Dodge Ram Complaints (2003)

2,323 consumer complaints on file.

#10154425April 3, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK AND MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO MY SERVICE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPAIRED IT. I ONLY HAD 37,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME. I DIDN'T HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO USE A RENTAL CAR. THEN ON TOP OF EVERYTHING, CHRYSLER DAMLER WOULD NOT PAY FOR MY RENTAL. THE REAL ISSUE HERE IS THAT MY TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT UNDER 40,000 MILES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154202March 30, 2006
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED FOUR TIMES. THIS OCCURS AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED. THE FIRST THREE TIMES, AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP INSTALLED A REFURBISHED PUMP. THE PUMPS HAVE CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE REPAIR SHOP AWAITING A NEW PUMP. UPDATED 05/22/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153977March 29, 2006
STEERING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT 60 MPH THE VEHICLE TURNED LEFT AND RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 05/063/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153900March 28, 2006
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
I TOOK MY '03 DODGE RAM TO MCPEEK DODGE DEALERSHIP IN ANAHEIM, CA FOR WARRANTY WINDSHIELD WIPER REPAIR WORK. THE TRUCK WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE WIPERS. LATER IN THE DAY THE SERVICE PERSON CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW THE WORK WAS COMPLETED, BUT "BY-THE-WAY, WE NOTICED YOUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON - DO YOU WANT US TO CHECK THIS OUT?" I REPLIED FIRST OF ALL THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN AND SECOND I WAS NOT GOING TO PAY ANY DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND I EXPECT IT TO BE CORRECTED WHEN I PICK IT UP. IT WAS NOT CORRECTED AND DELIVERED BACK TO ME. OBVIOUSLY, DEALERSHIPS (ESPECIALLY BIG 3 MANUFACTURERS) ARE TRYING TO RECOUP LOSSES THROUGH FRAUDULENT / UNNECESSARY SERVICE DUE TO THE MINIMAL MARGINS AND VOLUME OF SALES OF NEW VEHICLES. I AM A MECHANIC AND UNDERSTAND THE SALES PITCH - WHILE I WAS SITTING IN THE WAITING ROOM I FELT SORRY FOR A LITTLE OLD LADY THAT THE SERVICE GUY PREYED ON. SHE JUST WANTED A OIL CHANGE, BUT ENDED UP HAVING HER BRAKES INSPECTED AND PROBABLY REPLACED ONLY BECAUSE "HE NOTICED THEY WERE SQUEAKING". ANYWAY BACK TO MY STORY - IT TOOK ME ALL OF 5 MINUTES WHEN I GOT HOME TO POP THE HOOD AND FIND A WIRE TO THE AIR CLEANER SENSOR THAT THE MECHANIC HAD DISCONNECTED PROBABLY INTENTIONALLY SINCE THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WIPERS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. I FOUND OUT THAT THE MANAGEMENT AT THIS DEALERSHIP HAS INSTRUCTED THE STAFF TO MAKE SURE TO UP-SELL EVERY CUSTOMER AND MAKE SURE SOME OTHER WORK IS FOUND BESIDES ANYTHING THAT THE VEHICLE IS BROUGHT IN FOR. THAT'S FINE IF SOMETHING IS NEEDED, BUT TO INTENTIONALLY DAMAGE A VEHICLE OR REPLACE PARTS UNNECESSARY TO MAKE MORE MONEY IS JUST NOT RIGHT. I SAVED $150, BUT AM STEAMING MAD! MCPEEK DODGE IS A CROOK. I WILL NEVER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THERE AGAIN AND NEVER SERVICE THERE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153898March 28, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE IGNITION MODULE WAS BURNED ON ONE END. THE WIRING WAS MELTED DUE TO THE WIRING BEING TOO SMALL. THE WIRING OVERLAY HARNESS, WIRING AND IGNITION SWITCH WERE REPLACED, WHICH REMEDIED THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153919March 28, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 HEAVY DUTY PICKUP WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND DIESEL ENGINE ROLLED BACKWARDS AFTER BEING PLACED IN "PARK". I LEFT THE VEHICLE TO TALK TO SOMEONE. THE INDICATOR WAS IN "P" BEFORE I LEFT THE VEHICLE AND STILL IN "P" AFTER ROLLING BACKWARDS ~ 150' THROUGH 2 SNOW BANKS MADE BY CLEARING THE DRIVEWAY. THE PICKUP STOPPED UPON HITTING A SIGN WHICH RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE; BUT THE RIGHT REAR PICKUP BED RECEIVED ~ $450.00 IN DAMAGE. NOBODY WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. NOBODY WAS INJURED. THE SIGN PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM CROSSING A BUSY STREET. I RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER TO INSTALL THE "OUT OF PARK ALARM" ON MONDAY FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT ON THURSDAY. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE ALARM INSTALLED. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153917March 28, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN; AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, RECALL NUMBER: 05V462000. PRIOR TO RECEIVING THIS RECALL, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DONE TO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE REMEDY LISTED IN THE RECALL. IN ADDITION TO THE OUT OF PARK ALARM LISTED AS THE REMEDY TO THIS RECALL, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED A SHIFTER CABLE NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153834March 27, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. A LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS. THE CONTACT REPLACED EVERY BULB. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE DASH CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT INSTALLED ANOTHER DASH CLUSTER. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DASH CLUSTER, THE LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL AND LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT WILL NOT WORK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152634March 13, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 DODGE RAM PICK UP HAVE ALREADY COMPLAINED OF STALLING, NOW THE ELECTRIC IS STARTING TO GO WRONG. 09/22/04 PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO GO UP OR DOWN, DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. 11/28/05 PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IN BACK OF CAB, THE SPEAKER WENT OUT AND EVERYTIME THE DOOR LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY THE SPEAKER MADE A LOUD BUZZING NOISE. NEEDED A HARNESS $50.00 11/28/05 WINDOW ON PASSENGER SIDE STOPPED WORKING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE NEEDED REGULATOR BINDING SWITCH $160.00 11/28/05 LIGHTS AROUND THE HEATING ELEMENT ON THE DASH BOARD STARTED GOING OUT AND 1/2 WOULD BE OUT AND 1/2 WOULD BE ON NEEDS A CONTROL HD $183.00. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152635March 13, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION:FRONT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
05/26/05 NOISE IN FRONT END CLUNKING WHILE DRIVING, TOOK TO DEALER NOT WHERE WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT HELPING US WITH ANY OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS WE WERE HAVING. BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE HUB FROZEN REPLACED THE RIGHT HUB BEARING AND BOTH SIDE BALL JOINTS. REPLACED THE FRONT AXLE U JOINTS REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS NOW IT IS MARCH 13 2006 AND THE BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN , AND U JOINTS ARE BAD. SEEMS TO BE ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152260March 9, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2003 DODGE 2500 4X4 PU REPORTED RATTLING NOISE FRONT END AT LOW SPEED. UNDER WARRANTY 3/36 VEHICLE TAKEN IN DEALER MANAGER REPORTS UPPER LOWER BALL JOINTS GONE. UPON CHECKING ON VEHICLE STATUS NEXT DAY DEALER REPORTS MISDIAGNOSIS AND SWAY ARM CONTROL NEEDS ONLY REPLACEMENT. DEALER NEVER INTENDED TO INFORM OWNER (ME) OF CHANGE. INTERESTINGLY THEY CHANGED POSITION AND ARE NOW TRYING TO SELL ME INTO EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH ONLY 1500 MILE LEFT ON 3/36. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152103March 7, 2006
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE ENGAGED INTO REVERSE GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE BECAUSE OF THE CALIBRATION SET POINTS. THE VEHICLE NOW OPERATES CORRECTLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151307February 27, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN WATER GOT INTO THE CONNECTOR OF THE PCM AND SHORTED OUT THE MODULE. THE LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF EVEN WITH THE SWITCHED OFF. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2004 VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FOR 2003 VEHICLES BUT ONLY IF THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH A DIESEL. THE FIX COSTS $500.00 FOR A NEW FUSE BOX AND MODULE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150321February 15, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE RIGHT SIDE BLINKS. WHEN THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WAS ENGAGED, NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CONTACT VERBALLY SPOKE WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPDATED 3/3/2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150280February 14, 2006
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
A RECALL IS DUE. DRIVING THE 2003 DODGE HEAVY DUTY 2500 HEMI PICKUP TOWARDS WORK IN THE DARK MORNING HOURS OF 02-10-05 IN ANCHORAGE ALASKA, THE WIPER ARM AND ATTACHED WIPER BLADE ON THE (LEFT) DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD FELL OFF AT 45 MPH WHILE IN USE ON A RARE 40 F DEGREE WARM MORNING, HEAVILY SANDED AND SLUSHY COVERED ROAD WAY. THE VIEW BECAME INSTANTLY BLURRY AND HARD TO FOCUS ON THE DANGERS AHEAD, WHILE THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES BARELY ESCAPED THE PROJECTILE OF THE ASSEMBLY OF STEEL AND PLASTIC. THE SECOND VEHICLE HIT IT AND DESTROYED ANY ATTEMPTS TO INVESTIGATE ITS REASONS FOR FAILURE TO STAY WITH THE TRUCK. WHEN SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP AND CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD TO SEE SHE WAS GREATLY SHAKEN AND AFRAID OF THE FINAL DURATION TO WORK. SHE THEN SWAPPED THE PASSENGER SIDE TO THE DRIVERS SIDE AND FINISHED HER TRIP. SHE CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT THE ARM FELL OFF AGAIN, AND SAID THAT IT HAD HAPPENED BEFORE, DUE TO THE ICE AND SNOW THAT DEPOSIT IN THE PLASTIC TRIM COVER OF THE ARMS LOCKING CLIP BELOW THE ARMS BASE. THAT THE ARM HITS THE ICE AND SWITCHES THE LOCK INTO THE OFF POSITION AND THAN THE MOTOR POWER TOSSES THE ARM OFF THE TRUCK IN ANY GIVEN DIRECTION. THE DODGE DEALER DECLARES TO US THIS IS A COMMON EVENT IN THE NORTHERN ENVIRONMENTS. THEY WARRANTED THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY AND ADMITTED THAT THIS ONLY HAPPENS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THEY ADMITTED THE PROBLEM WAS ALWAYS THE DRIVERS SIDE BECAUSE THE WAY THE SNOW PILES AND MELTS INTO AN ICY DAM IN THE ARMS WAY TO OPERATE FREELY. I BELIEVE THAT A BLACK NEOPRENE DOUGHNUT COULD BE PLACED UNDER THE ARM AND THROUGH THE SPLINTED SOCKET BELOW THE ARM TO STOP THE ICE DAMMING IN THIS SENSITIVE AREA AND OR A SCREW INSERTED INTO THE SAFETY TAB TO PREVENT THE ICE FROM OPENING THE SWITCH. DRIVERS IN THE NORTHERN CLIMATES SHOULD BE NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AND THE ARM COULD USE A LEASH TO KEEP FROM LEAVING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER I WENT TO WAS LITHIA OF SOUTH ANCHORAGE. APPARENTLY THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149899February 9, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
MY HUSBAND & I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 FROM GOSSETT MOTOR CARS LOCATED AT 1900 COVINGTON PIKE RD. IN MEMPHIS, TN. WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN TRAVELING 3 TO 5 MPH, THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL SHEARED OFF AT THE AXLE. THE WHEEL STILL HAD THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY ATTACHED TO THE RIM. THE DEALER STATED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR/ENGINEER FROM CHRYSLER CAME TO INSPECT THE TRUCK AND IN THE REPORT INDICATED THAT THE AXLE BREAK WAS CAUSED BY AN IMPACT AND THAT THE AXLE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE 7 YEAR 70,000 MILE WARRANTY WHICH WE WERE INFORMED BY A REP AT CHRYSLER CORP WAS TRANSFERABLE. THE DEALERSHIP & CHRYSLER CORP REFUSED TO RELEASE THE REPORT TO US. THERE WAS NO IMPACT THAT CAUSED THIS AND UPON REVIEWING SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME TRUCK WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE IN PARTICULAR STANDS OUT ODI # 10147823. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A REPORT FROM AN ENGINEER AT THE CHRYSLER AXLE PLANT, REPORT # 10007842 THAT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF A PROBLEM IN MANUFACTURING AND THE HEAT CURRYING. SEE ODI CASE # 10058633 AND VOQ 10059475.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149594February 6, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAIL WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE. I KNOW OF THREE OWNER 3 TRUCK THAT THE BALL JOINTS FAILED, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO HANDLE WRONG, SHAKE AND BOUNCE OUT OF CONTROL. DODGE WILL NOT FIX, THE COST IS OVER 1,000. MINE FAILED AT 35,000 MILE ALL THE TRUCKS FAILED BELOW 40,000,THIS ON A 35,000 DOLLAR TRUCK. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149134January 31, 2006
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
2003 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB, TEMPERATURE 38 BELOW. RACK & PINION FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN. 23000 MILES ON VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN COLD CLIMATES. FIX IS REPLACE UNIT. THAT'S GREAT UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THAT RUNS OUT THEN ITS MY DIME, NOT ACCEPTABLE. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT GETS COLD NEXT WINTER MY WARRANTY WILL BE EXPIRED. NEXT TIME IT COULD CAUSE A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149035January 30, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) OPENED AN INVESTIGATION ON JULY 22, 2003 CONCERNING 1998 - 2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES TO ADDRESS COMPLAINTS REGARDING FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINTS. WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE INVESTIGATION, AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY SO MANY. MY SUSPENSION BALL JOINT WENT BAD AND BROKE WHILE FIXING SOMETHING ELSE. IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. OBVIOUSLY IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART AND OR DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE, AND THAT WAS UNACCEPTABLE TO MAKE THE CUSTOMER PAY FOR THE MISTAKES BY DODGE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148900January 28, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DRIVING DOWN I-94 ON 01/24/2006 FROM WORK GOING 70 MPH AND OIL GAUGE BOTTOMED OUT, AND I HAD A TICKING NOISE. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THE ENGINE WAS SHOT DUE TO SLUDGE. I MAINTAINED A EXCELLENT 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE. CURRENTLY, THE TRUCK SITS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I OWE $27000 ON SOMETHING I COULD NOT DRIVE. HELP!! *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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