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2003 Dodge Ram Lighting problems

Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Ram's lights with NHTSA - 2% of all its complaints, most recently on August 25, 2017. They describe 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury. Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and interior lighting failures.

Complaints
24
Recalls
2
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Lighting recalls for the 2003 Dodge Ram

Exterior lighting

09E01200016,270 vehicles affected

The problem
Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
The risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
The fix
Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior lighting

06E04900027,176 vehicles affected

The problem
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
The risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix
Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on july 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

Lighting complaints

LightsBody, doors & structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked, and the interior lighting in the cabin and exterior cargo area lighting became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Structure · Interior lightingNHTSA 11019609
SuspensionTransmission & drivetrainLightsBrakes

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. While driving at an unknown speed, black smoke emitted from the rear of the vehicle without warning. In addition, when the brake pedal was depressed, an abnormal sound emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brakes, calipers, and rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hub bearing, wheel hub, axle...

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shaft assembly, and driveshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Lastly, the front driver side headlight failed to operate. The head lamp was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 201,281. Updated 06/29/16*lj *tr

Filed Incident Suspension · Power train · Exterior lighting · Service brakesNHTSA 10860581
Electrical systemLights

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the driver side signal and emergency blinkers failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a loose wire in the integrated fuse box. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000. The vin was not available.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10765176
Electrical systemLights

My brake lights is staying on, while the truck is crank up. 3Rd barke light working fine. As soon, I shut the. Truck off brake lights goes off. Take the truck to the dealership, they replace the brake light switch. Problem went away for awhile and came right back. So, I order two new brake light control panel from the dealership problem again went away. Now it's back again. Driving down the road everybody thinking, I'm riding my brakes. When, I do come to a stop it won't light up too warn drivers behind me. That, i"m stopping.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10745062
Electrical systemLightsEngine & cooling

While driving on the freeway at night the headlights, tail lights, blinkers, 4-ways, brake lights, and tail lights went out and when slowing down to pull over the engine stalled. The engine started back up to get to the side of the road and stalled again with no warning. The truck now stalls at all stop lights and stop signs and is not giving any codes. The truck now has a large draw and kills the battery shortly after turning the truck off. The truck is still in the shop and so far the fcm, pdc and some wiring has...

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been replaced but the power draw persists and the engine stalling still persists. Researching the issue on the internet this is a common problem on this vehicle and has been for quite some time. This is a very dangerous issue and needs to be addressed. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · EngineNHTSA 10670023
Electrical systemLights

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. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10501418
Lights

On my way to work in the dark my headlights went completely out while doing 50 mph, luckily I was on a straight stretch of road and was able to pull over on the shoulder. As I came to a stop the headlights came back on so I started to pull back on the road. Within a few seconds the headlights started to flash off and on. I was able to get the truck into a parking lot off of the road where I sat for awhile with the lights off. I turned the headlights back on and they seemed to work for the time. I made it to...

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work with out the lights going out again. I left the truck running in the parking lot with the headlights on & noticed that they would go out and come back on again. Unable to drive the truck in the dark now due to this problem. This is a huge safety concern that dodge needs to fix.. Now driving in the day the turn signals will flash incorrectly, if I turn the right signal on it may start flashing the left signal or just quit all together. *Tr

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10485327
Lights

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that when engaging the right turn signal, the left turn signal would activate instead and when engaging the left turn signal, the right turn signal would activate instead. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 90,000.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10439823
Electrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

The problem began with the ignition remaining on with the key out. The next thing was the headlights not switching between bright and dim.Third came the wipers not turning on all the time.Now the turn signals are working improperly. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · VisibilityNHTSA 10425101
Electrical systemLights

Went to turn on my left directional and had a loss of directionals, windshield wipers, windshield washer and four way flasher. Checked problem thoroughly and found it to be a faulty multifunction switch installed behind steering wheel. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10360949
Lights

I have a 2003 dodge ram 1500, that when I put on my left turn signal, the right blinks. And when I turn on the right the left will blink, then sometimes it works properly. *Tr

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10335032
Electrical systemLights

Poor reliability of electrical control and distribution system causes numerous and sometimes intermittent failures of exterior safety-related lighting such as headlamps (low beam and high beam), taillamps, turn signals, brake lamps, and trailer lamps. Problems seem to be exacerbated if vehicle is not operated for a few weeks. Dealer is quoting repair cost in excess of $2000 for replacement of the power distribution center, which is reportedly not a serviceable unit. This high repair cost will undoubtedly cause...

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owners to "take their chances" and continue operating vehicles in an unsafe condition because the repair is so costly and the problems are intermittent. Some users have reported needing to complete this repair more than once over the vehicle lifetime, which further confirms there is an inherent reliability problem with this vehicle's electrical system. Other users report similar issues with windshield wipers reportedly due to the same unit failure. Because dodge ram pickup trucks have at least ten different model categories and multiple model years for reporting in the nhtsa online reporting structure, the complaints are spread out and the concentration of problems endemic to this vehicle may not be readily apparent to odi investigators. Complaints may be reported under "1500", "2500", "3500", "ram", "ram 1500", "ram 2500", "ram 3500", "ram quad cab", "ram pickup", "dodge truck", ... , All due to the same module failure. Complaints are also spread out among many different complaint categories, further diluting the recognition that there is one fundamental root cause of a dozen or more different failure modes. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10289147
Lights

I have to keep replacing the rear tail light bars because they seem to overheat and scorch the sockets. The lamp out light and warning bell is constantly coming on. The bell is beyond being tolerated while driving. I have to turn off my front light switch for the bell to go off. Lots of fun at night. The dodge forum says this is a very common problem with 3rd generation dodge ram trucks. There should be a recall on this system. I can not ethically sell this truck with this constant problem. *Tr

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10254685
Electrical systemLights

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...

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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

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10232179
LightsVisibility & wipers

Purchased a ram 1500 quad cab slt from budget and now the power window buttons on all doors but the driverside do not work and the locking button on driver side intermittently stops working. Also the lamp out light keeps coming on even after replacing the bulbs. Even after the 5th time. *Tr

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · VisibilityNHTSA 10214686
Transmission & drivetrainLights1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram. The contact parked the vehicle in her driveway. She exited the vehicle and left the driver side door open. She then heard a loud pop and noticed that the vehicle was moving. She was unable to enter and stop the vehicle. The contact was struck several times by the driver side door. She was pinned between a metal post and the door of the vehicle. The contact was able to free herself and sustained injuries to her midriff, back, and head. The powertrain, speed, and failure...

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mileage were unknown. The current mileage was 46,900. Updated 01/17/08 *bf the dealer stated the right brake lamp is inoperable. The consumer has provided all medical documentation and repair invoices pertaining to the incident. Updated 01/17/08 *tr

Filed Incident Power train · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10210797
LightsVisibility & wipers

While driving down the interstate, it started to rain, I turned on my windshield wipers and they did not work, neither did my turn signals and hazard flashers. I pulled over and after a while they started working, now there are times when the windshield wipers and turn signals do not work, and then sometimes you turn the left turn signal on and the right one flashes and vise versa. I am taking it into the dealership monday this issue doesn't happen all the time, I would guess about fifty percent of the time. *Jb

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · VisibilityNHTSA 10166598
Lights

Dt*: the contact stated while using the left turn signal, the right side blinks. When the right turn signal was engaged, nothing happened. The contact verbally spoke with the local dealership and manufacturer about the problem, although the vehicle was not repaired. Updated 3/3/2006 - *nm

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10150321
Lights

Dt: the contact had to replace the relay switch for the brake lights. The brake lights in the rear of the vehicle stopped working one at a time. The indicator light indicated that only one light was out. This did not affect the light in the rear window. The relay switch was replaced at the contact's expense. *Ak

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10141711
Lights

2003 Dodge ram 1500 quad cab rear lamp failure. I have had two rear lamp failures one on the left side and one on the right side brake lamp. Upon replacing lamp, lamp was in good condition but base where contact with electrical was made was burned on both bulbs.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10126403
BrakesTransmission & drivetrainLightsAcceleration & cruise controlCrash

10/25/02-Bought new 2003 dodge 1500 extended cab. 11/26/02, Abs light and brake light on. Dealership said "connection at cab had water in it, and dried off and sealed." 12/19/02, 3685 Miles, took back because of abs and brake light on. Short in brake switch and replaced the brake switch. 12/20/02 Returned with abs light and brake light on. Brake switch and rear abs sensor shorted. Replaced both sensors and found water in the wiring connector. Disconnected, cleaned, dried and sealed. Returned to me on...

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12/24. 12/30/02, 4339 Miles, abs/brake lights on/rpm spiked. 8-Way plug had water in it. "Contacted star and was told to cut out plug and solder wires." Truck returned to me on 01/02/03. 01/24/03, 5864 Miles, abs and brake lights on/speedometer spiking at idle. Dealership checked codes, checked wiring, rear abs sensor, connector, abs controller connector, cleaned, sealed connector. Truck returned to me on 01/28/03. 08/20/03, 19775 Milest, transmission wouldn't kick out of passing gear until 80 mph and when it did, made loud popping noise. Dealership said "transmission not upshifting, flash program transmission control." 10/11/03, 23180 Miles, I was driving, power steering pump came out and caused me to lose control/run into ditch. Damage to bumpers and tailpipe. I had also noticed that day before the wreck that the transmission was kicking into passing gear at 40 mph. Had towed to nearest dealership on 10/13/03. Would not give me a rental-i had bought the truck from a different dealership. Dodge sat on this truck for five months leaving me without a vehicle, saying that they were sending an inspector out to look at it, inspector would be there any day. Dodge would not replace bumpers and did not fix/return to me until 03/09/04. Truck was still not right/acted like it was going to quit running when started. 09/09/04, Abs and brake lights on again/speedometer spiking. Over 36,000 miles, have extended warranty, going back to dealership tomorrow. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Power train · Exterior lighting · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10090734
Lights

Driver's side headlight fails to work. I replaced the bulbs (both left & right side). One week later driver's side headlight failed again. On sept. 26, 2003 Vehicle was brought to tom manzi dodge (lawrence, ma), technician said connector was not pushed all the way in. After vehicle was serviced the problem continued to occur. I discovered if the headlights were turned off then back on both headlights would work. I reported my findings to tom manzi dodge and scheduled service for nov. 12, 2003. Their findings...

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were inconclusive. I was then instructed to bring the vehicle in as the problem was evident. I informed the tech this may be a problem due to their hours of operation. On nov. 22, 2003 Vehicle was scheduled for an oil change at giant dodge (salisbury, ma), where the vehicle was purchased. On the was to the dealership the problem was evident. The tech was provided with the receipt from manzi dodge and not to turn the headlights off, because they would reset. The tech worked on the vehicle for 4 hours then reset the headlights. That night the headlights failed twice. The vehicle is scheduled to be serviced by giant dodge on nov. 28, 2003. *La

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10047470
SteeringBrakesElectrical systemLights

While driving at any speed, intermittently steering wheel locked up/ brakes failed, and turn signal was not working. Dealer had inspected vehicle 3 times; firs t time battery cable, second time dealer kept vehicle 1 day and could not duplicate the problem, and third time installed a monitor for ten days, and still couldn't correct the problem. (Dealer stated this wa san electric issue.

Filed Incident Steering · Service brakes, hydraulic · Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10033812
Lights

Headlights on many vehicles are mounted at a level equal to the eye level of a person driving a standard passenger vehicle, thereby causing substantial glare, reducing ability of the passenger vehicle driver to see beyond the oncoming vehicle with the high-mounted headlights. The glare is equally distracting when the vehicle with the high-mounted lights is at the rear of a standard passenger vehicle. I implore congress to pass legislation restricting the height of headlights, or other lights projecting a beam to...

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the front of the vehicle, to be lower than eye level of drivers in standard passenger type vehicles. Such a restriction will also aid drivers of the trucks and suv's that have the high-mounted lights because in fog or snow conditions the high-mounted lights reflect glare back into the sight of the driver. *Jb

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10023211

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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