VehicleVerdict

2003 Dodge Ram 3500 transmission problems

The 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 has 27 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

27

Transmission complaints

8%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Ram 3500 transmission complaints by model year66 complaints1992: 1 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 20 complaints1996: 21 complaints1997: 26 complaints1998: 20 complaints1999: 25 complaints2000: 9 complaints2001: 14 complaints2002: 5 complaints2003: 27 complaints2004: 66 complaints2005: 32 complaints2006: 22 complaints2007: 17 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 5 complaints2010: 8 complaints2011: 9 complaints2012: 28 complaints
Ram 3500 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*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING IN PARK, IT BEGAN TO REVERSE DOWN THE BOAT DOCK. THIS DAMAGED THE BOAT TRAILER AND THE DOCK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL LETTER #05V462000, FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ALTHOUGH THE RECALL WORK HAS NOT BEEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 15, 2006 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 have?

NHTSA has 27 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 transmission — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 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.