2003 Dodge RAM 1500: ball joint or control arm failure

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 Jul 16, 2015 · Airbags · 180,000 miles · FL

Airbag light started going on and off and then went solid red all the time. I took it to the dodge dealer for the recall and was informed that the control module was faulty along with the passenger seat sensor. Of course, they found that my upper control arms needed replaced. The total cost of repairs would be $800+. They said the recall only pertained to the airbag itself. I have never had an airbag issue in any vehicle until now?

Filed Jan 4, 2012 · Steering · 50,000 miles · AZ

This 2003 dodge was purchase and had started having problems right away there are tie rod links in the front end that snap and in arizona we can not find anyone that sells replacement parts to fix it. Or parts that fit this year and make truck. We have had to get some one to fabricate them for us.the computer box started failing and also an oxygen sensor that fails and causes the truck to randomly shut off you lose all your steering you have to throw the truck in neutral and restart and throw it into drive to get your steering back. After we replaced the computer the rear end of the truck locked up at 65 miles an hour thank god the seat belt are the only thing in this vehicle that are working and thank god we were not going any faster and some one other than me was driving because things could have ended very badly. In the process of trying to fix the rear end we could only find two rear ends in the state of arizona that sold for 1600.00 dollars with over 90,000 miles on them the rest were completely mangled with the same problem. The more part service people I have talked to all said this is a very common problem with this vehicle. And in my opinion this is extremely dangerous to have both rear tires lock up at 65 and your back end bounce and throw you two lanes over. I have also contacted a chrysler manufacture that said in 2006 they stopped selling that rear end as a whole because of the problems they have had with it! I think this part needs to be recalled not only for the amount we have had to spend just to keep this truck running but for the safety of others. When you by a vehicle you know about regular maintenance but these parts that are failing are costing more than our truck is worth. We haven't even paid the truck off and already it has sat more than it has ran. We all need help with this problem!!!

Filed Feb 15, 2007 · Suspension · 62,200 miles · GA

On friday the 9th of february 2007 I noticed a loud scrubbing sound when I moved my steering wheel any. A week prior we had noticed a little squeak coming from under the front end so when I heard the scrubbing noise also I called the local dodge service center. On thursday feb. 15th 2007 I took it in to see what the problem was thinking maybe power steering pump or something simple. Lower ball joint boots busted at 61k on my 2003 ram 1500 4x4 qc. Lower and upper ball joints and assemblies need to be replaced. My truck is in pristine condition otherwise, this came as quite a shock and we are afraid to drive it. Price to fix? $1,600.00. I was told this is the same problem the dodge durango and jeep liberty have been recalled for and that quite a few ram 1500's are coming in to dealers, so much so that the parts to fix this are on back order. I now know this is the reason we have experienced some uneven tire wear in the last 2 months. This is a very dangerous situation as once it fails the front end will fall apart. I would like to document this in the proper place so that restitution can possibly be made to us consumers in the near future. Automobile companies should not be allowed to manufacture and sell ball joints as "sealed" there is no way to maintain them and once the boots bust the ball joints fail - disastrous consequences incur.

Filed Jun 22, 2005 · Engine, Steering · 106,800 miles · LA

Vehicle has 107,000 miles on it 4.7 l. Head gasket blew water number 2 cylindermotor over heated. Now dealership wants to charge $2600 to fix. Out of 5 dodges have had 4 with bad head gaskets. 2 caravans with 2,4l and a breeze(plymouth) with a 2l. Was told by a non dodge mechanic shop this is the 3rd one they have seen. Has anyone else had this problem. Also had right inner tie rod go out once and is doing so again. Causes severe tire wear and very erattic steering. Please post to this site if similar problems may force dodge to stand behind their products and show this is something common and they are just biting their tounge until our warranty has expired.

Filed Apr 20, 2005 · Suspension · 45,200 miles · MI

Left ball joint started squeaking, I took it to dealer for investigation only to find out that right ball joint was also wearing out. Vehicle had only 45,345 miles on it, and cost me $460.07. Most of the miles were highway miles, and never used off the road.

Filed Jul 11, 2004 · Suspension · 11,878 miles · TX

Level smooth straight road torsion bar fell out the left front of the vehicle dropped drasticly the dealer replaced the lower control arm,torsin bar and adjusting bracket.

Filed Dec 7, 2003 · Suspension · 40,000 miles · MI · crash · fire

Upper ball joints on 1-yr old truck are junk. "sealed" just means they have to be replaced more often, another scam to charge extra dollars. My wife's liberty has failing ball joints also, though hers has an "unissued recall." I know a few other ram owners with same problem. I had a 1972 chevy p/u with almost 200,000 miles before needing ball joints, why? Because I could grease them!!

Filed Nov 10, 2003 · Suspension · 61,010 miles · MO

Went to have vehicle inspected to reregister. It was discovered that both upper ball joints and both lower ball joints were bad. Based on several estimates, it will cost me anywhere from $500.-$700. To have this repaired. My truck only has 61,010 miles on it and most of those are highway miles. We have not taken this truck "off-road". This defect could have caused a very serious if not fatal accident if it would not have been found.

Filed Mar 25, 2003 · Steering, Suspension · 1,700 miles · FL · crash

Note: I had to write down florida for the state, because there is no option for puerto rico. While driving in a mountanous area with curves(asphalted road), after a curve at approximately 10-20 MPH, I felt the truck lost the right side front tire, when I checked I had lost the part of the front suspension that holds the disc, caliper bearing, tire, ball joints and all other related parts. I recovered the assembly that included the above parts. I took the truck to the chrysler dealer, they told me they had to wait for a chrysler engineer to determine if it was a defect( the car was brand new and had about 1700 miles and three weeks old). The engineer arrived to puerto rico last thursday march 20 2003, and in a couple of hours (2-3 hours) determined that it was all an accident( I am a mechanical engineer). I asked for this information in writing- I still haven't received it). Since the first week I had the ram, I felt a noise that really sounded like a loose part under the dash, other than that I did not feel anything abnormal in the driving characteristics, I had spoke with the salesman and asked him about the warranty procedure, to take the ram in for this noise.