This vehicle had last been started and driven 7 hrs prior and exploded in the driveway, caught the house on fire and nearly killed my son who was near the inside wall of the house. The engine blew and then the front tires. Three explosions in all before the fire department was able to stop the fire. Luckily they were only a mile away. This was an older but well running vehicle.
2003 Dodge RAM 1500: engine failure
17 of the 1,171 complaints about the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 describe engine failure.
- owner complaints
- 17
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 122,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 7 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Engine failure by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the rear differentials gears seized and caused the vehicle to swerve and come to an abrupt stop. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. (michiciana chrysler dodge jeep ram fiat of mishawaka, indiana) was made aware of the failure and requested that the vehicle be brought in for a rear differential assessment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the rear wheels suddenly seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear differential and axle malfunctioned and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 137,000.
Paint corrosion on the hood and top of cab, doors and had I had engine failure at 70,000 plus and at 107,000.
Rear end seized up and almost caused me to wreck with my 17 month old child.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle began to make an clicking noise and the rear end seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the pinion nut failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v796000 (power train), but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the pinion ring, cup differential, and several other components failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving at 40 MPH, there was an abnormal odor coming from the rear of the vehicle. The rear tires seized and the contact was unable to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, a loud noise came from the rear of the vehicle and the rear wheels suddenly seized. The contact was a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the rear driveshaft axle failed due to a loose rear axle pinion nut. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 259,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was a loud abnormal noise. In addition, the tires seized and the drive shaft fractured. The vehicle was not able to be driven due to the failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Was driving our vehicle 2003 dodge ram 1500 p/u in normal conditions, suddenly there was a whining noise from the rear end and a lot of drag. Shortly after a loud thud, the driveline had disconnected from the rear differential. The repair shop said the differential had seized, most probably due to a bad pinion bearing. After conducting research, both by myself and the shop owner, we both have found that it is a defect common to dodge, as even acknowledged by the local dealership and that it is extremely difficult and/or expensive to locate replacement parts for the problem.
Truck kept overheating but it was never displayed on gauge of over heating.the coolant was flushed and replaced. A week later the truck stalled on the interstate and would not run. It would turn on but the engine would sound really loud and the truck and steering wheel would be trembling. It was towed to a mechanic and he claims that it would need a new engine. The over heating caused a rod to break. The truck on has 107,000 miles.
Oil pressure drops all of a sudden truck quits. There many other people on the web with the same problem. There is no other problem until oil pressure drops for no reason. Mechanics all say the same thing need new engine. Oil is changed when it is suppose to be. The engines need to be recalled because there are alot of people having the same problems.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 engine failure
Is engine failure a common problem on the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500?
17 of 1,171 owner complaints about the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 (1%) mention engine failure. The model year with the most reports is 2005.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500?
There are 0 recalls and 7 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500
Stalling 30Airbag light 29No deployment 27Premature wear 23Grinding brakes 22Check engine light 15ABS 13Loss of power 13Ball joint 10Whining noise 9Knocking 8Fire or smoke 8Power steering loss 8Seat belt 7Brake failure 6Headlights 6Wipers 6Door locks 5Shudder 5Pulling 5Tire blowout 5Won't start 5
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