Worst 2003 Dodge 3500 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbags
Structural Problems
Steering Defects
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Dodge 3500.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 77 | 2 | — | 105,183 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 36 | — | — | 89,550 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 32 | 1 | — | 115,757 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 15 | — | — | 97,011 mi | |
| Body Structure | 14 | — | — | 88,636 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 11 | — | — | 115,571 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 8 | 2 | — | 34,601 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 7 | — | — | 72,700 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 7 | — | — | 19,625 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 6 | — | — | 82,707 mi | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 6 | — | — | 45,000 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | 1 | — | 66,200 mi | |
| Diesel Fuel System | 5 | — | — | 97,125 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 5 | 1 | — | 21,000 mi | |
| Brakes | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Hub | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Dodge 3500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2003 Dodge 3500
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 3500 Years
Wider context: See the full Dodge 3500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Dodge 3500
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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