2003 Dodge RAM 1500: whining or grinding noise

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 Feb 28, 2018 · Transmission · 221,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Oct 27, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · OK

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.

Filed Oct 3, 2016 · Transmission · 145,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Aug 26, 2015 · 155,000 miles · DC

While vehicle is moving there is a whining noise from the rear of vehicle. I've had several mechanics audibly check for noise. They all said the same thing, "it's your rear differential". I've searched for recalls and have found non. I've found close to 100 complaints about this issue. I have gone on several dodge forums and have found quite a number of same problem. Some respondents have said their "VIN" produced a recall on this issue. I too would like the same consideration. This is for a 2003 dodge ram 1500 slt quad cab 4x4 5.7l 6ft bed now with 160,000 miles. All maintenance done at said factory intervals.

Filed Jan 25, 2015 · Transmission · 118,434 miles · NY

My wife, kids and mother in law were driving north in miami heading to fort lauderdale the truck made a loud whining noise and then suddenly the rear wheels locked up and there was a huge bang and smoke rose from the rear of the truck. The aluminum driveshaft was split in 2 and there was oil all over the underside of the truck and on the ground. The truck would not roll at all and a flat bed needed to be used to bring the truck back to potamkin planet dodge. The mechanic that did the tear down on the rear axel said he initially thought it could be rebuilt but I was contacted later and I was told that it was so frozen they couldn't free up the gears, I had to buy a new axel. The rebuilt replacement axel cost me $4334.01. The reason I'm now sending this in is because I just saw the recall notice that went out for the 2004 and up trucks and when I read the descriptions from the people that had submitted all of the complaints I realized how similar everyone's story was and that my situation may not have been just dumb luck due to a simple mechanical failure. The mechanics that worked on my truck were not surprised at all and made it seem like this is a pretty common failure on these trucks and I didn't even think at the time that it may have been a manufacturing or assembly defect. If my 2003 dodge ram 1500 axel had the same lot number or series serial number or came from the same factory then this recall should be expanded further back to cover all impacted parties. I owned the truck since it was brand new and it was not used as a work truck or any tough duty truck, it was our daily driving truck and I still own it today. I take care of my vehicles and people don't believe the truck is 12 years old when I tell them.

Filed Dec 17, 2014 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · FL

Vehicle jumped as if something was struck but nothing was, and started to whine within the rear differential.

Filed Jan 6, 2011 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · CA

Was driving our vehicle 2003 dodge ram 1500 p/u in normal conditions, suddenly there was a whining noise from the rear end and a lot of drag. Shortly after a loud thud, the driveline had disconnected from the rear differential. The repair shop said the differential had seized, most probably due to a bad pinion bearing. After conducting research, both by myself and the shop owner, we both have found that it is a defect common to dodge, as even acknowledged by the local dealership and that it is extremely difficult and/or expensive to locate replacement parts for the problem.

Filed Aug 18, 2009 · Transmission, Wheels · 84,000 miles · AL

2003 dodge ram 1500 laramie (5.7l hemi). Vehicle passed warranty, began to hear a low hum upon acceleration and deceleration. Hum/whining noise became increasingly worse, LED to catastrophic failure of the rear end. Dodge engineers have determined that the rear end in the 2003 dodge ram 1500 - 3500 truck has an engineering flaw which causes the "c" pins in the rear end to break off and destroy the rear end. This damage has cause some of these vehicles rear ends to seize up and other to literally shear off the rear wheels. Repair consists of total replacement of the rear end in these vehicles. Although there have been numerous injuries and wrecks due to this failure and because dodge does not recognize this as a major problem, there has never been a recall on any of these vehicles to correct the deficiency. Dealerships will not honor warranty, or accept liability for this catastrophic failure of one of their systems, for full or partial repair costs.