Federal safety advisory

Do not drive this vehicle until the repair is completed.

Model year record

2003 Dodge RAM 1500

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 1,370 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V312000

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Vehicles affected: 385,686
Reported to NHTSA: 2015-05-26
Owners notified: 2016-03-16

Defect description

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 installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R26. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 14V770.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Air bags	447	113,000 mi
Structure	158	67,000 mi
Structure: body	73	90,000 mi
Unknown or other	65	95,000 mi
Power train	62	124,000 mi
Electrical system	47	67,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	43	10,000 mi
Suspension	33	120,000 mi
Steering	32	96,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	23	14,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	22	64,000 mi
Engine	21	135,700 mi
Vehicle speed control	20	67,000 mi
Wheels	16	101,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	15	19,959 mi
Exterior lighting	12	85,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit	12	52,850 mi
Air bags: frontal	11	60,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly	11	30,000 mi
Visibility	11	80,756 mi
Visibility/wiper	9	90,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft	8	16,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft	8	200,000 mi
Service brakes	8	117,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	8	8,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	8	14,000 mi
Suspension: rear	8	160,000 mi
Tires	8	38,000 mi
Equipment	7	60,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	7	65,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	6	127,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	5	43,960 mi
Seat belts	5	112,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	5	69,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	4	40,000 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)	4	17,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	4	10,102 mi
Steering: rack and pinion	4	23,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint	4	40,000 mi
Tires: sidewall	4	65,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	3	90,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	3	46,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	3	16,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	3	10,102 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	3	50,000 mi
Structure: body: door	3	—
Suspension: front	3	12,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	3	61,010 mi
Electrical system: ignition	2	184,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	2	21,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	2	44,500 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch	2	2,147 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal	2	50,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	2	11,480 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	2	19,800 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)	2	18,000 mi
Power train: axle hubs	2	1 mi
Seats	2	—
Seats: mid/rear assembly	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	2	18,000 mi
Steering: column	2	31,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections	2	38,000 mi
Structure: body: tailgate	2	9,300 mi
Structure: frame and members	2	85,000 mi
Suspension: front: hub	2	12,300 mi
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle	2	22,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems	2	180,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	2	85,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	15 mi
Electrical system: horn	1	20,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	1	34,277 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	1	—
Electrical system: software	1	45,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	1	51,457 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	1	12,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)	1	100,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	1	—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights	1	50,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch	1	15,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	30,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	65,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank	1	159,000 mi
Interior lighting	1	109,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	1	55,000 mi
Parking brake	1	—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable	1	7,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly	1	—
Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly	1	36,000 mi
Seat belts: front	1	—
Seat belts: front: retractor	1	—
Seat belts: rear/other	1	—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint	1	—
Service brakes, air: antilock	1	17,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc	1	1,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper	1	1,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads	1	1,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	1	1,000 mi
Service brakes, electric	1	18,000 mi
Steering: linkages	1	38,300 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm	1	58,290 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments	1	900 mi
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar	1	11,878 mi
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly	1	—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire	1	99,600 mi
Tires: tread/belt	1	100,592 mi
Unknown	1	8,900 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core	1	30,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element	1	35,000 mi
Visibility: windshield	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor	1	30,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring	1	50,000 mi
Wheels: hub	1	58,290 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	1	—
Wheels: rim	1	12,300 mi

The 2002 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

EA15001Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.