Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 09/15/2010 | 90000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that when driving at various speeds, there was a slight grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the rear bearings were replaced. after the repair, the contact was driving approximately 50 mph when he noticed a much louder grinding noise from the rear of the vehicle. the contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder and noticed that the rear axle was detached from the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. the technician stated that the rear axle would have to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 90,000. kmj | |||
| 09/15/2010 | 90000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. while driving at different speeds the contact noticed a slight grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the rear bearings were replaced. after the repair the contact was driving approximately 50 mph when he noticed a loud grinding noise in the rear of the vehicle. the contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder of the road and noticed the rear axle had detached from the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. the technician stated the rear axle would have to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 90,000. da | |||
| 06/09/2004 | 18000 | 1 | |
| When braking at 15 mph steering pulled to the right. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak | |||
| 12/24/2003 | 22000 | 1 | |
| When reaching 60 mph vehicle began to shake. *ak | |||
| 10/31/2003 | 1 | 07/23/2003 | |
| I own a 2003 dodge ram 1500, 2wd, 4 dr. at speeds between 60 and 70 mph the vehicle begins to bounce, enough so that a conversation cannot be carried on between the driver and passenger(s). the dealership claims they cannot fix the problem. this is a potential safety hazard with the operation of the vehicle.*ak | |||
| 12/02/2002 | |||
| Excessive wheel hop at 65 -75 mph. *la | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 10/18/2004 | 12000 | 2 | |
| Consumer stated vehicle shimmied, and there was bad squeaking in the front. consumer took vehicle to the dealer, and they said it was the tires. consumer had the tires balanced and a front end alignment. however, problem recurred. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | |||
| 02/15/2007 | 62200 | 1 | 10/31/2003 |
| On friday the 9th of february 2007 i noticed a loud scrubbing sound when i moved my steering wheel any. a week prior we had noticed a little squeak coming from under the front end so when i heard the scrubbing noise also i called the local dodge service center. on thursday feb. 15th 2007 i took it in to see what the problem was thinking maybe power steering pump or something simple. lower ball joint boots busted at 61k on my 2003 ram 1500 4x4 qc. lower and upper ball joints and assemblies need to be replaced. my truck is in pristine condition otherwise, this came as quite a shock and we are afraid to drive it. price to fix? $1,600.00. i was told this is the same problem the dodge durango and jeep liberty have been recalled for and that quite a few ram 1500's are coming in to dealers, so much so that the parts to fix this are on back order. i now know this is the reason we have experienced some uneven tire wear in the last 2 months. this is a very dangerous situation as once it fails the front end will fall apart. i would like to document this in the proper place so that restitution can possibly be made to us consumers in the near future. automobile companies should not be allowed to manufacture and sell ball joints as sealed there is no way to maintain them and once the boots bust the ball joints fail - disastrous consequences incur. *jb | |||
| 03/12/2003 | 1700 | 1 | 02/20/2003 |
| Note: i had to write down florida for the state, because there is no option for puerto rico. while driving in a mountanous area with curves(asphalted road), after a curve at approximately 10-20 mph, i felt the truck lost the right side front tire, when i checked i had lost the part of the front suspension that holds the disc, caliper bearing, tire, ball joints and all other related parts. i recovered the assembly that included the above parts. i took the truck to the chrysler dealer, they told me they had to wait for a chrysler engineer to determine if it was a defect( the car was brand new and had about 1700 miles and three weeks old). the engineer arrived to puerto rico last thursday march 20 2003, and in a couple of hours (2-3 hours) determined that it was all an accident( i am a mechanical engineer). i asked for this information in writing- i still haven't received it). since the first week i had the ram, i felt a noise that really sounded like a loose part under the dash, other than that i did not feel anything abnormal in the driving characteristics, i had spoke with the salesman and asked him about the warranty procedure, to take the ram in for this noise. | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER BALL JOINT | |||
| 11/01/2003 | 40000 | 1 | 09/12/2002 |
| Upper ball joints on 1-yr old truck are junk. sealed just means they have to be replaced more often, another scam to charge extra dollars. my wife's liberty has failing ball joints also, though hers has an unissued recall. i know a few other ram owners with same problem. i had a 1972 chevy p/u with almost 200,000 miles before needing ball joints, why? because i could grease them!! *la | |||
| 03/12/2003 | 1700 | 1 | 02/20/2003 |
| Note: i had to write down florida for the state, because there is no option for puerto rico. while driving in a mountanous area with curves(asphalted road), after a curve at approximately 10-20 mph, i felt the truck lost the right side front tire, when i checked i had lost the part of the front suspension that holds the disc, caliper bearing, tire, ball joints and all other related parts. i recovered the assembly that included the above parts. i took the truck to the chrysler dealer, they told me they had to wait for a chrysler engineer to determine if it was a defect( the car was brand new and had about 1700 miles and three weeks old). the engineer arrived to puerto rico last thursday march 20 2003, and in a couple of hours (2-3 hours) determined that it was all an accident( i am a mechanical engineer). i asked for this information in writing- i still haven't received it). since the first week i had the ram, i felt a noise that really sounded like a loose part under the dash, other than that i did not feel anything abnormal in the driving characteristics, i had spoke with the salesman and asked him about the warranty procedure, to take the ram in for this noise. | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - HUB | |||
| 10/22/2003 | 12300 | 1 | 04/10/2003 |
| Wheel and hub was damaged and broken off during a 10 mph curb hit. *la | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - TORSION BAR | |||
| 07/03/2004 | 11878 | 1 | |
| Level smooth straight road torsion bar fell out the left front of the vehicle dropped drasticly the dealer replaced the lower control arm,torsin bar and adjusting bracket. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING | |||
| 04/06/2009 | 69000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. while driving approximately 25 mph, the driver's side wheel detached from the vehicle. the contact lost control of the vehicle. prior to the failure, he noticed that the abs warning indicator illuminated on the instrument control panel. the vehicle was towed to a local dealer and they stated that the failure was caused by the wheel bearing. the technician added that it would cost approximately $3,000 to repair the vehicle. the contact is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. the manufacturer did not assist. the failure and current mileages were 69,000. | |||
| 01/26/2008 | 33000 | 1 | 06/10/2006 |
| I have a 2003 dodge ram 1500 that has several problems since i got it. the most recent is wheel bearing failure. it only has 33,000 miles on. i had to search for a to find a replacement. everybody kept telling me they were out do to the many other failures with this component. luckily i wasn't going down the road at a higher speed when the wheel stopped turning, could of been a whole lot worse. truck was down for almost a week because of the backorder on this part. *tr | |||
| 02/15/2007 | 59024 | 1 | 12/23/2002 |
| Both front wheel bearings on my 2003 dodge ram 1500 failed at 59,000 miles. i was informed by the dealer and chrysler that the power train warranty does not cover wheel bearings / hub assemblies. the 2006 version of this vehicle has a national recall on the same assembly / part due to insufficient lubrication. i was also informed by the dealer that the parts are on national backorder due to the number of failures. *nm | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 02/10/2011 | 61000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated the dashboard on the vehicle has completely cracked open. the contact stated the gauges on the vehicle are currently working, but the dashboard and instrument panel is broken. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but the dashboard is not covered. the contact stated there is also a problem with rear differential that is wearing out the gearing, but the dealer has not been able to pinpoint the cause. the vin was unknown. the failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 61,000.rl | |||
| 05/08/2011 | 58004 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated while driving 50 mph on a gravel path the rear suspension bounced causing the vehicle to crash in an embankment and roll over. the vehicle was destroyed. there were two other occupants in the vehicle who were bruised and sustained back injuries. everyone in the vehicle was wearing a seat belt when the crash occurred. a police report was filed. the vehicle was towed by the insurance company. the manufacturer was had an adjuster inspect the vehicle; however, the manufacturer did not advise him of the results. the failure mileage was 58,004. | |||
| 05/08/2011 | 58004 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated while driving 50 mph on a gravel path the rear suspension bounced causing the vehicle to crash in an embankment rolled over and was destroyed. there were two other occupants in the vehicle. they had bruised and back injured everyone was wearing a seat belt. the police was called and a report was available if needed. the insurance company towed the vehicle. the manufacturer was contacted who sent out an adjuster to inspect the vehicle and the contact was waiting on the manufacturer to return his call with the results. the failure mileage was 58,004....mw | |||
| 07/15/2010 | |||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. while turning at approximately 5 mph the rear drivers side wheel broke off from the axle which caused a single car crash. a police report was not filed but the driver suffered minor injuries. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where she was informed the wheel broke from the axle due to something the driver must have done while driving. the authorized dealer replaced the rear axle. the failure and current mileages were unavailable. sm. | |||
| 01/01/2004 | 2000 | 1 | 12/14/2003 |
| I own a 2003 dodge ram 1500 2w/d. i have been in discusions with engineers from dodge who told me the leaf spring vendor produced the wrong spring rate but dodge put the springs on anyway. the dealer calls the bounce at 65 mph normal. i informed them that the 2 times i have taken my son on the freeway in the truck he has thrown up... they said normal! know this; the engineers know what the company did, the company knows, i know, and now you know. go and complain to your dealer, it's the only way this will go to a service bulletin. on another note, there is a service bulletin to get your rotors replaced for free, they grab incorrectly and cause the shuttering that warps rotors.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - AXLE - NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||
| 02/20/2004 | 1 | 05/01/2003 | |
| While driving at 20 mph, the rear left axle snapped, which caused the wheel to disconnect from vehicle. consumer indicated odi 10007842 dealt with this issue. *ak see voq 10058633, same incident. *sc *jb | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - AXLE - SPINDLE | |||
| 07/30/2005 | 34400 | 1 | 06/16/2003 |
| Dt: the consumer stated that on 2003 dodge ram 1500 quad cab the passenger side rear wheel broke off from the axle while driving at a 38-40 mph. consumer was driving on a straight highway when the rear end slid to the right and out underneath, and ended up on the opposite side of the road in the grass, traveled east bound and ended up west bound on the other side of the median. the truck had not been to the repair shop, and has not been removed from the impound yard. consumer had a set of new tires put on the vehicle a few months ago. they were goodyear eagle ls. tires. consumer s had not contacted the dealership or manufacturer. *ak | |||