Dodge Ram Complaints (2003)

2,323 consumer complaints on file.

#10368617December 1, 2010
STRUCTURE
THE DASH BOARD DEVELOPS MAJOR CRACKS AND OVERALL MATERIAL BREAKDOWN EXPOSING WIRING UNDER THE DASH FOR A POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF SAFETY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS DUE TO INADVERTENT EXPOSURE (AIRBAGS, HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, GAUGES, IGNITION, VENTILATION, ETC) . IT THREATENS THE OCCUPANTS (RIDERS) WITH POSSIBLE PROJECTILE SHARDS OF PLASTIC IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, CAUSING MORE DAMAGE THAN AN IMPACT ITSELF. POSSIBLE INJURY UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE IF A HAND IS PLACED IN THE DASH AREA AND IT COLLAPSES. THE INTEGRITY OF THE STRUCTURE IS FAULTY CREATING A UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT. THE CRACKS ARE NOT FROM ABUSE OR MISTREATMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE PART IS NOT A WEAR ITEM THAT MECHANICALLY DETERIORATES OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE IS GARAGED AND WELL KEPT REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. INSPECTED REGULARLY, REGISTERED AS INDIVIDUAL USE NOT A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367833November 25, 2010
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, STRUCTURE
ON NOVEMBER 19, 2009, I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH MY WINDOWS DOWN. THE WIND FROM THE WINDOWS BEING DOWN CAUSED PART OF THE CRACKED DASHBOARD TO FLY UP AND HIT MY FACE. IT CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL FOR A SECOND BUT WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME. CRACKED DASHBOARDS ARE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH DODGE RAM TRUCKS AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED FROM THIS. I GUESS DODGE WILL FIX THEIR DEFECT ONCE THIS HAPPENS. HOPEFULLY I WON'T BE THE TEST CASE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10367840November 25, 2010
STRUCTURE
I WENT TO WORK ONE DAY IN THE COMPANY TRUCK AND WHEN I GOT HOME I WENT TO MY DODGE AND OPENED THE DOOR TO FIND A 16 INCH CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD THAT WAS NOT THERE WHEN I LEFT THAT MORNING. I HAVE RECENTLY HEARD THAT DODGE MAY HAVE USED DEFECTIVE PLASTIC IN THE FABRICATION OF THEIR DASHBOARDS FROM 1998-2006. SINCE I'M NOT GOING TO SPEND $800 ON A NEW DASH THAT IS PROBABLY JUST GOING TO DO THE SAME AND DODGE IS NOT PAYING FOR ANY REPLACEMENTS THE ONLY OPTIONS AT THIS POINT ARE 1) BUY A DASH COVER OR 2) DO NOTHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367303November 23, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VAN SHUTS DOWN ANY WHERE ANY TIME ANY SPEED AND READS NO BUS THIS HAS BEEN HAPPEN FOR TO LONG AND THEY DON'T EVEN OFFER A SOLUTION.I BOUGHT A SCANNER FOR A 100.00 DOLLARS IT WAS A WASTE OFF MONEY CAN'T READ CODES WITH THE NO BUS ANY WAY IF IT'S NOT THE PCM THEN WHY HAVE CODES FOR ALL THE OTHER SENSORS IF IT TURNS OFF ANYWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367099November 22, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE 5 MPH, THE BRAKE LINE FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME HAD RUSTED PREMATURELY. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,900.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10366803November 19, 2010
STRUCTURE
JUST FOUND A CRACKED DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CLOSE TO THE AIR BAG IN MY 2003 DODGE RAM. SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY 1999 RAM AND GOT WORSE. I AM CONCERNED THIS COULD BE A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH ELECTRONICS AND AIRBAGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365916November 16, 2010
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO USE SWITCH FROM DEFROST TO HEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365104November 9, 2010
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 THAT THE BLACK DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED IN APPROXIMATELY 4 PLACES. THESE CRACKS RUN FROM THE WINDOW TO THE FRONT EDGE OF THE DASH BOARD. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1999 DODGE RAM 2500 WITH A TAN DASH BOARD AND NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE DASH BOARD CRACKING. SEEMS TO ME THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS SPECIFIC DASH BOARD. WHY SHOULD WE AS THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE FAULTY EQUIPMENT REPLACED. THESE PIECES COULD BREAK FREE AND BE LOGGED INTO THE DRIVERS EYE AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH IF AN ACCIDENT SHOULD OCCUR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10364379November 8, 2010
EQUIPMENT, VISIBILITY
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TURNED ON THE HEATER IN MY TRUCK AND THE WINDSHIELD IMMEDIATELY FOGGED UP TO THE POINT I COULD NOT SEE. I HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW TO SEE OUT AND TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION. ONCE I WAS STOPPED I NOTICED THE PROBLEM WAS NO MATTER WHAT POSITION I SET THE DEFROST OR HEAT ON, THE AIR ONLY BLEW OUT THE VENTS ON THE DASH PANEL. I WENT TO THE DODGE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE WHOLE DASH HAD TO COME OUT OF MY TRUCK, DRAIN THE COOLING SYSTEM AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TO REPLACE SOME BROKEN PLASTIC PARTS, COSTING AROUND 1,500.00 TO 2,000.00. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON LINE, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE, ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE WITHIN 5 SECONDS MY VISION WAS COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTED AND COULD HAVE NOT ONLY RESULTED IN MY DEATH BUT THAT OF SOMEONE ELSE. THIS TRUCK ALMOST KILLED ME ONCE WHEN IT JUMPED INTO REVERSE AND ALMOST RAN OVER ME. YES THEY ENDED UP CREATING A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THAT DID NOT PAY TO REPAIR MY TRUCK OR MY NEIGHBORS HOUSE THAT MY TRUCK RAN INTO. I THINK IT IS UNFAIR FOR US AS CONSUMERS TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR DODGE'S FLAWED ENGINEERING. THEY HAVE A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM SO THEY ARE COMPLETELY AWARE OF IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363923November 3, 2010
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 AND I AM CONCERNED THAT AFTER 3 YEARS THE PLASTIC DASH IS CRACKING AND GETTING WORSE. THE REPLACEMENT COST IS WAY TOO MUCH AND PROBABLY WON'T LAST. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FOR THE SIMPLE REASON, IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A PASSENGER AND THE PERSON PUT THERE HANDS ON THE DASH OUT OF REACTION IT COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO SOME DEEP LACERATIONS TO THE HANDS AND FOREARMS. FROM READING ON THE INTERNET, DODGE IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION ON A RECALL FOR THIS ITEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362906October 29, 2010
SUSPENSION, STEERING
I HAVE A 2003 RAM 2500 4X4 WITH 65000 MILES ON IT. I JUST STARTED TO GET THE DEATH WOBBLE , MY FATHER-INLAW HAS A 1998 CUMMINS AND HE HAS ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE DEATH WOBBLE HE HAS TRIED TO REPLACE SEVERAL PARTS ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION WITH NO FIX, I HAVE BEEN READING ALOT OF FORUMS ON THE INTERNET WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362977October 29, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT
MY 2003 DODGE 3500 4X4 STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, SHAKING VERY VIOLENTLY WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER A BUMP OR UNEVEN PLACE IN THE HIGHWAY AND YOU'RE DRIVING OVER 50 MPH. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE STABILIZER SHOCK AND TRACK BAR BUSHINGS ALONG WITH TWO ROTORS AND HUB SEALS. STILL IT CONTINUED TO SHAKE. I NOW HAVE TAKEN IT AND AGAIN HAD THAT REPLACED ALONG WITH HAVING A KIT OF FIXES THE DODGE DEALERSHIP SELLS THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS, STILL IT DID NOT FIX IT. MY MECHANIC WAS AT HIS WITS END AND SEARCHED THE INTERNET WHERE HE FOUND OVER TWO MILLION SITES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO APPARENT FIX. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1500 AND IT STILL SHAKES VIOLENTLY. I USE MY TRUCK TO PULL LOADS AND NOW I'M AFRAID TO PULL ANYTHING WITH IT. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK BRAND NEW AND HAD NOT HAD ANY TROUBLE, EXCEPT OF COURSE WITH THE INJECTORS WHICH IS ANOTHER STORY, UNTIL NOW. IF YOU DO A SEARCH OF DODGE DEATH SHAKE, YOU WILL FIND THERE ARE MILLIONS OF US OUT THERE. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE HOW IT CAN LITERALLY SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL LOOSE FROM YOUR HAND AND TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY. THIS VERY DANGEROUS AND I'M AFRAID DODGE IS TRYING TO SKIRT THE ISSUE OF A POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW IN THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION. ALL THESE TRUCKS ARE BOUGHT TO CARRY A LOAD AND I AT TIMES WAS PULLING OVER 25,000 LBS. OF CATTLE AND THE THOUGHT OF HAVING THIS HAPPEN THEN, WOULD BE A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED TO MAKE DODGE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS? WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY OF US, I THINK IT IS A DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW AND A VERY DANGEROUS ONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361500October 21, 2010
STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2003 DODGE RAM 3500 TRUCK HAS TWO CRACKS THAT APPEARED OVER NIGHT WHILE IT WAS PARKED ONE RUNS COMPLETELY ACROSS THE CENTER THE OTHER CRACK IS ON RIGHT SIDE. THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY 57,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD IS DRIVEN 3 MILES ROUND TRIP A DAY AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360949October 17, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WENT TO TURN ON MY LEFT DIRECTIONAL AND HAD A LOSS OF DIRECTIONALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WINDSHIELD WASHER AND FOUR WAY FLASHER. CHECKED PROBLEM THOROUGHLY AND FOUND IT TO BE A FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH INSTALLED BEHIND STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360256October 13, 2010
STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 IS CRACKED AND CONTINUES TO CRACK MORE AND MORE EACH DAY. I AM AFRAID THAT PIECES THAT MAY FALL INSIDE THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT WHICH MAY LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY IF THEY BECOME DEPLOYED. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358909October 3, 2010
STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 HAS BEGUN TO CRACK AND DISINTEGRATE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358754October 1, 2010
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO DISINTEGRATE AND PIECES OF IT WAS FALLING OFF AND HITTING HIM WHILE DRIVING. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS SO BRITTLE THAT IF ANYONE HAD TO BRACE THEMSELVES ON IT THEIR HANDS WOULD GO THROUGH IT. CHRYSLER TOOK PICTURES AND STATED THAT THEY COULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. CASE # 19653576 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358256September 29, 2010
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 EQUIPPED WITH DICK CEPEK RADIAL F-C II 33/125OR117D TIRES (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CENTER TREAD ON THE FRONT TIRE (NOT SURE WHICH ONE) SUDDENLY FELL OFF, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, FENDER FLAIR AND GASKET LEAD. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 06T024000 (TIRES: TREAD/BELT) BUT THE TIRE MANUFACTURE DATE WAS NOT WITHIN THE AFFECTED TIRES' MANUFACTURE DATE FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358213September 29, 2010
STRUCTURE
2003 DODGE RAM 1500 DASHBOARD'S CRACKING. STARTED IN 2008 AROUND 88K MILES AND IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. NO RECALL TO MY KNOWLEDGE, EVEN THOUGH MY NEIGHBOR, A RELATIVE, MYSELF AND ALMOST EVERYONE THAT'S OWNED A DODGE TRUCK FROM 200 TO 2004 HAS HAD OR HAS HEARD OF THE SAME ISSUE! AMAZING WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A PROBLEM! TWO WEEKS AGO I WENT AGAIN TO BUY A PWR STEERING PULLEY THAT HAD DISINTEGRATED ON AN 04' DAKOTA AND THE PARTS MGR SAID THAT HE THOUGHT THEY WERE USING BETTER MATERIALS ON THE REPLACEMENT DASHES. HE THINKS!!!! HE SHOULD KNOW SINCE HE OBVIOUSLY KNEW THIS WAS AN ISSUE, AND SAID SO!!!!! WHY SHOULD A MATERIALS DEFECT COME OUT OF MY POCKET? WHERE'S OUR GOVERNMENT????? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357337September 24, 2010
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 03 DODGE AND MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKING, DODGE WILL DO NOTHING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM OF WHICH THEY KNOW THEY HAVE. ONCE IT BEGINS CRACKING IF YOU ARE IN A WRECK THE PLASTIC PIECES WILL ACT AS A FLYING PROJECTILE AND COULD HARM SOMEONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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