2003 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission problems

Filed Oct 20, 2023 · Airbags, Transmission · 230,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the driveshaft detached. Due to the failure, the gear oil and rear differential fluid leaked out of the vehicle. The contact was able to temporarily repair the driveshaft. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Additionally, the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V312000 (Air Bags) however, the contact was informed that due to a crack in the dashboard, he would be charged for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

Filed Jul 14, 2023 · Transmission · CA

The driveshaft to pinion gear at the differential comes loose during normal driving. I have replaced the bit numerous times, but it keeps coming loose. There is a recall on same truck but different years. The exact problem the other Rams have is exact issue with mine. When it comes loose, the car grinds to a halt.

Filed Jun 1, 2023 · Transmission · FL

Rear end of my ram 1500 pickup model year 2003 locked up doing 60 MPH on the interstate broke the drive shaft and the front of the rear end and yoke off. This is the third rear end I have put in this truck. This has been reported all over the internet thousands and thousands of times over about these Dodge ram 1500 pickup truck rear ends having catastrophic failure causing injury and near fatalities yet Chrysler Dodge Jeep still has not issued a recall for the 2003 model year ram 1500 rear end. It is the same exact rear end as the model year 2005 which has the same recall and other years that they have issued recalls for. I cannot understand how this has gone on for years with so many reports and incidences of this happening and still nothing being done of it. Again this is the third rear end I have put in my truck. My truck only has 120,000 miles on it first rear end went out well under 100,000 mi. It was also brought to the dealership to have pinion seal and nut fixed under warranty at 30,000 miles. I have paperwork proving that there was an issue starting at 30,000 miles with this truck. I really hope somebody will finally do something about this issue that has plagued hundreds of thousands of people and their trucks. A simple internet search will show thousands and thousands of people all having the same issues with their 2003 Dodge ram 1500 pickup trucks. You can see in two of the pictures the skid marks from the rear end locking up on the road and I buy a miracle manage to keep the truck from sliding into the guardrail next to it. The vehicle is currently on a car trailer at my house and can be inspected at any time as I do not have the money to put a fourth rear end to this vehicle at this time.

Filed Jan 5, 2022 · Transmission · PA · crash

Around midday of November 25, 2021, a clear day with no precipitation, while operating the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with about 155k miles on it at approximately 35 MPH, the drive train locked up causing the vehicle to go into a skid and a spin that sent the vehicle into a telephone pole. We could have slid into oncoming traffic, fortunately, we did not. The vehicle was totaled. While loading the vehicle onto the tow truck, responders noted that the axle was sheared at the back due to the rear differential locking up unexpectedly. There was a noise, like a whistle or a whine for a few minutes leading up the incident, but not anything that I would associate with this kind or failure, no grinding, roughness, or clunking.

Filed Oct 7, 2020 · Transmission · 129,545 miles · FL

Differential grinding noise when driving down the street when grinding noise started

Filed Aug 19, 2020 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · CA

I was doing 65 on freeway when when my driveline and pinion bolt came off rear end in 1 piece and the rear tires locked up and I slid to a stop

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 Apr 15, 2019 · Transmission · 174,000 miles · NJ

Traveling at about 40mph, driveshaft fell off. After further investigation, I saw the pinion loose hanging inside the differential. I took cover off differential and the pinion and gear were destroyed. The pinion nut was off . That being said, nut came loose, causing pinion to drop into gear box , destroying it. However, my VIN was not recalled. Multiple issues like this on this year also.

Filed Jan 8, 2019 · Transmission · 240,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to vibrate violently. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed that the driveshaft was detached. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called mike patton chrysler dodge jeep ram at (706) 882-0600 (located at 1408 lafayette pkwy, lagrange, ga 30241) and was informed to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to schedule an appointment with a local dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.

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 .