2003 Dodge RAM 3500 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

6 safety recalls list the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500, and owners have filed 286 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.

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6 safety recalls for the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

1. Inflator module (air bags) Do not drive

   NHTSA 15V312000 Reported May 26, 2015 385,686 vehicles potentially affected Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

   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…

   Remedy: 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…

2. Tie rod assembly (steering)

   NHTSA 13V528000 Reported November 6, 2013 706,664 vehicles potentially affected Chrysler Group LLC

   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.

   Remedy: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.

3. Tie rod assembly (steering)

   NHTSA 11V350000 Reported July 6, 2011 242,780 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

   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,…

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety…

4. Column shift (power train)

   NHTSA 05V462000 Reported October 6, 2005 250,433 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

   On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines and automatic transmissions, in an attempt to exit the vehicle quickly without shutting off the engine and removing the key, the driver may inadvertently leave the automatic transmission shift control in indicated reverse.

   Remedy: Dealers will perform a software modification to equip these vehicles with an out-of-park alarm. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

5. Hubcap/cover (wheels)

   NHTSA 03V212000 Reported June 5, 2003 1,086 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

   Certain heavy duty pickup trucks, the aluminum wheels may have excessive porosity in the center hub area which can cause a wheel to crack.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wheels and replace them if necessary. Owner notification is expected to begin june 17, 2003.. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…

6. Vehicle speed control

   NHTSA 03V033000 Reported February 5, 2003 19,500 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

   Certain pickup trucks, equipped with cummins diesel engines and manual transmissions, may experience an elevated idle speed after extended cruise control use.

   Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the software in the cummins engine controller. Owner notification began on march 10, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…

286 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 have filed 286 complaints with NHTSA; 9 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 6 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 85,344 miles. Complaints peaked in 2015 with 48 filed that year.

Most-reported components

• Air bags77
• Structure36
• Steering32
• Unknown or other17
• Suspension15
• Structure: body14
• Power train11
• Power train: automatic transmission8

What owners are reporting

“The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact who is a certified mechanic, insp”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 25, 2024 · Suspension

“Frame rusted through in several places. Service provider had problems placing truck on lift due to frame integrity to replace brake lines. Upon my inspection frame is rusted through in several places.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 26, 2020 · Structure

Compare Dodge RAM 3500 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Dodge RAM 3500 model year in NHTSA's database.

Checking a specific 2003 Dodge RAM 3500

Other Dodge models

• Durango13,770 complaints
• Grand Caravan13,508 complaints
• RAM 150012,416 complaints
• Caravan10,526 complaints
• Dakota6,629 complaints
• RAM 25006,443 complaints
• Intrepid6,228 complaints
• Charger5,741 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.