016

Ram 1500

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. While the vehicle was stationary, the dashboard fractured and caused razor sharp pieces to form. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 107,000.

- Tallulah, LA, USA

problem #47

Jul 102016

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 40 mph, there was an abnormally loud noise under the vehicle. A couple of days later, while inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the frame was cracked. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.. updated 08/31/16 the consumer stated the airbag recall had not been completed.

- Mount Olivet, KY, USA

problem #46

Jun 162016

Ram 1500

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that rust was discovered on the torsion bar mount up to the front of the leaf spring mount. In addition, after the vehicle was mounted on jack stands, it was discovered that the frame was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.

- Westfield, MA, USA

problem #45

Jul 152008

Ram 1500

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked and had large holes. The passenger side was so deteriorated that you could see the container for the air bags. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #44

Aug 312015

Ram 1500

  • 100,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. While the vehicle was being serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 15V312000 (air bags), the technician noticed that the dashboard was cracked due to dry rotting. The technician refused to honor the recall due to the dashboard. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Ringgold, LA, USA

problem #43

Feb 252011

Ram 1500

  • 75,000 miles
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab, dash started cracking about 4 years ago and continues deteriorating, now has a couple of big cracks (3/8" wide) and some little ones. Coupled with recall (R26/nhsta 15V-312) on defective airbag inflator housing (for which I have been waiting so far over 6 months for) this has potential for serious injury to occupants, I do not have luxury of using another vehicle. Dodge do not seem in any rush to remedy this problem even though it is dangerous and a multi state issue.

- Buena Park, CA, USA

problem #42

Feb 082016

Ram 1500

  • 69,000 miles
Conversion van --while parking at children's school heard a very loud snap-noticed front wheels turned outward. Van towed to shop. Told by mechanic that pitman arm snapped off at frame--can not be repaired due to extensive frame rot. Snapped at mounting bracket bolts missing. Nothing left of frame to attach new parts.purchased 11 months ago and driven approx. 6000 miles. Mileage at purchase only 63,052. Sitting at repair shop not drivable will need extensive costly frame repair. Dealership unwilling to help.

- Delanco, NJ, USA

problem #41

Jun 152014

Ram 1500

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle parked, it was discovered that the paint was peeling off every wheel well and there was rust under the paint that was peeling. The vehicle was taken to dealer where it was confirmed that the wheel well were both rusted. In addition, the vehicle was showing signs of rust on the passenger side bumper. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was not available.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #40

Jul 012015

Ram 1500

  • 80,000 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 dashboard fractured in fragments. The fractured pieces fell into the air vent system and fractured the foot of the contact's wife. The contact stated that the dashboard started fracturing about seven years ago. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing the dashboard replaced, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

problem #39

Dec 102014

Ram 1500

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14V770000 (air bags) and NHTSA campaign number: 15V312000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact initially brought the vehicle to the dealer on January 15, 2015. At that time, the dealer stated that the recall repair was performed; however, the recall did not begin until until February 3, 2015. Upon review of the invoice, the document stated that the vehicle was inspected and that the recall repair would not be needed. Several months later, the contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15V312000 (air bags). The manufacturer stated that the repair for NHTSA campaign number: 14V770000 (air bags) had already been repaired on February 12, 2015 and the parts for NHTSA campaign number: 15V312000 (air bags) were not available. The contact had not brought the vehicle back to the dealer after January 15, 2015. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced an air bag failure. The contact also stated that the dashboard was cracked in several locations, including over the speedometer, the middle of the dashboard, and defroster grill. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #38

Feb 012010

Ram 1500

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the rear corner panels were rusted. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that water was trapped in the corner panels, which caused the rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Hydepark, NY, USA

problem #37

Apr 152014

Ram 1500

  • 114,000 miles
The dashboard on this vehicle cracks and pieces fall down into air vents (made from cheap plastic). If air bags were to deploy the dash would designate causing preventable injuries if cracking was not an issue.

- South Jordan, UT, USA

problem #36

Mar 042010

Ram 1500

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked and fractured, which created very sharp edges on the dashboard. The contact indicated that the cracks were located where the air bag was positioned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who indicated that the damage was caused by excessive sun light. The vehicle was not repaired. Manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Starke, FL, USA

problem #35

Aug 152005

Ram 1500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact noticed that there were multiple fractures on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #34

Jan 012015

Ram 1500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact noticed that the dashboard fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle was unable to receive the repairs under NHTSA campaign number: 14V770000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- De Land , FL, USA

problem #33

Mar 102012

Ram 1500

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard fractured and started falling apart. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Loxahatchee, FL, USA

problem #32

Feb 232015

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 194,268 miles
I was doing routine maintenance on my truck and located frame rusted through on left frame rail just in front of rear tire and behind rear door. In no way should this be happening since I purchased it new in 2003. The truck has been well maintained.

- Georgetown , KY, USA

problem #31

Oct 162014

Ram 1500

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the plastic dashboard cracked and became very brittle. In some areas, the plastic fractured and created sharp edges on the dashboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Conway, SC, USA

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