Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that rust was discovered on the torsion bar mount up to the front of the leaf spring mount. In addition, after the vehicle was mounted on jack stands, it was discovered that the frame was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.
2003 Dodge RAM 1500 suspension complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 57, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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. The contact stated that upon deceleration the gear shift shook rapidly. While putting the vehicle in park, the driveshaft fell and the rear driveshaft axle lifted. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to his residence where he diagnosed that the rear driveshaft axle failed due to a loose rear axle pinion nut. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving at an unknown speed, black smoke emitted from the rear of the vehicle without warning. In addition, when the brake pedal was depressed, an abnormal sound emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brakes, calipers, and rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hub bearing, wheel hub, axle shaft assembly, and driveshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Lastly, the front driver side headlight failed to operate. The head lamp was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 201,281. Updated 06/29/16*lj
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 35 MPH, an abnormal sound emitted from the rear of the vehicle and it stopped abruptly without warning. In addition, the vehicle failed to move forward. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the pinion nut loosened and caused the driveshaft to fracture from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v038000 (power train). The failure mileage was 175,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving at 30 MPH, the wheel bearing detached. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Rear differential failure. On sept 14, 2015 I was pulling out of a parking lot when I heard a loud bang. My truck stop moving causing me to apply the brake. When I tried to put the truck in park it would not engage. There was a person walking in the parking lot and informed me that my rear end was leaking fluid. I was on a slight incline so I was able to coast in a parking space and apply the parking brake. When I got out of the truck I seen the fluid pouring out. At this time I called aaa and had a tow truck sent to this area. When the tow truck arrived the driver was loading the truck onto the flat bed and that's when myself and the tow truck driver seen a silver dollar size hole on the front side of the pumpkin just below the drive shaft. I contacted my mechanic and told him about this incident and let him know I would be sending the truck to him for further inspection. My mechanic contacted me on sept 15, 2015 and informed me that the pinion shaft snapped off the gear and the hole I seen was the shaft trying to come through the housing. My mechanic stated in his professional opinion this was a factory defect the way this shaft snapped off clean. I truly believe that this needs to be investigated immediately before someone gets (killed). I was only driving about 7mph through the parking lot., had I been traveling at highway speeds this could have ended fatal for me or anyone traveling next too me. Being that this shaft was able to do this kind of damage to a steel housing moving at this low rate of speed.
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. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the front wheel bearing failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, abnormal noises were coming from the vehicle and veered to the left. The contact stated that the drive shaft was detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear differential needed to be replaced due to the rear pinion bolt vibrating off the rear axle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. Ma 10/23/15 updated 12/8/2017
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.
The rear end grinds and has been for many years or is grinding little metal pieces off truck is unsafe to drive any longer until rear end gets replaced.
While driving down the road I felt my entire truck shudder. Pulled over as soon as possible and saw driveshaft laying on the ground. Had truck towed back to my residence, where I inspected threat end and saw that the pinion but had backed off and cause driveshaft to come undone from rear differential my entire rear end is locked up and needs to be rebuilt. There is currently a recall for 2004 and 2005 for this same issue. However the recall states this could happen. Unfortunately it did happen to me and currently my vehicle is not on the list. 2003 ram 1500 has 9.25 rear end, same as the recalled vehicles. I've been told by chrysler that I should get vehicle repaired and hold onto receipt in case a recall arises with my vehicle. However this doesn't seem right since it's almost exactly the same truck with same equipment and this equipment failure isn't a potential issue, it's already ruined my rear end that I now have to pay myself due to faulty equipment, recall that should cover my vehicle.
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.
Pulling boat and rear end broke leaving me with no steering. The trailor jackknifed and the boat ended up next to the truck.
Tl* the contact owns 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle exhibited a loud, continual noise from the rear as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle could not be restarted and had to be towed. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who stated that the rear wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The dash started to crack on my 2003 ram 1500 pickup, the cracks just get worse,and a pieace flew off while I was driving, and hit me in the eye, almost lost control of my truck, dodge needs to recall and fix these dashboards before some one is hurt or killed, afraid to let any one ride in the front seat.
Passenger side steering suspension bracket broke away from rusted out frame, on my handicapped van. Drivers side badly cracked, about to break. We were lucky it was not a fatal accident. Chrysler corp. Refuses to accept responsibility. This should be a recall before it becomes a fatal accident. I have a note from my insurance adjuster, that I can forward insurance does not cover.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500 club cab. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, there was a roaring noise coming from the tires and the rear tires failed to move. The contact was unable to drive vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, who stated a pin in the rear axle had fractured. The rear axle was rebuilt and repaired. The contact noticed growling noises coming from the rear again. The manufacturer was made aware, however, no assistance was provided. The current mileage was 240,000. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, there was a slight grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the rear bearings were replaced. After the repair, the contact was driving approximately 50 MPH when he noticed a much louder grinding noise from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder and noticed that the rear axle was detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the rear axle would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the driver noticed that the ABS warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The tire and the wheel detached from the vehicle causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a ditch. The driver and passenger were able to exit the vehicle from the front driver side door. The driver inspected the vehicle and noticed that the front passenger side hub was fractured, causing the tire to detach. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated the dashboard on the vehicle was cracked open. The contact stated the gauges are currently working, but the dashboard and instrument panel was broken. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but the dashboard was not covered under warranty. The contact stated there was also a problem with rear differential which was wearing out the gear, but the dealer was unable to pinpoint the cause. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 61,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH on a gravel road the rear suspension bounced causing the vehicle to crash in an embankment and roll over. The vehicle was destroyed. There were two other occupants in the vehicle who were bruised and sustained back injuries. Everyone in the vehicle was wearing a seat belt when the crash occurred. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company. The manufacturer had an adjuster inspect the vehicle; however, the manufacturer did not advise him of the results. The failure mileage was 58,004. Updated 06/16/11*lj updated 06/24/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated he purchased a set of gabriel ultra shocks, model number 1290-0875-40, that were installed on the vehicle. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact drove over a road bump and the shock blew out. The contact stated that the bolts needed to be tightened yet the failure recurred four times. The auto parts retailer in which he purchased the shocks was contacted and advised that the incorrect bolts were placed in the box he purchased. The contact stated the last time the failure occurred the front wheel bearings, tires and stabilizer link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 04/15/11*lj updated 08/17/11
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the driver's side wheel detached from the vehicle. The contact lost control of the vehicle. Prior to the failure, he noticed that the ABS warning indicator illuminated on the instrument control panel. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and they stated that the failure was caused by the wheel bearing. The technician added that it would cost approximately $3,000 to repair the vehicle. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure and current mileages were 69,000.
I have a 2003 dodge ram 1500 that has several problems since I got it. The most recent is wheel bearing failure. It only has 33,000 miles on. I had to search for a to find a replacement. Everybody kept telling me they were out do to the many other failures with this component. Luckily I wasn't going down the road at a higher speed when the wheel stopped turning, could of been a whole lot worse. Truck was down for almost a week because of the backorder on this part.
Both front wheel bearings on my 2003 dodge ram 1500 failed at 59,000 miles. I was informed by the dealer and chrysler that the power train warranty does not cover wheel bearings / hub assemblies. The 2006 version of this vehicle has a national recall on the same assembly / part due to insufficient lubrication. I was also informed by the dealer that the parts are on national backorder due to the number of failures.
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.
Dt: contact stated while driving on the highway and hauling an 8 foot by 16 foot trailer it caused the vehicle sway to the left then to the right. The vehicle and the trailer shook. The contact pressed on the clutch and it caused the tires to lose traction. The vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic, and another vehicle hit the contact's vehicle on the passenger's side. Upon impact, the driver's side air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries, and the vehicle was totaled.
Dt: the consumer stated that on 2003 dodge ram 1500 quad cab the passenger side rear wheel broke off from the axle while driving at a 38-40 MPH. Consumer was driving on a straight highway when the rear end slid to the right and out underneath, and ended up on the opposite side of the road in the grass, traveled east bound and ended up west bound on the other side of the median. The truck had not been to the repair shop, and has not been removed from the impound yard. Consumer had a set of new tires put on the vehicle a few months ago. They were goodyear eagle ls. Tires. Consumer s had not contacted the dealership or manufacturer.
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.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Dodge RAM 1500?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history