2003 Dodge RAM 1500 suspension problems

Filed Feb 9, 2026 · Suspension · 300,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven by a friend at 45 MPH, the rear axle detached. The driver was stranded by the roadside. The vehicle was towed to the driver's residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. An unknown local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · 180,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel and the front wheels were uncontrollable. While driving from Georgia to Memphis, there was an unknown object loose by the wheel. The ball joint suspension was replaced by an independent mechanic. The low tire pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to an unstated location. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Feb 4, 2025 · Body, Suspension · WI

Rear fenders are rusted such that wiring harness falls off from underside if fenders and rubs on tires. Middle of frame rusted through on right and left side and dealer's floor lift went about half-way through both sides when the technician. tried to raise truck to check wiring under truck. The lift only crunched about halfway through near the middle of the frame. That was the point when the technician noticed the truck was lifting unevenly and making a crunching sound when he started trying to lift it. He left the truck as it was - with two wheels on the floor and two wheels about an inch off the floor He hollered for th shop supervisor to look at, who came and got me in the waiting room to show me what happened. The dealership could not repair the frame, but said there was a welding shop a couple of miles away down a back road in Zachow, WI where I could safely drive to if I went really slow. I don't know when the frame started rusting or the date the dealer's hydraulic lift broke through the frame. The truck's rear fenders were starting to significantly rust when it was about 3-4 years old. It was purchased new. I don't know how badly the frame had rusted at that time. I'm fairly certain the truck had less that 100,000 miles on it when the dealer found that the frame was rusted through. It's 22 years old now and was bought new in 2003. It has 147,000 miles on it today. Assuming that the miles/year were roughly the same at 6,682, and the tail lights started acting "funny" (the reason we brought the truck to the dealership),happened the year after we bought our new 2013 Lund boat (2014), that would put the mileage on the truck at 73,502. This type of dangerous deterioration should not happen with a low-mileage vehicle like ours.

Filed Jul 30, 2022 · Airbags, Steering · OH

Frame damage where steering box separates

Filed Feb 11, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 160,000 miles · MD · crash

The steering is very loose, when going over a bump the vehicle is pulled into another direction and you temporarily lose control of the vehicle. The 4x4 was not operating properly, so the transfer case was replaced. Upon replacing transfer case the rear differential locked up and the rear wheels won't move. This seems to be a very common issue with this vehicle. All of these issues are common among dodge ram 1500s of this year( 2003) these issues should be recalled!

Filed Mar 11, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · CA

My truck has had the death wobble from day 1. Countless trips to fix what I now know has been a known issue. The trucks front end goes into massive shaking out of the blue

Filed Jun 11, 2018 · Suspension · AL

The rear end on my ram 1500 hemi 1500 gear is making a humming sound constantly, it never stops. I called the dealer they no longer have the part and I can't find one, I was told there was a recall, but I never received one. Please help!!

Filed Jul 24, 2017 · Suspension, Visibility · 145,000 miles · OH · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shook abnormally and a grinding noise was heard. The contact stated that the wheel hubs became detached while driving at a low speed. In addition, the contact stated that the rear glass shattered after being involved in a minor rear end collision. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Filed Jan 3, 2017 · Suspension · AR

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.

Filed Nov 28, 2016 · Suspension · 160,000 miles · UT

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 80 MPH, the pinion nut detached and caused the rear axle to lock. The vehicle ran off the road and got stuck in mud. The vehicle was towed by the contact's family. The dealer stated that they were not able to repair the vehicle due to the fact that it was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.