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2003 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab (4WD)

The 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab (4WD) is a 235-hp 4.7-liter V8 pickup truck with a 5-speed manual and four-wheel drive. It starts at $28,835 MSRP.

It makes 235 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 3200 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 14 mpg city and 18 mpg highway.

The Ram 1500 measures 229.7 inches long on a 140.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,877 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypePickup
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$28,835 ($50,931 *)
Engine
Engine Type4.7L PowerTech V8
Displacement4.7 L
Horsepower235 hp @ 4,800 rpm
Torque295 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
ValvetrainSOHC, 2 valves/cylinder
Injection TypeSequential multi-port fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive Type4WD
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
1st Gear4.03
2nd Gear2.33
3rd Gear1.38
4th Gear1
5th Gear0.73
Reverse3.57
Fuel Economy
City14 MPG
Highway18 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tank Capacity26 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent SLA (short/long arm)
Rear SuspensionLeaf spring
Turning Diameter45.8 ft
Brakes
Front Brake Disc13.2 x 1.1"
Rear Brake Disc13.8 x 0.87"
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front17 x 7.0"
Wheels Rear17 x 7.0"
Tires FrontP245/70R17
Tires RearP245/70R17
Dimensions & Weight
Length229.7 in
Width79.9 in
Height76.6 in
Wheelbase140 in
Curb Weight4,877 lbs
Weight Distribution (F/R)55% / 45%
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Tested, but no star ratings were published (2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab).

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

May 27, 2015 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE Park it

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.

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

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.

NHTSA campaign 15V312000

Aug 23, 2010 · WHEELS:HUB

FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCKS. THE INBOARD ROLL FORM USED TO MAINTAIN THE HUB ASSEMBLY CAN FATIGUE RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION ON THE TWO WHEEL DRIVE (2WD) APPLICATIONS. THE RISK OF THESE ISSUES DO NOT OCCUR ON THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) APPLICATIONS, AND INSTALLATION ON THE 4WD APPLICATIONS ARE NOT PART OF THIS RECALL.

Consequence: A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR IF THE WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND TECHNICIANS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HUB ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

NHTSA campaign 10E040000

May 3, 2010 · STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN

FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS93001 AND FT44039, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, AND 1500 4WD MEGA CAB VEHICLES. THE PITMAN ARM CAN FRACTURE AND BREAK AWAY FROM THE STEERING BOX CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Consequence: STEERING LOSS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED INSTALLERS WILL INSPECT FOR DEFECTIVE PITMAN ARM AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 1-877-432-2832.

NHTSA campaign 10E013000

Dec 11, 2007 · VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

NHTSA campaign 07E104000

Mar 15, 2006 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Consequence: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

NHTSA campaign 06E024000

1,359 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2003 Dodge RAM

Owner Complaints

1,359 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Dodge RAM (92 mention a crash, 16 a fire, 77 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags473
Structure293
Power Train146
Service Brakes98
Hydraulic86
Electrical System78
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 5, 2026 · Electrical System, Air Bags, Unknown Or Other
“brought my 2003 dodge ram 1500 to Romeo dodge to have a Passenger Airbag Recall Repair on [XXX] and I was called one hour later and told my airbag replacement was finished and I could pick up my…”
Jul 23, 2026 · Air Bags
“The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V312000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The…”
Feb 9, 2026 · Suspension
“The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven by a friend at 45 MPH, the rear axle detached. The driver was stranded by the roadside. The vehicle…”
Dec 11, 2025 · Steering, Suspension, Tires
“The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel and the front wheels were uncontrollable. While driving from Georgia to Memphis, there was an unknown object loose by…”
Feb 4, 2025 · Suspension, Structure
“Rear fenders are rusted such that wiring harness falls off from underside if fenders and rubs on tires. Middle of frame rusted through on right and left side and dealer's floor lift went about…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2003 DODGE RAM. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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