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Model Year Problem Record

Dodge RAM 3500 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

286Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
15Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
11Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags80 complaints

80 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 15V312000.

Vehicle Structure53 complaints

53 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering38 complaints

38 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 11V350000, 13V528000.

Suspension35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train27 complaints

27 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 05V462000.

Unknown Or Other17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control8 complaints

8 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V033000.

Visibility8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels4 complaints

4 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V212000.

Seats3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Trailer Hitches and Towing1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V033000Reported February 5, 2003 - 19,500 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on February 5, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 19,500 vehicles across all affected models.

03V212000Reported June 5, 2003 - 1,086 vehicles potentially affected

Wheels. Recall covering the wheels system, reported to NHTSA on June 5, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 1,086 vehicles across all affected models.

05V462000Reported October 6, 2005 - 250,433 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on October 6, 2005. The campaign covers an estimated 250,433 vehicles across all affected models.

11V350000Reported July 6, 2011 - 242,780 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on July 6, 2011. The campaign covers an estimated 242,780 vehicles across all affected models.

13V528000Reported November 6, 2013 - 706,664 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on November 6, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 706,664 vehicles across all affected models.

15V312000Reported May 26, 2015 - 385,686 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on May 26, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 385,686 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

AQ14003Opened October 20, 2014 - Closed May 16, 2016

Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA04025Opened August 26, 2004 - Closed December 22, 2005

FALSE PARK. Resulted in recall campaign 05V462000.

EA04025Opened August 26, 2004 - Closed December 22, 2005

FALSE PARK. Resulted in recall campaign 05V462000.

EA04025Opened August 26, 2004 - Closed December 22, 2005

FALSE PARK. Resulted in recall campaign 05V462000.

EA15001Opened February 24, 2015 - Open

Air Bag Inflator Rupture. Resulted in recall campaign 14V668.

EA15001Opened February 24, 2015 - Open

Air Bag Inflator Rupture. Resulted in recall campaign 14V668.

EA21002Opened September 17, 2021 - Open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA21002Opened September 17, 2021 - Open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE04039Opened April 13, 2004 - Closed August 26, 2004

FALSE PARK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE04039Opened April 13, 2004 - Closed August 26, 2004

FALSE PARK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE04039Opened April 13, 2004 - Closed August 26, 2004

FALSE PARK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE04039Opened April 13, 2004 - Closed August 26, 2004

FALSE PARK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE04039Opened April 13, 2004 - Closed August 26, 2004

FALSE PARK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE14016Opened June 11, 2014 - Closed March 2, 2015

Air Bag Inflator Rupture. Resulted in recall campaign 13V172000.

PE14016Opened June 11, 2014 - Closed March 2, 2015

Air Bag Inflator Rupture. Resulted in recall campaign 13V172000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200313
200422
200515
200615
200711
200810
200916
201017
201112
201212
20139
201420
201548
201645
201712
20186
20202
20241
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.