2003 Dodge RAM 3500: engine stalls while driving

7 of the 286 complaints about the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 describe engine stalls while driving.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 120,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 10 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine stalls while driving by model year

2012
11
2011
5
2010
5
2009
2
2008
3
2007
8
2006
3
2005
4
2004
5
2003
7
2002
3
2001
2
2000
2
1999
3
1998
5
1997
2
1996
2
1995
1
1994
1

What owners say

Filed Feb 2, 2016 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and could not be shifted. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle had to be towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the shifter cable fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2012 · Engine · 120,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500. While parked, the contact noticed a ticking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. After some time the contact was driving approximately 25 MPH when the vehicle stalled. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician advised that the valve spring would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Feb 7, 2012 · Fuel system · 216,000 miles · ND

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500 diesel. The contact stated that the engine stalled while at a car wash without warning. The vehicle was then taken to a private mechanic. The mechanic stated that the lift pump failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notifed, but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 216,000 and the current mileage was 227,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2010 · Fuel system · 66,500 miles · CA

The lift/transfer pump of the fuel system failed while driving on the freeway. (separate from the main fuel pump ). After talking to my mechanic and researching online, I found that apparently the original system was such a terrible design, and the problem I had so common, that dodge doesn't even make a replacement part for it anymore. Instead, they sell you a kit which requires about 5-6 hours of labor to totally re-do the system (plus $500 parts). Customer service? Forget about it. If you finally get through to talking to your "case manager" all you'll hear is: "it's no longer covered by the warranty" the problem manifested itself by my truck stalling out in the fast lane on the freeway during rush hour- not a lot of fun trying to steer/brake a 6000+ pound truck with no power steering or brakes! How could this not be a safety recall issue?

Filed Jun 10, 2010 · Fuel system · 119,000 miles · WV

Failure of 2003 dodge ram 3500 with ho diesel engine and manual 6 speed transmission - engine turns over but fails to start. Been to crown in nitro and courts in hurricane a total of 7 times. Dealerships fail to fix. Have spent approx. $2500 and still not fixed. Can stall at intersection or railroad crossing causing grave injury or death; need help to get problem fixed by recall process. All chrysler-dodge says "I apologize". Chrysler-dodge knows of problem b/c will fix on as need basis if under warranty; told by crown, nitro that we were lucky fuel pump lasted as long has it had when replaced (we had to pay) over a year ago. Has caused compounded problems with injectors. Mostly likely has caused high pressure pump then injectors to fail as these parts use the lubricating properties of diesel fuel as the lubricant for these parts.

Filed Apr 8, 2004 · Fuel system, Transmission · KS

Poor fuel mileage in comparison to several other dodge's of the same year. *ph while pulling a trailer at 63 MPH the vehilce had a low of 6.85 mpg. On average the vehicle got 7.5-8.0 mpg loaded and 12-14 mpg empty. The dealer reflashed the computer. The vehicle was returned to the consumer but now it was missing. The vehicle was taken to another dealer. The truck was left there for a week but they were unable to determined the problem. The vehicle was ereturned to the consumer. The dealer contacted the cosumer to bring the vehicle back to the dealer to perform service suggested by the manufacturer. On the way to the dealer the truck started blowing transmision fluid through the radiator overflow. The dealer had to rebuild the transmission, replace the radiator and transmission cooler. The u-joint at the rear axle snapped which caused the drive shaft to collapse onto the highway. The fuel lift pump failed which caused the vehicle to stall while driving. Transmission cooler line leaked.

Filed Aug 25, 2003 · Fuel system · 207 miles · MD

The vehicle would not start, driver contacted the dealer, dealer said to pop the hood pump, the primer. Vehicle started 10 minutes later and stalled on highway, consumer feels could have been t-boned as a result of engine stalling and did not feel safe driving.dealer said fuel injectors needed replacement, and will only be replaced one at a time as they fail.