• The Dodge Ram was introduced in 1981 and it quickly became Dodge's flagship pickup truck model. The Ram was introduced with a wide variety of trims and models together with a line of powertrains that can accommodate all types of heavy-duty workloads. When the second generation was released in 1994, consumers appreciated its sleek design and features. The 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 is part of the Ram's third generation.
  
  

Trims and Options

• The 2003 Dodge Ram is offered in several trims with different cab and bed sizes. ST, SLT and Laramie trims are available with either a regular or quad cab and a short or long bed. The regular cab has two doors and can seat two to three passengers while the quad cab has four doors and can seat five passengers. Chrome grills are standard on all trims and the Laramie model gets additional body-side moldings.
  
  

Performance

• Two diesel engines are available for the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The first is a 5.9-liter Cummins 24-valve diesel engine with 250 hp at 2,900 rpm and torque of 460 foot-pounds at 1,400. The second is a 5.9-liter HO Cummins turbo diesel engine with 305 horsepower at 2,900 rpm and torque of 555 foot-pounds at 1,400 rpm. A five-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard while a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is an option. All trims are also available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Maximum towing capacity is around 13,400 pounds.
  
  

Features and Safety

• Standard features include manual air conditioning, vinyl upholstery and a four-speaker AM/FM audio system. Cloth upholstery and a premium audio system are available as upgrades. A four-wheel antilock brake system comes standard, as well as child seat anchors, front and rear disc brakes and front passenger airbags.
  
  

Safety Recalls and Pricing

• In October 2005, a recall was made on 2003 Ram 2500 vehicles because of a possibility that the automatic transmission shift control can be left in reverse even if the key has been removed. About 250,433 units are potentially affected. A 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 ranges from $8,000 to $12,000 as of 2010, depending on the vehicle's trim and model.