Problems · NHTSA complaints

2003 Dodge Ram 2500 problems

Owners filed 661 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 with NHTSA between Nov 2002 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is steering (159).

Complaints
661
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
30
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
29
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering159
  2. Structure146
  3. Air bags138
  4. Suspension122
  5. Power train55
  6. Visibility36
  7. Electrical system26
  8. Engine and engine cooling15
  9. Exterior lighting13
  10. Tires11
  11. Vehicle speed control10
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic10
  13. Equipment10
  14. Visibility/wiper9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20022
200318
200443
200535
200622
200733
200821
200938
201052
201148
201244
201325
201460
201593
201665
201740
20184
20196
20203
20214
20221
20232
20241
20251

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

159 reports6 crashes1 fire3 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09E001000 (Steering), 13V528000 (Steering) and 15V312000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2023Steering, Air bagsODI 11532783

Structure

146 reports1 crash
“TAKATA ?- ON 7/15/2017 MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT AS HE DROVE HOME ON THE FREEWAY. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE SPINNING AND IMPACTING A GUARD RAIL POST , EJECTING HIM FROM THE VEHICLE ON TO THE FREEWAY WHERE HE DIED. UPON EXAMINATION OF VEHICLE NO AIRBAGS IN THE CABIN DEPLOYED. *BF * *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2018Air bags, Structure, Latches/locks/linkagesCrash reportedODI 11061233

Air bags

138 reports7 crashes1 related recall
“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION GOING 50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AT A CROSS ROAD AND WE STRUCK THEM WITH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ON THEIR PASSENGER DOOR. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING 2 OF THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE TO HIT THEIR HEAD/FACE ON THE DASH AND WINDSHIELD.*DT*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2020Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11342161

Suspension

122 reports4 crashes1 related recall
“We have a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel crew cab pickup that occasionally after hitting a bump or on rough roads the steering mechanism or suspension develops an uncontrollable harmonic vibration with one or the other front wheels bouncing. The only way to stop the vibration is to come to a complete stop. In heavy traffic it could be a serious safety issue. The condition is well known to Chrysler and is commonly called a "Death Wobble". The first incidence on our vehicle was around ten years ago, but newer pickups are reported to have the condition. By replacing just the shock absorbers then it seemed to have helped, but that fix may have been fortuitous. The Dodge service center at that time did know of or maybe did not admit to the issue. Recently we have had the return of a couple episodes of the Death Wobble. The internet has many aftermarket brackets available for the Death Wobble, so, I assume, the condition is well known. Chrysler now has replacement that I was told are stronger (and maybe of a better design), but any pickup of this model without the upgrade is potentially a very dangerous safety hazard. I assume there should have been a recall for this…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 18, 2022Steering, SuspensionODI 11465151

Power train

55 reports11 crashes1 related recall
“I was driving on I55 this morning and all of a sudden my truck started vibrating really bad, the steering wheel was veering, I had to constantly fight to keep in my lane. And when I touched my brakes it veered. Riding really rough, and has power loss. I took it to the nearest shop and they said my driveshaft was very loose, and that it is affecting everything that I described. The center driveshaft support bearing is also failing.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2021Steering, Suspension, Power trainODI 11419423

Visibility

36 reports1 fire1 related recall
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 05V462000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 15V312000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 08/17/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 2,500 MILES. THE BALL JOINTS AND WATER PUMP FAILED AND THE WINDSHIELD LEAKED. UPDATED 10/26/16.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 20, 2016Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, Air bags, StructureODI 10875210
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.