Used 2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 Consumer Reviews
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Plum Tough 7
Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful incredibly tough dream truck, if you don't mind getting 14 miles to the gallon.
The Hemi
Only had it for a year -it was stolen- overall I was happy, my wife loved it, but gas mileage was horrible, 60% freeway, 40% city and it's average was about 11.5 mpg. A few electrical glicks, rear lights especially.
Never thought I would own a Dodge!!!
I am a FORD Man, but I gave in and bought a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with a HEMI V-8. Was sold on this truck after the first test drive! The Hemi engine has so much power, I just could not resist the urge to buy it. Makes the Ford 5.4 v-8 and even the GM 6.0 v-8 seem weak. Great ride and build quality, which supprised me for dodge.
'02 Quad Cab 1500
I've had my truck for a year and a half now and I have over 30k miles on it with very little to complain about. The truck has porformed very well in just about any driving conditions including high altitude mountain driving. I regulary tow my ATV's and camping gear with this truck. The 4.7 may be a small V8 but it gets the gob done well, though I would definelty op for the Hemi now.
Outstanding Truck
I've owned Ford and Chevy truck and wasn't sure about Dodge when I got it but must say I am totally satisfied after owing it for over 3 years. It is by far better in every way than the other truck I've own in the past 40 years. So, I just bought a brand new Dodge Ram and will sell this one to my nephew.
Just get the Hemi
The truck is good to do what I need. Towing a 4100 lb travel trailer,atv and many loads of sand, gravel and dirt for many landscaping projects. I get 15city/19hwy real world driving with the 4.7l v8 235hp/300lbs torque. now a friend with and identical 1500 ram with 5.7l Hemi gets a real world 12 city 15 highway mpg. Now that said for about five more dollars per fill up his Hemi Ram made circles around the 4.7l in towing and just highway cruising simply put it's like comparing a Viper versus a Neon just no comparison so if you got an extra 20 dollars a month in fuel (my driving habits) just get the Hemi you will not regret it.
Mechanical disaster
Wonderful handling comfortable truck that's been in the shop continously for a huge number of different problems large & small. Think hard before buying a Dodge
Safety concerns
I have driven this truck for 8000 miles in 2 months and have concerns about the suspension being correct. The truck is very bouncy when hitting rough spots in the road. I feel the suspension has to be stiffed a little to asborb the bump but not rebound so strongly. I feel that in the hands of a less experienced driver that this problem will lead to accidents.
Dodge Quad Hemi 20
Have owned in the past GMC and Chevy trucks. I had looked at the Dodges but just did not like the styling (interior and exterior). The 2003 Dodge Quad Cab with the 5.9 Hemi is the exception. A lot of fun to drive, but remember to get the 20" wheels or the package isn't complete.
Poor Engineering
T have a 2003 quad cab with a hemi and the 20 inch wheels. It has been in the shop many times and for different problems. The rear end has a whinning noise in it at 39 and 80 mines per hour. The brake light switch sticks on. The front rotors on the brakes have warped and the truck is dangerous to drive over bumps at high speed because of the stiff suspension and and the 20 inch wheels with the low profile tires. Beware!
A most excellent truck
I just bought this truck three weeks ago, and it has exceeded my expectations thus far. The 5.9 liter engine is terrific even though it isn't a Hemi. The truck is comfortable and easy to maneuver even though it rides like a truck. I've owned two other Dodge trucks, a Dakota for 8 years and a Durango for 3 years, and they're just great vehicles, IMHO.
Wonderful vehicle
This truck is heads & shoulders above the truck they built just a few years ago. What many people say is "I like those Dodges with the new front end." Son, it's MUCH more than just a new front end. I had a 2001 model and this is a WHOLE NEW TRUCK! Nothing is the same. Well, I think the Ram emblem on the front is the same...wait no they improved on it too!
2003 Ram 1500 Dodge Hemi 4x4 SLT 345 pny
POWER! and fun to drive. The sound of the 345 horse power 375 ft-lb torque is awesome! The sound of the exhaust is enough to make you turn the radio down and listen! It is extremely comfortable and very fun to drive. I optioned for the 20" alloy wheels and would recommend them! I had a 2001 Dodge Dakota and traded it in for the Ram 1500 Hemi. My Ram out corners it and coupled with the power is a joy to drive. Over all the truck feels solid. I haven't had it long enough to experience long term wear, but I can say right know it is SOLID! Thanks Dodge for bring the HEMI back!
I love my truck
The Hemi engine is awsome! It has enough power to pull, and cruise. I had a 97 Ram with the 5.9 (360ci) and this truck will outperform it without adding the performance items. the comfort inside is great also. I have the leather and heated seats, the steering stereo controls, auto dimming mirros, and dual zone climate controls. This is just a well thought out truck. Exterior, I love the new front end, and especially the 4 doors. My daughter was having a hard time crawling out of the front door of my old truck!
A must buy
We just bought our truck, but have been wanting one for years. We looked at all the other makes of trucks on the market, and felt Dodge offered the most for the money. We currently also own a chevy 1500, and a Toyota T100. Althought they are also very reliable trucks, we are very happy with our decision to purchase the Dodge. We highly recommend this truck.
the mayor of truckville
none are better than this incedible looking truck and this hemi enigine has much power.
Yeah: It's got a HEMI!
We bought the truck in Feb. 03. The awesome appearance got us over from our last truck(silverado), and we have not been disappointed. The 20" chrome wheels do cause a small amount of hopping over extremely rough roads at higher speeds, but you know where the bumps are!We have added the 3 step chrome boards,Ram tail light covers,Rhino liner and you can't miss with the Billit Grille. This truck turns all heads, pulls our 31' fifth wheel like its not there.As far as the gas mileage..What do you expect, its got a HEMI!
piece of _ _ _ _ !!
Just bought this truck & already regretting it! The transmission clicks when you shift into park or reverse, you can watch the gas guage literally move while you drive, there is a loud clunk when shifting into park, the interior is a joke, very cheap, not enough features to justify the price, the leather seats look like vinyl, the so called "hemi" is wayyyyy overrated, doesn't feel like 345hp, wind noise, poor stereo sound, this truck doesn't feel like it will last 6 months, I'm screwed!!
Yeah, it's got a hemi
My father has a 3.7 liter that he loves. I've driven it on occasion and was impressed with the quality compared with my last '97 Dodge. The local dealer had a Hemi in stock with he options I wanted so I bought it. The truck is very fast(for a truck). 60 mph comes up in a little over 6 seconds. Mine is a regular cab w/ 3.92 gears and limited slip. I paid $19,077.
HEMI - NOISE? The nature of the beast???
The dealer is trying to tell me that the noise that sounds like squeaky belts coming from under the truck... normal to the HEMI and they can't do anything about it. "It's the nature on the beast"..."all the Hemi's do it". Have you heard of this problem?
Great truck
Haven't had long, but so far it's excellent. Love the way it handles, steering is really car-like. Overall, it's extremely capable and a lot of fun to drive.
Got to love that HEMI power.
I have to admit, I have owned a couple of Dodges in the past (98 4x4 and 99 Quad 4x4) and I didn't think I would go back to Dodge, but then I drove the new 2003 Hemi powered Quad Cab SLT and God it is great. Yeah the ride over bumps is a little rough, but with 20 in wheels and low profile tires, what do you expect! So far I am glad I returned to Dodge. And with a little exhaust work and a better air intake that Hemi loves to RUN!
review of 2003 Hemi
This truck is amazing. Dodge ramped it up this year with an excellent interior design and the almost overpowering hemi engine. Buy it!
Dancing into your lane
I have had my new truck for 2 months now and the major concern I have is the lightness of the rear end. If I am driving 65 on the freeway and hit a bump I'll be dancing into your lane, soooo, if you see me coming give me some room. The seats get uncomfortable after 100 miles or so, back is killing me.
I LOVE THIS TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have never been a fan of pickups but more in touch with SUV's. My SUV took a dump and i went straight to the Dodge dealership to test drive all trucks. This truck is amazing. Most comfortable ride ever. Even on the hwy at speeds of 80 mph it floats along like a caddi. From the interior to the exterior everything is very egronomical and practical. If your looking for a pickup, or even if you arnt, test drive this truck. Its great. Tons of compliments everywhere i go. FYI: I get advertised gas mileage.
Just my lil ol truck
Texan Cadillac - love my truck, as most do. Ton of power, but rarely misses a gas station. Ride is smooth, especially for a full size truck. Very comfortable inside, and roomy to boot. Most of the amenities are there, but pretty simple controls (which is fine, so you don't have to have a PhD to figure out how to program/find what you're looking for). One odd, recurring problem with an Oxygen sensor, but after the first "failed", Dodge has been great about replacing at no charge - just a hassle (and, as I've found out, not really a big deal unless you have to pass emission inspections regularly). Body/frame still in excellent shape, mechanically solid after 5 yrs, 27k miles.
Powerful truck, excellent engine, great interior, but there are some things that could change
I have been driving this truck for the past three and half months, and all in all, I have to say this is a great truck. The interior is very well built and very comfortable. The exterior is very beautifully built, the truck looks very elegant yet powerful. It can fit in anywhere from the farm to the streets. The stock exhaust note has a very low rumble to it. The truck has a powerful out put when you need it to, but won't scare you senseless when you don't. The gas mileage isn't great, but its a full sized pickup, what do you expect? The only downfall to the entire truck is the transmission. I'd recommend this truck to anyone who is willing to pay the gas and looking for a lot of room.
I Love this "THUNDER ROAD" HEMI!
Bought her on pure looks alone, while our 2003 Grand Cherokee was in the shop again! Looks, Power and comfort my husband only drives it when it needs to be washed! A few issues though. Needed a new Transmission at 900 miles! Found to be a machining problem internally. Dodge replace it with a new one (Warranty). Also the clear coat on the rims and the aluminum fuel door falling off and corroding after 2 years. Dodge also replaced under warranty. Unfortunately they are doing it again. I average about 11 MPG.
Long live the hemi
Great truck, reliable, i have 123000 on it runs like it did with 23,000 on it. My only issue is with gas prices I cant afford to drive it daily anymore. Good in the snow, great on highway when you need to practice road rage!!
Love my hemi
Strong and reliable!
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wont last if you live in the rust belt!!!!!!
I always liked dodge ram trucks mine is an 03 ram 1500 4x4 single cab short bed with a hemi.I bought it because it looks great and i'm not a fan of 4 door trucks.however this past year I noticed the frame has 4 rot holes in it due to the salting of the roads here in new england during the winter time.Dodge uses a cheap box frame that is made thinner than a piece of paper.I have owned 3 dodge trucks and this one is my last because of the cheap frame they use.So if you live where it snow's during winters I would avoid buying this truck because it wont last besides the frame the truck is starting to rot over the back wheels also.To bad really I really like the way it rides but its falling apart.So don't buy this truck if you want it to last because it wont.also the dash is cracking another issue that dodge ram have.
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ram 1500
i have owned mopars since 1974. quality has gone out the window in the last 10 years. toyota will be my next suv
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3.7 v-6 no power......
love everything about it except the engine 3.7 v-6 [wouldnt pull a greasy string out of a cats rump)put in a k&n air filter ,flowmaster 50 series catback exhaust,nothing helps mine, has a 5sp manual trans,figured it might get more faster on acceleration with a few more miles on it but no chance
new hemi ram
I love my new Hemi!!!!
Disappointment
This is one of those vehicles I looked forward into purchasing. However, at 3,000 miles, the rotors started warping and the brakes had to be replaced. This occurred every 3,000 miles, take it in for an oil change and get the brakes gone through. I did this six times before I traded off the truck with 18,000 miles on it.
Reliable, but not as good as others
Overall I haven't had any mechanical trouble out of the truck. But on the other hand it could stand alot of improvement. The gas mileage is terrible in the 4.7 liter about 13.5 mpg on average. The handling isn't nearly as good as the chevy's I've driven.The interior quality could have been much better, the dash cracked in three places due to the sun. Which is really my fault but still the Chevy won't crack that easyThe engine has been very reliable it hasn't had to be worked on once but it doesn't have very much power. When you need to pass someone you can mash it and the speedometer barely moves.Been a good truck but when compared to others of this year model dodge should have stepped it up
Poor engine kills the truck.
I am generally pleased with the quality of the truck but the engine is over stated. It is underpowered. The numbers don't feel true. It just makes horrible noise when I step on the gas. I don't recommend this truck to anyone. The size of the engine is proved only by the gas it consumes.
Very functional
I've had my Ram for over a month now. I am very happy with this truck. Much better than anything Dodge has done before and after driving the Chevy and Toyota, I'd definitely stick with the Dodge. Smooth, quiet, comfortable ride. The 4.7 provides enough power for normal duty. If you need more power, wait for the 5.7 Hemi to be available in the 1500 early next year. The 5.9, while reliable, doesn't offer much more power and the mileage sucks. I've pulled a trailer with the 4.7 a few times, very nimble. Handling is super too. Interior design is great! In comparison to Toyota or Ford, the interior is amazing and is not cheap. See for yourself.
BESTES
DODGE IS THE BEST!! if you cant dodge it, ram it
Chrysler Corporation should be sued
The dashboard on the ram 1500 is crap. They should have know making it so thin that heat would eventually crack them. They are so horrible
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