I'm beginning to hate this truck. Since I bough it in february I have had numerous problems with this thing most of which have happened while down here at school in virginia. 600 miles away from home and my mechanically inclined father.
1. leaking pinion seal (dealer fixed)
2. both bedsides broken out with incredible amount of rust
3. random check engine codes that disappear and reappear at random
4. ABS and Brake light on
5. Extremely noisy ticking engine
6. Alternator went out for no reason, subsequently killing the battery.
7. Radio constantly draining the battery forcing me to take out the fuse for it every night.
8. Right rear tailight bulb not working despite replacement bulb. causing infamous "lamp out"
9. All 4 wheels needing brake pad replacement completely randomly with no warning

and now the rear end is howling. most of the time its when I back out in reverse but it also happens completely randomly sometimes going forward at low speed. Is it safe to drive from virginia to Michigan with this? I just need to get the damn thing home where my tools are.

 

its very few and far between that there is a truck like yours. these 3rd gens have proven to be extremely reliable trucks. i hate to say it, but you might just have a bad one. if you've had that much stuff go wrong, you might be better off selling it and getting a different ram. chances are solid that you wont have many if any problems with a different one

 

Mexico, I wouldn't head out on a trip with a howling rearend. Get it looked at before you go and when you get home you might consider getting another vehicle. This one doesn't like you....

 

Hold on boys....here we go

1) Common issue on a lot of trucks, not just DR in general
2) Rust? You live in Michigan where they dump salt and sand. Did you ever get the underside of the truck coated? If not then you are like almost every other vehicle up north.
3) You have an 03. Its getting tired and old. Expect a few CELs. If you post the code numbers we can help you resolve them.
4) Again, pulling DTC codes will help resolve that
5) Ticking is normally found to be caused by broken or loose exhaust manifold bolts. There are lots of threads on this
6) If the alt that died is your only component that died then you have nothing to complain about. Why do you think the part stores sell alts? Much like a radiator or AC compressor or anything else, they all die eventually.
7) So you know it is the radio....great. Now replace it with another OEM unit or get something after market. I just bought my HR manager and her husband two Pioneer headunits for $30 each and that was shipped.
8) Rear tail light issues on an 03 are common. Check the socket the bulb base fits into as it is likely corroded or melted. They sell new circuit boards for about $13 a piece
9) Brakes dont give warning before they wear out. It is up to you to check them regularly for wear. Just like you are supposed to do a walk around your ride each time before you drive it. You are also supposed to always check you fluids before you drive it.

I dont want this to come off as being harsh because Im not trying to be. I just dont see you having a lot of major issues. You have all small little things that are easily resolvable in a matter of short time. Or maybe I have just been around vehicles longer than you and had more than you and am used to it.

As for the rear end howling, make sure you check the oil in it. More than likely it is just the pinion bearing that needs replacing. But again, you have an 03 with how many miles? Think of how many 999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,99 9,999,999 times infinity revolutions that bearing has had!! Hell, it is tired and worn out.

 

All good points, 'Weed. I still find it amazing how many guys buy a truck that is 7+ years old, have NO CLUE what kind of maintenance the previous owner(s) did and rip the thing when things go wrong. NOT to mention the '03 was the FIRST YEAR of the Hemi in 3rd Gens. You gotta expect additional "factors" when buying a vehicle with significant changes from the previous year...

 

I understand its an old truck im just frustrated cuz my Dakota rolled over 90,000 with not a single problem before it was wrecked. I guess whoever had this before me never took care of it. The most frustrating part is that I have to pay these weasel mechanics that set up near the college to rob gullible students of money. Seriously one guy wanted me to pay 45 dollars a night to store my truck while he did the brake job and he said he would take 2 DAYS!! I'd like to get another truck but I cant afford it. I paid 8500 for this and after taking care of all this I'll have dumped another 1000 into it and then God knows what will blow up next! all the trucks around here and michigan for sale are crap and most are in the $12,000 range

 

You know, there's just something wrong when a seven year old truck is refered to as "old".

 

well now that the 4th gen is out the first year of the 3rd gen does seem old. but my truck seems new to me compaired to my 96 chevy.

 

Honestly man, I had a Concorde brand new off the showroom floor that stayed in and out of the shop and it was brand new. Some rides are great while others make you want to burn them to the ground. Thats just how they are.

 

Heck, Its an 03?? cant expect it to run like a new truck with no issues? Rust had to be seen when purchased? It doesn't just appear a Hole? codes are usually easy fixes but nickel and dime you. Brakes??? these are heavy trucks.. Prepare to replace the front pads yearly