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CB Transportation and Vehicles Review of 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Lone Star Edition
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Lone Star Edition

2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Lone Star Edition review: Widespread problem on these trucks 13

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Author of the review
12:00 am EST
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I inherited a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Lone Star Edition from my father-in -law in August of 2006. I was just looking over the truck and noticed that the upper ball joint rubbers were busted open and all of the grease was gone. I got the truck at 24000 miles and now it has 28000 miles. The truck is over 3 years old and out of warranty. Does anyone know if there is any recourse from the factory about this? I undrestand this is a widespread problem on these trucks.

Thanks,
George

13 comments
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juan guillermo silvas
Nov 26, 2007 4:23 pm EST

I have replaced the heater core twice already, and I dont even use the heater! Also just noticed oil on the oil pan, not to mention the a/c condenser fan motor. NEVER AGAIN!

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Michael J Smith
Feb 27, 2008 5:21 pm EST

2003 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab, 85K miles. 2nd heater core in 2mos, and this is factory heater core. They crack along the top header, and their is a lot of these defective things out their! You can only get them from the dealer. I own a shop, and these things have a very pre-mature failure rate, we change them on a regular basis.

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Chris Meunier
Aug 09, 2008 5:38 am EDT

Replaced the heater core in Dodge Ram 1500 Pick-up in end of June. That heater core was replaced again in mid July and is now in the shop again. It went out again on a road trip last weekend.(8-2-08)

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Mike Schulz
Oct 16, 2008 4:22 pm EDT

I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with 50, oo0 miles and have replaced the heater core 3 times. Dodge will not do anything about it. Don't buy Dodge!

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mamita4angel2010
Gorham, US
Jan 06, 2010 5:43 am EST

We are now on our third heating core in three months as of 1 hour ago! This is unbelievable, I have never seen anything like this before, I think Dodge needs to do some research on this problem it seems to happen a lot with this specific model 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad cap 4.7 Liter...

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barnboss
US
Jan 09, 2010 1:28 pm EST

I have a 2003 dodge ram half ton 3.7 liter v6, the heater wont get hot, changed thermastat, and made sure had plenty of anti freeze still wont get hot. any suggestions?

steve/texas

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L. Schickling
Florence, US
Apr 13, 2010 6:33 pm EDT

We have a 2001 3500 Ram with 88, 820 miles on it. The heater and AC quit working and then antifreeze leaked all over the floor. My mechanic says this is a DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE UNIT, as the AC is wrapped in foam and that causes condensation which causes it to rusts everything out. I talked to Dodge and they defaulted to their 36, 00o mile warranty. We had an extended warranty but it ran out 6 mos. before the problem. DODGE says it's not a RECALL item so no help from them. According to the mechanics I have talked to, and the Internet, this is a DODGE problem. No wonder folks buy foreign cars...My Honda CRV has 160, 000 miles and going strong. I did have to replace the front brakes (for the first time) at 156, 000 miles. One sentence is worth a thousand dollars!

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blained.
Groves, US
May 01, 2010 9:57 pm EDT

i have a 2003 dodge ram 1500 4.7 liter. I have ran into this heater core issue with friends of mine and then with my truck around 80, 000 miles. i thought it was odd that it went out so soon. i have never had a heater core go out this soon in any of my vehicles. from all that i am reading out and about i would not advice anyone to buy Dodge. this truck has 93, 000 miles on it, i have thus far had to replace the cam sensor, crank sensor, one O2 sensor, a catlitic convortor, one rear tail light circuit panel, and the heater core. If anyone has a way to get this info out to the general public please let me know . nincumpoop01@yahoo.com

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Malonso
Fort Worth, US
May 08, 2010 8:50 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have a 2003 dodge 1500, at 40K i had to replace the entire A/C system only to have to replace the heater core a week later, the upper and lower ball joints, rack and pinion, outer tie rod ends and shocks. Today, 8 months later I replaced the heater core again. The dash board has completley broken into pieces and will cost $1000 from dodge just for the parts. When I bought this truck I really thought I was buying a great truck, and have regreted it ever since, I have owned many truck and have not had half of the issues that I am having with this one, the most frustrating thing of all is that dodge is well aware of the issues that we are all dealing with and refuses to do anything about it.

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ramtrouble12
Livingston, US
May 13, 2010 11:56 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I can sympathize with everyone about the dodge heating problem.My 03 quad cab is dollaring me to death.i havent changed the core because some mechanics say it is the actuator door not working and the fact that i cant find any wet floor board, but i had to replace front-end parts, radiator, hoses, thermostat, and the resevoir bottle.my heat is hot on passenger side and cold on driver side.so im down to the core to change and if it has to be replaced more than once someone else will be the proud owner.if someone gets the fix for this plz share. alpine7825@yahoo.com

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damndodge
orlando, US
Dec 08, 2010 10:24 pm EST

My 03 dodge has done the same same the heater core went out i was wanting to know from an experienced mechanic how long the job is and should i use an aftermarket heater core or direct from dodge because many people complain about the ones from dodge saying they blow right back out if anyone has help could you please email me at lilpudge1550@yahoo.com

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D Henderson
Landrum, US
Apr 04, 2011 9:54 pm EDT

I own a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. On my fourth radiator now including the oe one. Haven't had heat for the last three winters. Reverse flushed the core and it worked for awhile but then it stopped. Talked to my local dealership and they pretty much told me it was my problem now. I love my truck but I've read thousands of complaints about this problem with noone getting any service out of Chrysler corp. Maybe I should've bought a Ford. They didn't need a bailout.

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Ronnie.1
Gaffney, US
Apr 22, 2011 5:28 pm EDT

I have a Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab that I purchased new in 2003. The truck has not given me any issues other than the heater core going out. I am getting ready to put my fifth heater core in and I just do not know what else to do. The truck looks and runs great, just can not keep a heater core in it. Each time the core goes I have to deal with the wet carpet and smelling the antifreeze for awhile. This really disgust me and it is a shame that Chrysler will not do something for there customers who trusted them when we choose to purchase a vehicle. I will never own a chrysler product again... Very pissed form Ronnie in South Carolina...