Used 2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Diesel Consumer Reviews
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Real World
Sir Al, 11/29/2006
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
Driven 95,000 miles with only $300 in repairs (nic oil changes, maintenance,etc) This is the most reliable truck I have ever purchased. Previous non Dodge trucks were in rebuilt stage with this amount of mileage. I have done better than 22 mpg cruise control set with no heavy loads. Towing 10K GVW 5th wheel trailer have enough power in diesel engine that I have never felt like I needed more power, and I drive the Rocky Mountains.
356000 miles
emory dwayne grant, 09/10/2009
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT Rwd SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
19 of 20 people found this review helpful
I have 356,000 miles. Pulled a trailer mostly about6000 lbs. A little over 100,000 miles injector pump went out and throttle positioning sensor. I have forgiven those breakdowns though because I have 360,000 miles with normal maintenance. Hope to get 500,000 miles. I have owned fords & Chevrolet trucks. I like the Dodge best. Good fuel mileage also.
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 for sale near you
Showing 3 of 31 listings
- SLT Diesel Quad CabMSRP: $17,99513 mi away
- ST Quad CabMSRP: $25,99546 mi away
- ST Diesel Quad CabMSRP: $23,995176 mi away
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First diesel
Utahguy, 06/29/2004
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
Mine has the HO 305/555 motor, and the 6 speed manual transmission. I bought it to tow a car hauler with a Jeep on it (around 6000 pounds). Towing is a dream, just put it in 6th gear and set the cruise control. Steep hills are not a problem, the engine has tons of power. My drivers side door had excessive wind noise and had to be adjusted, but other than that it has been problem free.
Work horse
Diesel Turbo, 01/05/2007
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT Rwd SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Went exellent until 108,000 miles. Trip from NC to UT after a recall for transmission . I think they calibrated wrong. The whole truck is shaking when I pull up. Have to stop traveling and go to Dodge dealer . I never trusted the transmission , and I change the transmission oil every 30,000 miles. Excellent truck, but now I am not happy.
3500 Diesel Ram
Joshua, 04/28/2007
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT Rwd SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
This has been a great truck. I have 87,000 miles so far. I am averaging 23.1 mpg, but drive conservatively. Very strong frame and heavy truck. Loving it.
Ram 3500 diesel
R Epper, 10/26/2003
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab ST Rwd SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
20 MPG Great for a 3500, love to drive this truck 50,000 miles in 8 months with no problems.
real 5.7 gas 2003 3500 slt 4by4 dually quad cab hemi
john620, 12/01/2012
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab ST 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
dodge 2003 hemi 3500 came with a 4-45rfe transmission this transmission is in aspens mini vans 1500 and other cars and does not hold together in a 1ton truck.At 51 thou miles the 1st transmission failed the 2nd failed at 115 thou miles both with no more than heavy half ton loads only.The hemi motor has been very good so far great power smoth I can not say one bad thing about my 5.7 motor hemi I had some brake issues but nothing over the top they stop very well. the ride for a 1ton truck is good.The rear end of this truck has 373 or 410 gears but on mine has not been tested with heavy loads.the inside on slt is basic but good.dodge stopped this combo after 2003 in the 3500 hd I cant recommend
Power to Pull
FireMedic, 04/26/2008
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased this vehicle used from a dealer. The vehicle was used by a local farmer to pull cattle. I replaced an 2006 F-250 5.4L - I was passed on the interstate by an 80,000 lbs semi. I was pulling a 12,000 lbs 5th-wheel camper. With this RAM, there was no trouble passing anything on any grade of hill in any of my travels. The power and confidence are there to pull or climb any hill. On the same hill the F-250 did 25 mph - RAM was doing 70 !!!
2003 Ram 3500
Joseph M Foultz, 08/23/2003
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is my fourth Cumins Diesel all have preformed well we like the improvement in power over previouse years. Four doors is the biggest improvement.We have had no problems so far 16000 miles.
total power
57chevy, 12/18/2003
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab ST 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is my first dodge truck after driving chevys for the past 30 years.My truck is fully load six speed, high output diesel, short bed, 3500 in the lariat trim .This thing is built like a tank and is getting 21.6 MPG on the highway, around town I get 17.5 This is with an empty bed but the thing weights 6800 pounds Amazing.It has so much power I can go over donner summit and never have to slow down a bit
First-time Dodge Ram Owner
edritchie, 05/30/2004
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have previously owned 1/2 and 3/4 ton Ford and GMC pickups, two Yukons and a full size Bronko. This is the first time I have considered a one ton as the ride and creature comforts are so good in this unit along with expected higher second-hand values and unsurpassed trailer-pulling capacity.
This is HOT!!!
Bam Bam, 02/14/2003
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Real nice truck..I love the 20 MPG for a 3500...one ton. That is real cool..I just sold a F350 getting 14 MPG on a good day. No comparison this beats the Ford all to pieces. I should know, I have owned four of them. But after my last "Lemmon" F-350 never again. Go Cummins..real strong engine and real quite now.
fantastic
cozie, 12/23/2003
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT Rwd SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is my fourth cummins diesel and the firt automatic transmission. I tow a 38 ft 5th wheel like its not even behind me. Truck is quiet and comfortable. Very impressed.
Has Turned Into A Major Disappointment
Diesel Dawg, 11/26/2009
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have the SRW, 5.9L HO Diesel. Drives well, tows all day long. 10k pounds and I barely know it's back there. Interior well thought out. Headlights weak, had to add PIAA's to see at night on rural interstates. Minor electrical problems from day 1. Came with throttle sensor problem that caused uncontrolled acceleration. 6 months ago I was happy with this truck. Unfortunately it's turned in to a hangar queen: U-joints, front hubs, master brake cylinder, #6 injector and three injector tubes all went bad between 100k and 111k miles. Hubs and injector problems at 100k miles are inexcusable on a truck like this. Dodge won't help. $8k later I'm good as new, but will never buy another Dodge...ever!!
3500 Cummins
billmoncure, 05/22/2004
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Great Truck We pull a 12500 lb. race trailer and you hardly notice it is there.
Best Damn Truck Ever
Mitchlep, 09/25/2003
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT Rwd SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Awesome power,great ride, quiet, good storage, good price.
Excellent truck
1sttimedodgeowner, 10/15/2003
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have the long bed series of this truck, but the website does not list it as a style option for this review. I traded a 99 f250 super duty for this truck that got 9 mpg (city), am already getting 13.5mpg (city) with the HO turbo diesel in this dodge and getting better mileage as the diesel breaks in. This truck loves to carry a load, and you almost forget your towing a trailer because of the torque and horsepower the motor provides.
Built like a locomotive
Offroadatvn, 06/24/2022
updated 07/01/2024
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I’ve had my 2003 Dodge Ram 3500, dually, quad cab, 4x4, Cummins Diesel with the NV5600 manual transmission for a 3 years now. So far besides routine maintenance this truck has run amazing. It’s great on fuel and no matter how you load it up, it still drives like nothing is attached to it. It’s nice that it is pre emission also. I’d recommend this truck for anyone looking for fuel mileage and a classic old rig. As my truck is a manual 6 speed don’t expect to win any races lol.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Not very happy
n/a, 01/31/2007
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab ST 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have had this since 3000 miles. Now at 70,000 miles i am thinking of trading it in. I've needed a water pump ,power steering pump, tranny lines, flip down visor, and now rust is forming on the inner wheel well on passangers side. Total repairs must be about $2,000.00 so far. Some were covered under warranty thank God. I am only getting about 13.5 mpg. and to me the truck unloaded going up a hill at about 70 loses power not very impressive. Wind noise comes in from drivers side door. I will give the truck this it has not left me on the side of the road "yet"? I drive this truck as a car. I haul a trailer(about 5000lbs ) maybe 10 times a year if I am lucky everything else is hwy. Not very happy
3500 Ram Quad Cab 6 speed H.O.
800summit, 06/30/2003
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab SLT 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is the truck that will pull that 5th wheel trailer you always dreamed about. Strong motor, quiet, comfortable for a 1 ton truck,
off road
dan piette, 07/23/2003
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 4dr Quad Cab ST 4WD SB (5.9L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
it has been very fun