Body complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2008 | 2 | 8% | 116,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 12% | 46,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 9% | 13,000 miles |
| 2003 | 56 | 30% | 70,000 miles |
| 2002 | 91 | 26% | 75,000 miles |
| 2001 | 91 | 20% | 60,000 miles |
| 2000 | 9 | 6% | 26,000 miles |
| 1999 | 31 | 8% | 82,000 miles |
| 1998 | 23 | 4% | 120,000 miles |
| 1997 | 19 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 1996 | 24 | 4% | 110,000 miles |
| 1995 | 26 | 4% | 133,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 used to haul a 2018 Keystone Passport Ultra Lite Grand Touring. The contact stated that the thermostat in the RV failed to operate as needed. The RV was taken to the dealer, where the thermostat was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The RV was taken back to the dealer, where the thermostat was replaced a second time. Additionally, the contact stated that the RV interior structure had detached in several areas, and the RV was leaking an unknown substance. The contact stated that a nearby camper repair facility inspected the RV and opened the release valve, where water had accumulated underneath the RV. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown
Dt: handle on inside of driver's side fell off. While caller was trying to get into truck the handle came off, and the caller fell out onto the black top. Caller was hurt and bruised, and experienced a lot of discomfort. Manufacturer was not willing to offer any help. Dealer was going to replace the handle and the holder on the door.
2003 Dodge Ram quad cab 4x4 had vehicle towed and when tow truck driver hooked chains to frame rails to winch vehicle on to tow truck the chains ripped the steel out of the bottom of the frame do to the frame being rotted I have uploaded photos. This is a real safety concern do to the fact the frame is enclosed and there is no real warning or signs of the integrity of the remaining structure of the frame. It is in my opinion this needs to be addressed and frame should be recalled there are many other people with the same trucks even a lot newer than this one but same frame as mine and the same problem there is no reason other than poor engineering and prep of this frame I own many old pieces of equipment that are 30+ years older than this truck and no rot issues like this wear and tear is one thing body rot ect is normal but this is a real safety issue that gives no warning many of …
There is a entry grab handle mounted to the interior door post near the windshield intended as an assist handle. My truck is equipped with running board to make entry easier into the truck cab. I used the assist handle while getting into the truck cab, it pulled loose from the pillar causing me to nearly fall from the truck. I was able to gain my balance and step down from the running boards without doing any injury. I am of average height and weight appropriate. When I examined the handle I was shocked to see the only mounting involved was plastic with a bolt through it screwed to the door frame. This in no way should be classified as an appropriate assist handle to aid one in the entry of the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram quad cab. The contact stated that the dashboard was fractured along the air conditioner and heater vent. The contact was concerned that the front passenger air bag could inadvertently deploy because of the fracture. The contact stated that the air conditioner and heater vent were inoperable on the lower settings due to obstruction from pieces of fractured debris. The contact stated that the air conditioner and heating system would only function on a high setting. The contact also stated that the windshield defroster was inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram model r35. The contact was driving 5 MPH when smoke emitted inside of the vehicle and flames were visible from the hood. The failure caused the contact to drive into a ditch but there was no crash. The doors failed to open during the failure so the contact escaped by punching and shattering the windshield. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where the mechanic confirmed that the power disruption caught fire. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and the current mileages were 50,000.
Cracked dash-we purchased our 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 quad cab used in oct 2003 with less than 46,000 miles on odometer. When we purchased the truck the cup holder was not closing properly and we asked the dealership to adjust it. They did but it still did not close properly or hang properly and was not usable as is. Cup holder fell completely off within about 3 months although we couldn't use it much. Our dash began to crack within the same time of purchasing the truck and now the bezel is cracked so badly is it falling in. We are looking into purchasing a bezel now because it is just so bad now. When the truck was purchased the dash had a rattling that we couldn't figure out, it is obviously the bad dash bezel design. We did purchase a new cup holder when fixing it didn't work anymore. I do not have the old cup holder but I can tell you the hinges broke completely off of it. …
2001 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup has cracked dashboard. Started about 2 years after I bought the truck new. Still has new cracks developing. Some cracks extend into passenger airbag compartment and into driver's instrument panel. Installed carpeted dashboard cover to help prevent the cracks from progressing but they still remain to increase in size. Appears that whenever the A/C or heater is used the cracks extend and can be heard audible. The rapid change in interior temperature when using the A/C or heater can cause the cracks to quickly extend. Have to slowly increase temperature to reduce the failure rate. Have tried everything to prevent the cracks but nothing helps. Concerned now about the airbag compartment being comprised and leading to premature airbag deployment. The dashboard appears to very brittle and every precaution is used not to place any weight on dashboard. …
Related recalls (1)
Structure
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. These vehicles May have been built with bolts that were not properly hardened. The bolts were used to attach the cab and the core support to the frame.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these bolts with properly hardened bolts.
NHTSA investigations
HOOD LATCH
Onmarch 20, 1995, daimlerchrysler filed a defect report for 181,008 1994 and 1995 Dodge Ram trucks manufacturedc from January 21, 1994 - October 25, 1994 at the Dodge city assembly plant and from March 26, 1994 - December 8, 1994 at the lago alberto assembly plant.the secondary hood latch rod could bind on the guide bracket and prevent engagement of the secondary latch.if this occurs when the primary latch is not…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (91), 2002 (91), 2003 (56), 1999 (31) and 1995 (26) model years. Body complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram body problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 98V-208 (structure, Sep 8, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Ram body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body › door (31 mentions), followed by the body (31).
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.