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2003 Dodge RAM Van

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 11 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

5 reports
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30,000 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Electrical SystemFire

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 REP…

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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 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10515477

143,508 miles · Nov 23, 2010
Electrical System

VAN SHUTS DOWN ANY WHERE ANY TIME ANY SPEED AND READS NO BUS THIS HAS BEEN HAPPEN FOR TO LONG AND THEY DON'T EVEN OFFER A SOLUTION.I BOUGHT A SCANNER FOR A 100.00 DOLLARS IT WAS A WASTE OFF MONEY CAN'T READ CODES WITH THE NO BUS ANY WAY IF IT'S NOT THE PCM THEN WHY HAVE CODES FOR ALL THE OTHER SENSORS IF IT TURNS OFF ANYWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367303

21,000 miles · Sep 27, 2008
Electrical SystemFire

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 FIR…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243637

50,000 miles · May 23, 2005
Electrical System

DT: 2003 DODGE CARAVAN, THE MAIN COMPUTER SHUTS THE CAR OFF. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT THE MAIN COMPUTER ITSELF. WITH OUT THE COMPUTER ON, THE CAR STAYS ON. WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS REQUESTED BUT FOUND OUT ON 5/20/05 THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN ADDED TO PURCHASE P…

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DT: 2003 DODGE CARAVAN, THE MAIN COMPUTER SHUTS THE CAR OFF. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT THE MAIN COMPUTER ITSELF. WITH OUT THE COMPUTER ON, THE CAR STAYS ON. WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS REQUESTED BUT FOUND OUT ON 5/20/05 THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN ADDED TO PURCHASE PRICE.

NHTSA ODI #10121933

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2003
Electrical System

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PASS A LINE OF MOTOR VEHICLE, A COMPUTER WITHIN THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF THE FUEL PUMP AT EIGHTY SIX MPH, THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO CUT OFF AND ALMOST CAUSED A NEAR FATAL HEAD ON COLLISION. *TT (LAWYER ON BEHALF OF CLIENT MR. DAVID ROMANAK). *JB

NHTSA ODI #10026527

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate

Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

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. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.