2003 Dodge RAM Recall

On certain vehicles, the passenger frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the passenger airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace airbag inflators.

A failure of this component (airbag) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Program involving Takata driver and/or passenger airbag inflators installed in certain vehicles that were originally sold or ever registered in certain high humidity areas of the United States. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will replace the driver and/or passenger inflator on affected vehicles, depending on the vehicle involved. Owners who believe their vehicles may have been originally purchased or registered in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands should contact a Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA) dealer. This action is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Note: For the 2003 model year Dodge RAM, only the passenger side inflator would need replacement. Additional Note: This special service campaign was replaced by recalls 2015094 and 2015228. Please see these recalls for more information: Click here for more information on the 2015094 recall Click here for more information on the 2015228 recall

A failure of this component (airbag) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

A safety defect may exist in aftermarket steering linkage equipment sold as service replacement parts for 2500 and 3500 4x4 pickup trucks. If the drag link assemblies in question were installed improperly, the left tie rod ball stud may fracture, potentially resulting in a loss of vehicle control and a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Chrysler will notify owners of all 2003-2008 Dodge Ram heavy duty trucks (other than those covered by recall 2013-397 (N49)) since those vehicles could potentially have had the affected linkages installed during service. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for inspection and repair if required. Note: This recall supersedes recall 2009-019 (H46). Parts replaced under the previous campaign will also need to be replaced under this campaign.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain 2008-2011 Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4, Ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2 and 4x4, and 2008 Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 vehicles, the left outer tie rod ball stud could fracture. Additionally, other 2003-2008 Ram vehicles may have received the affected tie rod as a replacement part during service, and are therefore also involved in this campaign. Although this condition tends to occur when making a tight turn during low speed parking lot type maneuvers, tie rod failure could result in a loss of directional stability. A loss of steering control could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the left outer tie rod end and tighten the track bar bolt. Note: The tie rod replacement portion of this recall was superseded by recall 2013-396.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain aftermarket replacement windshield wiper motor assemblies, sold during the '08 and '09 calendar year for use as service equipment on 2002-2009 Dodge Ram pickup trucks, may be susceptible to water intrusion that could result in partial or complete loss of windshield wiping capability. Should this occur during a rainy/snowy day, it could increase the risk of a crash, causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Owners who had windshield wiper motor assemblies serviced during the '08 and '09 calendar year will be requested to take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for inspection and repair if required.

A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Defective aftermarket steering drag links many have been sold as service replacement parts for 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The drag link assemblies in question may fracture, which could result in a loss of vehicle control and a crash, causing property damage, personal injury or death. Also, in some cases, the steering damper attaching bracket may yield and shift on the linkage. This may restrict the ability to turn the vehicle in one direction. Chrysler will notify owners (other than those covered by recall 09-010 (H36)) of all 2003-2008 Dodge Ram heavy duty trucks since those vehicles could potentially have had the affected linkages installed during service. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for inspection and repair if required.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty pickup trucks equipped with a diesel engine and automatic transmission may experience inadvertent rearward movement. The transmission shift lever position is always displayed as "R" (Reverse) until the parking pawl is completely engaged in the Park position. Only then will the transmission shift lever indicator show "P" (Park). If the driver exits the vehicle while the engine is running, parking brake not engaged and the transmission shifter not fully in the Park gate, the vehicle may experience delayed rearward movement, which could cause a crash. Correction: Dealers will install an Out-of-Park alarm that will alert the operator if the transmission is not fully placed in the Park position when the engine is running and the driver takes his foot off the brake and opens the driver's door.

A failure of this component (other) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain 2500 and 3500 heavy duty pickup trucks, the optional cast-aluminum wheels may exhibit an elevated level of porosity, which could result in reduced wheel durability. Correction: Dealer will replace affected wheels.

A failure of this component (wheels) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain 2500 and 3500 series heavy duty pickup trucks equipped with a Cummins diesel engine and a manual transmission, an elevated idle speed may occur after extended use of the cruise control. The engine will run at this elevated idle speed until either key off, or until the accelerator pedal is nearly fully depressed. The customer perception is that the cruise control will not disengage or that the accelerator linkage is sticking. Correction: Dealer will reprogram the software in the Cummins engine controller.

A failure of this component (other) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).