2003 DODGE RAM 3500 Power Train Problems

HAD TO REPLACE CARRING BEARING AND SLEEVE BUSHING ON DRIVE SHAFT HAD A LOT OF WABLE IN STEERING

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 05V462000 (POWER TRAIN), 09E001000 (STEERING), 13V528000 (STEERING), AND 15V312000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER EVERY TIME SINCE 2006. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 01/05/2017*CT UPDATED 7/3/18*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE TOWING A TRAILER AT 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAILER JACK-KNIFED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

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.

Mileage: 160,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE GEAR LEVER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V462000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

WAS CHANGING OIL ON MY 03 DODGE RAM 3500 AND NOTICED THE FRAME RAIL NEAR CAB MOUNT ON DRIVERS SIDE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU WITH A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES LONG AND 1/4" WIDE. I'M AFRAID TO HAUL MY GOOSE NECK TRAILER UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I'M AFRAID THAT ADDITIONAL WEIGHT COULD CAUSE THE FRAME TO COLLAPSE. I DON'T REMEMBER SEEING A RECALL FOR THIS CONDITION. *TR

Mileage: 230,000

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THERE IS NO MANDATE FOR A MECHANICAL INTERLOCK TO PREVENT A MANUAL TRANSMISSION FROM BEING SHIFTED INTO REVERSE ACCIDENTALLY WHILE DRIVING. IN 2003 THE DODGE RAM 3500 HAS A 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION USED WITH THE CUMMINS 5.9 DIESEL MOTOR WHICH HAS NO MECHANICAL INTERLOCK TO PREVENT BEING SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH IS ENDANGERING OWNERS AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW WHY A MANUFACTURER IS NOT REQUIRED TO PROVIDE HEAD RESTRAINT IN THE REAR SEATS OF THE 2003 DODGE RAM 3500 QUAD CAB. A PASSENGER IN THE REAR SEAT ARE AT RISK OF THEIR HEAD SLAMMING INTO THE REAR WINDOW WHICH IS ALSO ENDANGERING MANY PEOPLE. MY PERSONAL INFORMATION IS NOT NEEDED BY YOU OR ANY ONE ELSE. THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE FACTS WHICH SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT THE AUTO MANUFACTURERS DO NOT CARE THE SLIGHTEST BIT ABOUT A CUSTOMERS CONCERNS. THEY LIE ARE ARROGANT AND RUDE AND VINDICTIVE. THE VIN OF MY VEHICLE IS NOT NECESSARY INFO EITHER BECAUSE AS FAR AS I KNOW ALL 3500 AND 2500 HAVE THE SAME DEFICIENCIES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION BUT NO DIAGNOSIS WAS DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

WAS DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE FELL OFF THE TRUCK. *TR

Mileage: 104,000

NOT SURE IF THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. 90 PERCENT OF THE TIMES THAT I ATTEMPT TO START MY VEHICLE, I HAVE TO READJUST THE GEAR SWIFT. IT APPEARS TO HAVE SWIFTED TO NEUTRAL OR DRIVE. I START NOTICING THIS IN AUGUST, 2008. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE 3500. AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, IT BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT STATED THAT, IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE WITHOUT WARNING. IT FURTHER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL MODIFY THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE BY INSTALLING AN OUT OF PARK ALARM SYSTEM. THE RECALL REPAIR CONSISTED OF REWIRING THE VEHICLE SO THAT THE HORN WOULD BLOW WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED DUE TO THE FAILURE. A SUPERVISOR AT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS MANDATED BY LAW AND CANNOT BE REVERSED. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT EXPECTED THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR RECALL 05V46200 CONCERNING THE POWER TRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER INSTALLED AN OUT OF PARK ALARM SYSTEM. THE ALARM SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE IF THE VEHICLE DOOR IS OPEN WHILE REVERSE GEAR WAS ENGAGED. THE ALARM CAUSED THE HORN TO BLOW, AND THE LIGHTS TO FLASH. THE CONTACT STATED HE DID NOT WANT THIS SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE OUT OF PARK ALARM SYSTEM BECAUSE IT WAS MANDATED BY NHTSA. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 52,000 MILES. *AK UPDATED 05/21/07 *TR

Mileage: 52,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE GOING OVER A HILL AT 5 MPH THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

Mileage: 68,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING IN PARK, IT BEGAN TO REVERSE DOWN THE BOAT DOCK. THIS DAMAGED THE BOAT TRAILER AND THE DOCK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL LETTER #05V462000, FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ALTHOUGH THE RECALL WORK HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED, THE CONTACT BELIEVES THIS WILL REPAIR THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 37,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED ON A BOAT RAMP FOR 10 TO 15 MINUTES WITH THE ENGINE OFF, AFTER THE BOAT WAS LOADED THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO THE WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS SUBMERGED IN THE WATER OVER THE FRONT TIRES. IT WAS DRIVEN OUT OF THE WATER AND TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE 2 MILES AWAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V462000, REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, BOTH REFUSE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER IS SENDING A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 35,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN; AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, RECALL NUMBER: 05V462000. PRIOR TO RECEIVING THIS RECALL, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DONE TO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE REMEDY LISTED IN THE RECALL. IN ADDITION TO THE OUT OF PARK ALARM LISTED AS THE REMEDY TO THIS RECALL, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED A SHIFTER CABLE NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED.

Mileage: 61,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE ENGAGED INTO REVERSE GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE BECAUSE OF THE CALIBRATION SET POINTS. THE VEHICLE NOW OPERATES CORRECTLY.

Mileage: 14,000

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500 ONE TON. THE WARNING LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT CITED A RECALL ON MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, AND HIS VEHICLE HAD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HE NOTICED THIS ON 9-13-05. *AK

Mileage: 50,000

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE ROLLED OFF WHILE PARKED. *AK

Mileage: 15,000

MY 2003 DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL HAS BEEN JUMPING INTO REVERSE FROM PARK. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY. I PARKED AT MINI MART AT 6AM TO GET A CUP OF COFFEE. IT WAS COLD SO I LEFT THE ENGNE IDLING TO WARM UP. I CAME OUT TO FIND MY VEHICLE GONE. I LOOKED ACROSS THE STREET AND FOUND IT SMASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE TRUCK HAD MINIMAL DAMAGE, BUT EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE BUILDING. I THOUGHT MAYBE I MISTAKINLY PUT THE LEVER IN REVERSE AT FIRST, BUT BUT YOU CANT GET OUT OF THE DOOR WITHOUT THE VEHILE TAKING OFF WHEN YOU LEAVE IT IN REVERSE, IF YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE IT TAKES OFF. THIS HAPENED AGAIN IN MID MARCH. I LEFT THE VEHICLE TO CHECK A FIELD, I HERD A KLUNK AND TURNED AROUND TO FIND MY PICKUP BACKING DOWN THE ROAD. AT THIS POINT I HAD THE DEALER CHECK THE TRANSMISSON. THE FOUND NOTHING WRONG. IN MID I JUNE WAS CHECKING RICE BOXES ON A CANAL BANK WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE PICKUP WENT INTO THE CANAL AND FILLED 1/4 FULL OF WATER, AS WILL AS BODY DAMAGE. I AGAIN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY HAD A REPRESENATIVE FROM DIAMLER-CHRYSLER COME OUT AND CHECK THE VEHICLE. HE DID A WHOLE SERIES OF TESTS. THEY LATER SENT ME A LETTER STATING MY CLAIM HAD BEEN DENIED. THEY ARE DOING NOTHING! THESE VEHICLES ARE UNSAFE. I DONT KNOW WHERE TO GO FROM HERE.*AK

Mileage: 5,000

THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD IN EVERY GEAR EXCEPT IN NEUTRAL WHEN DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD TO SHIFT, THE CLUTCH CONTROL WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE SLAVE CYLINDER BLEEDING BACK INTO THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LURCH UNEXPECTEDLY. *SC

Mileage: 20,000

VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN IT REACHES 20 MPH IN GEAR OR NOT IN GEAR. IT VIBRATES SO HARD THAT THE MIRRORS ON THE EXTERIOR SHAKE LIKE THEY ARE COMING OFF.*AK

Mileage: 23,000

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.

CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE PICTURES, AND WILL PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION ON U JOINT AND FRONT AXLE. *AK

CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE PICTURES, AND WILL PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION ON U JOINT AND FRONT AXLE. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES UPON PULLING OUT. THE TRUCK IS 10 WEEKS OLD AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THIS CONDITION 4 TIMES, WITH THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON 3 OF THOSE TRIPS, ONCE IT WENT IN ON A ROLLBACK BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. IT HAS ALSO DOWNSHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR, BARKED THE TIRES AND SLUNG US FORWARD SO HARD IT ALMOST SNAPPED OUR NECKS TWICE NOW. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED ALSO. THEY NOW SAY SINCE I AM REQUESTING A FULL REFUND FOR THE TRUCK THAT THERE IS NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS OR DAMAGE ONLY A SOFTWARE PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. THEY SAY MICHIGAN IS AWARE OF IT, BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A PROGRAM WRITTEN TO CORRECT IT YET, BUT THEY WILL NOTIFY ME WHEN THERE IS. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, YOU CAN'T MERGE INTO TRAFFIC FOR FEAR OF IT NOT MOVING, YOU ARE AFRAID OF IT DOWNSHIFTING, BUT THEY ASSURE ME IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE, AND THE REP WON'T CALL ME BACK LIKE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO. THEY ARE TRYING TO IGNORE ME COMPLETELY SINCE I ASKED FOR A REFUND UNDER THE TENNESSEE LEMON LAW, OF WHICH THE 4 UNSUCCESSFUL REPAIR ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE, WITH NOTIFICATION BY CERTIFIED LETTER TO THE DEALER AFTER THE 3RD ATTEMPT. THEY SAY NOW THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, WHEN BEFORE I ASKED FOR A REFUND THEY COULD.*AK

Mileage: 1,311

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, AND VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A LAKE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 17,500