| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 repairs by problem area
Engine (46%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)
Brakes and Traction Control (5%)
Suspension and Steering (26%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (11%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)
Other (2%)
Chart based on 97 repairs.
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (0%)
$1000 - $2499 (3%)
$500 - $999 (25%)
$100 - $499 (43%)
< $100 (30%)
Chart based on 40 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2003 Dodge Ram 1500
Engine not specified
| 119000 mi | Needed water hose when sold. |
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4dr Extended Cab 6.5ft bed
345-horsepower 5.7L V8 5-speed automatic RWD
| 123000 mi US $725 |
Cylinder 6 broke an exhaust valve spring. Common issue with this engine and model year. |
| 125000 mi US $88 |
Coolant recovery tank developed a leak. Replaced the recovery tank. |
| 126000 mi US $47 |
Old thermostat had failed open. Turned out the gasket around the wax pellet had failed. Replaced with a stock-equivalent thermostat. |
| 134180 mi US $60 |
Aftermarket e-fan controller had failed. The replacement has some issues, so the original mechanical fan was re-installed. |
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4dr Extended Cab 6.5ft bed
345-horsepower 5.7L V8 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 110000 mi US $21 |
Intake manifold stuck open. Got a can of cleaner from Autozone and a fine wire brush and was able to clean fairly easily by taking the "Hemi-hat" off and removing the intake valve. Total repair was about $21.00 and took 25min. |
| 83080 mi C $800 |
fuel system- crack in lne |
| 141100 mi US $40 |
Top idler pulley was making noise. It had failed and the pulley had separated from the bearing. Both idler pulleys replaced and noise was gone. |
| 183000 mi US $140 |
New throttle body |
| 99000 mi US $700 |
Second time in three years replacing heater core. |
| 108000 mi US $160 |
O2 sensor after cat was bad. Replaced sensor and rear brakes/discs. |
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4dr Extended Cab 6.5ft bed
245-horsepower 5.9L V8 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 57200 mi US $600 |
Fuel pump failed |
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4dr Extended Cab 6.5ft bed
240-horsepower 4.7L V8 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 93600 mi C $590 |
Manifold repair |
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4dr Extended Cab 6.5ft bed
240-horsepower 4.7L V8 4-speed automatic RWD
| 29700 mi US $300 |
Emissions parts replaced. Did a smoke test but no leaks in the system. Replaced more parts in the emissions system. |
| 262000 mi US $130 |
Replaced all three California emissions catalytic Converters Would not pass emissions because the computer needed updated software as per a TSB for ALL 2003 Ram 1500 and perhaps other years and models. The Dealer is the only ones that can update the computer and they would NOT cover the cost! |
| 105000 mi US $282 |
Engine would get hot. Radiator stopped up and was unable to flush. Replaced entire radiator. |
| 163000 mi US $500 |
Exhaust manifolds were leaking. Broken bolts on both sides repaced. Automatic transmission serviced. |
| 174000 mi US $70 |
Replaced thermostat. |
| 81000 mi | Just had a reman long block put in beacuse I overheated the previous motor. I was flushing out my cooling system and left the radiator cap loose, was coming home from a trip to the mountains when it overheated on the freeway. Temp gauge remained normal. |
| 81200 mi US $150 |
check engine light came on, started to lose power and run rough.. code indicated that the #7 cylinder was misfiring, coil was replaced to solve problem. |
| 85000 mi US $350 |
rear main seal leaking, motor rebuilt only under 4,000 miles, had a defective seal installed, company that rebuilt the motor covered the cost of replacement. |
| 92000 mi US $800 |
radiator leaked at the seam |
| 93000 mi US $53 |
Replace water pump |
| 93000 mi | Oil pressure gauge would drop to zero when truck was at idle. Secured loose connection on oil pressure sensor by oil filter. The sensor was bumped during a oil change. |
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4dr Extended Cab 6.5ft bed
240-horsepower 4.7L V8 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 68000 mi US $125 |
Vacuum hose was cracked and was leaking, small leak |
| 73000 mi US $39 |
Engine light came on and gave me a P0441, found several parts could be the problem. Found kinked hose on leak detection pump where mechanic cut and put on hose clamp, replaced hose (mech worked on truck 1 year prior to fix same problem). |
| 85000 mi US $25 |
Exhaust pipe in front of the muffler rotted out, had to remove old pipe and replace 24" section and three clamps. |
| 85700 mi US $725 |
Exhaust repair failed and I had to replace entire exhaust system, could not get pipes out of muffler, Installed new stainless steel system and replaced mid pipe from cat (not ss steel) |
| 81800 mi US $273 |
Was leaking oil, found oil pan had rust and eaten through the pan. One small hole allowed oil to leak out. Had to replace oil pan and windage plate. A real pain to install with motor in, oil suction tube is located in front. |
| 143000 mi US $261 |
Hyd lifter making noise,replaced pass side so far,brake booster in way on drivers side, special tool to remove rocker arms,made job easier,replaced spark plugs, still have to do drivers side, expecting to take longer as booster makes it diff |
| 160000 mi US $340 |
4.7 running a little hot 211F. replaced water pump, hoses, temp sensor. still running 211F. Replaced serp belt, replaced left side lifters (tapping when started), valve cover gasket. Replaced antifreeze, thermostat. Still running 211 degrees even on hot days, sometimes will go to 213 F |
| 176000 mi US $56 |
Radiator developed a leak in the plastic side tank area (drivers side) upper front. Mid pipe from converter to muffler rotted out |
| 56000 mi US $367 |
Sensor before Cat. Converter was bad. |
| 71000 mi US $579 |
Manifold problems Bad Catalytic Converter |
| 76000 mi US $450 |
Timing belt clicking noise, lifters, bad catalytic converter connection to exhaust |
| 76000 mi US $1100 |
Replaced catalytic converter, leaking exhaust manifolds. |
| 80000 mi US $110 |
Could not replicate the problem - Changed oil as requested and reset check-engine light. |
| 101000 mi | Check Engine Light |
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 2dr Regular Cab 6.5ft bed
345-horsepower 5.7L V8 5-speed automatic RWD
| 149000 mi US $200 |
Deafening lifter noise(not the regular HEMI tick) sounded like i had broken a valve spring. quitened down a little so i drove it home and tore it down,Sludge trapped in ends of rocker shafts had broken loose and stopped up 3 rear lifters. |
| 96000 mi US $187 |
Check engine light. Code P0441. Found broken hose clamp at leak detector valve. Replaced hose clamp, cleared code from system. |
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