2003 Dodge Ram 1500: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500: 1 recall, 1171 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 4 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V312000 · 2015 · 385,686 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on March 16, 2016.
4 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Engine & cooling Equipment recall #06E024000 · 2006 · 44,386 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain replacement k&n fuel performance kits, p/nos. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, and 57-1530. Also, a small percentage of these kits were sold under the mopar performance parts brand name (p/nos. P5007069 and p5007070). All kits were manufactured from April 20, 1999, through September 23, 2004. These assemblies were manufactured as replacement equipment for certain Dodge pickup trucks…
Why it matters: A jammed open throttle could cause unintended acceleration of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash or increased stoping distances when braking.
The fix: K&n will provide owners with a free repair kit along with repair instructions. The recall began on April 20, 2006.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Equipment recall #07E104000 · 2007 · 1,657 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass Ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp Inc., identified as dot-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and foreign vehicles May not break into small pieces as expected of tempered glass and fails to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 205, "glazing materials."
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) May be seriously injured by shattered glass.
The fix: Safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. Retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. Safelite will notify its wholesale customers and reimburse wholesale customers for current inventory and at a specified rate for replacing their…
Steering Equipment recall #10E013000 · 2010 · 1,500 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Steering loss could result in a vehicle crash possibly resulting in property damage, injury or death.
The fix: Fabtech will notify owners and authorized installers will inspect for defective pitman arm and replace if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on May 24, 2010.
Wheels Equipment recall #10E040000 · 2010 · 34,604 vehicles
What's wrong: The inboard roll form used to maintain the hub assembly can fatigue resulting in noise and/or wheel separation on the two wheel drive (2wd) applications. The risk of these issues do not occur on the four wheel drive (4wd) applications, and installation on the 4wd applications are not part of this recall.
Why it matters: A vehicle crash can occur if the wheel separates from the vehicle.
The fix: Federal-mogul will notify owners of record and technicians will replace the affected hub assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on September 15, 2010.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 12 mention a fire, 80 injuries and 6 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (458): the most common themes are fails to deploy (29), warning light on (27), deploys unexpectedly / inflator (27).
- Body & structure (237): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (22), door / lock issues (15).
- Transmission & drivetrain (125): the most common themes are noise or vibration (39), hard / delayed shifting (18).
- Other / unknown (66): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (6).
The 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 has 1171 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 23 Ram 1500 model years for complaints (2.2× the average Ram 1500 year). Complaints peaked in 2015 (275 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 11 years old, at a median of 70,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (815 complaints, 3 recalls), 2004 (1099 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 3.7 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 4.7 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 4.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 16 | 14 | Regular |
| 4.7 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 15 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 15 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.9 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.9 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 13 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, plus 4 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 problems?
Owners have filed 1171 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (458), body & structure (237), transmission & drivetrain (125).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (3.7 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 13 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.