2003 DODGE RAM 2500 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 has 1 complaint and 4 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with the defrost system failing due to door breakage in the housing, which causes icing and prevents windshield defrosting under freezing conditions.
Common Issues
- Defrost system failure. The door breaks in the defrost housing, allowing ice buildup that prevents the windshield from defrosting in freezing weather. This issue is reported as common for this model year Dodge trucks.
There are 4 recalls affecting the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 related to steering components and the passenger side air bag. These recalls address critical safety systems including steering linkages and air bag inflators.
Recalls
- Pitman arm fracture. (NHTSA 10E013000) About 1500 vehicles are recalled for aftermarket Fabtech replacement pitman arms that can fracture and break away from the steering box, causing total steering loss. The risk includes potential crashes resulting in injury or death. Fabtech inspects and replaces defective pitman arms at no cost.
- Left tie rod ball stud breakage (1). (NHTSA 11V350000) Chrysler recalled 242,780 vehicles due to possible fracture of the left tie rod ball stud during low-speed tight turns, risking loss of directional stability and crashes. Dealers inspect, replace the left outer tie rod as needed, and perform toe alignments free of charge.
- Left tie rod assembly failure (2). (NHTSA 13V528000) Approximately 706,664 trucks face recall for potential breakage of the left tie rod assembly, increasing crash risk from steering loss. Chrysler notified owners and offered repairs starting January 2014.
- Passenger side air bag inflator rupture. (NHTSA 15V312000) About 385,686 vehicles are recalled due to air bag inflators that may rupture upon deployment, sending metal fragments toward occupants and causing serious injury or death. Owners are advised not to drive affected vehicles until repairs are done. Chrysler replaces the inflators free of charge.
Owners dealing with repeated steering repairs or unresolved air bag recall issues may want to explore their rights under state lemon laws. Persistent safety defects or recall problems warrant legal review to determine available remedies.
2003 DODGE RAM 2500 Summary
2003
Model Year
1
Total Complaints
4
Total Recalls
1336630
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2003 DODGE RAM 2500
385686 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured August 29, 2002, to July 25, 2003 to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger¬Ãs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
2003 DODGE RAM 2500
706664 vehicles affected
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
2003 DODGE RAM 2500
242780 vehicles affected
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS MAKING A TIGHT TURN. ADDITIONALLY, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 VEHICLES MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE AFFECTED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY AS A REPLACEMENT PART DURING NORMAL SERVICE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
2003 DODGE RAM 2500
1500 vehicles affected
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS93001 AND FT44039, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, AND 1500 4WD MEGA CAB VEHICLES. THE PITMAN ARM CAN FRACTURE AND BREAK AWAY FROM THE STEERING BOX CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Risk: STEERING LOSS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH.
Complaints
2003 DODGE RAM 2500
ID: 2107670VISIBILITY/WIPER
DEFROST DOESNT WORK DUE TO DOOR BEAKING IN HOUSING, ALLOWS ICEING IN FREEZING CONDITIONS AS CANNOT DEFROST WINDSHIELD. WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH THESE YEAR MODEL DODGE TRUCKS