Model year guide

2003 Dodge RAM 1500

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 6 on record.

2003 Dodge RAM 1500 — representative photo
Representative photo

2003 Dodge RAM 1500 at a glance

Safety recalls5
Combined13–16 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2003 Dodge RAM 1500 recalls 5

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #15V312000 · manufacturer #R26 · 26/05/2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured August 29, 2002, to July 25, 2003 to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally install…

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on March 16, 2016. O…

Wheels:hub NHTSA Campaign #10E040000 · 23/08/2010

FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCKS. THE INBOARD ROLL FORM USED TO MAINTAIN THE HUB ASSEMBLY CAN FATIGUE RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION ON THE TWO WHEEL DRIVE (2WD) APPLICATIONS. THE RISK OF THESE ISSUES DO NOT OCCUR ON TH…

Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND TECHNICIANS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HUB ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman NHTSA Campaign #10E013000 · 03/05/2010

FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS93001 AND FT44039, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, AND 1500 4WD MEGA CAB VEHICLES. THE PITMAN ARM CAN FRACTURE AND BREAK AWAY FROM THE STEERING BOX CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Fix: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED INSTALLERS WILL INSPECT FOR DEFECTIVE PITMAN ARM AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 1-877-432-2832.

Visibility:glass, Side/rear NHTSA Campaign #07E104000 · 11/12/2007

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Fix: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOME…

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #06E024000 · 15/03/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS …

Fix: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2003 Dodge RAM 1500 MPG & running costs

Combined13–16 mpg
City13 mpg
Highway17 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,715
EPA size classStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Transmission3 options
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$11,575 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 10 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$23,575
Fuel only$23,575
Per mile$0.31

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
186.6–246.5 in
Width
78.7–79.9 in
Height
74.0–79.9 in
Wheelbase
109.4–160.6 in
Curb weight
4,184–5,377 lb
Front track
66.5–68.1 in
Rear track
63.4–68.1 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 — ranges cover the 14 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

2003 Dodge RAM 1500 vehicles on record

Other Dodge RAM 1500 model years

2003 Dodge RAM 1500 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 get?

The 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 has U.S. EPA estimates of 13–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (10 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.