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2003 Dodge RAM 1500 electrical complaints

Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 62 of 62, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jun 24, 2008 · Electrical, Lights · 63,000 miles · AZ

We have a 2003 dodge ram 1500 pickup. We are having problems with our brake lights, turn signals and trailer lights and took our truck into a dodge dealer. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. We were told we need a new pdc block (power distribution center). We were told it would be $500. They couldn't order the part because they say they are back ordered with almost 200 orders. It would take anywhere from 2 - 12 weeks to get the part it. Seems to me that there are a lot of problems with this vehicle having electrical problems with the pdc, which is non repairable and needs to be replaced. Maybe someone should look into this. Part #68005475aa. Please let me know if you decide to d a recall on this vehicle.

Filed May 30, 2008 · Electrical · 3,000 miles · IL · 1 injury

Shortly after purchasing our ram new from dealer, I experienced a small slight shock when getting in and out of the driver seat coincidentally I hold onto the inside door handle to do this. We have 20" wheels, and I am only 5'4. Mentioned this to the dealer at regular maint. In their service shop. Nothing done. Now this has gone on for 5 years. After appx. 3 years (just after 3/36 warranty expired) my driver door power window/door lock switches are not working correctly. Intermittently they will work for the other doors, but not very often. Also, if driver door is open, the switches don't work at all. I am and have been out of warranty for many miles, they say it's not a known issue, I say it is now! This is unsafe, I would not be surprised to find my vehicle on fire due to the electrical problem they refuse to acknowledge.

Filed May 18, 2008 · Electrical · 33,700 miles · NY

I started the truck one day, and I noticed the speedometer going crazy, and I had yet to put the truck in gear. At that same time the ABS and brake lights both lit up. I did notice with the truck not even running and the ignition turned to the on position, the speedometer still goes crazy, moving from 0 to 120 MPH. At this point, all I have done so far is to take it to a shop for evaluation, and they were unable to diagnose the problem. I did some research on the federal safety agency website, and found there were 5 other complaints with the same problem. The more I look into this, it appears to be a manufacturers defect.

Filed Jan 23, 2008 · Electrical · 45,000 miles · NC

Vehicle code p2175, throttle actuator control (low air flow detected). Have taken to dealer and they don't have a clue what it is. They have many options but none have fixed it so far. The internet has many people with the same issue, and dealer can not fix their problem either.

Filed May 1, 2007 · Body, Electrical · FL

The dash board in my 2003 dodge ram is cracking. I didn't think much if it, until I saw on the news that others were doing the same and continuing to collapse until there are electrical problems, such as head lights turning off.

Filed Oct 14, 2006 · Electrical · 32,000 miles · VA · fire

2003 dodge ram 1500 slt quad cab experienced over the course of the past year a malfunctioning speedometer, fuel gauge, brake warning light, ABS warning light, wiper motor, aux. Power outlet. As a result of recurring electrical defects vehicle suffered an electrical fire completely destroying it's value and use while it was parked and unattended. Owner had written complaint letters to dealership and manufacturer prior to fire incident and has service records documenting defective speedometer, replaced brake sensor (which continued to malfunction after repair), and replaced wiper motor. Other complaints were never addressed by dealer service department because "they were sporadic intermittent electrical problems that were impossible to diagnose and repair" according to service writer statements.

Filed Sep 10, 2006 · Electrical · 58,442 miles · FL · fire

Electrical fire, truck was not run or started in 26 hrs. Left is shaded area next to house in driveway. Fire was extinguished before any damage to house or property.

Filed Mar 28, 2006 · Electrical · 34,277 miles · AZ

Dt*: the contact stated while starting the vehicle the blower motor failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where they determined the ignition module was burned on one end. The wiring was melted due to the wiring being too small. The wiring overlay harness, wiring and ignition switch were replaced, which remedied the problem.

Filed Feb 27, 2006 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · MI

While driving in heavy rain water got into the connector of the PCM and shorted out the module. The lights will not turn off even with the switched off. There is a recall for 2004 vehicles with this problem and for 2003 vehicles but only if they are equipped with a diesel. The fix costs $500.00 for a new fuse box and module.

Filed Sep 15, 2005 · Electrical · 44,000 miles · AZ

2003 dodge ram 1500 5.7l 2wd truck stalled. Most recent listed below but happened before as well. No events leading up to failure. Driving on highway, in traffic, truck shutters (like it downshifted several gears at once) then engine quit. Have electrical accessories, radio, fan, windows and dash are working, but engine not running. Coast to stop on side of road. Shift to park but won't re-start. Have towed to dealership (which was closed because this happened on a sunday). Next day the truck stared fine at dealership and had no codes. Dealer did nothing to repair. The first time this happened, the same thing happened. Towed to dealer at night, started the next morning and had no codes. Dealer re-flashed computer that time.

Filed May 30, 2005 · Electrical · WI

2003 dodge ram, 1500, 5,7 ltr. Hemi, has stalled and would not start or run. Towed in three times. Total times in shop - six or seven times. Problem still occurs, but stalling is not as severe since last service. Truck is used for farm and pulling camper. Cannot use for long trips and camping due to fear of stalling and being stuck in the middle of nowhere. Dealer has replaced many parts and believes problem is solved, but stalling continues, although not as severe. I'm reluctant to pursue further action as dealer is personal friend and I believe they have tried as best as they can. This vehicle is a lemon.

Filed Jan 13, 2005 · Electrical, Steering · 31,000 miles · CO

While driving vehicle lost power (no throttle response). Next the ignition switch went bad. *bf the vehicle's steering column was out of alignment.

Filed Oct 19, 2004 · Electrical, Fuel system · 11,480 miles · PA

Check engine light illuminates. Code p0440 is diagnosed, there are no tsbs or information available to dealers on what this code means. Mechanic says it's in the evaporation system. I've only had this truck for 3 wks, this is the 2nd occurrence. Mileage on vehicle 11,500.

Filed Aug 3, 2004 · Electrical · 20,000 miles · CA

Horn malfunctioned. Vehicle was taken to dealer on 5 occasions, and they were unable to correct the problem.

Filed Jun 28, 2004 · Electrical · 21,000 miles · NC · fire

Fire started in area of cigarette lighter/radio and melted all surrounding componenets, resulting in extensive smoke damage to complete interior including seats, headliner, windows. A portion of the carpet and seats were burned. Vehicle is inoperable. Insurance pending.

Filed Mar 18, 2004 · Electrical · 15 miles · MA

Complete dead condition on 2003 ram 1500 quad cab. Two weeks after purchase had to be towed to dealer for dead condition. Was informed that the battery was weak?"brand new" checked charging system and found no current draws. *ak one month later 350 miles away from home went to start truck after stopping for gas and had same condition"totaly dead feel" re-tried turning key and started up. (fluke?) march 15, 2004 went out to start vehicle and was stone dead again and had towed to dealer.tow operator had to jump start vehicle to enable towing. Dealer said they could not duplicate problem and tested all circuts for draws and nothing was wrong. They implied that maybe you left something on. I did not and even if that was the case these vehicles are equiped with ant-run down protection and are to disconect the battery to prevent a dead condition. The 1,000,000.00 question is where and when will it happen again because you know it didnt just fix itself. Also the vehicle has shut off while going in reverse.

Filed Dec 5, 2003 · Electrical · 7,300 miles · WI

Truck died on a major 6 lane highway with no break down lane on a hill. Electrical system failure due to poor quality of manufacturing ( loose connections and bad modules).

Filed Nov 18, 2003 · Electrical · 46,500 miles · VA

Broken ignition wires in steering column due to use of tilt steering or general turns. According to the technician, the wiring in the steering column was improperly assembled leaving wiring exposed to pinch points which eventually broke the wires.

Filed Oct 5, 2003 · Electrical · TX

During a rainy day, the gauges on my truck died completely. All the indicator lights on the dashboard (gas, engine, ABS, brake, etc.) went dead. Worst of all, the wipers went dead. Although the truck was running, this created a problem. Took it to the dealer and they said the "cluster" was bad. Part was ordered but has not arrived yet.

Filed Jun 20, 2003 · Electrical · 3,800 miles · CA

(second time) we where driving on the 10 fwy with our girls to drop them for the week because we where going on vacation to vegas. That is when the "brand new truck died" it was due to the same reasons sensor and other problem. It had been in the moss dodge dealership since june 13, 2003 . Today is june 20, 2003 we have not heard from them since tuesday. As we where driving on the 10 fwy the truck died completely with the traffic behind us in the fast lane on the freeway. I believe that this truck is not repairable. I also believe that there is to much wrong with this trucks sensor which give the power to drive. This truck to me and my family is consider dangerous to drive from the experience we had on june 13, 2003. We have been complaining but not even the general manager has called us back. We even asked for a corp. Office they said they did not have one. Which is hard to believe.

Filed Jun 20, 2003 · Electrical · 89 miles · CA

We had just purchased a dodge ram 1500 on march 29. 2003 when the next day it died on us. We had it towed to the nearest dealer ship. At that time they said it had to with the sensor then later on a few days later they called back and said that it was also the module that was defected with the sensor. Told it was fixed after they had order those parts. (this is only first time truck died).

Filed Jun 12, 2003 · Electrical · WY

Vehicle with an unsafe power window switch.

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