Drive shaft fell off driving down the road and the rear end is completely out now too!
2003 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 125, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the rear differentials gears seized and caused the vehicle to swerve and come to an abrupt stop. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. (michiciana chrysler dodge jeep ram fiat of mishawaka, indiana) was made aware of the failure and requested that the vehicle be brought in for a rear differential assessment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
On february 11, 2018, while returning home from emt training, I heard a whining noise and then boom. Pinion nut backed off, dropped down into the gear area causing my drive shaft and yoke to break and my rear end to lock up, putting me into a skid. I found 35 other complaints where chrysler corporation was notified and nothing was done. I also found out that the 2wd trucks were recalled but not the 4wd. When I contacted chrysler corporation, I was told to keep my receipts and if any recalls were to come they would contact me. Chrysler knows of the problem but will do nothing about it. They put my life and my families lives in danger and will not honor their mistake. The following link is all other complaints: https://www.carcomplaints.com/dodge/ram_1500/2003/drivetrain/rear_differential_failure.shtml.
Vehicle was in motion on city street rear pinion nut came loose and cause catastrophic damage to the drive shaft and rear end of the truck.
While driving the vehicle on a flat, paved road a sudden small grinding noise was detected. Without warning, the rear axle froze and the rear wheels locked up. As the vehicle slid to a stop, a loud noise was heard. After the vehicle stopped moving a quick visual inspection revealed that the drive shaft had broken off and was hanging down. A large amount of viscous fluid was spilled on the road. The truck was not able to move forward or backward at this point due to the locking of the rear wheels and lack of a functioning drive shaft. The vehicle was on a blind curve on a well traveled road and the police were called. It was necessary for the officer to remain and direct traffic around the vehicle due to the dangerous situation. The vehicle was towed to a local dodge dealer and a claim (# 32479801) was filed via the dodge customer care hotline.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the rear wheels suddenly seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear differential and axle malfunctioned and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 137,000.
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.
Rear end seized up and almost caused me to wreck with my 17 month old child.
Driving down the road and the truck started to make long d noise upon slowing down for a stop sign, then the drive shaft fell out of rear end.
While driving down the interstate my 03 dodge 1500 started making a whining noise. We pulled over and check the rear end fluid. It was fine. Got back on the highway and it was still whining. Made it about 50 miles do that and my truck shuts of. No power at all. I put it in natural and got it started and got off on an exit. It barely had power to move. Pulled into a motel and power picked up. I was 265 miles from home. I had to have my truck towed the 265 miles not knowing the problem and awaited to drive it any :* that. Got home my husband replaced the bearings and seals in the rear end. Well that didn't fix it. As we had the cover off the punkin of the rear end we found a broken piece in the bottom. A friend told me it was a part of the opinion gear. I don't know but a new rear end cost 2500.00 if not more. A used one costs 350.00 to 800.00. I'm stuck and don't know what to do.. I love my truck but I can't afford the rear end and I have to have a way to work.
Currently my 2003 dodge ram 1500 has a howling noise coming from the rear end. After reading numerous accounts of this same problem I feel lucky that my rear-end has not yet locked up on me. This is a definite safety issue as if lock up were to occur at highway speeds severe injury or even death could result.
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.
While driving down a hill at aprox 45mph I heard a loud bang and my drive shaft hit the ground and my differential locked up due to pinion nut backing off. I had no clue anything was going to happen. Thank god my family wasn't injured or killed.
2003 dodge ram 1500. Consumer writes in regards to light switch still not working after repairs. *smd the brakes and rotors were replaced. Also, the left front axle seal was starting to leak.
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* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle shifted gears abnormally. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an o2 sensor malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v312000 (air bags), but the part to do the repair was not available. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
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. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the transfer case that connects to the drive shaft blew out which caused the contact not to be able to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH with the accelerator pedal engaged, the vehicle failed to accelerate without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.
Rear end locked up while driving on highway at appox. 35mph, no warning truck was jumping all over because rear tires would not move in forward, looked and noted: drive shaft was on street broke off at pinion and differential not at universal as I expected I'm almost 80yrs old never had anything like this happen to me, even when flat bed towing company tried to load it, it broke his cable and freewheeled backwards lucky no one got hurt something about clutch in diff locked up in forward only,all this I have documented by licensed mechanic's and repair shop that rebuilt differential ,also jonesville michigan police were on scene and made out a report
I brought my truck in for a routine transmission service, and alerted the service guy about a loud growling noise coming from the trans/ rear end. This had been becoming more frequent and louder every time I took my foot off the gas, upon deceleration. After inspection, it was discovered that the pinion nut was coming off. This caused a lot of damage inside the differential. After learning this, I was frustrated and researched online to see if there was a recall, there is a recall for the 2005 model year, but mine is a 2003... But it's the exact same problem! I can't be the only one who's had this happen in this model year, mine and my families lives could've been in jeopardy! The 2005 recall specifically says - "consequence: if the pinion nut loosens, the rear axle may seize, and/or the driveshaft may detach resulting in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash." I want to know if there will be any accountabilty for this from anyone? I have an unexpected bill now of a pretty substantial amount...
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the contact heard a loud abnormal noise. The contact noticed that the driveshaft disengaged and detached from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear end and driveshaft had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving 15 MPH, the hub assembly detached from the bottom of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was confirmed that the hub assembly was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was not provided. Updated 09/18/15
While driving on the expressway at approximately 60 MPH the rear axle pinion bolt vibrated off, causing the driveshaft to drop from the rear, the wheels locked up and the truck swerved to the left, luckily it swerved into a grassy median and not into another vehicle. The 2005 dodge ram was recalled for the same issue, no adhesive on the bolt to stop it from vibrating off. Its the same truck with the same rear and the same problem, and it should also be recalled before someone is killed!
While driving home from work I started hearing this noise coming from the rear end at 81,000 I know it cant be the rear end, but yes its the rear end going out never pulled anything with the truck, fluids are changed on time and oil and rear end al ways change at the same time. The other problem is the steering I notice when I hit a dip in the hwy its hard too control but every time I take it buy the dealer ship they say its normal, never thought ill be giving up on dodge but now I see they just wont your money and they wont stand be hind there product. I am sure I'm wasting my time writing this but gotta know if dodge will respond back.
Rear end locked up
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.
Had the rear end fail going close to 70 MPH, drive shaft broke off the pinion gear shaft at the rear end causing the rear end to momentarily lock-up, before it broke free. This damaged the rear end! Was lucky it didn't stay locked up! Drive line ruined as well !
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.
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