Dodge Ram Complaints (2003)

2,323 consumer complaints on file.

#10118129April 19, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HAVING DRIVEN 120 MILES, I WAS 4 MILES FROM HOME; TURNING A CORNER, THE MOTOR SHUT DOWN AND STARTED MISSING. IT WAS MISSING SO BAD THAT I THOUGHT IF I LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL, THE MOTOR WOULD SHUT DOWN. MY TRUCK WAS LOADED WITH TOOLS SO I PROCEEDED TO GO ON THE NEXT 4 MILES AND RISK IT AND NOT LOSE MY TOOLS. EARLIER AS I WAS IN A PASSING LANE, I FELT THE MOTOR SHUDDER AS IF A SPARK PLUG WAS FOULING OR I HAD BAD GAS OR A BAD PLUG WIRE. IF I WAS PASSING IN A SERIOUS PASSING SITUATION EARLIER IN THE DAY, AND THIS MOTOR SHUT DOWN AS IT DID, I WOULDN'T BE WRITING THIS E-MAIL. THIS TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH A DODGE HEMI AND IS EXPECTED TO PASS WITH EASE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THERE ARE 115 PEOPLE IN LINE FOR THIS PAR,T AND IF I PAID AN EXTRA $80 I WOULD BE BUMPED TO #6 BECAUSE THEY CLASSIFIED ME AS VEHICLE OFF ROAD. I'M TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT NUMBER IS GROWING. THE PART HAS YET TO BE RECEIVED BY THE SERVICE DEALER, AND I AM COMPLETELY WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116917April 14, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
MY ROTORS WARPED AFTER ABOUT 10,000 MILES, THE DEALER RESURFACED THEM. THEY WARPED AGAIN AFTER ANOTHER 8,000 MILES, THEY REPLACED THEM. THEN THEY WARPED AGAIN AFTER ANOTHER 6,000 OR SO MILES. I DON'T DO HEAVY TRAFFIC DRIVING, SO I AM NOT RIDING MY BRAKES, AND EVEN IF I WERE, THEY SHOULD NOT BE WARPING SO QUICKLY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117899April 14, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE AT 13,000 MILES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117812April 12, 2005
SUSPENSION:REAR
2003 DODGE 1500 DROPPED DOWN ON THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING FROM PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR AXLE HOUSING.*MR THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SPUN AROUND 5-6 TIMES INN THE ROAD. THE TIRE, RIM, AXLE AND HOUSING ENDED UP UNDER THE TRUCK. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116454April 6, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
(REAR AXLE SHEAR), T 4:00 PM ON MARCH 19TH 2005, I WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE SOUTH BOUND ON CALIFORNIA STATE HIGHWAY 71. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RIGHT SIDE REAR AXLE SHEARED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A FORCED LEFT HANDED 360 DEGREE SPIN. I TRIED TO CORRECT THE SPIN, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND OR STOP. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN. ALSO, THE ENGINE RPM'S WENT UP WHEN THE AXLE SHAFT BROKE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR IT OR ADMIT TO THE DEFECT. HOWEVER AN EMPLOYEE AT THE DEALERSHIP SHOWED ME ANOTHER SHAFT FROM A CRASHED 2003 TRUCK. THE AXLE SHAFT WAS IDENTICAL TO MINE, THE CENTER PART OF THE AXLE SHAFT WAS CRYSTALIZED. SEE ODI 10116455 ALSO. *DSY. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10116455April 6, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
(REAR AXLE SHEARED) AT 4:00 PM ON MARCH 19TH 2005, I WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE SOUTH BOUND ON CALIFORNIA STATE HIGHWAY 71. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RIGHT SIDE REAR AXLE SHEARED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A FORCED LEFT HANDED 360 DEGREE SPIN. I TRIED TO CORRECT THE SPIN, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND OR STOP. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN. ALSO, THE ENGINE RPM'S WENT UP WHEN THE AXLE SHAFT BROKE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR IT OR ADMIT TO THE DEFECT. HOWEVER AN EMPLOYEE AT THE DEALERSHIP SHOWED ME ANOTHER SHAFT FROM A CRASHED 2003 TRUCK. THE AXLE SHAFT WAS IDENTICAL TO MINE, THE CENTER PART OF THE AXLE SHAFT WAS CRYSTALIZED. SEE ODI 10116454 ALSO. DSY. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10116457April 6, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I'VE OWNED MY 2003 DODGE RAM FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS. RECENTLY IT FELT LIKE THE IDOL WAS OFF, LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. BEFORE I COULD GET IT INTO THE SHOP IT BROKE DOWN WHILE DIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED. SLUDGE WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE, CAUSING IT TO SEIZE. THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE I REGULARLY CHANGE MY OIL AS WELL AS ADD OIL AS NEEDED. THE REPAIR COST IS $5000.00 THEY DON'T WANT TO HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE I DID NOT SAVE ALL MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117508April 6, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CARBON MONOXIDE WAS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE WHEN AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATER WAS USED. A DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109775April 6, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WHILE LOADING THE VEHICLE, THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10117258April 1, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE FRONT ALIGNMENT MALFUNCTIONED PREMATURELY, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL TO THE LEFT. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM FIVE TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117271April 1, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
VEHICLE VIBRATED/SHOOK WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND DEALER REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND THE CALIPERS. WITHIN 9,000 MILES OF WEAR THE PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AGAIN, BUT REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116223April 1, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I DRIVE A DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB SLT 4X4. AN ELECTRICAL FIRE WAS OBSERVED IN THE WIRING HARNESS LEADING FROM ABS CONTROL UNIT. IN THE PAST, I HAVE HAD TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SENSOR AND WIRING HARNESS. ON ONE OCCASION, THE HARNESS WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SENSOR. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, ONLY THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. IN A DOCUMENTED DIAGNOSIS, THE DEALER'S MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS MOISTURE PRESENT IN THE WIRING HARNESS NECESSITATING REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AWAITING AUTHORIZATION FOR REPAIR. I HAD FOUND A RECALL NOTICE ON AUTORECALLS.ORG (NHTSA NUMBER 04V18500), BUT APPARENTLY MY VEHICLE'S VIN IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10108128April 1, 2005
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
THE PROBLEM IS IN A 2002 DODGE RAM VAN, STILL UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. I'VE HAD IT IN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES TO FIX THE HEATER/DEFROST AND THEY CLAIM IT IS WORKING FINE. THE WINDOWS BECOME FOGGED UPON USING THE HEATER AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE WINDOWS, WHICH IS VERY SCARY TO DRIVE AND THE VAN IS TO BIG FOR THE DRIVER TO REACH THE WINDOWS AND CLEAN THEM OFF MANUALLY WITH A PAPER TOWEL. IF YOU PUT THE DEFROSTER ON HIGH THE FRONT WINDOW CLEARS UP, BUT THE SIDE WINDOWS NEVER CLEAR UP AND YOU FREEZE BECAUSE THERE IS NO HEAT COMING IN. IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR DRIVING THESE BIG VANS THAT THE SIDE WINDOWS BE CLEAR AS THE MIRRORS ARE YOUR ONLY WAY TO SEE BEHIND OF NEXT TO YOU AS THE VAN IS VERY BIG. THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE WHEN THE WINDOWS ARE ALL FOGGED. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND DODGE WILL NOT TRY TO FIX IT AS THEY CLAIM IT IS WORKING PROPERLY. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WE ARE FEARFUL OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT WHEN VISIBILITY IS WORSE. YOUR FEET ARE LIKE BLOCKS OF ICE ALL THE TIME. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG AND DODGE CLAIM THAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO WORK THIS WAY. I THINK IF THIS IS TRUE THAT THERE IS A SEVERE DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE RESEARCHED. I'M NOT SURE WHAT MY NEXT STEP OF RECOURSE IS. PLEASE ADVISE OR HELP IF YOU CAN. *AK *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115947March 28, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED IT HAS A LOT OF SHAKING, ALSO SECOND TIME THE TRUCK IS IN FOR ENGINE LIGHT AND ELECTRONIC THOTTLE MODULE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114344March 19, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WITH 25000 MILES ON TRUCK HAD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END. I INSPECTED TO FIND BALL JOINT ALMOST READY TO FAIL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114353March 19, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
I OWN A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 LARAMIE 4X2 WITH 17000 MILES. I PURCHASED IT FROM MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER WITH 2300 MILES ON IT. AROUND 15000 MILES, MY VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON, AND A STRONG BURNING ODOR BEGAN TO COME FROM THE CAB. I THOUGHT THE ERROR WAS SERIOUS, AND IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN APPROPRIATE FIVE STAR DODGE DEALER HERB GORDON DODGE IN SILVER SPRING, MD. KEVIN WITH THE ORANGE TEAM, AT HERB GORDON, VERIFIED THAT ONE ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE IS THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE BURNING SMELL CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME. AS THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY, THE PCM IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED. WHILE HERB GORDON HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB PROVIDING ME WITH SERVICE, DODGE HAS SCARRED ME AND ENCUMBERED MY TIME. I HAVE HAD TO RENT WHILE MY VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP, MY TRUCK SMELLS REALLY BAD INSIDE (DUE TO THE BURNING PCM,) AND I REALLY DO NOT TRUST THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE. WHY WOULD A PCM GO BAD AFTER 17000 MILES? IS THE BURNING SMELL GOING TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FUTURE? AM I AT RISK IN THIS VEHICLE?*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115409March 18, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED. VEHICLE WENT TO 80 MPH IN A MATTER OF MOMENTS. CONSUMER PRESSED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND THE VEHICLE KEPT GOING. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO OFF IN ORDER STOP THE VEHICLE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114294March 18, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I HAD BOUGHT MY 2500 DODGE RAM BACK IN JUNE OF 2003. I HAD OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS WHEN I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY GOING 75MPH AND THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO STOP THE VIBRATIONS. I BROUGHT IT IN TO DODGE AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THINKING THIS WAS A FREAK OCCURRENCE. THEN ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO I WAS ONCE AGAIN DRIVING AROUN 60MPH HIT A BUMP AND THE VEHIVLE STARTED SHAKING OUT OF CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THREE DAYS( AS I WAS DRIVING A LOT THOSE DAYS). I BROUGHT IT IN TO DODGE AND THEY GAVE ME A HARD TIME, BUT ENDED UP REPLACING THE TRACKBAR AND STEERING STABILIZER. THEY SAID THEY DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM OR NOT. NOW I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAVE HEARD MANY OTHER FOLKS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SHAKING AS WELL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115306March 17, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S HUB. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114141March 15, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
LATCH ON BACK GLASS WINDOW IS MADE OF THIN PLASTIC AT THE HINGES, CAUSING FALURE WITH LIMITED USE. WITHOUT A PROPER LATCH THE WINDOW CAN OPEN, AND A CHILD COULD CLIMB OR FALL OUT. A BROKEN PEICE OF LATCH COULD ALSO BE A CHOCKING HAZARD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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