20 problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 based on all problems reported for the 2003 Ram 1500.
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.
Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while at various speeds the vehicle experienced a loss of engine power. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as the cam shaft sensor being defective and needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 319,000. Kh.
Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while at a stop light smoke and flames were suddenly seen coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The smoke soon engulfed the cabin of the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene to extinguish the flames and a fire report was taken. During the incident the vehicle was destroyed and towed to an undisclosed location. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 33,000. Jft.
Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while at a stop light smoke and flames were suddenly seen coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The smoke soon engulfed the cabin of the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene to extinguish the flames and a fire report was taken. During the incident the vehicle was destroyed and towed to an undisclosed location. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 33,000. Jft.
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.
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.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle shifted gears abnormally. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an O2 sensor malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v312000 (air bags), but the part to do the repair was not available. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Vehicle cut off while making a right turn, no power steering, no engine response.
While pulling out into busy traffic my truck lost power and I had no acceleration. After about 30 seconds the vehicle kicked back in and took off. This has occurred multiple times, at random, with no warning. I have had it in the shop and repaired the throttle positioning sensor, and treated it for water in the gas. Neither one of these solved the problems, and they have no answers for what else may be wrong. This is a dangerous situation that is not unique to my vehicle. I have read many other cases online for the same problem. I do hope that Dodge issues a recall and finds a remedy before someone is seriously injured or killed.
The truck has a issue when starting up. It feels like the truck is not getting fuel, giving a high rpm and a feel like the engine is going to cut off and it does. This also happens when taking off at a stop light, going around a curve, and starting to move the truck. I have been to dealer and like always, can't find wrong in truck. I have replaced crank,map,air,speed,tps and nothing works. I also replaced O2 sensor,plugs, coil packs, battery, air filter, replaced throttle body, and purge. Nothing works. Why doesn't Dodge see there is a issue and find a solution. There are many Dodge rams with this issue. If Dodge wants people to buy there truck then help fix the issues with the other Dodge ram's. Oh I also called Dodge corp and of course they haven't heard of any issue. That I can't go by!!!.
Husband was driving the vehicle at about 45mph and without any warning the oil light came on and the motor blew a rod through the oil pan, if someone would have been behind him he would have been hit. Have been looking for another motor for this vehicle and when asking they laugh about it, it is a 4. 7 lt 8 cyl motor and apparently Chrysler knows about the problem and yet nothing is being done about it. The oil was everywhere on the road after this happened and that in itself is a hazard. Look online and a motor to replace it is in the 2 to 3 thousand range. We are still paying for this vehicle and that is without the motor price, look under problems for this truck and you will find a lot of comments about the motor blowing up with no warnings.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. While the vehicle was at a complete stop, the accelerator pedal extended to the floor without being depressed. The vehicle spontaneously accelerated. The engine warning indicator was illuminated at the time of the failure. The contact had to remove the key from the ignition to stop the vehicle. He is in the process of notifying the dealer to determine the cause of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 116,000.
My heater fan went out, creating a dangerous driving situation during winter driving conditions. I checked the fuse which is good. I think there should be a recall for this problem. I am going to have to have it fixed and believe the problem is in the ignition and will be costly.
At 130k miles the oil pressure dropped, engine seized, dealer blames sludge. I have the oil changed at 7500 miles intervals using full synthetic.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving downhill at approximately 60 mph, the vehicle experienced unwarranted deceleration. When the failure occurs, the contact cannot accelerate. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they reprogrammed the computer system. Immediately after the repair, the failure resurfaced. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 106,000.
Water leaking on to number 1 cyclinder causing it to miss fire. As far as I know Dodge aint saying a thing about this just giving tune ups and sending people on there way. Also both doors are tearing up weather stripping on both sides of vechile [on some modles] these modles are Dodge rams 1500,2500. 3500.
Having driven 120 miles, I was 4 miles from home; turning a corner, the motor shut down and started missing. It was missing so bad that I thought if I let off the gas pedal, the motor would shut down. My truck was loaded with tools so I proceeded to go on the next 4 miles and risk it and not lose my tools. Earlier as I was in a passing lane, I felt the motor shudder as if a spark plug was fouling or I had bad gas or a bad plug wire. If I was passing in a serious passing situation earlier in the day, and this motor shut down as it did, I wouldn't be writing this e-mail. This truck is equipped with a Dodge hemi and is expected to pass with ease. This is a serious safety problem. I was told there are 115 people in line for this par,t and if I paid an extra $80 I would be bumped to #6 because they classified me as vehicle off road. I'm told by the dealer that number is growing. The part has yet to be received by the service dealer, and I am completely without transportation.
Rough/unexceptable idle in 2003 Dodge ram since 6,000 miles on odometer, taken to Dodge dealership numerous times with no results or repair. Dealership and dahmler Chrysler have no remedy and I have a fairly new vehicle that runs like its on its last leg. I am totally annoyed with the Dodge experience, and should have purchased a gm product. I am currently researching the lemon law procedure.
While accelerating engine misfired. Also, when accelerating engine died out. Consumer was afraid of causing an accident.