Dodge Ram Complaints (2003)

2,323 consumer complaints on file.

#10407400June 19, 2011
VISIBILITY, STRUCTURE
IN 2008 WHEN THE TRUCK WAS UNDER WARRANTY THE DASH STARTED CRACKING. I WAS ADVISED AND UP UNTIL OCTOBER, 2010 (WHEN THE WARRANTY EXPIRED) THAT THE CRACKED DASHBOARD IS CONSIDERED COSMETIC AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. STARTING IN DEC. 2010 THE DEFROSTER INSTEAD OF STICKING ONCE IN A WHILE AND REQUIRING A SWITCH FROM DEFROST TO VENT BACK TO DEFROST TO GET IT TO WORK, STARTED NOT WORKING. DODGE WILL NOT REPAIR THE DEFROST ISSUE WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE UNLESS I REPLACE THE DASH. I BELIEVE THAT THE CRACKED DASH WHICH BY ITSELF IS PROBABLY SOMETHING THAT IS MORE A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND POOR ENGINEERING EFFORT BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF ISSUES THAT OCCUR WITH THE DEFROST SYSTEM. MANY TIMES I HAVE DRIVEN THIS TRUCK IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS WHERE I NEED THE DEFROSTER JUST TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THE FOGGING OCCURS WHILE I AM DRIVING (TYPICALLY ON A HIGHWAY/INTERSTATE). NOW I'M FORCED TO REPLACE SOMETHING "COSMETIC" OR "NOT A SAFETY ISSUE" DUE TO SOMETHING THAT IS? THE ISSUES WITH THE DEFROST BREAKING ARE COMMON. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THE NHTSA TO REQUIRE DODGE TO REPLACE OR REPAIR BROKER DEFROSTERS AS THESE SYSTEMS EVEN IN VEHICLES DATING BACK INTO THE 1950'S RARELY IF EVER REQUIRE ANY REPAIR AND FOR GOOD REASON...SAFETY. IF DODGE THEN BELIEVES THE DASH NEEDS REPLACING THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED AS PART OF THE SAFETY REPLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS TO "REPLACE/REPAIR AND ALL PERIPHERAL COMPONENTS REQUIRED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE". I, AND AS I READ MANY OTHERS, WOULD TRULY APPRECIATE AN EVALUATION OF THIS MATTER AND ATTENTION BY THE NHTSA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10405809June 9, 2011
STRUCTURE
I OWN A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. THE DASH BOARD HAS ONE LARGE CRACK/HOLE AND MULTIPLE LITTLE CRACKS THROUOUT FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND FRONT TO BACK. THE PLASTIC IS BRITTLE AND I AM CONCERNED THAT DURING A CRASH THE PIECES WILL BECOME PROJECTILES AND SHARDS THAT COULD PUNTURE AIRBAGS AND PEOPLE CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY. I CHECKED INTO REPLACING THE PART ONLY TO FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THE TRUCK LINES OF DODGE FROM 1998 THROUGH 2006 AND THE REPLACEMENTS ARE OF THE SAME MATERIAL AND WOULD BE PRONE TO CRACK IN SHORT TIME JUST AS THE ORIGINAL DASES HAD. AS A FORMER FIREFIGHTER HAVING RESPONDED TO MANY ACCIDENTS I SEE THIS AS A TIME BOMB TO A DEATH THAT IS NOT NECCESSARY IF IT HASN'T ALREADY HAPPENED. THE DASH, I THOUGHT, WAS SUPPOSED TO REMAIN FLEXIBLE FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS BUT INSTEAD WILL BE SHATTERED BY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND BE BLOWN RIGHT INTO THE FACE OF THE VERY PERSON THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT CAUSING IN ALL LIKELYHOOD SEVERE INJURIES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406394June 8, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASH HAS CRACKED FROM WINDSHIELD TO TOP OF AIRBAG, PASSENGER SIDE LEFT OF AIRBAG. NOW HOLE IN TOP OF DASH THE SIZE OF GOLF BALL AND DASH CONSTANTLY CREEKS AND POPS WHILE DRIVING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403438May 25, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE HAND GRIP IN THE CAB OF THE PICKUP HAS BROKEN AWAY TWICE SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE. THIS TIME I WRENCHED MY BACK WHEN THIS BROKE AWAY. I CONFRONTED DODGE DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS NOT A LIFTING HANDLE BUT AN ASSIST HANDLE? IF THEY PUT IT IN THE TRUCK THEY SHOULD MAKE IT SAFE ENOUGH SO THAT SOMEONE WON'T GET HURT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402294May 21, 2011
STRUCTURE
I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK, DASH PANEL IS SEVERELY CRACKED AND COMING APART IN SEVERAL PLACES, THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED AS EARLY AS JUNE 2006 TO THE NHTSA, THIS IS A MFG. DEFECTIVE THAT HAS EFFECTED MANY TRUCK OF THIS MODEL, I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUCK, MY BROTHER HAS A 2002 AND ITS THE SAME WAY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, CAN'T LAY ANYTHING ON IT, HAVE TO WARE GLOVES WHEN YOU CLEAN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401244May 17, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE GLASS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS CRACKED AND WAS BEGINNING TO SPREAD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401145May 16, 2011
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON A GRAVEL ROAD THE REAR SUSPENSION BOUNCED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH IN AN EMBANKMENT AND ROLL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE TWO OTHER OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE WHO WERE BRUISED AND SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER HAD AN ADJUSTER INSPECT THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ADVISE HIM OF THE RESULTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,004. UPDATED 06/16/11*LJ UPDATED 06/24/11
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10400049May 11, 2011
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE WAS CLEANING THE DASHBOARD AREA WHEN HIS FINGER WAS CUT AS A RESULT OF THE DASHBOARD BEING CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT WAS OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10431131April 25, 2011
STRUCTURE
DASH IS DISINTEGRATING. COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AND HURTFUL SITUATION, IF THE AIR BAG WERE TO DEPLOY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR POSSIBLE FATALITY. APPARENTLY, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR YEARS. UPDATED 10/20/11 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10396707April 18, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO T-BONE THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND HE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, BUT WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 05/24/11 *LJ UPDATED 06/06/11
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10394050April 2, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
2003 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 5.7 HEMI RUSTING OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT AROUND THE REAR WHEEL WELLS. BETWEEN THE OUTER BED SIDE AND THE INNER METAL FENDER. THERE ARE FACTORY DRILLED HOLES THAT LET THE ROAD DIRT IN AND GET TRAPPED TO RUST OUT THE BED SIDES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393906March 31, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN IT IS DAMP OR RAINING. DOESN'T OCCUR WHEN IT IS DRY. REVS UP ON ITS OWN, EVEN IN GEAR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. IT HAS DONE THIS AT LEAST ONCE. WHEN FIRST CRANKED UP IT HAS REVVED UP WIDE OPEN. IT HAS DONE THIS AT LEAST TWICE. WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN ACCELERATING AND YOU LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR A LITTLE IT ACTS JUST LIKE YOU HAVE TAKEN YOUR FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE ACCELERATOR. IT HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER THE WEATHER DRIES UP AND YOU CRANK IT A FEW TIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO OFF. THE LIGHT WILL STAY OFF UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT IS DAMP AND IT DECIDES TO GO CRAZY. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON JUST AS SOON AS THE ENGINE STARTS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I THINK THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392864March 25, 2011
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL POPPING AND THEN COMPLETELY CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A CONSTANT ISSUE WITH THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL BUT THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO ASSIST WITH ANY REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAPE THE DASHBOARD TO THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO STABILIZE AND PREVENT THE WINDSHIELD GLASS FROM FRACTURING. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392830March 24, 2011
EQUIPMENT, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, STRUCTURE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BESIDES HEAT NOT WORKING, NUMEROUS GAS CAP REPLACEMENTS, NUMEROUS SHORTS IN BRAKE LIGHT, RADIO CUTTING OFF, MY DASH HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY IF TOUCHED BY YOUNGSTERS. APPARENTLY NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON ALL OF THE ABOVE!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10390058March 14, 2011
STRUCTURE
DODGE 2500 SLT HAS A SEVERELY CRACKED DASH WITH MULTIPLE VERY SHARP AND JAGGED EDGES... ITS MADE OF VERY POOR AND BRITTLE PLASTIC AND BECAUSE ITS IN THE DASH POSES A SIGNIFICANT HAZARD TO THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND OR PERSONS THROWN FORWARD ONTO THE DASH. DODGE KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM AND HASN'T HAD A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10389762March 10, 2011
SUSPENSION, EQUIPMENT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED HE PURCHASED A SET OF GABRIEL ULTRA SHOCKS, MODEL NUMBER 1290-0875-40, THAT WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP AND THE SHOCK BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE AUTO PARTS RETAILER IN WHICH HE PURCHASED THE SHOCKS WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE INCORRECT BOLTS WERE PLACED IN THE BOX HE PURCHASED. THE CONTACT STATED THE LAST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, TIRES AND STABILIZER LINK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ UPDATED 08/17/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386390March 4, 2011
STRUCTURE
DASH STARTED CRACKING AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME AND NOW THE DASH IS BREAKING INTO SHARP PIECES AND FALLING DOWN BEHIND DASH WHICH IS RUBBING AGAINST ELECTRICAL WIRES BEHIND DASH CONSOLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10384147February 23, 2011
STRUCTURE, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
2003 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD-CAB. DURING NORMAL USE AND CARE THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. A PIECE HAS BROKEN OFF THE DASH AND FELL DOWN INTO THE AREA BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HEATER STOPPED BLOWING HOT AIR. THE HEATER FAILURE APPEARS TO BE DUE TO THE BROKEN PIECE OF THE DASH INTERFERING WITH THE HEATER MECHANISM BEHIND THE DASH. NO REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED AT THIS TIME. THE PLASTIC INSERTS IN THE DOOR HANDLES HAVE ALSO FAILED. THIS INCLUDES THE COMPONENTS THAT HOLD THE WINDOW, MIRROR, AND DOOR LOCK CONTROLS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383999February 22, 2011
STRUCTURE
DASH HAS SEVERAL CRACKS IN IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383230February 18, 2011
WHEELS
MY 03 DODGE 2500 DIESEL RAM TRUCK OCCASIONALLY GETS AN EXTREMELY VIOLENT FRONT END VIBRATION AFTER HITTING BUMPS OR RUTS IN THE ROAD. FAILURE HAPPENS ANYWHERE FROM 500 MILES TO 7000 MILES APART. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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