Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The truck was brought in to dealer to inspect/repair wiring for trailer outlet. When they and began raising the vehicle, the rear lift arms broke through the frame on both sides. When I drove it short way to the repair shop (about 5 miles), the frame on the left broke and sagged and I nearly lost control. The repair shop was in sight and I was able to make it at under 10 mph. The road between the dealer and repair shop was an old country road and I never exceeded 45mph. The rusted frame was first noticed by Witt Ford in Pulaski and the frame was reinforced/surrounded by welded plate steel. There was no warning of the defect. If I had been travelling at highway speed and this failure occurred, I would have lost control, the left side of the truck would have been dragging as well as fuel tank. There would have been a crash and probably a fire.
The frame/chasis rusted through and dealer could not raise truck because lift went through frame. If it had not been noticed at dealership, we and others could have been killed if the frame had broken through on the highway. The dealership and repair shop can confirm. The box and other body components are severely rusted. The body around the gas filler cap is so rusty that I have to hold the gas dispenser just so as to prevent gas leakage from the filler apparatus going into the gas tank. The gas tank fell off the truck twice and the truck was towed into the dealer to be fixed. The truck has less than 150,000 miles, and was purchased new. The incidents occurred between 2004 and 2020 - approx. No police reports or injuries, but no help from dealer.
Rear fenders are rusted such that wiring harness falls off from underside if fenders and rubs on tires. Middle of frame rusted through on right and left side and dealer's floor lift went about half-way through both sides when the technician. tried to raise truck to check wiring under truck. The lift only crunched about halfway through near the middle of the frame. That was the point when the technician noticed the truck was lifting unevenly and making a crunching sound when he started trying to lift it. He left the truck as it was - with two wheels on the floor and two wheels about an inch off the floor He hollered for th shop supervisor to look at, who came and got me in the waiting room to show me what happened. …
On August 1 2020, my 2 adult children and another passenger was in a crash and my truck flipped several times from front to back and all passengers were badly injured and not one of the air bags were deployed. The truck was hit from the passenger side causing the truck to air lift and flip.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14V770000 (air bags) and NHTSA campaign number: 15V312000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact initially brought the vehicle to the dealer on January 15, 2015. At that time, the dealer stated that the recall repair was performed; however, the recall did not begin until until February 3, 2015. Upon review of the invoice, the document stated that the vehicle was inspected and that the recall repair would not be needed. Several months later, the contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15V312000 (air bags). The manufacturer stated that the repair for NHTSA campaign number: 14V770000 (air bags) had already been repaired on February 12, 2015 and the parts for NHTSA campaign number: 15V312000 (air bags) were not available. …
During the first year we bought the truck it had to be towed in to the shop because it would lose power and just "turn off" and could not be started about 6 times. After the truck was returned to us after one of these episodes, we had hooked up our camper to leave for the weekend, went into the house for some more stuff, and noticed that the gas tank had fallen off the truck and was sitting in the driveway under the truck. So much for camping that weekend and another tow to the dealer. We also purchased an extended "bumper-to-bumper 100,000 mile, 5 year warranty that covered rust. I brought the truck into the dealer to show them the rust around the rear wheel wells and lower body in the 4th year into the warranty and they said they made a record of it and would take care of it. …
I had just stopped my truck in front of my garage and, with my foot on the brake, shifted into the park gear position. Suddenly the engine began to race and my foot on the brake peddle went to the floor as if I had no brakes at all. I took my foot off of the brake peddle and the engine leaped forward through my garage door. I hit the brakes immediately and came to a screeching stop. I put the truck in reverse but it would not engage. A neighbor came and asked if I needed help. I asked him to try backing out of the garage for me. He took my place behind the wheel and shifted into reverse with the same result. He asked me if I had the emergency brakes on because the truck would not move. I told him no and when he attempted to use reverse again the gears engaged and he backed the truck out of the garage for me.
The dashboard on the passenger side has a crack on the top, just to the left of the glove bos. It started out as only a small crack but is opening up. The entire area feels very soft when cleaning it, so I assume with most of the other comments, its only a matter of time until it completely falls apart. Also why has there been nothing done with the rear fenders on the Dodge Ram 1500 p.u. The fenders on just about every one I see are rusted out, was told they used a cheaper metal for those fenders. Glad they used junk, bit didn't charge you that way. You would think they would take pride in the vehicles. Both of these are safety issues as, parts break and fly during accidents.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact heard a large thump. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and found that the fuel tank had detached from the body of the vehicle. The police was present, but no report was filed. The fire department and hazmat unit were also at the scene. The vehicle was towed to kahlo Chrysler Dodge (9900 pleasant st, noblesville, in 46060), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 159,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle parked, it was discovered that the paint was peeling off every wheel well and there was rust under the paint that was peeling. The vehicle was taken to dealer where it was confirmed that the wheel well were both rusted. In addition, the vehicle was showing signs of rust on the passenger side bumper. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was not available.
Body complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 237 complaints about the body & structure of the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, 20% of the model year's 1,171 complaints. The component named most often is body (72 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.