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2003 Dodge RAM Van

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
16Owner complaints

Model-year median: 15

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2003 Dodge RAM Van

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 16 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 1 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Electrical System: 5 reports
  • Visibility: 4 reports
  • Power Train: 2 reports
  • Steering: 2 reports
  • Suspension: 2 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    29
    2000    33
    2001    14
    2002    16
    2003
    Compare all RAM Van years →

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

    What owners reported most

    Electrical System
    5    Visibility
    4    Power Train
    2    Steering
    2    Suspension
    2
    All reported categories
    Air Bags
    1    Child Seat
    1    Exterior Lighting
    1    Seats
    1    Structure
    1    Unknown Or Other
    1

    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: 11 of 16 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.

    • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Visibility. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    1 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

    Power Train complaints

    2 reports
    Clear category filter
    148,505 miles · Oct 7, 2015
    Power TrainSteeringSuspension

    DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 65 MPH AND LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF VEHICLE STEERING FOUND OUT IT WAS DUE TO A RUSTED FRAMED. TOTALLY UNSAFE VAN. I WAS GLAD IT WAS NOT VERY BUSY ON THE INTERSTATE OR I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED A MANUFACTURE CAN HAVE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. IT IS TOTAL FRA…

    Read full complaint

    DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 65 MPH AND LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF VEHICLE STEERING FOUND OUT IT WAS DUE TO A RUSTED FRAMED. TOTALLY UNSAFE VAN. I WAS GLAD IT WAS NOT VERY BUSY ON THE INTERSTATE OR I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED A MANUFACTURE CAN HAVE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. IT IS TOTAL FRAME LOST TO RUST.

    NHTSA ODI #10780681

    Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2003
    Power Train

    THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE 4 TIMES FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE SHIFTING GEARS. (ROADTREK RECREATIONAL VEHICLE). *JB

    NHTSA ODI #10011697

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    1

    PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate

    Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

    THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.