Model year record
2003 Dodge Dodge Truck recalls & problems
The 2003 Dodge Dodge Truck has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 15 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is suspension (5 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2003 Dodge Dodge Truck.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| SuspensionFront › Control arm › Upper ball joint; Rear › Axle › Spindle | 5 | 24,471 mi |
| Power trainAxle assembly; Axle assembly › Axle shaft | 4 | 22,556 mi |
| SteeringGear box (other than rack and pinion); Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm | 4 | 5,000 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | 3 | 14,487 mi |
| VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices › Interior; Defroster/defogger/hvac system | 2 | — |
| SeatsMid/rear assembly | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingExhaust system; Engine › Gasoline | 2 | — |
| TiresValve; Markings | 2 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineStorage | 1 | — |
| StructureBody › Door › Hinge and attachments | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
ENGINE FAILED TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED. BROKEN VALVE SPRING 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH 5.7L HEMI ENGINE. 87,000 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. REPAIRED AT DODGE DEALER AT A COST OF $580.00. *TR
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED, SIMILAR TO CAMPAIGN # 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,134.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipCrash1 injury
(1)AROUND 5 AM WITH A DODGE DAKOTA 2003 TRUCK, I DELIVERED NEWSPAPER ON THE TOP OF A HILL IN BLACK STONE ROAD TO FOUR ADDRESSES ON A FAIRLY LEVEL AREA. EACH NEEDED COMPLETE BRAKING TO ALMOST COMPLETE STOPS BECAUSE THE NEED TO INSERT THE PAPERS IN THE TUBES. APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS FROM THE LAST TUBE A STEEP DESCENT STARTED, THUS I TO PUT THE TRUCK IN LOWER GEAR I TRIED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE. THE PEDAL FIRST GAVE A VERY SMALL RESISTANCE AND SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT HAVING ANY EFFECT ON THE BRAKE. 2)WITH AN UNWANTED ACCELERATION, I TRIED TO PUT THE TRUCK IN LOWER GEAR, BUT THE DOWNHILL HAD MANY CURVES AND I COULD NOT CHANGE GEAR. I COULD NEGOTIATE THE FIRST CURVE BUT AT…
- Power train › Automatic transmission
TRUCK SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR WHEN STOP AND IS LEAFED RUNNING. 1) STOP TO GET SOME INFORMATION ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STORE, STOP THE TRUCK SHIFT THE TRUCK INTO PARK, OPEN THE DOOR GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK, CLOSE THE DOOR, AS I WAS WAKING TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE TUCK I WAS APPROXIMATELY 5? FEET AWAY FRONT THE DOOR THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE IN REVERSE. I QUICKLY CHASE THE TRUCK BACK OPEN THE DOOR JUMP INTO THE TRUCK (WHILE THE TRUCK WAS MOVING) APPLY THE BRAKES AND STOP THE TUCK. THE SHIFT INDICATOR IT SHOWED THAT HE TRUCK WAS IN PARK. *NM
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball jointCrash1 injury
I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON 09/30/04. DRIVER WHEEL CAME OFF. I HIT A MAILBOX, TELEPHONE POLE, WENT AIRBORNE AND LANDED ON A PARKED TRUCK. $10,000 IN DAMAGES TO MY 2003 DODGE DURANGO. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JB
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
EVER SINCE WE HAVE PURCHASED OUR 2003 DURANGO IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 WE HAVE BEEN TOTALLY UNIMPRESSED WITH IT TO SAY THE LEAST.. I HAVE IT IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL, MOLDING COMING DOWN OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE BACK DOOR, THE MATERIAL ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS LOOKS HIDEOUS AND WHEN I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID IT WAS MADE THAT WAY, ALSO WE'VE HAD IT IN FOR THE WIPER RECALL AND MY CD PLAYER KEEPS MESSING UP NOT TO MENTION RIGHT AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE KNOB FOR THE FRONT AND REAR SOUND HAD BROKE OFF AND WHEN I ASKED FOR THAT TO BE FIXED THEY SAID I'D HAVE TO BUY A NEW STEREO..NOW IS THIS WHAT YOU'D EXPECT FROM A HIGHLY PRICED DODGE…
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
I HAVE A 2003 DODGE DURANGO I BOUGHT NEW. I NOW HAVE 25000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE JUST HAD MY BRAKES REPAIRED FOR THE THIRD TIME. ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH BRAKE PADS. I ALSO HAVE A SMALL COLLAPSE(AT THIS TIME) IN MY GAS TANK. I HAVE NOT BEEN DOING ANY OFFROAD DRIVING. THERE IS A STRANGE NOISE FROM THE FRONT END WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT HEAR ANY NOISES COMING FROM THE STEERING.*AK
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
MY SON WAS DRIVING THE 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 ON THE 405 FREEWAY AT APPROX.70MPH WHEN THE RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE. MY SON LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SPUN AGAINST THE TRAFFIC. HE GAINED CONTROL, VEERED AGAINST THE RIGHT OUTSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE FREEWAY WITH HIS FRONT RIGHT TIRE AND WHILE DRAGGING THE RIGHT BACK TIRE, CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT. THE RIGHT BACK TIRE WAS DRAGGED FLAT ON THE FREEWAY FOR 400 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. HE WAS ONLY LUCKY NOT TO BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR DEAD.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.