Worst 2003 Dodge 2500 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Steering Defects
Airbags
Structural Problems
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Dodge 2500.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 141 | 6 | — | 101,223 mi | |
| Airbags | 135 | 6 | — | 109,012 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 99 | — | — | 81,715 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 75 | 3 | — | 100,093 mi | |
| Body Structure | 39 | 1 | — | 116,707 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 27 | — | — | 69,644 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 25 | 1 | 1 | 91,830 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 22 | 6 | — | 31,322 mi | |
| Visibility | 18 | — | — | 97,384 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 16 | 2 | — | 82,643 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 12 | — | — | 33,615 mi | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 12 | — | — | 94,753 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 9 | — | — | 91,902 mi | |
| Brakes | 9 | 1 | — | 129,330 mi | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 9 | 1 | — | 81,943 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 9 | — | — | 124,191 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 9 | — | — | 126,215 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 8 | — | — | 54,883 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | 3 | — | 114,650 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 6 | 1 | — | 14,295 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 6 | — | — | 150,603 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | — | — | 112,040 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | — | — | 58,325 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 5 | — | — | 97,760 mi | |
| Diesel Fuel System | 5 | — | — | 47,003 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 1 | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Dodge 2500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2003 Dodge 2500
3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,335,130 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
Other Dodge 2500 Years
Wider context: See the full Dodge 2500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Dodge 2500
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99