general problems of the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500

Unknown everything will stop operating as I'm driving and after coming to a stop will start right back up. I had one repair shop tell me that it has something to do with the fuel but the problem continue, the second repair shop said it was a brain box issue, if this was safety issue or problem can I get reimbursed.

This vehicle had last been started and driven 7 hrs prior and exploded in the driveway, caught the house on fire and nearly killed my son who was near the inside wall of the house. The engine blew and then the front tires. Three explosions in all before the fire department was able to stop the fire. Luckily they were only a mile away. This was an older but well running vehicle.

When driving the truck the vehicle randomly shuts down and I have to pull over or put it in neutral to restart it I believe there might be a problem with the tipm that Dodge has had a ongoing problem for years and ignored the issue.

Engine stops running while drving electric power turns off to gages pull over turn the key off and back one the truck starts up after a few tries replaced computer. And module still stops running no codes dose this every time I drive it.

Extreme rust and corrosion above both sides of the rear wheel wells. Door locks will randomly lock by themselves while driving, stopped or in park. Has locked me out after stepping out to open a gate, had to go get a spare set of keys to unlock.

Airbag light on dash stays on. Contacted Dodge about this problem and they could not help. I don't think it is a good idea to drive around with the airbag light on. The airbag will not engage when this dash control light is illuminated. The vehicle has never been involved in a collision. Just minor scrapes and scratches.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v312000 (air bags). The vehicle was repaired. After the repair, the air bag warning light illuminated. The air bag light was not illuminated pior to the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,317.

My 2003 Ram 1500 has had intermittent problems since 2004 which of course dealer can't replicate. Through research from my terrible gas mileage of at times 9mpg to the engine staling and dying and loss of power to a point there isn't enough power to pull out of its onw tracks, I finally found the power distribution center (pdc) and later models call the total integrated power module (tipm). This is a very expensive item and I called Chrysler corp to find no help at all. So, the local dealer was sympathetic and offered one from their parts dept. Of over $600. I have opted to install it myself as I'm very capable and could not afford the $1200 price tag on this repair that has cost me tons of money in gas/parts/time and labor. Since there was a recall on the later models for the tipm there should be one for the older ones as well that we have lived with for this long. All models with the mopar community have this issue and they very well know it. Remember their bailout? I do. . . Time to own up and fix this and they in turn can file a claim on whom ever their supplier is for this defective part.

Vehicle cuts off while driving can on highway or while turning, many others has same complaint online. Very dangerous no vehicle on the highway should have this problem.

Incident occurred while driving on the 91 freeway in CA. All of a sudden the engine cut out, and ground to a halt. I repeatedly tried to restart the truck but to no avail. The engine would not turn over. I was trapped in the fast lane unable to make my way to the soft shoulder. Fortunately the hazard warning lights were functional and I was able to apply these to warn other drivers. Eventually a tow truck was deployed to get my out of harms way. It was a very scary moment and I was very fortunate not to be hit. The following day I got the truck towed to a garage where they checked it over and the only thing they could find wrong was a fuse had blown that controlled ignition unlock/run start function. The garage was not able to find what would cause such a failure and now I am reluctant to travel on the freeway. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the driver side signal and emergency blinkers failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a loose wire in the integrated fuse box. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000. The VIN was not available.

My wiper motors work but stop half way in the window and I replaced them with new ones and it does the same thing ? this is a big issue up here in wny as alot of Dodge rams you see on the road have their wipers stuck half way reducing their site to drive!.

My brake lights is staying on, while the truck is crank up. 3rd barke light working fine. As soon, I shut the. Truck off brake lights goes off. Take the truck to the dealership, they replace the brake light switch. Problem went away for awhile and came right back. So, I order two new brake light control panel from the dealership problem again went away. Now it's back again. Driving down the road everybody thinking, I'm riding my brakes. When, I do come to a stop it won't light up too warn drivers behind me. That, I"m stopping.

All of a sudden the truck started shutting off, whether in idle or on the freeway. It would happen multiple times during the day. When shutting off, the truck would loose power steering and brakes. Took to multiple dealerships and mechanics who couldn't find anything wrong with the truck, would never throw any codes, finally spoke with a mechanic who talked to a computer person who stated that we needed to have the computer fixed but it wouldn't be available for 3-6 weeks due to it being on national back order. This needs to be recalled, due to safety issues. You are unable to control the vehicle when you lose power steering and brakes. National back order tells me that there is a problem and Dodge knows about it.

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v770000 (air bags) and 15v312000 (air bags). However, the part to do the repair was not available. The dealer and manufacturer were contacted multiple times. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the part to do the repair. Bd.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated the the vehicle defrost/defogger system windshield:blower does not function and the visibility is very limited when weather conditions are cold. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the diagnosis was the defrost/defogger system needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,500. Bp.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at 35 mph, the air conditioner shut off independently. The failure recurred constantly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

Defrost vent won't work every other setting works fine.

Started up and the abs dash indicator light stayed on. I took the truck to my mechanics and noticed the speedometer wasn't working. My mechanics found the problem with the abs right away. They said that a fire had occurred and the entire truck could have caught fire. The abs controller was burnt and the wires leading from it.

Dash is cracked and pieces are flying everywhere when the ac is turned on. Very unsafe.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the doors on the front passenger and the rear passenger side failed to open. Also, the contact mentioned that the windows and the locks would not open. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the vehicle was working up to specifications. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a crash and the air bags didn't deploy. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000. Kc.

Having several electrical issue with my Dodge truck. Not all power windows and autolock work and have to replace the bulbs for the brakes and turning signal about every 6 months. Already replaced the bracket where the bulbs go. Plus seen several complains on the dashboards cracking like my truck has and Dodge won't have a recall nor fix this issue.

The dash board has finally fallen apart after years of trying to keep it together. The obd connection has never worked fuse is good and several different scanners but no communication.

We have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. We are having problems with our brake lights, turn signals and trailer lights and took our truck into a Dodge dealer. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. We were told we need a new pdc block (power distribution center). We were told it would be $500. They couldn't order the part because they say they are back ordered with almost 200 orders. It would take anywhere from 2 - 12 weeks to get the part it. Seems to me that there are a lot of problems with this vehicle having electrical problems with the pdc, which is non repairable and needs to be replaced. Maybe someone should look into this. Part #68005475aa. Please let me know if you decide to d a recall on this vehicle.

2003 Dodge Ram 1500 slt quad cab experienced over the course of the past year a malfunctioning speedometer, fuel gauge, brake warning light, abs warning light, wiper motor, aux. Power outlet. As a result of recurring electrical defects vehicle suffered an electrical fire completely destroying it's value and use while it was parked and unattended. Owner had written complaint letters to dealership and manufacturer prior to fire incident and has service records documenting defective speedometer, replaced brake sensor (which continued to malfunction after repair), and replaced wiper motor. Other complaints were never addressed by dealer service department because "they were sporadic intermittent electrical problems that were impossible to diagnose and repair" according to service writer statements.

I have had two different problems with my vehicle. On or about 19 Apr 2006 my dashboard started cracking, and a years later there is a short somewhere in the electrical system, because my windows and door locks only work when they won't to, and my radio volume changes whenever it wants to. I purchased my vehicle Jan 2006 with only 34,000 miles. I have searched several websites to find our individuals with the same issues, and low and behold there are several individuals on several different websites with the same issues. However, surprisingly there still aren't any investigations or recalls started.

While driving in heavy rain water got into the connector of the pcm and shorted out the module. The lights will not turn off even with the switched off. There is a recall for 2004 vehicles with this problem and for 2003 vehicles but only if they are equipped with a diesel. The fix costs $500. 00 for a new fuse box and module.

2003 Dodge Ram 1500 5. 7l 2wd truck stalled. Most recent listed below but happened before as well. No events leading up to failure. Driving on highway, in traffic, truck shutters (like it downshifted several gears at once) then engine quit. Have electrical accessories, radio, fan, windows and dash are working, but engine not running. Coast to stop on side of road. Shift to park but won't re-start. Have towed to dealership (which was closed because this happened on a Sunday). Next day the truck stared fine at dealership and had no codes. Dealer did nothing to repair. The first time this happened, the same thing happened. Towed to dealer at night, started the next morning and had no codes. Dealer re-flashed computer that time.

Check engine light illuminates. Code p0440 is diagnosed, there are no tsbs or information available to dealers on what this code means. Mechanic says it's in the evaporation system. I've only had this truck for 3 wks, this is the 2nd occurrence. Mileage on vehicle 11,500.

During a rainy day, the gauges on my truck died completely. All the indicator lights on the dashboard (gas, engine, abs, brake, etc. ) went dead. Worst of all, the wipers went dead. Although the truck was running, this created a problem. Took it to the dealer and they said the "cluster" was bad. Part was ordered but has not arrived yet.

During the first year we bought the truck it had to be towed in to the shop because it would lose power and just "turn off" and could not be started about 6 times. After the truck was returned to us after one of these episodes, we had hooked up our camper to leave for the weekend, went into the house for some more stuff, and noticed that the gas tank had fallen off the truck and was sitting in the driveway under the truck. So much for camping that weekend and another tow to the dealer. We also purchased an extended "bumper-to-bumper 100,000 mile, 5 year warranty that covered rust. I brought the truck into the dealer to show them the rust around the rear wheel wells and lower body in the 4th year into the warranty and they said they made a record of it and would take care of it. They put if off with promises after numerous calls and trips to the dealer until the dealership sold to another party and the warranty had expired (years, not miles). The body is rotten, the passenger front window was never fixed, and it still occasionally stalls. I'm told that the stalling and body problems are engineering defects, and internet searches confirm this.

(second time) we where driving on the 10 fwy with our girls to drop them for the week because we where going on vacation to vegas. That is when the "brand new truck died" it was due to the same reasons sensor and other problem. It had been in the moss Dodge dealership since June 13, 2003 . Today is June 20, 2003 we have not heard from them since Tuesday. As we where driving on the 10 fwy the truck died completely with the traffic behind us in the fast lane on the freeway. I believe that this truck is not repairable. I also believe that there is to much wrong with this trucks sensor which give the power to drive. This truck to me and my family is consider dangerous to drive from the experience we had on June 13, 2003. We have been complaining but not even the general manager has called us back. We even asked for a corp. Office they said they did not have one. Which is hard to believe.

Vehicle with an unsafe power window switch.

Shortly after purchasing our ram new from dealer, I experienced a small slight shock when getting in and out of the driver seat coincidentally I hold onto the inside door handle to do this. We have 20" wheels, and I am only 5'4. Mentioned this to the dealer at regular maint. In their service shop. Nothing done. Now this has gone on for 5 years. After appx. 3 years (just after 3/36 warranty expired) my driver door power window/door lock switches are not working correctly. Intermittently they will work for the other doors, but not very often. Also, if driver door is open, the switches don't work at all. I am and have been out of warranty for many miles, they say it's not a known issue, I say it is now! this is unsafe, I would not be surprised to find my vehicle on fire due to the electrical problem they refuse to acknowledge.

We had just purchased a Dodge Ram 1500 on March 29. 2003 when the next day it died on us. We had it towed to the nearest dealer ship. At that time they said it had to with the sensor then later on a few days later they called back and said that it was also the module that was defected with the sensor. Told it was fixed after they had order those parts. (this is only first time truck died).