Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1018200410/18/200410013981Added diagnostics for p0421 and p0431. *eh04/27/2005

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
03/07/2012
 Having several electrical issue with my dodge truck. not all power windows and autolock work and have to replace the bulbs for the brakes and turning signal about every 6 months. already replaced the bracket where the bulbs go. plus seen several complains on the dashboards cracking like my truck has and dodge won't have a recall nor fix this issue.
06/01/20071
 Dash is cracking in numerous place and falling in. this is causing wiring harness to be exposed to sunlight and to break down. the vehicle has since developed electrical issues due to the insulation on the wires breaking down. *tr
06/01/2007
 Dash is cracking in numerous place and falling in. this is causing wiring harness to be exposed to sunlight and to break down. the vehicle has since developed electrical issues due to the insulation on the wires breaking down.
07/17/201182000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the entire dashboard was separated from the vehicle causing the wires to shorten. as a result, the horn and exterior lighting failed intermittently. the air bag was also exposed. in addition, the vehicle stalled intermittently while driving. the dealer had not been notified. the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed the contact that the electrical wires were compromised due to the electrical system malfunctioning since the fragments were tampering with the wires. the manufacturer was aware of the failure; however, did not offer any assistance since there were no recalls. no repairs were performed. the current mileage was 97,643 and the approximate failure mileage was 82,000.
07/17/201182000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the entire dashboard was separated from the vehicle causing the wires to shorten. as a result, the horn and exterior lighting failed intermittently. the air bag was also exposed. in addition, the vehicle stalled intermittently while driving. the dealer had not been notified. the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed the contact that the electrical wires were compromised due to the electrical system malfunctioning since the fragments were tampering with the wires. the manufacturer was aware of the failure; however, did not offer any assistance since there were no recalls. no repairs were performed. the current mileage was 97,643 and the approximate failure mileage was 82,000. kmj
07/17/201182000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the entire dashboard was separated from the vehicle causing the wires to short and as a result the horn and exterior lighting worked intermittently. the air bag was also exposed. in addition, the vehicle stalled intermittently while driving. the dealer had not been notified. the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed the contact that the electrical wires were compromised due to the electrical system malfunctioning since the fragments were tampering with the wires. the manufacturer was aware of the failure; however, did not offer any assistance since there were no recalls. no repairs were performed. the current mileage was 97,643. the approximate failure mileage was 82,000. bw
10/15/201070000
 2003 dodge ram 1500 1. started to have some electical issues, power windows and heater blower motor would work intermittently. also occasional smell of melting plastic. 2. after some time blower motor totally quit. went online to trouble shoot problem and learned of recall on 2002 dodge ram for identical problem. that was caused by melting ignition switch. so i took apart steering column and found plug for my ignition switch melting and wire burnt and corroding. after finding problem and putting the plug back together blower motor started working intermittently again and when it is on wire gets extremley hot. consequences would by loss of visability if windows fog up and or potential fire hazard. 3. nothing has been done to fix the problem yet. chrysler wanted me to bring my vehicle in and pay to get the problem diagnosed at thier dealer. then they would work with me to get the problem fixed, not guaranteeing they would cover any or all of the cost. so i will probable fix the problem myself with used parts because i don't have money to pay chrysler to fix a problem the are very aware about. since they issued a recall on the 2002 ram that uses the same ignition switch as mine.
07/12/2009100000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated the instrument panel was cracking and breaking off. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated there are no recalls and he would have to pay for the repairs. the repairs would cost $800. the manufacturer was contacted who stated there are no recalls. they offered no other assistance. the failure mileage was 100,000...mw
11/02/2009990001
 We own a 2003 dodge quad cab pickup with 99000,00 miles on it. we were having the heater core and blend door replaced and notice d the blower was not working. the mechanic thought it was the resistor but come to find out it was the ignition switch wires that go to the blower motor were burnt at the contact points on the ignition switch. due to the looseness of the connection prongs this has been going on for some time. i do believe this is a safety issue that if left unfixed would have caused a fire in the vehicle. i did keep the old part for your viewing. i also contacted dodge to let them know about the problem and asked them if they were at least going to issue a tsb for this problem. their reply was no. that's when i contacted you. we went ahead and had the mechanic replace the part due to the safety concern. *tr
09/10/2009670001
 Hvac blower intermittently working due to bad connection to the ignition switch. window is constantly fogging. i do not feel that nhtsa recall no. 03v078 covered all vehicles affected as my vehicle falls 6 months short of the recall and will have to get the repair done at my cost. looking up this problem on the internet and speaking with repair services this is very common past the 2002 manufactured trucks. *tr
06/16/2008630001
 We have a 2003 dodge ram 1500 pickup. we are having problems with our brake lights, turn signals and trailer lights and took our truck into a dodge dealer. sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. we were told we need a new pdc block (power distribution center). we were told it would be $500. they couldn't order the part because they say they are back ordered with almost 200 orders. it would take anywhere from 2 - 12 weeks to get the part it. seems to me that there are a lot of problems with this vehicle having electrical problems with the pdc, which is non repairable and needs to be replaced. maybe someone should look into this. part #68005475aa. please let me know if you decide to d a recall on this vehicle. *tr
05/01/200330001
 Shortly after purchasing our ram new from dealer, i experienced a small slight shock when getting in and out of the driver seat coincidentally i hold onto the inside door handle to do this. we have 20 wheels, and i am only 5'4. mentioned this to the dealer at regular maint. in their service shop. nothing done. now this has gone on for 5 years. after appx. 3 years (just after 3/36 warranty expired) my driver door power window/door lock switches are not working correctly. intermittently they will work for the other doors, but not very often. also, if driver door is open, the switches don't work at all. i am and have been out of warranty for many miles, they say it's not a known issue, i say it is now! this is unsafe, i would not be surprised to find my vehicle on fire due to the electrical problem they refuse to acknowledge. *tr
05/02/2008337001
 I started the truck one day, and i noticed the speedometer going crazy, and i had yet to put the truck in gear. at that same time the abs and brake lights both lit up. i did notice with the truck not even running and the ignition turned to the on position, the speedometer still goes crazy, moving from 0 to 120 mph. at this point, all i have done so far is to take it to a shop for evaluation, and they were unable to diagnose the problem. i did some research on the nhtsa website, and found there were 5 other complaints with the same problem. the more i look into this, it appears to be a manufacturers defect. *tr
09/17/200632000507/22/2003
 2003 dodge ram 1500 slt quad cab experienced over the course of the past year a malfunctioning speedometer, fuel gauge, brake warning light, abs warning light, wiper motor, aux. power outlet. as a result of recurring electrical defects vehicle suffered an electrical fire completely destroying it's value and use while it was parked and unattended. owner had written complaint letters to dealership and manufacturer prior to fire incident and has service records documenting defective speedometer, replaced brake sensor (which continued to malfunction after repair), and replaced wiper motor. other complaints were never addressed by dealer service department because they were sporadic intermittent electrical problems that were impossible to diagnose and repair according to service writer statements. *nm
09/11/200544000204/01/2003
 2003 dodge ram 1500 5.7l 2wd truck stalled. most recent listed below but happened before as well. no events leading up to failure. driving on highway, in traffic, truck shutters (like it downshifted several gears at once) then engine quit. have electrical accessories, radio, fan, windows and dash are working, but engine not running. coast to stop on side of road. shift to park but won't re-start. have towed to dealership (which was closed because this happened on a sunday). next day the truck stared fine at dealership and had no codes. dealer did nothing to repair. the first time this happened, the same thing happened. towed to dealer at night, started the next morning and had no codes. dealer re-flashed computer that time. *nm
07/13/200431000107/03/2003
 While driving vehicle lost power (no throttle response). next the ignition switch went bad. *bf the vehicle's steering column was out of alignment. *nm
10/15/200411480209/28/2004
 Check engine light illuminates. code p0440 is diagnosed, there are no tsbs or information available to dealers on what this code means. mechanic says it's in the evaporation system. i've only had this truck for 3 wks, this is the 2nd occurrence. mileage on vehicle 11,500. *ak
12/01/20037300204/15/2003
 Truck died on a major 6 lane highway with no break down lane on a hill. electrical system failure due to poor quality of manufacturing ( loose connections and bad modules).*jb
09/23/2003102/15/2003
 During a rainy day, the gauges on my truck died completely. all the indicator lights on the dashboard (gas, engine, abs, brake, etc.) went dead. worst of all, the wipers went dead. although the truck was running, this created a problem. took it to the dealer and they said the cluster was bad. part was ordered but has not arrived yet. *la
06/13/20033800203/29/2003
 (second time) we where driving on the 10 fwy with our girls to drop them for the week because we where going on vacation to vegas. that is when the brand new truck died it was due to the same reasons sensor and other problem. it had been in the moss dodge dealership since june 13, 2003 . today is june 20, 2003 we have not heard from them since tuesday. as we where driving on the 10 fwy the truck died completely with the traffic behind us in the fast lane on the freeway. i believe that this truck is not repairable. i also believe that there is to much wrong with this trucks sensor which give the power to drive. this truck to me and my family is consider dangerous to drive from the experience we had on june 13, 2003. we have been complaining but not even the general manager has called us back. we even asked for a corp. office they said they did not have one. which is hard to believe. *nlm
03/29/2003893
 We had just purchased a dodge ram 1500 on march 29. 2003 when the next day it died on us. we had it towed to the nearest dealer ship. at that time they said it had to with the sensor then later on a few days later they called back and said that it was also the module that was defected with the sensor. told it was fixed after they had order those parts. (this is only first time truck died). *nlm
06/12/200303/11/2003
 Vehicle with an unsafe power window switch. *jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY
03/15/200415109/03/2003
 Complete dead condition on 2003 ram 1500 quad cab. two weeks after purchase had to be towed to dealer for dead condition. was informed that the battery was weak?brand new checked charging system and found no current draws. *ak one month later 350 miles away from home went to start truck after stopping for gas and had same conditiontotaly dead feel re-tried turning key and started up. (fluke?) march 15, 2004 went out to start vehicle and was stone dead again and had towed to dealer.tow operator had to jump start vehicle to enable towing. dealer said they could not duplicate problem and tested all circuts for draws and nothing was wrong. they implied that maybe you left something on. i did not and even if that was the case these vehicles are equiped with ant-run down protection and are to disconect the battery to prevent a dead condition. the 1,000,000.00 question is where and when will it happen again because you know it didnt just fix itself. also the vehicle has shut off while going in reverse.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
02/01/200410
 2003 dodge ram, 1500, 5,7 ltr. hemi, has stalled and would not start or run. towed in three times. total times in shop - six or seven times. problem still occurs, but stalling is not as severe since last service. truck is used for farm and pulling camper. cannot use for long trips and camping due to fear of stalling and being stuck in the middle of nowhere. dealer has replaced many parts and believes problem is solved, but stalling continues, although not as severe. i'm reluctant to pursue further action as dealer is personal friend and i believe they have tried as best as they can. this vehicle is a lemon.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
03/27/200634277111/01/2005
 Dt*: the contact stated while starting the vehicle the blower motor failed. the vehicle was taken to the dealership where they determined the ignition module was burned on one end. the wiring was melted due to the wiring being too small. the wiring overlay harness, wiring and ignition switch were replaced, which remedied the problem.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - SOFTWARE
12/19/200745000606/01/2003
 Vehicle code p2175, throttle actuator control (low air flow detected). have taken to dealer and they don't have a clue what it is. they have many options but none have fixed it so far. the internet has many people with the same issue, and dealer can not fix their problem either. *tr
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
09/09/200658442110/18/2004
 Electrical fire, truck was not run or started in 26 hrs. left is shaded area next to house in driveway. fire was extinguished before any damage to house or property. *nm
03/27/200634277111/01/2005
 Dt*: the contact stated while starting the vehicle the blower motor failed. the vehicle was taken to the dealership where they determined the ignition module was burned on one end. the wiring was melted due to the wiring being too small. the wiring overlay harness, wiring and ignition switch were replaced, which remedied the problem.
11/14/2003465001
 Broken ignition wires in steering column due to use of tilt steering or general turns. according to the technician, the wiring in the steering column was improperly assembled leaving wiring exposed to pinch points which eventually broke the wires. *la
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
06/26/200421000105/15/2003
 Fire started in area of cigarette lighter/radio and melted all surrounding componenets, resulting in extensive smoke damage to complete interior including seats, headliner, windows. a portion of the carpet and seats were burned. vehicle is inoperable. insurance pending. *ak