KnownCarProblems2004 Dodge Ram Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Dodge Ram, most often about the electrical (17% of complaints, typically around 44,000 miles). It is 4th of 11 Ram model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2004 Dodge Ram problems
Electrical
10 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
2004 Dodge durango w/5.7 liter hemi engine just stalled/shut off on its own when going up a parking garage ramp at approximately 15 MPH. Lost all power to power steering and brakes. Had to come to a complete stop, place in park, and then restarted without any problem. Have had vehicle since may of 2004 and this is the…
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the vehicle instrument panel, brake lights and headlights were failing. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the failure was diagnosed as a defective fuse box which would need replacing. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not…
Transmission
8 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 23,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, manual transmission.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram srt10. The contact stated that the accelerator and clutch pedals were slipping while driving various speeds. The dealer replaced the clutch and the discs. On a separate occasion, she heard a rattling noise under the hood and felt as if something were loose. She also smelled burning…
I put my truck into park to run in and pick up my dry-cleaning ( was inside maybe 60 seconds) came out to find my truck gone and after looking I find it across the parking lot. It had jumped the curb went through their landscaping and hit a tree damaging the rear bumper,tailgate, bed side and dually fender. After…
Engine
6 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: cooling system.
The engine light keeps coming on. When we took it to the service center the first time we were told that the problem was with the transmission; the colinoid was then replaced. The second time we took it in to the service department because the engine light came on we were told that the computer is sending the exact…
The vehicle continuously stalled in traffic. The consumer was recently driving the vehicle, and the vehicle shut off in the middle of the intersection. After the dealer serviced the vehicle which included replacing the computer, the vehicle's problems still exist. The last fix and the third time the incident occurred…
Wheels and tires
6 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: valve, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, sidewall.
Dt: on july 6, 2005 the tire blew out without warning. There was no road construction or road damage. There was no accident. The tire was purchased new on july 1, 2005. The trailer that the tire was on was custom made by a manufacturer. The trailer is a two wheeled trailer. It was the tire on the driver's side that…
Dt: contact stated that the dealer rotated tires and tightened the lugs: nuts improperly and caused the rotors to warp. Dealer said it was the driver's fault. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet.
Brakes
6 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
Dt: contact stated that the dealer rotated tires and tightened the lugs: nuts improperly and caused the rotors to warp. Dealer said it was the driver's fault. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet.
2004 Dodge Ram 1500. Brake rotors warped at 19800 miles. 1 year and a half after purchase. Dodge only covers brakes for 1 year or 12000 miles. Had rotors turned at a midas store.
Steering
5 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, linkages, hydraulic power assist.
While running consumer failed to turn the steering column left or right and it failed to move on its own. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic informed consumer that the problem could not be duplicated, and vehicle was operating as designed. The mechanic inform the consumer that new power steering systems…
: the contact stated without warning the power steering pump failed while driving 25-30 MPH. This caused the steering wheel to lock up. The contact pulled on the steering wheel with such force; it caused a power steering hose to blow. This also caused a pulled muscle in the contact's shoulder. The vehicle went into a…
Air bags
5 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: frontal.
During a frontal collision front air bags did not deploy. The consumer sustained neck injuries. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The consumer had run off the left side of the road and struck a tree.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram. While driving 55 MPH, the contact passed out due to a medical condition. As a result, he rear ended a parked vehicle and crossed over the median into the path of oncoming traffic. The air bags failed to deploy and the contact was injured. Both vehicles were destroyed. The police…
Body and structure
5 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: frame and members, body.
Dt: handle on inside of driver's side fell off. While caller was trying to get into truck the handle came off, and the caller fell out onto the black top. Caller was hurt and bruised, and experienced a lot of discomfort. Manufacturer was not willing to offer any help. Dealer was going to replace the handle and the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Dodge Ram recalls
Electrical: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk: A short circuit in the generator harness can cause an under hood fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the alternator wiring insulation for damage and repair and add a tie-strap clip to the valve cover stud to retain the wiring. This recall began on august 13, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain pick-up trucks equipped with 4.7l engines, the generator wiring harness may short circuit due to contact with a valve cover stud.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine stall
Summary
Analysis of the complaint, field report and warranty data shows that the majority of stalling incidents in the subject vehicles appear to be related to the engine calibration concerns that daimlerchrysler addressed with service bulletins releasing revised PCM software.analysis of the complaints and odi's survey of owners of vehicles that received engine management software updates under tsb #18-013-05 show that these stalling incidents have the following characteristics: - they occur at low speeds, often during parking lot ordriveway maneuvers; - they occur during decelerations, such as braking for a stop sign or traffic signal; and - the operator is almost always able to immediately restart
False park
Summary
The subject vehicles are heavy duty pickup trucks with diesel engines and automatic transmissions commonly used for commercial and work purposes.a column mounted shift lever is used for gear selection and an electronic prndl on the instrument panel provides gear position information to the driver.the subject vehicles are also equipped with a brake-transmission shift interlock that prevents the shift lever from being moved from the park position (when the engine is on) unless the brake pedal is depressed and an ignition-shift interlock that prevents key removal unless the transmission is in the park position.complainants generally report that the vehicle was being operated in a forward gear a
Questions about the 2004 Dodge Ram
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Dodge Ram?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (10 complaints, typically around 44,000 miles); transmission (8 complaints, typically around 23,000 miles); engine (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge Ram have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 3, 2004 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Dodge Ram?
- It is 4th of 11 Ram model years by number of complaints, with 58 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.