Common problems with 2003's

[Withers]

Hey guys, I have a buddy that has a 2003 Ford, and is having nothing but problems with it, and is thinking about counting his losses and getting rid of it. He has had two Dodges in the past, but his last two trucks have been Fords, 2000 7. 3 ltr and now a 2003 6ltr. Are there any problem's that are common with the new Dodge? Other then body style changes, what makes the 2003's better then past years? I have heard Dodge went with a different Differential and transmission.

The truck he would want would be 4 door, 4x4, 6spd, with 4:11's.

Lucky he kept the 96 Dodge, he's been putting a lot of miles on it since he got the 6ltr.

Any input will be appreciated, thanks in advance.

Ken

 

[rbattelle]

Common complaints I have heard:



1. Thin paint

2. Clutch rattle at idle in neutral (I think this has been fixed).

3. Improper axle fluid levels from the factory



That's all I can think of now... someone else will chime in with more.

 

[ThomasCook]

The color issues seem to be specific to certain colors. Mine is red and I have not had the problems that I have read from folks with the blue paint.



Knock on wood. My truck has been really great. 2 months/3500 miles w/ no problems

 

[CROW]

Some of the early 2003's had an alternator bracket that cracked and had to be replaced under warranty; DC is now using a new bracket. Some, if not all, of the early 2003 HO 6 speeds had to have a computer reflash because a high idle condition was created after the cruise was turned off. Seems to been a good intro of a new model in my view and appears as though DC is continuing to work on problems. Been real happy with mine. No paint problems (mine is white). Agree with Mr. Cook, the paint issue is bound to be color specific or there would have been a lot more discussion. Have talked to a bunch of people with 2003's and no one has mentioned a paint problem, but not sure I've spoken to anyone with the blue paint.

 

[RankRam]

Knock on wood, I've had absolutely zero problems with mine.



It has 7,605 trouble free miles on it and many more to go. Oo.

 

[tschwab]

I was cruising the ford-diesel site (they would call it trolling) and jumped into the 6. 0 forum, it is unbelievable how many problems that motor is having and how many complaints the owners have, the dealers are calling a lot of it normal (bad smoke, no power under 1800 rpm, poor mileage (all normal?), some of the ford regognized problems include bad injectors, diesel in the motor oil, a ton of reflashes, rough idle, etc, this list just goes on and on and on... ... but"they love their trucks".



How could anybody with half a brain still "love their truck" after all of the problems and why would anybody who has researched the big 3 diesels NOT buy the Dodge/Cummins?



I don't get it, BUT I love my trouble free Dodge/Cummins

 

[klenger]

the dealers are calling a lot of it normal (bad smoke, no power under 1800 rpm, poor mileage (all normal?),

So I'm supposed to feel better about buying a truck with an engine that has all these "features" because they are normal instead of problems. If that's the case, then there is no chance you would get a good one.

 

[MMeier]

Must be what tschwab more or less said, F*** owners do not have any more than half a brain!!!!

 

[Grayhackle]

Drift Right would be another problem. A lot of dealers out there don't want to deal with it, their favorite is blaming the roads.

 

[chipmc]

I've had my 03 2500 4x4 for 2 months now. The only problems I've had in the 9,100 miles I've put on it are, the power steering sometimes doesn't kick in til 1000 rpms and it rides very rough even with 1000 lbs loaded in the back.



I love the new truck and I only wish I would have gotton a 6 speed instead of the auto.

 

[rbattelle]

There was the "check gauges" light flashing very early on in production. A computer reflash fixed that, though.



Every now and then I get the "blank stare" from my overhead console. By that I mean all the displays except the timer read "- -".

 

[Hudsonhawk]

Originally posted by rbattelle

Every now and then I get the "blank stare" from my overhead console. By that I mean all the displays except the timer read "- -".

Mine does that too. Shut down and restart the truck and it works fine again. Does not affect anything else so it is nothing more then a nussance.

 

[rbattelle]

The blank stare has been around since day 1. No one makes much fuss over it, since it only happens once in a while and the console returns to normal at the next startup.

 

[pstillo]

Some trucks have a vibration around 65 mph. Make sure he test drives the truck(down the highway) he is buying before he give any money. Its been a 50/50 problem with the 03's.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

I have two "03's". The first one is a DRW 2WD model. Only problem was the Check guages light flashed a couple of times. It fixed itself. 27,000 and 11 months later still no problems. Alternator bracket will get replaced soon but not cracked.



Second one is a DRW 4X4 that has 11,000 miles on it. The transmission has gone out in it. Manual 5 speed. It would grind real bad going into 4th gear every time I shifted. Got worse and worse. Dealer has had it for a week with no results. Told me yesterday that parts are on order and the transmission will come out tomorrow. Every thing else is fixed on the latter truck. No Check Guages, Different alternator bracket. The only complaint is that I cant find any bigger tires for the DRW 4X4

 

[JohnCooper]

6500 miles and loving it. But, waiting for new steering box that is on backorder. At about 6000 miles steering started getting tight, the wheel will not return to center on its own. I have read a thread somewhere (don't remember where) that this is not a rare occurrance.

 

[RDietze]

i have had no problems - love the truck!

you may want to warn him how CHEAP DC was in building this truck. example: cargo bed interior and exterior was made out of pop cans (and dents easier than one), no floor mats in rear, no key unlock on passenger side, 3. 5" exhaust to 4" at tailpipe only (who are they foolin'). some of these "gripes" may seem petty, but it RAISES THE RED FLAG in my book... . what else is there that i have yet to discover = longevity?????

all this, and i still love the truck... must be the cummins!!!!!!!!

 

[Elite1]

Originally posted by Greg Boardman

I have two "03's". The first one is a DRW 2WD model. Only problem was the Check guages light flashed a couple of times. It fixed itself. 27,000 and 11 months later still no problems. Alternator bracket will get replaced soon but not cracked.



Second one is a DRW 4X4 that has 11,000 miles on it. The transmission has gone out in it. Manual 5 speed. It would grind real bad going into 4th gear every time I shifted. Got worse and worse. Dealer has had it for a week with no results. Told me yesterday that parts are on order and the transmission will come out tomorrow. Every thing else is fixed on the latter truck. No Check Guages, Different alternator bracket. The only complaint is that I cant find any bigger tires for the DRW 4X4

Greg, Did the dealer say anything about the airraid filter or bullydog box, when you took it in for the transmission? Or did you take them both off? BTW, 11,000 miles on mine with no problems. I was surprised at how dirty the stock air filter was at only 9,000 miles, so changed it, and felt an immediate difference in performance. The fuel filter also was very dirty and changed it at 9,000. It looked exactly like the one pictured on one of the other threads. Maybe residue from the new tank? I just ordered di-pricol gauges and the afe air intake system, from Genos. I would like to get the Bulldog box some day... . are you still happy with it?

 

[Elk]

12k no problems. buddy has 2 17k and 5 k no problems, uncle has one 5k no problems.

 

[JD SLVR 03]

Have just about 12k on my truck. It is a late build 03' (built in May). Haven't had any issues with the silver paint. No problems at all to report. No engine light flashes or any problems with the overhead display. It does seem to have the vibration around 70 mph or about 2000 to 2100 rpms, but I think its just the Cummins. It does have the new alt. bracket, so that shouldn't be a concern on a new truck. Over all I am very happy with the fit and finish of this truck! My only gripes are no rear floor matts on a 43k truck and I think the 48RE could use a better shift program under light throttle. In towing conditions it is perfect though. Overall I really love this truck! I get comments almost daily on its looks aswell. So far very happy that I choose the Dodge/Cummins combo over the Chevy/Dmax.