2003 Known Issues

[seagrave2001]

Well guys i'm thinking on trading in my 2000 and moving up to a 2003. My truck has 150k on it and it seems like its been a money pit over the last couple of months, not to mention I can't keep front pads on it since I got it 2yrs ago. So I have been thinking about trading it in towards a 2003 since that is in my price range. . But I don't know a lot about the engines or any issuse sthat are common with these trucks & what I should look out for when getting an 03. Also which transmission is better? Auto or Manual as I know the autos were bad in my 2000...

 

[JEmery]

I have 40,000 on my 2003, no real problems so far. I did have a vibration at 60-75 MPH that seems fairly common. The dealer could not fix mine. It went away after I installed mt DTT transmission. I always had low fuel pressure (6 psi at idle down to 1 at WOT with boxes) but a MITUSA took care of that. From everything I have heard the auto transmission's are better than the 48re's and the manuals are about bulletproof. Make sure you get a HO model 305hp.

 

[CKimball]

from what i have read the 03's seem to be most reliabel and mine , because it is an SO 235 hp model, does get 19 on average IF i keep it under 70mph... . not bad for adually... only problem with truck so far was the ac blew a condesor the first week i bought it... oh and the paint on the fron bumper is peeling... i love my truck and would not trade for a newer one... .

 

[JCleary]

I have 43k on mine with no issues other than the passenger-side A/C not blowing as cold as the driver's side. I can't seem to stop swapping boxes, gauges, mufflers, rims, etc. all the time, though. Must be a personal problem.

 

[CHolman]

I have a 04 305/555 and other than U joint's going out at 90,000 miles, I have no complaint's. I love my 04 and like I've said in the past, I'm keeping this one until it falls apart and when it does I'll put it back together again and keep going. 112,000 miles and counting, been across the country 4 times...

 

[blacksheep4x4]

My '03 H. O. 6spd Ram has over 190,000 miles on the clock. I have only had problems with the u-joints, the syncros going out in the the transmission, and the rear axel has been rebuilt three times. The rear axel gave me problems right off the bat when I bought it brand new. I had it rebuilt at the dealer twice and once at a local shop. After being rebuilt at the local shop I haven't had any problems with it.

 

[JRG]

My '03 H. O. 6spd Ram has over 190,000 miles on the clock. I have only had problems with the u-joints, the syncros going out in the the transmission, and the rear axel has been rebuilt three times. The rear axel gave me problems right off the bat when I bought it brand new. I had it rebuilt at the dealer twice and once at a local shop. After being rebuilt at the local shop I haven't had any problems with it.

Its that "funky" gear oil you must be using. :-laf (just kiddin')

 

[Diesel Nut]

Only big one I know of is the vibration in the steering wheel from the power steering pump. TSB should take care of it. Mine had 90k hard miles on it when I traded it in and it never gave me problems!

 

[JRG]

You must use better oil than that other guy! :-laf (just playn' around)

 

[blacksheep4x4]

Its that "funky" gear oil you must be using. :-laf (just kiddin')

I didn't switch to Amsoil until the third rebuild. That may be one of the reasons I haven't had any problems with it. :-laf

 

[Spooled-up]

The alternator brackets had a cracking problem. If you look at one and it doesn't look like a beefy cast part, it will probably crack on you. It's really easy to see and the dealer will fix it for free. I've got 50k on my '03 and have had an injector replaced and the alternator bracket done. I have a slight launch shudder from the rear when taking off from a stop, but It's been getting less noticable as time goes by. I hear replacing the U-joints can fix this problem along with adjusting the shaft angles. It's the best vehicle I've ever owned and I plan on keeping it for a long time to get the benefit of a long lasting truck and having no truck payments for a long time (once it's paid off)

 

[Smokey 01]

03's seem to be the better third gens for reliability. You might want to check and make sure the fan shroud isn't rubbing the radiator(I got a hole rubbed in mine) but overall they are good trucks.

 

[2broke2smoke]

we've owned a first gen ... drove it off the showroom floor and sold it 275k later



a 500 hp 2nd gen



and the '03 is the best truck all the way around by far . .



at 50k the rearmost driveshaft u-joint went out ... at 60k both front axle joints had dust in them instead of bearings



dealers now lube the u-jionts before installation ...



replaced the stamped steel alternater bracket ... they just handed me the new cast one with no questions asked



mine had no cracks on top and 3/4" cracked thru on the bottom ...

couldn't see the cracks from the top for the clear coat



18-22 mpg with 35s and quad box on 1



love the rear limited slip much better than any dana 80 ... on par with the dana 70 limited slips

 

[MCummings]

Known problems?



Injectors, CP3's and lift pumps (untill '05), U-joints, A/C performance, and Freeze plugs.



Compare to the 2nd gens, the 3rd gens are problem free.





Merrick

 

[midlife crisis]

Kinda ironic... I have read different posts knocking: 3/4 ton's, SO engines, 47re's, short beds, Patriot Blue Paint, 10. 5 rears, 3. 73's, Injectors, CAN-Bus Technology, even my Zeibart has come under fire... ... well- I have all the above & I Love my 03!

No issues to date. (only 14K miles)

No engine Mods, just a few personal (aesthetic)"touches" and it nicely does what I ask of it. . 2 round trips a year across PA with a 5k boat. . and a 5k TT.

Good Luck with your hunt... I wouldnt trade mine for a new no matter what...

 

[Gray 5.9]

No major problems here @ 82,000 miles other than the alt. bracket and front end alignment. Been darn good . I run her wide open.



"CUMMINS, Inovation you can depend on"

 

[RDyson]

Ball joints went bad at 35K. Fixed under warranty.

 

[SGrubb]

I have 68,000 on mine, been run hard since I got it w/32,000 a year ago. I havent had the slightest problem. With my hot edge juice turned on 3 I get around 20mpg, so I cant complain there either. Only problem I have is I hurt the stock clutch at a sled pull a couple weeks ago, however took 3rd place doing it!



'03 white std cab SO 5speed, 4:10s Edge hot juice W/attitude