Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Sudden loss of braking while approaching intersection; the brake pedal just went to the floor when applying approximately two hundred feet before intersection; applied emergency brake to effectively stop;speed was below 30 MPH when approaching intersection and brake loss occurred; truck has also had four "death wobble" experiences even with pittman arm and associated parts replacement; two experiences of sudden acceleration (possible jammed open throttle) of the turbo, leading to loss of control; sudden accelerations occurred shortly after cruise control usage and traveling less than 30 MPH; while stationary, vehicle has experienced wiring harness short and fire on firewall while connected to trailer. Pictures attached were taken within 12 hours of sudden loss of brakes.
ABS and brake light remain on anytime my truck is running. Took it to a Dodge dealer to fix the problem. Quoting from my bill..."replaced wheel speed sensor. Further diagnosis revealed corroded connection at ABS module. Need to replace ABS module connection and module. Customer declined repairs at this time/quote for $1200.00" I had already spent $191.90 for wheel speed sensor above. Dealer says the ABS problem is not showing as recalled for my truck's VIN. I have found a recall (d20 issued in September 2004) for corroded ABS connectors on 2003 Dodge rams. Why is my 2003 Ram not covered by this recall?
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving 50 MPH, the power steering fluid leaked out and the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the brake pedal stiffened. The contact replaced the power steering pump seven times. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 303,549. Updated 04/13/16
When idling in park on a flat surface the vehicle slipped out the park gear to reverse. This caused the vehicle to roll back and hit a car. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
I bought a new 2003 Dodge 2500 cummins diesel 5.9l 24l from cerritos Dodge on feb 26th 2003 , now miles 2591 3 weeks later I received a transmission recall. On 9th May I gave the truck for suggested repairs and received back same evening. Next morning 10th of May 2003 , Saturday , traffic was very light ,I went to work headed 91 west , on ramp carmenita & exited garfield . Use of brakes was practically not required . The truck was parked all day. Around 6 in the evening headed fwy east 91 , in medium traffic , when the two cars in front of me have a fender bender , and stop in the fast lane I am watching all this as I am going about 40 MPH. I press the brakes. The brakes work just a bit half way then become like wet sponge , give way and the pedal goes down. The brakes fail , and I can't stop the truck. I hit the car in front of me at about 30 miles per hour. …
The Dodge Ram 2500 truck has a cummins diesel engine with common rail fuel injection. March 2013 while on a trip pulling a trailer, the number 5 & 6 fuel injector lines were severely rusted / corroded which resulted in a bad fuel leak. I lost close to 30 gallons of diesel fuel in 40 miles driving distance. The under hood and underbody of the truck was coated in fuel. Vehicles behind me had some fuel spray as well. It was smoking bad behind me due to the fuel being on the exhaust system. I had a Dodge dealer replace two of the six fuel injector lines. No choice. The dealer also cleaned the underbody. Once I returned home from the trip, I had a different Dodge dealer replace the other four injector lines. If this was a gas engine, the truck would've burned to the ground. …
On a road trip I was driving on a highway at 65 MPH and I hit a small light decal that delineates the lines on the road and my truck began to shake violently and so severely that I nearly lost control. Braking did not stop the shaking, not accelerating until it slowed to about 35 MPH did stop the shaking. I pulled over immediately because I was terrified that it would happen again. Since I was in the middle of nowhere I decided that I would drive again but at a slower pace. This time I drove at 55 MPH and when it hit a tiny bump again it began to shake horribly again. And once again I was stressed beyond belief that I was barely able to control this truck. This continues to happen at high speeds and if there is any ruffness on the road. Please recall these trucks and fix them. …
The fumes from the exhaust pipe entered the cabin of the vehicle from the climate control system. The fumes were coming from the blow down pipe which comes off the crank casing of the engine. When the cooling fan was in use it blew the fumes into the climate control , thus blowing it into the cabin of the vehicle. The dealership has installed a rubber pipe on the end of the blow down pipe, that leads under the main cab of the vehicle, so now when the vehicle is at a complete stop, with the window open, the fumes are coming through the window. Also at 15,000, when the brake pedal is depressed while driving at high speeds, the vehicle jerks forward and the fails to stop immediately. This occurred because the brake rotors were warped.
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup with cummins diesel engine. Loss of power steering and power brakes simultaniously due to failure of fitting on power steering pump. Happened on a highway while towing a trailer making stopping and manuvering difficult and dangerous. This is not an isolated event. I know of several others with same events due to powersteering pump /hose issues. Some ofthese are detailed on the web site www.turbodieselregistry.com which is a site for owners of diesel Dodge rams note: below date is an approximatedate. Did not feel need to report it until hearing of others with similar failure. If exact date is needed please e-mail me. Thanks for your interest in the safety of the motoring public.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V313000 (air bags) and 15V528000 (service brakes, air bags). The part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
Brake complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500, 3% of the model year's 661 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes 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.