The Lemon Index2003 Ram 1500.
The 2003 Ram 1500 is about average by owner complaints: 397 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 109, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 13 to 16 mpg combined. The best Ram 1500 year is 2000.
Covers the whole Ram pickup line (1500, 2500 and 3500): Ram reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 2,118 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ram 1500 year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 37K to 117K miles on the car (1,281 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 68K–159K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 56K–106K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 49K–139K miles
Recalls 11
- airbags 2015
This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts.
- steering 2013
The left tie rod assembly may break.
- steering 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14,…
Show all 11 recalls
- wheels 2010
FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCKS…
- steering 2010
FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS.
- visibility 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BRE…
- suspension 2007
CERTAIN LKI ENTERPRISES, INC., BRAND NAME SUPERLIFT SUSPENSION, PITMAN ARMS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 2003-2007 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 4X4 LIGHT TRUCKS.
- engine 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530.
- transmission & drivetrain 2005
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY WITHOUT SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVING THE KEY, THE DRIVER MAY INADVERTENTLY LEAVE THE AU…
- wheels 2003
CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, THE ALUMINUM WHEELS MAY HAVE EXCESSIVE POROSITY IN THE CENTER HUB AREA WHICH CAN CAUSE A WHEEL TO CRACK.
- speed control 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINES AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELEVATED IDLE SPEED AFTER EXTENDED CRUISE CONTROL USE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ram told dealers about
Ram sent dealers 37 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue…
- 2003-2008 (dr) ram truck 1500-steering shudder during parking lot or low vehicle speed maneuvers
- Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
- ClosedChrysler's execution of 13v-528 & 5292014–2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4950 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
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.
2003 Ram 1500 owner · NHTSA complaint 10092798
More owner reports
Tie rod ends wore out, making it difficult to steer vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10055346
Consumer called complaining about having problems with the transmission. When the vehicle is in reverse it gets stuck in the gears. Manufacturer was not contacted at the time of this call.
NHTSA complaint 10039913
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Ram 1500 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 109; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ram 1500 year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2003 Ram 1500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (23%), suspension (19%) and brakes (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ram 1500 have?
11 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Ram 1500 get?
13 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Ram 1500 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 37,000 and 117,500 miles. The middle report was at 72,200 miles, from 1,281 complaints.
Does the 2003 Ram 1500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 23% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Ram 1500 cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Ram 1500 have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
What Ram 1500 year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2017 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works