2003 Dodge RAM 1500: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 21, 2018 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · AZ

As I was driving to my drs appointment in a city street at 40 MPH. I heard a popping noise from the rear of my truck and I immediately lost power ,I was able to pull over to the side of the road and found my drive shaft laying on the road ,my rear axle locked up , I had to have my truck towed home , after farther inspection I found out that the pinion nut came off .I research the and found out many complains of this problem with dodge trucks of this year ,with no response from dodge .what is going to take a fatality before dodge issue a recall .

Filed Jul 20, 2018 · Engine · 319,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of engine power without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 319,000.

Filed Apr 11, 2017 · Transmission · 79,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle lost power without warning and was towed to the contact's residence. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Filed Mar 23, 2016 · Electrical · 10,000 miles · CO

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.

Filed Sep 23, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 117,000 miles · UT

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.

Filed Jun 8, 2015 · Suspension · 106,000 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving 55 MPH, the contact heard a loud abnormal noise and there was a sudden loss of power steering. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the rear pinion nut loosened and detached. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Jun 3, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 5,000 miles · WI · crash

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.

Filed Jan 13, 2014 · Acceleration · 127,000 miles · NM

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power as the engine throttle warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000 and the current mileage was 133,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2013 · Body · MA

Dashboard cracked in multiple places. Defrost vents disintegrated and fell into ducts. Defrost blend door not functioning and causing windshield to fog up when using A/C. Rear fenders rotted out from the inside out on both sides in the exact same place. Random engine loss of power, re-starting fixes problem until next occurrence.

Filed Sep 4, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 78,563 miles · IA

While pulling out into busy traffic my truck lost power and I had no acceleration. After about 30 seconds the vehicle kicked back in and took off. This has occurred multiple times, at random, with no warning. I have had it in the shop and repaired the throttle positioning sensor, and treated it for water in the gas. Neither one of these solved the problems, and they have no answers for what else may be wrong. This is a dangerous situation that is not unique to my vehicle. I have read many other cases online for the same problem. I do hope that dodge issues a recall and finds a remedy before someone is seriously injured or killed.

Filed Jul 27, 2011 · Acceleration · 70,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated while driving down hill at approximately 30 to 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the engine throttle light illuminated. The contact turned the vehicle off for a moment and the vehicle returned to normal function. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure and current mileage was 70,000. Updated 08/15/11 *bf the consumer stated the problem didn't occur only when driving downhill. The consumer stated he was coming down from 8,000 elevation, mostly coasting, applying the brakes and throttle occasionally as needed per road requirements. Upon reaching flatland, he applied the throttle as normal. Within 10 minutes, the engine began to lose power. The throttle was non-responsive and the throttle control light illuminated. The consumer re-started the vehicle and there has been no problems since. Updated 08/24/11

Filed Sep 8, 2006 · Engine · 30,764 miles · CA

Dt*: updated 10/4/2006 - the pistons melted inside the engine and the spark plugs melted. The check engine light illuminated the engine lost all power while driving 70 MPH. A ne