8.5
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $150
- Average Mileage:
- 77,800 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 19 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (13 reports)
- replace (5 reports)
- superglue and washers (1 reports)
As a disabled person I rely on the handle to help pull myself into the vehicle. Well it broke and I was sent tumbling to the ground and had to wait for a bystander to help me off the ground and to the ER.
- Patrick W., Westlake Village, CA, US
Why put a freaking grab handle if it can not withstand you grabbing it to help yourself in the truck? STUPID!!!
- Charles S., Fresno, Fresno, US
these are not grab handles i like to refer to them as assbusters because that's what they are. dodge has a fix for you, they will sell you another one which will do the same thing, bust your ass again so why bother...
- Jeff M., Long Beach, CA, US
My grab handle on the passenger side is BROKEN.... It broke on the inside where it bolts to the frame of the truck... My smokin' hot wife was climbing in and the handle pulled back. She almost lost her balance and fell out of the truck when the handle cracked. Another instance of the insufficient material used by Dodge. Yeah it sucks. I just want it fixed and feel that I shouldn't fork money out of my pocket when this is obviously a common problem with Dodge's of this included year model. I have never had problems with my Dodge and almost give it the same amount of attention as my wife... Dodge needs to make this right. They should be glad my wife didn't actually fall and get hurt...ha ha ha
- Dustin T., Anderson, SC, US
I bought my dodge one year old from family motors. I was told that they would fix my driver side grab handel. It was never fixed. I asked about it reminded them about it just kept getting the okie doke two step square dance go around. Still to this day its not fixed.
- Jennifer K., Bodfish, CA, US
My handle also gave way! my wife has Rheumatoid arthritis thank god it hasn't happened to her as she depends heavily on these to enter and exit the vehicle. Someone could get hurt shame on dodge for using cheap parts. Should be recalled.
- Mike G., Winchester, VA, US
Grab handle popped loose getting into truck. I have not fixed but don't use it.
- gocards40, Shepherdsville, KY, US
I used the grab handle all the time when getting into the truck. One day when I was parked on side slope I grabbed the handle, pulled myself up, and swung into the cab. Must have been too much force because the handle broke loose. Upon inspection I could see that the plastic around the mounting bolts gave way. I was surprised when it happened because I surely didn't think the force I used was excessive. Paid the dealer fix. They could not match the original color and had to replaced both the left and right side grab handles.
- Peter A., Chester, VA, US
Both passenger side and drivers side grab handles in my 2003 quad cab 5.7 dodge ram are broken along with a cracked dash. I quick fixed my grab handles with glue and washers the first time they were broken off. However, after attempting to replace my cracked up dash myself I had to take them back off. Dodge advised me that they changed the design for the 2003 dash and if I wanted a new one it would cost me $1,200, I told them "go to hell"! I glued it all back together and purchased a dash mat. And am currently driving with no grab handles. Dodge should be ashamed of themselves I am going to sell both my dodge trucks (wife drives this one I drive a 1995 2500 diesel)!
- Cody H., Scottsdale, AZ, US
why would you put plastic grab bars on a 4x4 you should be sued
- Todd H., Marengo, OH, US
my husband has a 2003 dodge ram 1500 4x4 quad cab with a 5.7 hemi. he has taken excellent care of this truck and only uses it to go to work or to occassionally haul something. one day he got in his truck after work and was nearly put on his butt! he grabbed the driver interior handle and it pulled off from the truck! he almost hurt himself and if he wasn't paying attention he would have! he has been a firm believer in dodge and now i don't think he is much of one anymore, not after our durango has been messing up big time and now this. i see this isn't just something that happened to us so why is there no recall? just like dodge to run away! so dissappointed in them and will never buy another one for as long as i live and neither will anyone i know! dodge should be ashamed. what a bunch of cheap idiots!
- Ashley K., Kingsport, TN, US
Well, one day my wife was entering the passenger side of my truck. She grabed the grab handle,and it broke.Sending her to the ground with a jacked up knee. Now a few hundred dollars later her knee is still missed up. Now i come to find out this problem with the handles is happening everywhere. Well it would have been nice if there was a recall.
- ivanl, San Antonio, TX, US
My 2003 Ram 1500 quad cab Driver side handle broke at just 36,500 miles and the service tech at the dealer the there in nothing they can do. that it was on my own. I only weight 150 lbs. so that is a really crappy material used to make this handles.
PS: Must of the plastics use on the interior of this trucks is crumbling down.
- M T., Antioch, CA, US
As I left work I got in to driver side of my Dodge 2003 quad Cab 4x4 1500. I grabbed the grab handle located on the "A-pillar". I fell back and hit my head hard on the door. The whole A-pillar had slipped over the hold down bolts. It was cracked at the bolt holes. I have found quite a few complaints on the internet concerning defective A-Pillar/Grab handles and wonder why this vehicle was not recalled for this problem.
I REALLY GOT MAD WHEN I LEARNED THAT WHEN MOTOR TREND MAGAZINE TESTED THIS MODEL OF DODGE TRUCK IN 2003 AWARDING THE MOTOR TREND TRUCK OF YEAR AWARD TO DODGE FOR THIS TRUCK, BUT SAID THEIR TEST MODEL EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THIS PART AT 9800 MILES: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/112_0404_2003_dodge_ram_1500/index.html
Chrysler has been aware that these pillar/grab handles were defective and very dangerous since 2003.
- Larry S., Breese, IL, US
took it to the dealership to complain they said it is not meant to be used to pyll your self up into the truck???
- Monique F., Tucson, AZ, US
The first handle broke (the passenger side) when my father-in-law was getting in my truck. When it broke loose it hit him in the face and broke his glasses and blacked his eyes. When this happened I called my local dealer to get a replacement but I don't have $150 dollars to blow on something that will just break again, so I went to Home Depot and bought some fender washers and Gorrilla glue. So far that is working. When I got home I decided to check the driver handle and it was also broken and just staying up there by the plastic clips. I have driven Dodge since I was in high school but I don't think I will buy another again. I will also be adding my other gripes such as manifold bolts falling out and my dash board looks like I hit it with a hammer. The Hemi is powerful but will not be bought by anyone in my family or by any of my friends. DODGE DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT RUN AWAY!!!!!
- Billy E., Amarillo, TX, US
I am all of 5' 1" and i have a broken handle also. i do not weigh much and mine just broke. this is really starting to annoy me. i am thinking i don't like my truck too much longer. i understand why chrysler is failing. i have no sympathy.
- fast n furious, Tehachapi, CA, US
i have had the grab handle on my truck break 3 times now. they are cheap plastic handles with no significant backing to them. ie... no metal washers or reinforcements... the first time was replaced under warranty the last two times i had to pay 80 dollars a piece for. im not a big guy about 185 and i do not hang on or abuse the handles... they are just for looks. someone is going to get hurt when they try to use these handles to get in a truck. some super bright dodge engineer must of thought that plastic parts are significant enough to hold the weight and force of an average owner. this buds to you mr dodge engineer
- C P., Beverly Hills, CA, US
On Feb 23,2017 My Daughter my 3 year old special needs Granddaughter and myself were at Walmart. I am also disabled and was the only driver. While I was trying to get up in the truck I was using the grab handle that I thought was placed there to help with getting in. The handle did not break it pulled right out of the truck. I was taken to the hospital by ambulance as I fell and hit my head and back on the pavement. I now have nerve damage in my neck and may need to have it fused together as I cant turn it. I believe there needs to be something done before someone gets killed because of them. Why place them in the truck if all they are good for is show.
- Becky P., Waynesville, MO, US