Dodge Ram Complaints (2003)

2,323 consumer complaints on file.

#10106600January 19, 2005
TIRES:SIDEWALL
4TH TIRE FAILURE, GOODYEAR LT235?80R17 SEVERAL SIDE WALL TIRE SPLITS,BOTH OUTER SURFACES OF TIRE. TIRE HAD 10/32 OF 15/32 TREAD REMAINING, THIS TIRE IS ONE ALREADY REPLACED BY GOODYEAR. THE CASING IS AT WEST TIRE SVC, 4000 HWY 281 NORTH, MARBLE FALLS ,TX78654, PHONE 830/693-0475, FAX: 830/693-0602. WOULD BE NICE IF YOU IMPOUNDED TIS TIRE FOR EXAMINATION AND FACT FINDING BEFORE THEY SHIP IT AWAY. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR CURB BOUNCE INVOLVED, JUST A FAULTY TIRE AND IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT ALL MY DRIVING ON MICHELIN TIRES NEVER HAD A MESS LIKE THIS ONE AND MY DRIVING STYLE HAS NOT CHANGED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107485January 18, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WILL PERIODICALLY DOWN SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110968January 13, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING:COLUMN
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER (NO THROTTLE RESPONSE). NEXT THE IGNITION SWITCH WENT BAD. *BF THE VEHICLE'S STEERING COLUMN WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106192January 12, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
1. FELT NOTICABLE VIBRATION IN VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS (0 TO 40 MPH). VIBRATION WOULD SMOOTH OUT AFTER 40 MPH. 2. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES, REAR DIFFERENTIAL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP WITH NO REAR WHEEL MOVEMENT WHATSOEVER. HAD TO USE FRONT DRIVE AXLE TO MOVE VEHICE OUT OF ROADWAY WHILE DRAGGING LOCKED UP REAR AXLE. DODGE TECHNICIAN SUSPECTS PINION NUT FAILURE CAUSING PINION TO BIND REAR AXLE. 3. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY SITTING ON DEALER LOT WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THIS VEHICLE AND AM NOW SCARED TO DRIVE IT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106064January 10, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
TOOK VEHICLE FOR NORMAL MAINTENANCE, REQUESTED DIFFERNTIAL TO BE SERVICED. CALLED BY DEALER TOLD THAT WHILE PERFORMING REAR DIFFERENTIAL SERVICE FOUND CLIPS BROKEN IN REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASE, AND SIDE BEARINGS WARPED. MUST REPLACE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. TRUCK HAS 46000 MILES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105997January 8, 2005
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
(1) DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 75 MPH SPEED LIMIT. HIT RUTS IN ROAD LEFT FROM SEMIS. TIRES STARTED BOUNCING. TRUCK WENT OUT OF CONTROL. I THOUGHT I HAD MULTIPLE BLOWOUTS. STRUGGLED TO PULL OVER WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE ELSE. GOT TRUCK STOPPED AND GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT TIRES. NO DAMAGE TO TIRES. RESEARCHED SYMTOMS ON-LINE WHEN HOME AGAIN, DISCOVERED WHAT IS BEING CALLED "DEATH WOBBLE". TOOK TRUCK TO ALIGNMENT SHOP TODAY AND THEY INFORMED ME THEY CANNOT ALIGN BECAUSE ALL OF MY BALL JOINTS HAVE WAY TO MUCH PLAY AND TIE ROD ENDS ARE WORN OUT. FURTHER RESEARCH DONE TODAY ON DODGE OWNERS WEBSITES AND HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING "DEATH WOBBLE" ISSUES AND BAD BALL JOINTS, BUT DODGE IS NOT REPLACING THEM BECAUSE THEY STATE PLAY IS ACCEPTABLE. (2) THIS FAILURE IS ONE OF THE MOST SCARY THINGS I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED WHILE DRIVING A VEHICLE. TWENTY MINUTES EARLIER I WAS TOWING MY TRAVEL TRAILER BEHIND ME AND I THINK IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH THE TRAILER ON I WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE TRUCK. I AM TERRIFIED OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN. (3) I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PARTS REPLACED YET DO TO THE WEEKEND, BUT I WILL BE CALLING A SECOND SHOP ON MODAY FOR A SECOND OPINION AND PRICING TO HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED. MY FAMILY MEANS TO MUCH TO ME TO WAIT FOR A RECALL FROM DODGE ON THESE BALL JOINTS. I DO KNOW THAT THEY JUST RECALLED DURANGOS AND DAKOTAS FOR THE SAME REASON AND IN MY OPINION, THEY SHOULD RECALL FULL SIZED TRUCKS AS WELL. THIS CONDITION COULD HAVE VERY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES UP TO AND INCLUDING DEATH, WITH THE VEHICLE GOING OUT OF CONTROL AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101701January 5, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, SUSPENSION:REAR
AFTER VEHICLE WAS WARMED UP A CLANKING SOUND STARTED. ALSO, WHEN TOWING A FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER, AFTER AND AFTER TRAVELING 100 MILES VEHICLE SHOOK LIKE THE REAR END WAS GOING TO FALL OUT. DEALER DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM , AND STATED IT WAS EITHER THE REAR END OR THE DIFFERENTIAL. MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO HELP.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WRONG LUBE IN THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL. MANUFACTURER ADVISED A DIFFERENT LUBE. CONSUMER WAITING FOR RESULTS WHEN 5TH WHEEL RV IS BEING TOWED. *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104343December 22, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BEFORE 9000 MILES, MY FRONT BRAKES HAD SEVERE VIBRATION AND PEDAL PULSATION. THE DEALER SAID THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND REPLACED THEM. AFTER ONLY 13000 ADDITIONAL MILES THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED. AGAIN THE DEALER SAID THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I HAVE CORRESPONDED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY HAVE DENIED ANY PROBLEM. THE BRAKES ARE UNRELIABLE AND CANNOT BE EXPECTED OPERATE CORRECTLY IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104276December 21, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE, POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
HAVE HAD THE TRUCK LESS THAN TWO YEARS AND HAVE HAD SERVICE BECAUSE OF FAULTY MOTOR IN WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BAD COIL IN ENGINE, MIS-FIRING, CAUSING THE CYLINDERS AND VALVES TO BE REPLACED, FUEL CAP REPLACED, FUEL LINE REPLACED BECAUSE OF WATER IN THE LINES, HEATER HAD BAD PIECE, CAUSING HEAT TO NOT COME OUT OF DEFROST OR FLOORS, SHIFTER FOR 4-WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT SHIFT. HAS BEEN IN SHOP 13 DAYS(3 VISITS) IN LAST 4 WEEKS. NEEDS TO GO BACK THIS WEEK FOR SHIFTER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104111December 20, 2004
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS FOG UP AND ICE OVER WHILE DRIVING IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES. TYPICALLY THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ALSO FOGS OVER ON THE CORNERS FORMING AN OVAL THAT IS FOG FREE. TURNING THE VENT SYSTEM TO FULL DEFROST DOES VERY LITTLE TO REMOVE THE FOG AND FROST. I HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE FANS TO ASSIST IN KEEPING MY WINDOWS CLEAR. THIS CONDITION PREVENTS ME FROM BEING ABLE TO USE MY SIDE MIRRORS AS WELL AS SEEING IF THERE IS ON COMMING TRAFFIC WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN, TYPICALLY I HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOW OR EVEN THE DOOR IF THE FROST IS SO BAD THAT THE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL DOWN (SUCH AS WHEN DRIVING FOR A COUPLE OF HOUR.). I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO LOOK AT AND THEY HAD NO SOLUTION, THEY EVEN CONTACED THE MANUFACTURER WHO BASICALLY SAID THAT'S "NORMAL". I HAVE SEEN AT LEAST TWO OTHER DODGE RAM VAN'S THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105029December 17, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE CONSUMER COULD FEEL THE MOVEMENT OF THE BALL JOINTS IN IT'S SOCKET WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE IT ALIGNED WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE CRACKED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099540December 15, 2004
PARKING BRAKE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN IDLING IN PARK ON A FLAT SURFACE THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT THE PARK GEAR TO REVERSE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK AND HIT A CAR. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102905December 14, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I OWN A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH 20" WHEELS. PROBLEM IS WARPING ROTORS. AT 8,706 MILE HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED. AT 30,941 MILES TSB REPLACED CALIPERS AND TURNED ROTORS. AT 43,412 MILES TURNED ROTORS. AT 47,300 MILES REPLACED ROTORS. AT 56,137 MILES TURNED ROTORS. I TRADED A 1998 RAM 1500 FOR THE 2003, IT HAD 192,000 MILES AND NEVER WARPED THE ROTORS. THE VIBRATION FROM THE WARPED ROTORS HAS TO DECREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE BRAKES, AND COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE A FAILURE IN A STEERING OR SUSPENSION COMPONENT. IF THIS IS NOT ADDRESSED, SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102843December 13, 2004
WHEELS
I HAVE AN 03 DODGE RAM 1500. THE ROTORS HAVE WARPED 4 DIFFERENT TIMES. AT 3,000; 8,000; 13,000 AND 22,000. DEALER WILL ONLY TURN THEM DOWN AND HAS NOT REPLACED THEM. FROM ALL OF MY RESEARCH THIS IS CONSTANTLY OCCURRING ON ALL 1500 RAM TRUCKS WITH FACTORY 20" WHEELS. DODGE DID NOT UPGRADE ANYTHING TO COMPLIMENT THE LARGER WHEELS. THE ONLY CURE HAS BEEN FOR OWNERS TO REPLACE THEM WITH AFTER MARKET ROTORS AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10103686December 13, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10102652December 11, 2004
STEERING, SUSPENSION
MY 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 STEERING SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR A BRIDGE EXPANSION JOINT. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL IS DIFFICULT WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING. THIS HAPPENED WHILE TRAVELING AT 75 MPH, AND SENT THE TRUCK INTO THE OTHER LANE, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. COULD NOT GET THE SHAKING TO STOP UNTIL TRUCK DROPPED TO 45 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT ONE OTHER CUSTOMER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY CHECKED ALL THE STEERING COMPONENTS AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT FURTHER. BALL JOINTS IN THESE TRUCKS:2003 RAM 2500 -3500 ARE PROVEN TO BE DEFECTIVE. I AM A MEMBER OF THE TURBO DIESEL REGISTER WHICH IS COMPRISE OF 40,000+ MEMBERS AND THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNCOMMON AT ALL. APPROXIMATELY 50% OF ALL 2003 + TRUCKS HAVE BALL JOINT SLOP IN THE FIRST 10,000 MILES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102688December 11, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
READING YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT DODGE DURANGO AND DAKOTA GAVE ME SOME SATISFACTION OF MY ISSUE. I HAVE 03 DODGE RAM WITH INFERIOR/FAULTY BALL JOINTS. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET THE DEALER TO ADDRESS WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE ARGUMENT IS OVER HOW MUCH PLAY IS ALLOWED. INDEPENDENT SHOPS WILL NOT ALIGN AND SAY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE. I CONTACTED DODGE TO ATTEMPT TO GET INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF OWNERS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINT AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. THIS GENERATION OF DODGE MUST USE A DIFFERENT BALL JOINT THAN THE PRIOR GENERATION. I SAW YOUR ALERT AND WAS CURIOUS IF IT INCLUDED THE RAM PICK UP? ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102506December 10, 2004
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
2003 DODGE RAM 1500, 4X2 (WITH LIMITED SLIP 3.55 GEAR 9.25 CHRYSLER CORPORATE AXLE). BUILT NOV. 6TH 2002. VIN #[XXX]. WHILE CHANGING MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID AT 23,646 MILES NOTICED GEARS LOOKED O.K. THERE WAS HOWEVER LOCATED, (STUCK) ON THE MAGNET, A 3/4 INCH "C" SHAPED CLIP AND ANOTHER SMALL METAL CLIP. WENT TO DEALER, SCHEDULED FOR ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY. HE SAID THEY'VE REPAIRED EIGHT OR NINE OF THEM. WORRY NOW ABOUT IT GOING OUT ALL TOGETHER, WAS TOLD TO DRIVE IT UNTIL REPAIRED. I FIND MANY, MANY EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM!! *AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102522December 10, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
I HAD SEARS ALIGN TIRES ON MY DODGE. THEY DESCRIBED PROBLEMS WITH BALL JOINT, TIE ROD AND BEARING ON MY 2003 DODGE. CHRYSLER WILL NOT REPLACE PARTS THAT ARE SHOWING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THIS 1.5 YEAR OLD TRUCK AS THEY DID NOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10103548December 10, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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