Most common 2003 Dodge Ram Van problems
Share of the 16 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Ram Van complaints by model year
Best Ram Van years: 1995, 2002, 2003. Years to avoid: 1999, 2001. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2003 Dodge Ram Van:
Safety belt cinching latch plate
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.
What 2003 Dodge Ram Van owners say
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram Van. The contact stated that while contact was sitting in the vehicle with the engine running, smoke was emitted from the vehicle. The dashboard then caught on fire. The contact was able to exit vehicle without injury. The vehicle was destroyed. The fire department was present and a fire report was filed. The fire department stated that the fire began in the air conditioning switch. The failure was not reported to the manufacturer. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 30,000. Updated 8/19/13
This vehicle belongs to verizon communications. The Van had an under hood fire that originated in the ABS module area while parked. The Van is declared a "total loss". Daimlerchrysler issued safety recall d20 in 2004 to address this problem but the recall repair has not corrected the problem. Verizon has had 29 under hood fire incidents that occurred after the recall was performed. This is an unsafe condition that warrants further investigation and action.
A/C & heater
The driver and passenger side windows fog up and ice over while driving in freezing temperatures. Typically the front windshield also fogs over on the corners forming an oval that is fog free. Turning the vent system to full defrost does very little to remove the fog and frost. I have had to purchase fans to assist in keeping my windows clear. This condition prevents me from being able to use my side mirrors as well as seeing if there is on comming traffic when attempting to turn, typically I have to open the window or even the door if the frost is so bad that the window will not roll down (such as when driving for a couple of hour.). I have taken the vehicle to the dealer to look at and they had no solution, they even contaced the manufacturer who basically said that's "normal". I have seen at least two other Dodge Ram Van's that have had the same problem.
In cold weather all windows in the Van freeze up. I have to turn the defrost blower to high just to see out the front of the windshield. To turn either left or right I have to lower the driver and passenger windows to see if there is oncoming cars. Going down the interstate I am not able to see out the side view mirrors. The only way to see a little is to use my ice scraper on the inside of the Van. Having four small children in the Van I see this as a major safety concern. I have sent it to the Dodge dealer and they told me there is nothing that can be done. They have even said they have contacted Chrysler about the problem.
2003 Dodge Ram Van engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 15 / 14 |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 15 / 14 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Van.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Dodge Ram Van a good car?
Based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Ram Van rates average: 26% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Ram Van at the same age. It is one of the best Ram Van years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Dodge Ram Van?
The electrical system — 5 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the a/c & heater (3) and transmission & drivetrain (2).
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Ram Van have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Dodge Ram Van. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Ram Van?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1995, 2002 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999 and 2001. See the full Dodge Ram Van years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Ram Van problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 45% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.