Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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 contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel and the front wheels were uncontrollable. While driving from Georgia to Memphis, there was an unknown object loose by the wheel. The ball joint suspension was replaced by an independent mechanic. The low tire pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to an unstated location. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal thump, prompting the contact to look through the review mirror, where he observed that the spare tire was on the roadway. After a visual inspection, the contact observed that the spare tire hoist cable had detached, allowing the spare tire to fall from the spare tire compartment. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,600. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shook abnormally and a grinding noise was heard. The contact stated that the wheel hubs became detached while driving at a low speed. In addition, the contact stated that the rear glass shattered after being involved in a minor rear end collision. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
My daughter got about 300 feet from the house and said the "brakes felt funny" so she decided to turn around at the corner. Well, she simply turned the steering wheel and the passenger side front wheel broke clean off at the hub. I thank god she was going less than 5mph. Her route that day would have put her on the highway and if this had happened then......I can't even think about it. The repair shop took pictures and said they'd provide whatever info I needed. Well, what was needed for Chrysler to recall this a long time ago. I understand the truck has some miles on it but I was shocked to go online and see how many people have experienced the exact same problem. If anybody has one of these vehicles, they should immediately have the hubs checked....especially on the front passenger side as that seems to be the main issue from what I've read.
While drive at the posted speed limit, the drivers side front wheel separated from the vehicle. I lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle crossed the center line, crossed over the on coming lane, hit a mailbox, went airborne, crossed a driveway, hit a tree, rolled, hit another smaller tree and came to rest on the drivers side door facing the opposite way I was originally traveling. At the time the hub assembly separated from the vehicle, I was traveling downhill. My daughter was able to crawl out of the vehicle while I had to be cut out using the jaws of life. I was transported to a local trauma one hospital via life air medical rescue. My daughter was transported by ground. She had five chipped teeth while I sustained a tbi and broken knee cap. The vehicle was a total lost but there was no loss of life.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 equipped with Goodyear wrangler authority tires, size: lt265/70r17 (na). The contact discovered that the front driver and passenger side tires experienced tread separation and excessive wear, which caused the steel belts to become exposed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact indicated that the failure occurred on two previous tires of the same make and model vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The tire failure mileage was 100,000 and vehicle failure mileage was 100,592.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the front passenger wheel detached from the vehicle independently. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel hub, calipers, brake pads, and brake hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was unaware if the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 10e040000 (wheels). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000. Updated 12/13/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V312000 (air bags) and 14V770000 (air bags); however, the part needed to do the repair was not made available. In addition, while driving approximately 60 MPH, the front driver side wheel failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, who diagnosed that the wheel assembly fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at 40 MPH, there was an abnormal odor coming from the rear of the vehicle. The rear tires seized and the contact was unable to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a grinding noise emitted from the front driver's side wheel hub. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, 3% of the model year's 1,171 complaints. The component named most often is sidewall (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to wheels & tires 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.