I have a 2003 dodge ram 2500 quadcab with a 8' bed 51,000 miles. It's kept in my barn and is not a daily driver; I use to pull a 14' trailer or to haul stuff. I did notice other dodge rams rusting around rear fender wells, so I investigated. I found an opening inside and in front of the rear fender wells. I was able to put a garden hose with nozzle up into the opening and hosed out a pile of mud and stone. I am not sure why dodge designed it this way, it only catches debris as it comes off the rear tire on the up turn. I have a set of large mud flaps on the truck, but I added a smaller set in front of the rear tires to deflect most of the junk from being slung up there. I hose the wells regularly summer and winter, they use a lot of salt in Ohio.

Same issue, complained to Chrysler, had me drive to a dealer for a "Evaluation". Dealer pointed out it is a manufacturing defect where the crimp between the inner and outer wheel well panels is malformed (rippled and not sealed) allowing water to enter and rust the wheel well from inside out. Chrysler-Dodge decided NOT TO HELP OUT.

We purchased the 2500 diesel for towing intending to use it for quite some time. Now this area looks horrible and ruins our enjoyment of the truck. I now have to shell out $2,000.00 out of pocket to correct this defect. Oh yeah, Chrysler is advertising quality. Give me a break. Chrysler, you had an opportunity to keep a old long-time customer, but lost me, and all of my volunteer Fire Fighter brothers in town.

Chrysler paid to have both bedsides repaired with metal. They would not replace bedsides. The following spring both panels started to rust again. Took it back to the body shop and was told it should've held up longer and they would do it again ( private body shop, not dealers). Didn't go back as it's my only transportation. 1 spring later, I opened my driver's door and found 4 rust holes in the rocker panel. Thru the metal. It just happened to catch my eye that day. Now its at a different shop getting bed and rocker panel fixed again.

What I've noticed is that it begins to bubble each spring while sitting in my garage as the humidity and moisture starts to increase from the winter thaw. Truck actually sweats and then comes the bubbles. Metal has actually split in 2 places this time and seeped rusty water. I have 12 Mopar vehicles (Muscle cars and Ramchargers), and this truck has the worst reoccurring rust of any of them. I am tires of making excuses for Chrysler. I haven't even started to rant about the tranny having to be pulled 3 times or the 3 power steering pumps and 2 steering gear boxes i've bought for it. It hasn't turned 150,000 miles yet. The only things heavy duty about the truck is the Cummins and the Heavy Duty emblems on it. That is exactly what I told their corporate head quarters too. Cummins is what keeps these trucks afloat.

I am disgusted with my Dodge and I will not replace it with another, nor will I suggest any one buy one. I'm done. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the front wheel bearings needing to be replaced before 100,000 miles that fuse to the hub (nearly impossible to separate and 8 hours of work). Did I mention the truck doesn't get off roaded or pull any thing larger than a car trailer occasionally. I don't trust it for long trips and long for the day I trade it off. Cummins should quit them completely.

contacted chrysler and complained about rust at their request I took the vehicle to a Dodge dealership (Thompson Dodge) They agreed to pay $400 of the $1000 it would cost to repair the vehicle. The repair was to cut out the rust and replace those areas with new metal. The dealership had the truck for a week in June and when I got it back I wasn't thrilled with the work but was happy that the problem was resolved. 60 days later the rust is came through again. I have contacted Chrysler and the dealership at least 30 times and taken it to another body shop that has pointed out the flaws in their work. They finally took the vehicle back and scraped off the body putty they slapped all over the side to reveal what looks like a patch a gopher has chewed on and tack welded and you can see rust coming right through it. They still say the job was done correctly. If they were suppose to cut the rust out why is it still there? When I questioned if they where going to fix the passenger side of the truck I was told it's not a problem so they are not fixing it. Both sides were at the same time so I'm sure it looks just as bad underneath.So now I have a truck that looks like it has two different quarter panels. The rust has not been removed just covered up. The rust I am sure will be back soon. I'm out $600.00. The dealership will not fix their crappy bodywork nor will Chrysler give any support in making them fix it properly. Save yourself the money and time and don't try to get Chrysler to stand behind their products. Like me, if you can't afford to replace your truck and are going to continue driving it, pay the money to have a good body shop reskin the truck. It's the only way the problem will be truly solved. I have no mechanical complaints concerning the truck and it's a great tow vehicle. But I seriously doubt my next vehicle will be any kind of Chrysler product nor will it be from a Thompson dealership. It appears I'm not alone with this issue. Daimler Chrysler should stand behind their products. They know this is a defect - they wouldn't have paid any money towards the repairs to my truck & it is out of warranty.