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2003 Dodge Dodge Truck

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 12 of 15 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

15 reports
87,000 miles · Jan 10, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10214401

57,134 miles · Apr 19, 2007
Suspension

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.

NHTSA ODI #10188330

34,870 miles · May 16, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

(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, THU…

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(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 THE SECOND I DROVE OFF THE ROAD HIT AND BROKE A TREE AND ROLLED OVER AGAINST A HOUSE, SHATTERED TWO WINDOW PANES, PUT DENTS IN THE GUTTERS. THE LAST 30 YARD OF UNWANTED ACCELERATION WAS WITNESSED BY CODY LATTEE THE OWNER OF 13756 WEST PARK, BOULDER CREEK CA 95006.IT IS THE DAMAGED PROPERTY ADDRESS ON THE CORNER OF BLACK STONE AND WEST PARK. THE OWNER MADE SEVERAL PHOTOS AND PROMISED TO GIVE ME A COPY OF ALL. HE COULD NOT BELIEVE HIS EYES THAT MY INJURIES WERE NOT FATAL. I SUFFERED BACK AND SHOULDER AND HEAD INJURIES. I WAIVED THE HOSPITALIZE, BUT WENT TO SEE MY PHYSICIAN THE SAME DAY. (3) I INSTRUCTED THE TOW TRUCK DRIVE AND LATER AN EMPLOYEE ON THE LOT NOT TO ALLOW ACCESS TO ANYONE TO THE TRUCK. THREE DAYS LATER JANUARY 4TH, 2003, I HAVE IT TOWED TO A THIRD PARTY IN CAPITOLA, CALIFORNIA COVERED WITH TARP AND BOUND AND TIED IT DOWN WITH CORD. I MADE A WRITTEN CONTRACT THAT THE YARD WILL NOT ALLOW ACCESS TO THE TRUCK WITHOUT MY INSTRUCTION. *AK *BF *NM

NHTSA ODI #10106069

22,300 miles · Jan 16, 2005
Power Train

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10106443

24,471 miles · Dec 12, 2004
SuspensionCrashInjury

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

NHTSA ODI #10102766

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2004
SeatsStructureTires

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 WHE…

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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 VEHICLE???IF SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST! BY THE WAY THE INCIDENT DATE IS FUNNY I SHOULD HAVE PUT SINCE THE DAY WE BOUGHT IT BUT THE DATE CLOSEST WOULD BE TODAY 12-10-04 CAUSE I JUST PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10102599

5,000 miles · Nov 27, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

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 T…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10100613

22,556 miles · Aug 10, 2004
Power Train

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10086562

20,108 miles · Aug 7, 2004
Tires

IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS I HAVE HAD 3 FLAT TIRES ON GOODYEAR TIRES ON 2 VEHICLES WITH METAL AND RUBBER COMBINED VALVE STEMS. THE STEMS COME APART. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10086370

14,487 miles · Nov 16, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2003 DODGE QUADCAB 5.7 HEMI ENGINE. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AT 3400 MILES AND AGAIN AT 9400 MILES APPROXIMATELY. DEALER TURNED ROTORS FIRST TIME AND REPLACED ROTOR [SAME PART NBR AS ORIGINAL] THE SECOND TIME. HAVE READ MANY POSTS ON WEBSITES. IT SEEMS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE TRUCKS 2002-2003 AND DAIMLER…

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2003 DODGE QUADCAB 5.7 HEMI ENGINE. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AT 3400 MILES AND AGAIN AT 9400 MILES APPROXIMATELY. DEALER TURNED ROTORS FIRST TIME AND REPLACED ROTOR [SAME PART NBR AS ORIGINAL] THE SECOND TIME. HAVE READ MANY POSTS ON WEBSITES. IT SEEMS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE TRUCKS 2002-2003 AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER WILL NOT ADMIT A PROBLEM EXISTS AND DO NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY NHTSA. WHEN THE ROTORS ARE WARPED THE VEHICLE WILL STILL STOP BUT SOMETIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE STEERING WHEEL WILL PULL HARD TO RIGHT OR LEFT. IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION UNTIL THE REPLACING OF PARTS IS DONE. HTTP://PICKUPTRUCK.COM HTTP://DODGETRUCKWORLD.COM KEYWORD WARPED ROTORS THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM TO ME. HOPE YOU CAN HELP. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10046997

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.