Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard cracks and brakes off in chunks when driving over a pot holes. The contact mentioned that the trembling brakes the dashboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure occurred intermittently. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.
2003 Dodge RAM 1500 electrical complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 62, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My 2003 ram 1500 has had intermittent problems since 2004 which of course dealer can't replicate. Through research from my terrible gas mileage of at times 9mpg to the engine staling and dying and loss of power to a point there isn't enough power to pull out of its onw tracks, I finally found the power distribution center (pdc) and later models call the total integrated power module (tipm). This is a very expensive item and I called chrysler corp to find no help at all. So, the local dealer was sympathetic and offered one from their parts dept. Of over $600. I have opted to install it myself as I'm very capable and could not afford the $1200 price tag on this repair that has cost me tons of money in gas/parts/time and labor. Since there was a recall on the later models for the tipm there should be one for the older ones as well that we have lived with for this long. All models with the mopar community have this issue and they very well know it. Remember their bailout? I do... Time to own up and fix this and they in turn can file a claim on whom ever their supplier is for this defective part.
Vehicle cuts off while driving can on highway or while turning, many others has same complaint online. Very dangerous no vehicle on the highway should have this problem.
All of a sudden the truck started shutting off, whether in idle or on the freeway. It would happen multiple times during the day. When shutting off, the truck would loose power steering and brakes. Took to multiple dealerships and mechanics who couldn't find anything wrong with the truck, would never throw any codes, finally spoke with a mechanic who talked to a computer person who stated that we needed to have the computer fixed but it wouldn't be available for 3-6 weeks due to it being on national back order. This needs to be recalled, due to safety issues. You are unable to control the vehicle when you lose power steering and brakes. National back order tells me that there is a problem and dodge knows about it.
Incident occurred while driving on the 91 freeway in ca. All of a sudden the engine cut out, and ground to a halt. I repeatedly tried to restart the truck but to no avail. The engine would not turn over.I was trapped in the fast lane unable to make my way to the soft shoulder. Fortunately the hazard warning lights were functional and I was able to apply these to warn other drivers. Eventually a tow truck was deployed to get my out of harms way. It was a very scary moment and I was very fortunate not to be hit. The following day I got the truck towed to a garage where they checked it over and the only thing they could find wrong was a fuse had blown that controlled ignition unlock/run start function. The garage was not able to find what would cause such a failure and now I am reluctant to travel on the freeway. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the driver side signal and emergency blinkers failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a loose wire in the integrated fuse box. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000. The VIN was not available.
My wiper motors work but stop half way in the window and I replaced them with new ones and it does the same thing ? This is a big issue up here in wny as alot of dodge rams you see on the road have their wipers stuck half way reducing their site to drive!
My brake lights is staying on, while the truck is crank up. 3rd barke light working fine. As soon, I shut the. Truck off brake lights goes off. Take the truck to the dealership, they replace the brake light switch. Problem went away for awhile and came right back. So, I order two new brake light control panel from the dealership problem again went away. Now it's back again. Driving down the road everybody thinking, I'm riding my brakes. When, I do come to a stop it won't light up too warn drivers behind me. That, I"m stopping.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the doors on the front passenger and the rear passenger side failed to open. Also, the contact mentioned that the windows and the locks would not operate. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the vehicle was working up to specifications. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a crash and the air bags failed to deploy. No further details of the crash were provided. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving at 35 MPH, the air conditioner shut off independently. The failure recurred constantly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
Tl-the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle defroster/defogger system windshield blower failed making it difficult to view outside the vehicle during cold weather conditions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the defrost/defogger system needed to b e replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,500. Djr
While driving on the freeway at night the headlights, tail lights, blinkers, 4-ways, brake lights, and tail lights went out and when slowing down to pull over the engine stalled. The engine started back up to get to the side of the road and stalled again with no warning. The truck now stalls at all stop lights and stop signs and is not giving any codes. The truck now has a large draw and kills the battery shortly after turning the truck off. The truck is still in the shop and so far the fcm, pdc and some wiring has been replaced but the power draw persists and the engine stalling still persists. Researching the issue on the internet this is a common problem on this vehicle and has been for quite some time. This is a very dangerous issue and needs to be addressed.
The dash board has finally fallen apart after years of trying to keep it together. The obd connection has never worked fuse is good and several different scanners but no communication.
During the first year we bought the truck it had to be towed in to the shop because it would lose power and just "turn off" and could not be started about 6 times. After the truck was returned to us after one of these episodes, we had hooked up our camper to leave for the weekend, went into the house for some more stuff, and noticed that the gas tank had fallen off the truck and was sitting in the driveway under the truck. So much for camping that weekend and another tow to the dealer. We also purchased an extended "bumper-to-bumper 100,000 mile, 5 year warranty that covered rust. I brought the truck into the dealer to show them the rust around the rear wheel wells and lower body in the 4th year into the warranty and they said they made a record of it and would take care of it. They put if off with promises after numerous calls and trips to the dealer until the dealership sold to another party and the warranty had expired (years, not miles). The body is rotten, the passenger front window was never fixed, and it still occasionally stalls. I'm told that the stalling and body problems are engineering defects, and internet searches confirm this.
The key fell out of the ignition switch while driving. I brushed up against the key and it flew out onto the passenger side floor board. The vehicle remained running without a key in the ignition.
Defrost vent won't work every other setting works fine.
Started up and the ABS dash indicator light stayed on. I took the truck to my mechanics and noticed the speedometer wasn't working. My mechanics found the problem with the ABS right away. They said that a fire had occurred and the entire truck could have caught fire. The ABS controller was burnt and the wires leading from it.
Have done research online and found out that this is a major problem in dodge ram trucks, 1500, 2500 and 3500. This is a severe problem and could cause the whole electrical system to go out while driving these trucks. This has been documented in posts online. These trucks should be recalled before a serious accidents happens with the owners of these trucks. This is my college student son's truck and I am very concerned for his safety in this truck. These models should definitely be recalled by dodge and the dashboards replaced at no cost.
I have had two different problems with my vehicle. On or about 19 apr 2006 my dashboard started cracking, and a years later there is a short somewhere in the electrical system, because my windows and door locks only work when they won't to, and my radio volume changes whenever it wants to. I purchased my vehicle jan 2006 with only 34,000 miles. I have searched several websites to find our individuals with the same issues, and low and behold there are several individuals on several different websites with the same issues. However, surprisingly there still aren't any investigations or recalls started.
Having several electrical issue with my dodge truck. Not all power windows and autolock work and have to replace the bulbs for the brakes and turning signal about every 6 months. Already replaced the bracket where the bulbs go. Plus seen several complains on the dashboards cracking like my truck has and dodge won't have a recall nor fix this issue.
Dash is cracking in numerous place and falling in. This is causing wiring harness to be exposed to sunlight and to break down. The vehicle has since developed electrical issues due to the insulation on the wires breaking down.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the entire dashboard was separated from the vehicle causing the wires to shorten. As a result, the horn and exterior lighting failed intermittently. The air bag was also exposed. In addition, the vehicle stalled intermittently while driving. The dealer had not been notified. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed the contact that the electrical wires were compromised due to the electrical system malfunctioning since the fragments were tampering with the wires. The manufacturer was aware of the failure; however, did not offer any assistance since there were no recalls. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 97,643 and the approximate failure mileage was 82,000.
The problem began with the ignition remaining on with the key out. The next thing was the headlights not switching between bright and dim.third came the wipers not turning on all the time.now the turn signals are working improperly.
2003 dodge ram 1500 1. Started to have some electrical issues, power windows and heater blower motor would work intermittently. Also occasional smell of melting plastic. 2. After some time blower motor totally quit. Went online to trouble shoot problem and learned of recall on 2002 dodge ram for identical problem. That was caused by melting ignition switch. So I took apart steering column and found plug for my ignition switch melting and wire burnt and corroding. After finding problem and putting the plug back together blower motor started working intermittently again and when it is on wire gets extremely hot. Consequences would by loss of visibility if windows fog up and or potential fire hazard. 3. Nothing has been done to fix the problem yet. Chrysler wanted me to bring my vehicle in and pay to get the problem diagnosed at their dealer. Then they would work with me to get the problem fixed, not guaranteeing they would cover any or all of the cost. So I will probable fix the problem myself with used parts because I don't have money to pay chrysler to fix a problem the are very aware about. Since they issued a recall on the 2002 ram that uses the same ignition switch as mine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated the glass on the instrument panel was cracked and was beginning to spread. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that there was no remedy for the failure. The failure and current mileage was 118,000.
Besides heat not working, numerous gas cap replacements, numerous shorts in brake light, radio cutting off, my dash has cracked in several places which could cause injury if touched by youngsters. Apparently numerous complaints on all of the above!!
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The instrumental panel began to crack and pieces of it had fallen into the electrical area on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who provided an estimate to have the vehicle repaired and stated that there were no recalls. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed what the dealer stated. The failure and current mileages were 90,000.
We own a 2003 dodge quad cab pickup with 99000,00 miles on it. We were having the heater core and blend door replaced and notice d the blower was not working. The mechanic thought it was the resistor but come to find out it was the ignition switch wires that go to the blower motor were burnt at the contact points on the ignition switch. Due to the looseness of the connection prongs this has been going on for some time. I do believe this is a safety issue that if left unfixed would have caused a fire in the vehicle. I did keep the old part for your viewing. I also contacted dodge to let them know about the problem and asked them if they were at least going to issue a tsb for this problem. Their reply was no. That's when I contacted you. We went ahead and had the mechanic replace the part due to the safety concern.
Hvac blower intermittently working due to bad connection to the ignition switch. Window is constantly fogging. I do not feel that the federal safety agency recall no. 03v078 covered all vehicles affected as my vehicle falls 6 months short of the recall and will have to get the repair done at my cost. Looking up this problem on the internet and speaking with repair services this is very common past the 2002 manufactured trucks.
Ac quit working. Turns out ignition switch is bad. I found that the ignition switch and wiring had burning evidence. Wiring brittle and cracked. Believe it is the same problem reported in the 1995 dodge. Amperage issue when blower motor is on high to much for factory installed wiring. Could cause a fire!!!
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