While driving at different speeds over 30 and usually temps below 50, the engine light will come on and will immediately lose throttle. "dead pedal" sometimes the throttle will surge then drop off other times when slowing the trans (automatic) will start to chatter as if a manual,. I use a store purchased obd computer to reset. Get codes 2121, 2123 sometimes 0700. This sometimes takes 2-3 times to reset. Very unsafe and dangerous. This has been happening for years, numerous times, usually in winter at highway speeds. Sometimes at intersection while accelerating. Have been looking for solution for years!! See many others on net with same problem. Why isn't this fixed by dodge and or cummins. Again very unsafe!!
The worst 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body45
- Brakes20
- Suspension13
- Electrical11
- Steering11
- Transmission11
- Airbags10
- Visibility7
- Engine6
- Fuel system3
- Lights3
- Acceleration2
- Tires2
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
False park
The subject vehicles are heavy duty pickup trucks with diesel engines and automatic transmissions commonly used for commercial and work purposes.a column mounted shift lever is used for gear selection and an electronic prndl on the instrument panel provides gear position information to the driver.the subject vehicles are also equipped with a brake-transmission shift interlock that prevents the shift lever from being moved from the park position (when the engine is on) unless the brake pedal is depressed and an ignition-shift interlock that prevents key removal unless the transmission is in the park position.complainants generally report that the vehicle was being operated in a forward gear and brought to a stop through brake application on alevel surface, at which time the operator moved the shift lever to engage the park position.the operator then opened the driver side door and, without verifying park engagement (e.g., prndl gear indication), securing the park brake, or turning the engine off, exited the vehicle.initially, no vehicle movement was apparent, however, a short time later, typically reported as 10 to 30 seconds, the vehicle moved rearward under engine power.the incident often ended in a vehicle crash, and sometimes involved serious injury.two fatalities are alleged.odi?s analysis of test vehicles and some incident vehicles found no evidence to indicate that a shift lever properly placed in park could unintentionally (I.e., without driver input) disengage from that position.however, odi did find that the shift lever could be inadvertently placed, and remain at rest, within an intermediate position between the park and reverse gear positions.when placed in such an intermediate position, the vehicle can experience a delayed pressurization of the reverse hydraulic circuit that is sufficient to cause the vehicle to roll rearward under power.the delay period allows sufficient time for operators to exit the stationary vehicle without perceiving that the shifter is not in park.the summary report discusses the technical analysis of this issue in greater detail and compares the frequency of these incidents in the subject vehicles to other peer vehicles that odi examined.as described in their october 4, 2005 letter to the federal safety agency, daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) will conduct a safety recall (the federal safety agency recall no. 05v‑462, dcc no. E17) to install an out-of-park alarm system in the subject vehicles.the alarm will provide audible and visual feedback to alert the driver, and others, if the driver attempts to exit the vehicle while the engine is running and the shift lever is not in the park position.the timing of dcc?s action has yet to be determined.
EA04025
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 18
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
- Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts
- Use of Aftermarket Parts
- Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY
- Service
- Valve Body
- Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both...
What 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The dashboard is falling apart with sharp pieces falling inside under the dash which may cut wires or even the air bag. It is very brittle. It can be moving or stationary.
Wipers do what they want to, no- off dont seat stop in middle of windshield
Takata recall / I received the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v312000 (airbags) frontal passenger air bag inflator however, in order to repair the vehicle the dashboard would have to be removed and the dealer stated that they would not be able to remove the existing dashboard without damaging the dashboard further. Dodge stated they will not cover the parts nor labor to replace the dashboard. The dealer contacted was national dodge chrysler jeep ram located at 2223 n marine blvd, jacksonville, nc 28546. I believe that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair and should be responsible for any damage to the vehicle caused in the complete of the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and contacted the dealer. See attached emails/pictures.
Cracked dashboard for no reason. Car was parked. Opened vehicle to find cracked dash. Told by dealership not their problem. Never had any vehicle ever do this before. Have purchased dodges for years, but now will not purchase another if they don't own up to their obligations.
2003 dodge ram quad cab 4x4 had vehicle towed and when tow truck driver hooked chains to frame rails to winch vehicle on to tow truck the chains ripped the steel out of the bottom of the frame do to the frame being rotted I have uploaded photos. This is a real safety concern do to the fact the frame is enclosed and there is no real warning or signs of the integrity of the remaining structure of the frame. It is in my opinion this needs to be addressed and frame should be recalled there are many other people with the same trucks even a lot newer than this one but same frame as mine and the same problem there is no reason other than poor engineering and prep of this frame I own many old pieces of equipment that are 30+ years older than this truck and no rot issues like this wear and tear is one thing body rot ect is normal but this is a real safety issue that gives no warning many of these trucks drive down the road such as mine hauling equipment ect imagine 20k lbs driving down the road and the truck splits in half do to the internal frame rot how many people will die before this issue I'd recalled by chrysler? Toyota did it to there trucks why shouldn't dodge please don't let dodge ignore this it could be someone in your family that gets seriously hurt or dies driving one of these trucks or from someone else driving one of these trucks. Fyi I had the pittman arm joint snap on my truck with out warning it was a scary moment when u lose steering I was lucky and didn't crash and no one got hurt .
So many of these trucks have dashboards that are literally falling apart and the recall on the airbags can't be done without the dashboards being replaced which is above $1400.00! My 2004 toyota 4runner dashboard did the same thing, only not as extreme as falling apart like my dodge ram 1500. Toyota did the right thing and recalled the dashboard! This truck was just purchased for my son and now they can't and won't replace the airbag unless we pay to have the dashboard replaced? If the manufacturer of dodge doesn't do the same and I or one of my passengers is hurt because of the recall airbag, you best believe there will be a huge lawsuit coming their way!
The dashboard and HVAC system has cracked to pieces causing the defrosters to be inoperable most of the time and constantly blows pieces of plastic and foam out of the vents occasionally getting in the driver's eyes and nose causing sneezing and distracting irritation.
While driving the valve spring broke and dropped the valve into the cylinder causing engine damage. This is a common problem on the 5.7 hemi engine . One that dodge is well aware of . There should be some sort of favor given on the matter . Out of all the engines I have owned as well as worked on this is the only that has had this as a common failure and it really needs to be addressed.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 dodge ram quad cab. While driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the contact attempted to avoid crashing into a deer and lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a corn field. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed and the vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v312000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Compare the 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab
Other model years
Questions about the 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab
Is the 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab reliable?
Owners have filed 122 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab, close to a typical Ram Quad Cab model year.
What is the 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab year score?
The 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab scores 73 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Dodge Ram Quad Cab: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab?
Body and structure, with 45 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles. Next is brakes (20).
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Dodge Ram Quad Cab have the most body problems?
The Dodge Ram Quad Cab model years with the most body complaints are 2002 (68 complaints), 2001 (56 complaints) and 2003 (45 complaints).
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