How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 have?

The 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 has 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2003 Dodge Ram 3500?

Of 330 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is air bags.

2003 Dodge Ram 3500 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,606,149 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 330 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 15V312000 2015-05-26 385,686 affected

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured August 29, 2002, to July 25, 2003 to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerÂ’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on March 16, 2016. Owners may…

STEERING 13V528000 2013-11-06 706,664 affected

Defect

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.

Consequence

A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.

STEERING 11V350000 2011-07-06 242,780 affected

Defect

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, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM…

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

POWER TRAIN 05V462000 2005-10-06 250,433 affected

Defect

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 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL IN INDICATED REVERSE.

Consequence

THIS ERROR IS AN UNINTENDED ACTION THAT MAY RESULT IN A LACK OF TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL ENGAGEMENT AND POSSIBLY DELAYED REARWARD MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PERFORM A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION TO EQUIP THESE VEHICLES WITH AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

WHEELS 03V212000 2003-06-05 1,086 affected

Defect

CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, THE ALUMINUM WHEELS MAY HAVE EXCESSIVE POROSITY IN THE CENTER HUB AREA WHICH CAN CAUSE A WHEEL TO CRACK.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEELS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JUNE 17, 2003.. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 03V033000 2003-02-05 19,500 affected

Defect

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINES AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELEVATED IDLE SPEED AFTER EXTENDED CRUISE CONTROL USE.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND A REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SOFTWARE IN THE CUMMINS ENGINE CONTROLLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS

STRUCTURE

STEERING

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUSPENSION

STRUCTURE:BODY

POWER TRAIN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SUSPENSION:FRONT

TIRES

Total complaints330

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact who is a certified mechanic, inspected the vehicle. Upon expecting the vehicle, the contact determined that both upper control arms…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2024-07-11

“Frame rusted through in several places. Service provider had problems placing truck on lift due to frame integrity to replace brake lines. Upon my inspection frame is rusted through in several places. Cannot determine if truck is safe to drive. *tr”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2020-06-26

“Air ban light is on”

AIR BAGS · reported 2019-02-05

“Had to replace carring bearing and sleeve bushing on drive shaft had a lot of wable in steering”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2018-11-11

“"takata recall" my vehicle has been recalled twice over this issue, each time the repair has been completed. The current problem with my vehicle relates to the air bag module. My air bag warning light came on about a month ago at which time I took it to my local dodge dealership thinking the…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2018-02-05

“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500. While driving 25 mph, the steering wheel was loose and became inoperable without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The vin was unknown. The failure mileage was…”

STEERING · reported 2018-01-22

“When driving the truck around 65 mph & I hit a bump I get a severe death wobble. This has happened several more times & it's very dangerous”

STEERING · reported 2018-01-05

“The truck will not shut off. After stopping and turning off the ignition and removing the key, the truck remains running. Sometimes, after about five minutes idling it will shut off on its own. Other times we have had to remove a fuse.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2017-09-23

Defect investigations

Investigation AQ14003 Opened 2014-10-20 · closed 2016-05-16

Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529

RMD opened this audit query (AQ) investigation in order to better understand and evaluate Chrysler's process(es) for timely and efficient execution of its safety recall campaigns, including its oversight and management of its parts division Mopar.Prior to opening this investigation, RMD had raised concerns with the…

Investigation EA04025 Opened 2004-08-26 · closed 2005-12-22

FALSE PARK

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES…

Investigation EA04025 Opened 2004-08-26 · closed 2005-12-22