Dodge Ram Complaints (2003)

2,323 consumer complaints on file.

#10535843August 17, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
DASHBOARD CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES. DEFROST VENTS DISINTEGRATED AND FELL INTO DUCTS. DEFROST BLEND DOOR NOT FUNCTIONING AND CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO FOG UP WHEN USING A/C. REAR FENDERS ROTTED OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT ON BOTH SIDES IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE. RANDOM ENGINE LOSS OF POWER, RE-STARTING FIXES PROBLEM UNTIL NEXT OCCURRENCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534737August 11, 2013
STEERING, SUSPENSION
AT APPROX. 55-60 MPH, THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VERY VIOLENTLY. APPLIED BRAKE, TO ATTEMPT TO GET TRUCK UNDER CONTROL; WE ENDED UP IN THE DITCH. MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER WERE INJURED. LUCKILY, NEITHER OF US WERE INJURED BAD, JUST BUMPS AND BRUISES. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE TRUCK; HE STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL DODGE TRUCKS FROM 2002-2008. THE STEERING GEAR BOX AND FRONT SUSPENSION ARE AT FAULT. I CONTACTED A LOCAL DODGE DEALER. THEY INFORMED ME, "DODGE IS NOT AT FAULT AND THERE ARE NO NEED FOR ANY RECALLS". THEY DID SAY THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM, AT ALMOST $2700. THEY WOULD PUT A NEW FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING BOX. I FEEL IF THEY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, THEN THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. I AM ASKING THE NTSB TO FULLY INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10532121July 27, 2013
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY
OK, SO I RECENTLY BUY THIS ONE OWNER DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP. 2003, 90,000. IN PRISTINE CONDITION. I MEAN PRIMO. I GET IN THE PICKUP, AND AM PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND HEAR WHAT WAS A LOUD CRAKING SOUND, LIKE BREAKING PLASTIC. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT, THINKING I RAN OVER A CAN OR SOMETHING. LATER IN THE DAY, I NOTICE MY DASH BOARD. OH MY GOD. IT HAS THIS LARGE CRACK IN IT. RIGHT ABOVE THE GLOVE BOX FROM THE GLOVE BOX TO THE WINDOW. I THEN NOTICE ANOTHER CRACK RIGHT ABOVE THE PASSANGER DOOR VENT (DASH) THAT IS WORKING IT'S WAY UP TOWARD THE WINDOW. I DO SOME MORE INSPECTION AND SEE YET ANOTHER CRACK NEAR THE DEFROST VENT AND A SMALL PART OF THE VENT MISSING. I FIGURED THAT OUT TODAY WHEN I PIECE OF PLASTIC BLEW IN MY FACE AND HIT ME IN THE EYE WHEN I TURNED THE AC ON. I THOUGHT, WELL, MAYBE I WAS DUKED. MAYBE IT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I CHECK IT ALL OUT WITH CARFAX. NOTHING. CLEAN TITLE. WELL MAINTAINED ONE OWNER. WTF. I CALL MY LOCAL DEALER. 'WELL, WE ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THESE THINGS HAPPENING, BUT YOUR TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY". WHAT? THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. IT'S A DEFECT. AFTER HOURS OF RESEARCH, I SEE THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. THE DEALER SAID IT'S ABOUT A $2800.00 FIX?? WHAT?? SO NOW I AM STUCK. I AM GOING TO PERSUE THIS MATTER FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES. THIS IS NOT "SUN DAMAGE" I KNOW WHAT SUN DAMAGE IS. THIS IS A DEFECT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING CARS/TRUCKS FOR 30 YEARS, NEVER EVER SEEN A DASHBOARD DO THIS. EVER. PLEASE KEEP THE COMPLAINTS COMING. TOMORROW I AM DOING BATTLE WITH DODGE AT 800-992-1997. I AM ONE PISSED CUSTOMER. WHO WAS A LOYAL DODGE FAN....NOT ANY LONGER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10531716July 24, 2013
POWER TRAIN
I OWN A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 V8 WITH 4.7 NOW WITH 155K MILES, I HAD TRUCK SINCE 2005 . I ALWAYS TOOK GREAT AND STILL TAKE GREAT CARE OF IT. THE FOLLOWING EVENT HAS HAPPEN TWICE TO ME , ONE YEAR APART FROM EACH OTHER . THE FIRST TIME 2011 TRUCK HAS ABOUT 120K MILES, I WAS DOING 30 MILE AN HOUR WHEN A LOUD GRINDING STARTED I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN TO 10 MILES AN HOUR BEFORE THE BIG BANG NOISE OCCUR AND DRIVE SHAFT FELT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION IN STPETE FLORIDA ( 49TH ST AND ULMERTON ) THE REAR END HAD LOCK UP MY TIRES , EVEN THE BIG FLAT BED TOW TRUCK HAD HARD TIME PICKING ME UP , THE SECOND TIME 2012 IT HAPPEN IN TAMPA FLORIDA 140K MILES ALSO IN A VERY BUSY HWY (VETERANS EXPRESS) . SECOND TIME THE GRINDING NOISE WAS LESS LOUDER WHEN I FIRST HEARD IT , OR I HEARD IT WAY EARLY JEJE I KNEW WHAT IT WAS ALREADY SO I LET OFF THE GAS AND LET TRUCK SLOW DOWN BUT THE BIG BANG HAPPEN , LUCKY THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPEN I KNEW WHAT IT WAS AND I WAS ALREADY GETTING OFF THE RIGHT SHOULDER , THE SECOND EVENT HAPPEN WITH A SECOND SET OF DRIVE SHAFT AND REAR END, BOTH TIME THE REAR END LOCK UP MY REAR TIRES . DUE TO PINION AND PINION NUT MALFUNCTION AND COSTLY REPAIRS I WRITE TO YOU TODAY . THE TRUCK RUNS TODAY , BUT THE GRINDING NOISE IS BACK. IS THEIR RECALL OR NEW BETTER PARTS . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10526222July 22, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS
ON THE DATE NOTED ABOVE I NOTICED A 10 INCH LONG CRACK HAD DEVELOPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DASHBOARD SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT OF CENTER. IN A COLLISION WHERE THE FRONT AIRBAGS ARE DEPLOYED, THIS WILL BECOME RAZOR SHARP SHRAPNEL CAUSING SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. DODGE REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING TO MITIGATE THIS FLAW, WHICH THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED IS DUE TO DODGE UTILIZING SUB-STANDARD MATERIALS WHEN MAKING THE DASHBOARDS FOR THE RAM TRUCK SERIES. THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE CRACKED DASHES IN RAM TRUCKS FROM FRUSTRATED OWNERS. ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED WHEN ONE OF THESE DASHES EXPLODES LIKE A GRENADE WHEN THE AIRBAG GOES OFF DURING A COLLISION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10524278July 10, 2013
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING MY DODGE WHEN I HEARD A GRINDING POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. AND A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP. THEY SAID BRING IT IN SO I DID MY PINION NUT BACKED OFF AND I NEEDED A WHOLE NEW REAR END FOR THE SECOND TIME SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE CAUSE IM ONLY 17 AND CANT AFFORD TO KEEP PUTTING $1000 + IN A TRUCK FOR THE SAME THING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10523495July 6, 2013
ENGINE, STEERING
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATE 45MPH, WHEN I WAS ON A BANK AND NOTICED THAT THE TRUCK WAS HARD TO STEER, THE TRUCK HAD STALLED. THE TRUCK STARTED BACK UP, THANKFULLY I HAVE A MANUAL, THAT I DID NOT HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD (ITS HARD TO CONTROL A 3/4 TON TRUCK WITH NO POWER STEERING), AND COULD JUST PUSH THE CLUTCH IN TO START THE TRUCK. WHEN I GOT THE TRUCK STARTED, IT DIED ON ME AGAIN, STARTED IT UP, AND DROVE LESS THAN A MILE, AND DIED AGAIN. I WENT TO THE STORE, ON MY WAY HOME HAD THE SAME ISSUE, AS SOON AS I WOULD SLOW, THE TRUCK WOULD DIE, THANKFULLY IT ONLY HAPPENED ONCE ON THE WAY HOME. RAN IT FOR A LITTLE IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND REVVED THE ENGINE, AND IT DIE, THREE TIMES. DID SOME RESEARCH AND SEEMS THE ISSUE MAY BE FAULTY FUEL CONTROL ACTUATOR ( OR KNOWN AS MPROP). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10521429June 24, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD BOLT WAS FRACTURED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V350000 (STEERING), HOWEVER THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519773June 14, 2013
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE REVERSE PARKING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH; THE ACCELERATOR STUCK TO BOTTOM OF VEHICLE FLOOR (SENDING VEHICLE TO SPEED EXCEEDING 70 MPH) AND IT ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP AND AVOID HITTING PEDESTRIANS AND BUILDING BEHIND ME; I HIT THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. I WAS FORCED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK SHIFT POSITION WHILE HITTING BRAKE, IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. AT FIRST THE SHIFT CONTROL STOPPED IN 'D' AND THE VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD, BUT I KEPT HITTING THE BRAKES. AND EVENTUALLY; I MANAGED TO GET IT IN THE PARK POSITION AND IT STOPPED THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10519850June 14, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE CRACKS LOCATED BY THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519706June 13, 2013
SUSPENSION, STEERING
HAS DEATH WOBBLE AT 60MPH HITTING BUMPS IN ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10516247June 11, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER, STRUCTURE:BODY
CRACKED DASH AND BROKEN, VERY SHARP ALL OVER , JUNK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515477June 6, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DASHBOARD THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE BEGAN IN THE AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 8/19/13 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514257May 30, 2013
STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 TRUCK IS SEVERELY CRACKED AND FRAGMENTED. I FIRST NOTICED A LONG (6"+) CRACK DOWN THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD, FROM WINDSHIELD TOWARDS THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUCK) IN 2010. I HAVE USED A DASHBOARD MAT/COVER IN THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASED IN 2002. THE CRACK WAS NOTICED WHEN REMOVING THE DASH MAT COVER TO CLEAN/WIPE DOWN THE DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD HAS NOT BEEN SUBJECT TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT FOR THE DURATION OF THE TIME THAT I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE (SINGLE OWNER). SINCE THE INITIAL CRACK IN 2010, THE CONDITION OF THE DASHBOARD HAS CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE. WITH NO INSTANCES OF DIRECT CONTACT OR ACCIDENT, THE SMALL SLITS FOR THE DASHBOARD AIR VENTS HAVE STARTED TO BREAK OFF ENTIRELY, AND FROM TIME TO TIME USE OF THE AIR VENT NEAR THE WINDSHIELD SHOOTS LITTLE BITS OF PLASTIC BACK INTO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DURING NORMAL OPERATION, AND A FURTHER HAZARD SHOULD THERE BE A HARD STOP, CRASH OR OTHER ABRUPT EVENT. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT IF THE DASH IS SUBJECT TO ANY SORT OF IMPACT FROM THE VEHICLE CABIN (PERSONS OR OBJECTS) IT MAY FURTHER SHATTER AND CREATE UNNECESSARY CUTTING OR IMPACT INJURIES TO PASSENGERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514266May 30, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAVE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN DODGE RAM TRUCKS, 1500, 2500 AND 3500. THIS IS A SEVERE PROBLEM AND COULD CAUSE THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO GO OUT WHILE DRIVING THESE TRUCKS. THIS HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED IN POSTS ONLINE. THESE TRUCKS SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENTS HAPPENS WITH THE OWNERS OF THESE TRUCKS. THIS IS MY COLLEGE STUDENT SON'S TRUCK AND I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY IN THIS TRUCK. THESE MODELS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE RECALLED BY DODGE AND THE DASHBOARDS REPLACED AT NO COST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514115May 29, 2013
AIR BAGS, VISIBILITY/WIPER, STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD AND DASH PANELS ARE SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKING. PIECES OF VINYL ARE FALLING APART POSSIBLY AFFECTING THE PROPER FUNCTION OF AIR BAGS. HOT ENGINE AIR IS LEAKING INSIDE THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE CRACKED BOARD AFFECTING THE PROPER COOLING A/C SYSTEM; DRIVER AND PASSENGERS ARE BREATHING ENGINE FUMES THAT ARE ENTERING THE CABIN THROUGH THE OPENINGS/CRACKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512986May 21, 2013
STRUCTURE, TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
THE SPARE TIRE ON A DODGE RAM 2500 IS SECURED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WITH A STRANDED CABLE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF. WHEN IT FELL, IT BOUNCED INTO THE REAR BUMPER, JOLTED THE VEHICLE, AND THEN ROLLED DOWN THE ROAD. ALTHOUGH NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC IF OTHER VEHICLES HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME. THE ROOT CAUSE IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO A FAILURE AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE CABLE IS SWAGED TO THE PLATE. DODGE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THESE AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512982May 21, 2013
STRUCTURE
THE UPPER DASHBOARD ON MY RAM 2500 CRACKED. THE EXPOSED EDGES ARE SHARP, AND REPRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD UNDER NORMAL OPERATION. THE SITUATION COULD BE CATASTROPHIC IF THE SHARP EDGES WERE TO CUT THE AIRBAG WHEN DEPLOYED. THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO DODGE BY A LARGE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS, AND THEIR TYPICAL RESPONSE IS THAT THEY BEAR NO RESPONSIBILITY SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512183May 15, 2013
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED INSURANCE PURSUIT TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THEY ARE: 1) 4 DOOR DODGE RAM YEAR 2003 DRIVEN BY [XXX] 2) WAGON FORD YEAR 1994 DRIVEN BY [XXX] 3) 2 DOOR CHEVROLET BLUE 1992, 4) WAGON WHITE 1994 DRIVEN BY [XXX] 5) VAN PLYMOUTH GREEN 1994, 6) CONV CHEVROLET BLUE 1992, 7) 4 DOOR DODGE TAN 1998 DRIVEN BY [XXX] 8) 4 DOOR SATURN BLACK 2002, 9) VAN PLYMOUTH GREEN 1994 10) ALL OF THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT REGISTERED WITH ANY CAR INSURANCE COMPANY. IT IS VITAL TO INVESTIGATE ALL PROOF REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOR COVERAGE. IT WOULD BE AGAINST THE LAW IN FLORIDA TO DRIVE WITH NO INSURANCE. THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES TO FIND THE VEHICLES ARE: 1) [XXX] 2)[XXX] 3) ALL INFORMATION IS FROM A RELIABLE SOURCE,[XXX]AND [XXX] AT PHONE NUMBER [XXX] AND WILL TELL OF THE NON- EXISTED COMPANY THAT ALL THE CARS WOULD HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO FRAUDULENT POLICIES. THE COMPANY NAME IS: ASSET MANAGEMENT TRUST SERVICES, AND ASSET ACCEPTANCE FUNDING GROUP. I REPEAT NO CAR INSURANCE EXISTS WITH [XXX], AT ANY CAR INSURANCE COMPANY IN BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THIS IS AGAINST THE LAW IN FLORIDA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10511735May 13, 2013
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING, HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND LOST CONTROL AS THE BACK WHEELS LOCKED UP AND BACK END FISHTAILED. TURNS OUT THE DRIVE SHAFT DROPPED BECAUSE OF A SUDDEN REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE. APPARENTLY THERE IS A KNOWN FLAW IN THE MANUFACTURING \ DESIGN OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND SADLY, CHRYSLER\DODGE IS DOING NOTHING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND INSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND VEHICLES. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED ....... CHRYSLER\DODGE'S PROFITS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GROW AT THE EXPENSE OF PUBLIC SAFETY . . . . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Dodge Ram