VehicleVerdict

2003 Dodge Ram 2500 transmission problems

The 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 has 56 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 6% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

56

Transmission complaints

6%

Share of year

11

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Ram 2500 transmission complaints by model year115 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 4 complaints1993: 6 complaints1994: 24 complaints1995: 49 complaints1996: 46 complaints1997: 36 complaints1998: 33 complaints1999: 38 complaints2000: 16 complaints2001: 30 complaints2002: 21 complaints2003: 56 complaints2004: 115 complaints2005: 63 complaints2006: 37 complaints2007: 17 complaints2008: 20 complaints2009: 7 complaints2010: 14 complaints2011: 16 complaints2012: 37 complaints
Ram 2500 transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

05V462000TransmissionOctober 6, 2005 · 250,433 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY WITHOUT SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVING THE KEY, THE DRIVER MAY INADVERTENTLY LEAVE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL IN INDICATED REVERSE.

Consequence

THIS ERROR IS AN UNINTENDED ACTION THAT MAY RESULT IN A LACK OF TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL ENGAGEMENT AND POSSIBLY DELAYED REARWARD MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PERFORM A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION TO EQUIP THESE VEHICLES WITH AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

What owners report

“DT: WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IN IDLE WITH NO ONE IN IT TRUCK JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND WENT INTO REVERSE BY ITSELF. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, AND ROLLED AWAY, CAUSING DAMAGE TO TRUCK AND SOME CONCRETE STEPS. THE DEALER PUT THE TRUCK ON THE COMPUTER AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 1, 2004 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 have?

NHTSA has 56 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 transmission — 6% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 05V462000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.