10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,624 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #31

Jul 302022

Ram 1500

  • miles

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

Frame damage where steering box separates

- Toledo , OH, USA

problem #30

Feb 112020

Ram 1500

  • 160,000 miles
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!

- Catonsville, MD, USA

problem #29

Mar 092019

Ram 1500

  • miles
My truck has had the death wobble from day 1. countless trips to fix what I now know has been a known issue. The trucks front end goes into massive shaking out of the blue

- Frazier Park, CA, USA

problem #28

Oct 062018

Ram 1500

  • 125,000 miles

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

While driving, truck stalls, happened twice. No warning lights, no codes, first time at stop sign, second while on straight run

- Norristown, PA, USA

problem #27

Sep 242017

Ram 1500

  • 155,600 miles
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.

- Smithfield, VA, USA

problem #26

May 012016

Ram 1500

  • 101,000 miles
Takata recall my steering wheel is bulged out and the light flashed then goes off" I can be driving then it flashes then disapers and you can feel and see the bulge. Steering issue : I have had over 8 alignments done in the past month and all new parts tires N rims installed and the steering wheel is still sideways ? its alighned for no more then a day then it starts loosing the straight drive and pulling left or right " of had it at multiple places and they can't figure it out.

- Jamestown, NY, USA

problem #25

Feb 082016

Ram 1500

  • 69,000 miles

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

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 #24

Mar 012015

Ram 1500

  • 117,000 miles
All of a sudden the truck started shutting off, whether in idle or on the freeway. It would happen multiple times during the day. When shutting off, the truck would loose power steering and brakes. Took to multiple dealerships and mechanics who couldn't find anything wrong with the truck, would never throw any codes, finally spoke with a mechanic who talked to a computer person who stated that we needed to have the computer fixed but it wouldn't be available for 3-6 weeks due to it being on national back order. This needs to be recalled, due to safety issues. You are unable to control the vehicle when you lose power steering and brakes. National back order tells me that there is a problem and Dodge knows about it.

- South Jordan, UT, USA

problem #23

Sep 212015

Ram 1500

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle vibrated. Additionally, the steering wheel independently moved left to right and the contact had to hold the steering wheel firmly in order to steer the vehicle properly. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled and was able to restart. The contact stated that the anti-freeze warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V770000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Los Angelos, CA, USA

problem #22

Jul 012015

Ram 1500

  • 81,500 miles
While driving home from work I started hearing this noise coming from the rear end at 81,000 I know it cant be the rear end, but yes its the rear end going out never pulled anything with the truck, fluids are changed on time and oil and rear end al ways change at the same time. The other problem is the steering I notice when I hit a dip in the hwy its hard too control but every time I take it buy the dealer ship they say its normal, never thought ill be giving up on Dodge but now I see they just wont your money and they wont stand be hind there product. I am sure I'm wasting my time writing this but gotta know if Dodge will respond back.

- Meridian, MS, USA

problem #21

May 132015

Ram 1500

  • 148,000 miles

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

My son was driving home from work turning left and the right front tire just came off. After looking at the part itself the medal just snapped off, broke clear, this is dangles

- Longwood , FL, USA

problem #20

May 182005

Ram 1500

  • 1,256 miles
Right front brake failed to operate properly veered off road off shoulder of highway power steering suction line came loose steering failed.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #19

Jan 122015

Ram 1500

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver when making a right turn. Additionally, when the brake pedal was depressed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #18

Jun 152014

Ram 1500

  • 165,000 miles
My vehicle was in park and turned off and I got out to walk around and my 3 yr old grabbed shifter and it when into neutral and her father put it in park but got hit but door in process has leg swelling and I ran around and got hit by back of truck and dislocated shoulder but continued to run to drivers door and got it open and jumped in side while truck is rolling backwards down an incline at 15 mph head for a wall that drops 25 feet her father throwing it into park did not stop it so once I was in I steered it the other way away from cliff and hit brakes and finally got it stopped and now at hospital with dislocated shoulder we had a family member die on the count of Dodge defective parts this is ridiculous!!!!! this needs fixed I know of bunches of accidents that are involved because of Dodge and there parking safety it's not supposed to go into ear unless brakes are pushed in!!!!!!!! I'm beyond pissed!!!!! because of there laziness and cheap junk that they won't fix!!!!

- Parkersburg, WV, USA

problem #17

Mar 182014

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 52,723 miles
Steering rack (rack & pinion) leaking fluid premature failure of rack did not, but could have caused an accident replaced by local Dodge dealer.however Chrysler customer care does not consider it premature failure and therefore my problem at my expense filed claim with Chrysler under non recall related expense for reimbursement, but was denied filed claim with auto BBB in auburn hills, mi and was directed to file complaint with nhsta. Chrysler case#[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Antioch, TN, USA

problem #16

May 042014

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 184,000 miles
The key fell out of the ignition switch while driving. I brushed up against the key and it flew out onto the passenger side floor board. The vehicle remained running without a key in the ignition.

- Del Valle, TX, USA

problem #15

Apr 042005

Ram 1500

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist would suddenly malfunction and cause the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 83,000.

- Flora Vista, NM, USA

problem #14

Nov 192009

Ram 1500

  • 3,000 miles
The dash started to crack on my 2003 Ram 1500 pickup, the cracks just get worse, and a pieace flew off while I was driving, and hit me in the eye, almost lost control of my truck, Dodge needs to recall and fix these dashboards before some one is hurt or killed, afraid to let any one ride in the front seat.

- Palm Harbor, FL, USA

problem #13

Mar 092013

Ram 1500

  • 13,450 miles
While drive at the posted speed limit, the drivers side front wheel separated from the vehicle. I lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle crossed the center line, crossed over the on coming lane, hit a mailbox, went airborne, crossed a driveway, hit a tree, rolled, hit another smaller tree and came to rest on the drivers side door facing the opposite way I was originally traveling. At the time the hub assembly separated from the vehicle, I was traveling downhill. My daughter was able to crawl out of the vehicle while I had to be cut out using the jaws of life. I was transported to a local trauma one hospital via life air medical rescue. My daughter was transported by ground. She had five chipped teeth while I sustained a tbi and broken knee cap. The vehicle was a total lost but there was no loss of life.

- Haughton, LA, USA

problem #12

Oct 192013

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 156,000 miles
My son (16) was driving his 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 up to a stop light before turning onto our street, when truck made a loud noise and it felt like someone ran into the back of the truck, he lost control of truck while all this going on, but managed to keep in the lane he was in. Truck finally stopped and when he got out the drive shaft had fallen off and the rear wheels are locked up. Some men pulled him off the main road and we called for a tow truck to tow us to our house, until I could find out where to take the truck to on Monday. The rear wheels just skid across the road while being pulled to a safe spot and I am hoping I don't need new tires, since the tires we have on were just bought in July/August 2013.

- Beaumont, TX, USA

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