Ten problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact stated 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the vehicle made a loud thumping sound and immediately after the check engine light illuminated. The contact was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the clutch assembly and transmission would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 33,000 and the current mileage was 36,000.
This is an update to the complaint I filed due the incident with my stepfather. That complaint is #10246879 wherein I reported a failure in the ignition/parking system that caused his 2003 this is an update to complaint odi 10246879 wherein I reported the failure of the ignition / parking system of his 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 truck. The failure caused his truck to roll over him, catching him up under the truck and dragging him over a curb where it jumped the neighbors fence before coming to a stop. At first it was thought he would survive his injuries but he died from complications of his injuries after a long and painful hospitalization. I am updating that complaint to advise of his death. This appears to be a not so unusual occurrence with this vehicle and I note that the 2002 models were recalled for a similar problem.
I placed the truck in park and exited the vehicle. The truck then began to roll backwards in reverse. I was knocked down by the open door before I could reenter the truck and rolled away to avoid being run over. The truck backed into a fence post damaging the drivers door and right front fender. The fence post was also bent over.
I was driving my 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 truck and my transmission went out. I was able to get it to my service dealership where they repaired it. I only had 37,000 miles on my vehicle at the time. I didn't have the extended warranty on my vehicle. I had to use a rental car. Then on top of everything, Chrysler damler would not pay for my rental. The real issue here is that my transmission should not have gone out under 40,000 miles.
Has happened numerous times! when parked on any kind of incline, the truck running or not (has happened both ways) has rolled backwards and is very difficult to stop with the brakes. Luckily no one has been run over, and it hasn't hit anything, but next time may not be so lucky! I now use the parking brake at all times when truck is parked. This is a very dangerous problem that needs addressed by Chrysler!.
On Friday, Nov. 28, 2003 my husband died as the result of our 2003 Dodge ram jumping from park into reverse, the drivers door hit him from behind and rolled him over forward, penning him under the drivers door and pavement. This incidnet was reported to and investigated by the birmingham police dept.
Transmission is not shifting properly. There is a period of free-wheeling when it downshifts from the od back into fourth gear, causing increased pressure to have to be applied to braking the pickup which in turn causes a jerking while braking. There is also a pause before the transmission shifts, it is slow getting into each gear and does not downshift properly. The rear-end has excessive slack to the point of startling people if nearby when shifting into gears. These have all been described as normal by the dealer. Not so!.
Transmission will not shift into reverse when left outside in the cold. Vehicle has 1200 miles on it. Vehicle was imported from canada and Chrysler corp. Will not warranty, nor will selling dealer take vehicle back. I purchased vehicle 5 weeks ago. I was told by repair station that there is a recall on this vehicle because of problems with the transmission but it does not surface on carfax nor on this website because Dodge does not report recalls to either.
Consumer stated transmission shifted hard at times, stalled and hesitated. Dealer notified. This happened when pulling into traffic. On three occasions, vehicle had failed to start. When it did restart black smoke emitted from the vehicle.
The transmission locked up, which caused consumer to abruptly pull over.