CarModelProblems.com

2003 Dodge RAM Quad CAB Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Structure — runs 6.1× the fleet median for that category across the 1176 model-years tracked on this site.
122Complaints
7Recalls
8Crashes
2Fires
16Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Structure (31.1% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Structure complaints here are 6.1× the median for that category across the 1176 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Structure38 · 31.1%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor11 · 9%RecalledRecall 04V185000
Electrical System8 · 6.6%not available
Steering7 · 5.7%RecalledRecall 09E001000
Air Bags7 · 5.7%not available
Suspension6 · 4.9%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE38 · 31.1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR11 · 9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8 · 6.6%
STEERING7 · 5.7%
AIR BAGS7 · 5.7%
SUSPENSION6 · 4.9%
STRUCTURE:BODY6 · 4.9%
VISIBILITY/WIPER5 · 4.1%
SUSPENSION:FRONT4 · 3.3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER4 · 3.3%

Percentages are the share of the 122 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 7 campaigns

Steering:linkages

NHTSA campaign 09E001000 · 2009 · reported 01/13/2009

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE RESTRICTED ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN ONE DIRECTION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

NHTSA campaign 09E009000 · 2009 · reported 03/13/2009

WHEN THE WIPER SYSTEM FAILS, THE OPERATOR WILL HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control

NHTSA campaign 03V033000 · 2003 · reported 02/05/2003

THIS CAN RESULT IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND A REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:electrical

NHTSA campaign 07E066000 · 2007 · reported 08/28/2007

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E049000 · 2006 · reported 05/24/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

NHTSA campaign 04V185000 · 2004 · reported 04/12/2004

THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE DASH IS FALLING APART. IT BEGAN LAST SUMMER AND PIECES ARE FALLING INTO THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS. CHEAP MATERIAL USED FOR THE DASH BOARD.”NHTSA complaint 10653518 — filed 11/07/2014 · STRUCTURE
“MY DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING UP AND LARGE SHARDS OF THE PLASTIC BECAME AIRBORNE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK ME IN THE FACE . THIS…”NHTSA complaint 10630269 — filed 09/03/2014 · STRUCTURE
“THE DASH IS FALLING APART. IT BEGIN LAST SUMMER AND PIECES ARE FALLING INTO THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS AND BLOCKING THE AIR FLOW AND CAUSING…”NHTSA complaint 10593915 — filed 05/24/2014 · STRUCTURE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

182005914200786200914720115220131392015152017222019

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge RAM Quad CAB?

Structure issues are the most-reported category, cited in 38 of 122 NHTSA complaints (31.1%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (11), electrical system (8), steering (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2003 Dodge RAM Quad CAB have?

122 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 16 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2003 Dodge RAM Quad CAB have any recalls?

Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E001000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Dodge RAM Quad CAB's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.