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 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata ?- on 7/15/2017 my son was involved in a single vehicle accident as he drove home on the freeway. Lost control of vehicle resulting in the vehicle spinning and impacting a guard rail post , ejecting him from the vehicle on to the freeway where he died. Upon examination of vehicle no airbags in the cabin deployed. *
Vehicle was in motion when I identified a large crack had form in the center of the dashboard above the radio from front to rear. As I drive each day I have more and more cracks forming in all directions with sharp/angular pieces unexpectedly falling into the dash and the cab of the truck. I am concerned about the safety of myself and my passengers especially when I consider what might happen when the airbag deploys as designed, causing the dash to explode and send projectiles throughout the cab. I contacted Chrysler back in 2013 and was told by a representative that this defect is not a warranty issue because of the time since the purchase date. Since then the damage has become more severe and I am concerned that pieces falling behind the dash they will interfere with my ability to control the vehicle (acceleration/braking). …
Dashboard disintegrating into hundreds of extremely pointed and sharp shards of heavy gauge plastic some of considerable mass that pose a severe risk in the event of a collision. Daily remove pieces of dash as they break free. Many are heavy enough and pointed enough to severely injure driver or occupants even under severe braking let alone a crash with airbag deployment at supersonic speeds. Under severe braking these shards break free and fly forward toward the windshield then bounce back at the terrified occupants. We now have to always wear protective eyewear to avoid being blinded by a flying piece of debris from the dash. Every time the vehicle hits a small bump another piece or two breaks off or a new crack appears threatening to release another sharp flying object into the passenger compartment. This is not just cosmetic!! This is dangerous. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 05V462000 (power train) and 15V312000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 08/17/16 the consumer stated the transmission failed at 2,500 miles. The ball joints and water pump failed and the windshield leaked. Updated 10/26/16.
My truck has been babied it's entire life and has been garaged. I even tinted the windshield with the uv rated ting so it would help with the dash issues also. Even with all this precaution, the dash has still cracked. I noticed the first hairline crack in summer 2006 and it's been a downhill spiral ever since. Recently it started dropping parts in the vents I guess. Then I would have particles flying in my eye when I turn the heater on. My kids also have things flying in their eyes. This is a danger ous situation and Dodge needs to recall these dashes before someone gets really hurt or killed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the dashboard was falling apart. When the air conditioner was activated, there were particles flying out of the vents. While driving approximately 10 MPH over a bump, the steering wheel seized and something on the front end felt loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the upper ball joint and stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the dashboard was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge sprinter 2500. The contact stated that while driving over a bump at an unknown speed, the driver side sun visors fractured and obstructed the view of the contact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. Ma 08/13/15 updated 09/10/15 the consumer stated the sun visor never fractured, but would pivot down. This would block the view of the roadway. Updated 12/1/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact noticed that the frame was fractured. The contact called freehold Dodge Ram at [phone] and was informed that there was no recall and the part was not replaceable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
Complete top of dashboard is cracking and pieces falling inside. Condition is concerning from a safety standpoint. The structural integrity of the dash which also houses the passenger airbag is obviously compromised, there are sharp edges where the dash has cracked and where large pieces of plastic are missing. This would very likely cause injuries in the event of a crash.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the dashboard on the passenger side of the vehicle was fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact was not offered a remedy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Body complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 146 complaints about the body & structure of the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500, 22% of the model year's 661 complaints. The component named most often is body (39 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500, though it has 6 recalls 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 2500 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 1 crash, 0 fires and 11 injuries and 1 death 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.