Dodge Ram Complaints (2003)

2,323 consumer complaints on file.

#10122071May 25, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS BEEN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE SINCE DAY OF PURCHASE. PINION SEAL HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY DEALER. THE NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER HAS BECOME UNBEARABLE. DEALER REFUSED TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF UNPROFESSIONAL ASSESMENT OF AXLE. PROFESSIONAL REPAIR SHOP SAID I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE MADE IT AS LONG AS I DID WITHOUT IT LOCKING UP AND CAUSING ME TO CRASH.STILL HAS OVER 6000 MILES LEFT ON FACTORY WARRANTY. WHAT GOOD DOES THAT DO WHEN I LIVE 50 MILES FROM DEALER AND HAVE TO DRIVE HOME BECAUSE OF AN UNCONCERNED, UNPROFFESSIONAL AND ABSOLUTELY WRONG ASSESSMENT OF MY AXLE ???? FAILURE WAS DUE TO PREMATURE AXLE BEARING WEAR. ASSESSED BY A REAL PROFESSIONAL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121850May 23, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2003 DODGE RAM HEMI STALLING ISSUE. I JUST READ AN ARTICLE SAYING YOU WERE LOOKING INTO THE STALLING ISSUES ON DODGE RAMS. I DIDN'T SEE WHERE THE 2003 HEMI 1500'S WERE IN THE STUDY BUT WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE STALLING ISSUES ALSO. ON MULTIPLE OCCATIONS MY DODGE HAS STALLED SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN DEC. 2003. MOST OF THE TIME IT LOSES POWER AND STUMBLES TO GO ANYWHERE WHEN I GO FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. I HAVE TO SHUT IT OFF AND THEN RESTART IT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED AND EVEN BROUGHT THE TRUCK IN TO GET IT CHECKED BUT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DIDN'T FIND A PROBLEM AND DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. I KNOW IT IS A KNOW ISSUE AND HOPE SOMETHING GETS DONE ABOUT IT ASAP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121857May 23, 2005
AIR BAGS
DT: TWO VEHICLE CRASH, WHILE GOING 30 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT THE SIDE OF A TRUCK WITH FRONT END. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE TRUCK AS A PROBLEM WAS TOTALED, AND DID NOT KNOW WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT TO CONSUMER. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10121933May 23, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: 2003 DODGE CARAVAN, THE MAIN COMPUTER SHUTS THE CAR OFF. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT THE MAIN COMPUTER ITSELF. WITH OUT THE COMPUTER ON, THE CAR STAYS ON. WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS REQUESTED BUT FOUND OUT ON 5/20/05 THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN ADDED TO PURCHASE PRICE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121836May 22, 2005
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BOUGHT BRAND NEW 2003 DODGE RAM PICKUP FROM RAYMOND DODGE. TRUCK STARTED STALLING DURING DRIVING AT ALL TYPES OF SPEEDS, TRUCK STALLS WHEN IDOLING, AND WHEN AFTER REVERSING SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. 04-27-04 18995 MILES- CUSTOMER STATES TRUCK STALLS / CORRECTED, BY UPDATING THE FLASH MODULE 09-21-04 29821 MILES- CUSTOMER STATES CAR STALLS HARD TO RESTART / TEST DROVE AND FOUND NO CONDITION PRESENT, CHECKED CODES NONE PRESENT 12-13-04 32380 MILES- CUSTOMER STATES STALLS WHILE DRIVING , HARD TO RESTART, / REPLACED OIL PAN, REMOVED ACCUMLATOR PISTON AND WAS OK AT TIME, COULD NOT DUPLICATE CUSTOMER CONCERN, REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FILTER WHILE INSPECTING THE ACCUMLATOR PISTON. 04-08-05 36028 MILES CUSTOMER STATES STALLS WHILE DRIVES AND STOPS. / TEST DROVE COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM, UPDATES ARE ALL CURRENT NO PARTS REPLACED. 04-12-05 36079 MILES TOOK BACK TO DEALER FOR 5TH TIME FOR THE STALLING, POWER STEERING LOCKS UP AND NO BRAKES, MY SON AND I WERE ALMOST HIT FOR THE 2ND TIME DUE TO THE STALING. RAYMOND DODGE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. BEEN TAKING IT TO WEATHERS DODGE IN LIMA PA THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT EITHER. 5 TIMES IN 1 YEAR TIME. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THEY ARE NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121841May 22, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
2003 DODGE RAM 2500 PICKUP WITH CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES SIMULTANIOUSLY DUE TO FAILURE OF FITTING ON POWER STEERING PUMP. HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY WHILE TOWING A TRAILER MAKING STOPPING AND MANUVERING DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED EVENT. I KNOW OF SEVERAL OTHERS WITH SAME EVENTS DUE TO POWERSTEERING PUMP /HOSE ISSUES. SOME OFTHESE ARE DETAILED ON THE WEB SITE WWW.TURBODIESELREGISTRY.COM WHICH IS A SITE FOR OWNERS OF DIESEL DODGE RAMS NOTE: BELOW DATE IS AN APPROXIMATEDATE. DID NOT FEEL NEED TO REPORT IT UNTIL HEARING OF OTHERS WITH SIMILAR FAILURE. IF EXACT DATE IS NEEDED PLEASE E-MAIL ME. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE SAFETY OF THE MOTORING PUBLIC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121774May 21, 2005
POWER TRAIN
I HAVE A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 SERIES, 4.7 LITRE ENGINE AND AM EXPERIENCING A STALL OUT PROBLEM WHEN I GO TO TURN A CORNER . THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIME. IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY SITUATION TO LOSE COMPLETE POWER, STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. THANK GOD THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED AT AN INTERSECTION OR I MIGHT NOT BE TYPING THIS COMPLAINT TOO YOU AT THIS TIME. I THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY UNTIL MY HUSBAND SHOWED ME AN ARTICLE FROM THE TOLEDO BLADE ON MAY 21, 2005 IN REGARDS TOO THE GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATING THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 AND 2005 DODGE RAMS. SINCERELY, [XXX] 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
#10121665May 20, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THE TRUCK SPED UP ON ITS ON. MANAGED TO GET TRUCK BACK HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. DROVE THE TRUCK FOR A FEW DAYS WITHOUT ANYTHING HAPPENING. WENT TO PULL INTO THE GARAGE AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE. WHILE DRIVING IN A SHOPPING CENTER TRUCK SPED UP AGAIN AND WENT INTO A WOODEN FENCE AND INTO A PERSON'S YARD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD PROBLEM FIXED. DEALER FOUND IAC MOTOR OUT OF RANGE. BUT THE SAME THING RECURRED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120711May 11, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, EQUIPMENT
NORMAL BRAKE USAGE WITH NO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING. A FEW PANIC STOPS WHERE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS USED. SEVERE BRAKE SHUDDER CAUSES SUSPENSION HOP - UNSAFE TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY IN WET - OR WINTER CONDITIONS. REPLACED FRONT PADS AND ROTORS TWICE. 1ST REPLACEMENT AT 21.5K MILES UNDER TSB. 2CD REPLACEMENT AT 29.3K MILES WAS PURCHASED BY OWNER (WARRANTY WOULD NOT BE HONORED). 2003 TRUCK HAS 29K MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120211May 8, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE. (THE LIGHTENING BOLT SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD) AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED NORMALLY. THE CONSUMER FOUND IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THERE WAS NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS RECENTLY INFORMED THAT THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE 5.7 L HEMI 2003 RAM 4X4.HAD TRUCK SINCE 11-04 HAS DONE THIS ABOUT 10 TIMES TO PRESENT.IT IS GOING TO GET SOMEBODY INJURED ARE HURT BECAUSE TRUCK DOES IT WHENEVER IT WANTS TO MAYBE TAKING OFF AT A RED LIGHT ARE ETC.!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10119919May 5, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE THROTTLE STUCK OPEN . THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF THE TRUCK TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAD HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER AND DRIVEN FOR 10 MILES . AFTER THE TEST DRIVE THE DEALER INDICATED THAT EH PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10119674May 3, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
THE TRUCK HAS CONTINUALLY HAD AN INTERMITTEN PROBLEM WITH A RESISTENCE SENSATION, AS IF THY PARKING BRAKE WAS ON. I THOUGHT AT THE TIME IT WAS AN ENGINE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE RAW FUEL SMELL AT THE TAILPIPE. DEALER SHOP FOUND NOTHING WRONG AT 3,218 MILES (12/01/05). AT 18,000 MILES (5/2/05) THERE WAS A COMPLETE BRAKE FALIURE, LOSE OF BRAKE PRESSURE. BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND I BELIEVE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSETEM FROZE AND SHORTED OUT, BECAUSE THE UNIT WAS HUMMING VERY LOUD AND WAS GETTING VERY HOT AFTER THE KEY WAS REMOVED.I CALLED ON THE EVENING OF 5/3/05 AND ASKED TO HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART GIVEN TO ME. THEY SAID THEY WOULD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118734April 30, 2005
STEERING, SUSPENSION:FRONT
I WAS DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED 75 MPH WHEN I HIT A SMALL WASHBOARD TYPE BUMP, MY 2003 DODGE 4X4 2500 DIESEL (WITH 39,000 MILES) BEGAN SWERVING SO VIOLENTLY I COULD HARDLY HANG ON TO THE WHEEL. WE NEARLY RAN OFF THE ROAD AND JUST MISSED THE SEMI NEXT TO US. IT WAS SO BAD, MY WIFE'S HEAD WAS HITTING AGAINST THE PASSENGER WINDOW. WE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES & COME TO A SPEED OF 30 MPH TO GET IT TO STOP. IT SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE UNTIL WE COULD GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN GRAND JUNCTION, WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD TIE ROD END. REPLACED THAT,, AND SENT US ON OUR WAY. WE AGAIN BEGAN DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, PULLING A SMALL CARGO TRAILER WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS SO MUCH WORSE WHILE I TRIED TO HANG ON TO THE WHEEL THAT I COULD HARDLY FOCUS MY EYES AND AGAIN MY WIFE'S HEAD SMASHING AGAINST THE PASSENGER WINDOW WITH THIS VIOLENT SHAKING. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN ST. GEORGE, UT WHERE THEY REPORTED THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS THEY COULD DO, BUT COULDN'T GUARANTY THAT IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. DID COMMENT THAT THEY WERE WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS AND THE SERVICE TEAM IN SLC, UT HAD NAMED IT "THE DEATH WOBBLE". I QUESTIONED WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL IF IT IS SO COMMON, BUT HE HAD NO ANSWER. HE STATED MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAD THIS PROBLEM 'JUST GOT RID OF THE TRUCK' IN OTHER WORDS SOME OTHER FOOL HAS IT. THIS IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE IF NOT REMEDIED. AS A MATTER OF FACT, MY SMALL WIFE WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD THE STRENGTH TO HANG ON TO THAT WHEEL & WE WOULD BE DEALING WITH A CRASH OR DEATH INSTEAD OF THIS LETTER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118610April 28, 2005
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
DODGE RAM 1500 WAS BROUGHT INTO LOCAL 5 STAR DEALER AND REPAIRED 3 TIMES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FOR 4-WHEEL DRIVE "POPPING OUT OF GEAR". VEHICLE WAS PARKED, 3 HOURS LATER ROLLED BACK AND HIT A BUILDING WITH SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL, UNDERCARRIAGE, POSSIBLY FRAME AND RIGHT AND REAR BUMPER. VEHICLE WAS FOUND IN PARK, DOCUMENTED IN POLICE REPORT AS BEING FOUND IN PARK. BROUGHT INTO SAME 5STAR DEALER WHO LET IT SIT ON THE LOT, NEVER LOOKED AT IT. I INITIATED AN INVESTIGATION VIA CHRYSLER. AN INVESTIGATOR CAME OUT, LOOKED AT THE TRANSFER CASE WITH A FLASHLIGHT, NEVER PUT THE VEHICLE IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, AND LEFT. WE NOW OWN A WRECKED VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANSFER CASE AND NOBODY WILL REPAIR IT. WE HAVE 17K ON THIS ENGINE AND ALL COMPONENTS ARE SUPPOSEDLY ON A FULL AND EXTENDED WARRANTY. CHRYSLER WILL DO NOTHING!!!!*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118599April 27, 2005
TIRES:SIDEWALL, TIRES
ALL FOUR OUTSIDE TIRES HAVE SPLITS IN THE SIDE WALLS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118391April 25, 2005
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
POWER STREERING HOSE HAD TO BE REPLACE ON MY 2003 DOGDE RAM 1500 TRUCK. LOW MILAGES. I SHOULD HAVE NOT HAD TO REPLACE HOSE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118352April 24, 2005
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND COULDN'T TURN TO THE RIGHT. ALSO AFFECTED THE BRAKING SYSTEM AS IT HAS DIESEL ENGINE AND USES THE HYDRA-VAC SYSTEM. WITH NO WARNING IT LOCKED UP AND IT MADE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. TESTS SHOW THE PRESSURE WAS ABOVE NORMAL WHEN TAKEN TO A SHOP. JUST BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN FEB OF 2005 AND AT THE TIME HAS 45600 MILES ON IT. E-MAILED CHRYSLER MOTOR COMPANY AND INQUIRED IF THEY HAVE HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND THEY REFUSED TO ANSWER. I DO HAVE THE OLD STEERING GEAR BOX AFTER THEY REPLACED IT ALONG WITH A SAMPLE OF THE FLUID. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10119077April 22, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CONSUMER HAS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH DECELERATING WHEN DRIVING 40 MPH OR MORE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPROGRAMMED THREE TIMES, THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE SENSOR AND THE MAP SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118217April 21, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. AT 50,000 MILES THE DEALER NOTIFIED ME THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE SHOWING WEAR. AT 55,000 THE FRONT END STARTED TO MAKE NOISE. AS SOON AS I HEARD THE NOISE I DROVE THE VEHICLE OVER TO DON MILLER DODGE. WHEN THE DEALER CONTACTED ME, INFORMING ME THAT ALL BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS NOT COVER UNDER THE 7/70 DODGE WARRANTY. THE PRICE TAG FOR THE WORK CAME OUT TO $1200. AFTER HANGING UP THE PHONE, I CONTACTED DODGE DIRECTLY AND TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT I HAD GREAT MAINTENANCE REPORTS, BUT SINCE I HAD PLACED NEW TIRES ON THE VEHICLE AT 45,000 AND INCREASED THE TIRE FROM 275 TO 285 (.5" DIFFERENCE). THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DUE FOR ME. I CONTACTED SEVERAL DODGE DEALERS IN THE AREA AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE 02-03 DODGE DURANGOS AND 02-03 DODGE RAM PICKUP'S. DODGE REF#13452182 I FIND THIS PERFORMANCE FROM A SO CALLED HEAVY DUTY VEHICLE HIGHLY DISAPPOINTING. THIS IS MY SECOND DODGE RAM. I UPGRADED FROM MY 1999 1500 GAS TO THE 2500 DIESEL HEAVY DUTY JUST TO AVOID THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS. IF I WOULD NOT HAVE GONE TO THE DEAL RIGHT AWAY. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSING THE FRONT TIRE. CAUSING INJURY OR WORSE. SIMILAR TO WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE 03 DURANGO. I LUCKY ENOUGH TO RECOGNIZE THE CHANGE IN STEERING. IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM UNTIL IT WAS TO LATE. I WILL OBTAIN THE OLD PART FROM THE DEALER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118177April 20, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
LEFT BALL JOINT STARTED SQUEAKING, I TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR INVESTIGATION ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT RIGHT BALL JOINT WAS ALSO WEARING OUT. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 45,345 MILES ON IT, AND COST ME $460.07. MOST OF THE MILES WERE HIGHWAY MILES, AND NEVER USED OFF THE ROAD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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