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U.S. public vehicle records

2004 Dodge RAM 1500: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1,097 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

71,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 716 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 352 of 1,097 complaints (32.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation18316.7%
Braking behavior12411.3%
Steering behavior12111.0%
Electrical and battery issues413.7%
Transmission and shifting383.5%
Fuel system concerns373.4%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
352
Power Train
127
Electrical System
74
Engine
74
Engine And Engine Cooling
57
Steering
57
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
40
Fuel/Propulsion System
38
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags352
Power Train127
Electrical System74
Engine74
Engine And Engine Cooling57
Steering57
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine40
Fuel/Propulsion System38

Air Bags: 352; Power Train: 127; Electrical System: 74; Engine: 74; Engine And Engine Cooling: 57; Steering: 57; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 40; Fuel/Propulsion System: 38

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
137
25,000 to 49,999
103
50,000 to 74,999
128
75,000 to 99,999
85
100,000 to 149,999
133
150,000 and above
130
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000137
25,000 to 49,999103
50,000 to 74,999128
75,000 to 99,99985
100,000 to 149,999133
150,000 and above130

Under 25,000: 137; 25,000 to 49,999: 103; 50,000 to 74,999: 128; 75,000 to 99,999: 85; 100,000 to 149,999: 133; 150,000 and above: 130

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (137). 381 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2003
2
2004
44
2005
76
2006
47
2007
53
2008
37
2009
43
2010
52
2011
50
2012
29
2013
41
2014
38
2015
289
2016
153
2017
54
2018
30
2019
15
2020
13
2021
5
2022
5
2023
5
2024
2
2025
3
2026
11
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20032
200444
200576
200647
200753
200837
200943
201052
201150
201229
201341
201438
2015289
2016153
201754
201830
201915
202013
20215
20225
20235
20242
20253
202611

2003: 2; 2004: 44; 2005: 76; 2006: 47; 2007: 53; 2008: 37; 2009: 43; 2010: 52; 2011: 50; 2012: 29; 2013: 41; 2014: 38; 2015: 289; 2016: 153; 2017: 54; 2018: 30; 2019: 15; 2020: 13; 2021: 5; 2022: 5; 2023: 5; 2024: 2; 2025: 3; 2026: 11

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 183 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 124 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 121 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10046722 · 2003-11-10 (November 10, 2003)

WHILE TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED, VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER SAID THERE WAS A TRACTOR TRAVELING CLOSE BEHIND AND ALMOST RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046722 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10052156 · 2003-12-30 (December 30, 2003)

A TWO YEAR OLD 38 POUND TODDLER WAS CLIMBING UP THE TAILGATE AND WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE TAILGATE. AS A RESULT THE CHILD'S ARM BROKE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THE TAILGATE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RELEASED SO EASILY. THIS INCIDENT ALSO PUT A DENT IN THE TAILGATE. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10052156 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10053814 · 2004-01-12 (January 12, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH CONSUMER FELT THAT VEHICLE STARTED RESPONDING SLUGGISHLY. AFTER A FEW MILES, CONSUMER NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL. VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED BY THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE SCENE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053814 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10056779 · 2004-02-08 (February 8, 2004)

2004 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT QUAD CAB HEMI - VEHICLE WITH 700 MILES ON IT STALLED SEVERAL TIMES FOR NO APPARENT REASON - ALMOST RESULTED IN BEING REAR ENDED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056779 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10057025 · 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)

SECOND COMPLAINT - 2004 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB HEMI WITH 700 MILES (I ONLY HAD FOR 2 WEEKS) BEGAN STALLING SO I BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THEY SAID IT WAS THE EGR VALVE AND THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO ORDER THIS PART ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. THEY RETAINED MY VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD IT FOR 3 DAYS. I KEEP CALLING AND THEY SAY THAT THEY CANNOT GET THE PART. I HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY CANNOT HELP. THE DELAER REFUSES TO SWAP THE PART FROM HIS INVENTORY BECAUSE HE DOES NOT WANT HIS INVENTORY DISABLED, BUT IT IS FINE WITH HIM IF…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057025 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10057634 · 2004-02-06 (February 6, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED SPINAL INJURIES. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057634 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10059615 · 2004-02-23 (February 23, 2004)

ROTORS WARPED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059615 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10063054 · 2004-03-11 (March 11, 2004)

WATER WAS GETTING INTO THE WIRING HARNESS, CAUSING SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER TO REGISTER SPEED AND MILES ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS MOTIONLESS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 109 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063054 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

03V503000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Reported: 2003-12-04 (December 4, 2003)

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE TRANSFER CASE TO TRANSMISSION ATTACHING FASTENERS MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED CORRECTLY. THIS COULD CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION ADAPTER OR TRANSFER CASE HOUSING TO CRACK AND LEAK FLUID.

Consequence: CONTINUED OPERATION CAN RESULT IN PROPELLER SHAFT SEPARATION AND DAMAGE TO FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FUEL LEAK. FLUID AND/OR FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN CAUSE AN UNDERBODY FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE TRANSFER CASE TO TRANSMISSION FASTENERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
04V221000 · Equipment:Other:Labels

Reported: 2004-05-06 (May 6, 2004)

THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL ON SOME PICKUP TRUCKS LISTS INCORRECT TIRE, WHEEL, AND RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE INFORMATION WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS.'

Consequence: INSTALLING THE INCORRECT TIRE/RIM SIZES AND LOADING THE VEHICLE TO THE WEIGHTS SHOWN ON THE LABEL CAN CAUSE TIRE FAILURE AND RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL OVERLAYS CONTAINING THE CORRECTED INFORMATION RELATIVE TO VEHICLE TIRE AND RIM SIZE, AND RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V770000 · Air Bags

Reported: 2014-12-03 (December 3, 2014)

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, owners were notified and the recall began on December 5, 2014. For all other vehicles, Chrysler notified owners and the recall began on February 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P40 Expanded. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 16V-352. This recall superseded the passenger air bag portion of recall 14V-354.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V313000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2015-05-26 (May 26, 2015)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V352000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-05-24 (May 24, 2016)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Consequence: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

NHTSA campaign record ↗