CarComplaints.com Notes: Carrying the not-so-proud traditions of its 2002 predecessor, the 2003 has a handful of instrument panel malfunctions that can leave you guessing your speed, engine temperature or how much gas is left in the tank.
Sprung a leak - a big one. I had to keep refilling to get to work, only 7 miles away. There was no warning, not even a little leak. The lower the fluid, the more the power steering pump whines. We repaired as soon as we could, w/i a day. Mechanic says we may have to replace the steering pump itself due to the leak. Grrrr!
One interesting thing I noticed... Since I bought the truck in '06 I've always noticed a whine. I thought it was the transmission, but the sound is exactly the same as the power steering pump when it is low on fluid. The whine hasn't changed any, but it's still really annoying. Will also post whining issue.
Update from Jul 26, 2011: I'm now at 90K, still have same pump, BUT... now my power steering lines are leaking. I'm don't know what shape the lines were in when I had the first repair done or if they were replaced then, and I'm pretty pissed. I was quoted about $450 to repair the lines this time, and originally I was being told it was my transmission lines and not the power steering lines - until they got in there to replace them.
So if you get this repair, get the lines replaced too and save yourself the additional labor cost and aggravation later. Also make sure the mechanic is CERTAIN that it's either the trans lines or the power steering lines, since apparently it's easy to mistake one leak for the other. Or... the mechanic could be blowing smoke up my arse...
Update from Jan 23, 2012: I finally got the other leak fixed in November, to the tune of $1000. It needed two pressure hoses and one low pressure hose. Lot's of money spent on the labor. Dealer says they failed at the crimp connectors.
And these are supposedly not known for power steering problems. UGH!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Sprung a leak - a big one. I had to keep refilling to get to work, only 7 miles away. There was no warning, not even a little leak. The lower the fluid, the more the power steering pump whines. We repaired as soon as we could, w/i a day. Mechanic says we may have to replace the steering pump itself due to the leak. Grrrr!
One interesting thing I noticed... Since I bought the truck in '06 I've always noticed a whine. I thought it was the transmission, but the sound is exactly the same as the power steering pump when it is low on fluid. The whine hasn't changed any, but it's still really annoying. Will also post whining issue.
Update from Jul 26, 2011: I'm now at 90K, still have same pump, BUT... now my power steering lines are leaking. I'm don't know what shape the lines were in when I had the first repair done or if they were replaced then, and I'm pretty pissed. I was quoted about $450 to repair the lines this time, and originally I was being told it was my transmission lines and not the power steering lines - until they got in there to replace them.
So if you get this repair, get the lines replaced too and save yourself the additional labor cost and aggravation later. Also make sure the mechanic is CERTAIN that it's either the trans lines or the power steering lines, since apparently it's easy to mistake one leak for the other. Or... the mechanic could be blowing smoke up my arse...
Update from Jan 23, 2012: I finally got the other leak fixed in November, to the tune of $1000. It needed two pressure hoses and one low pressure hose. Lot's of money spent on the labor. Dealer says they failed at the crimp connectors.
And these are supposedly not known for power steering problems. UGH!
- lalablazer, Paoli, PA, US