MYRModel Year Report

2004 Dodge RAM 1500

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Dodge RAM 1500
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,097
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

33% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1999: 610 complaints 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1,112 complaints 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1,171 complaints 2004: 1,097 complaints 2004 1,097 2005: 1,169 complaints 2006: 792 complaints 2007: 517 complaints 2008: 554 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2012: 697 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaint
1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1993 1994: 116 complaints 1995: 213 complaints 1995 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1999: 610 complaints 1999 2000: 513 complaints 2001: 1,112 complaints 2001 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1,171 complaints 2004: 1,097 complaints 2004 1,097 2005: 1,169 complaints 2006: 792 complaints 2007: 517 complaints 2007 2008: 554 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2011 2012: 697 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2014
1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 6 complaints 1993 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1995 1996: 298 complaints 1996 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1998 1999: 610 complaints 1999 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1,112 complaints 2001 2002: 815 complaints 2002 2003: 1,171 complaints 2003 2004: 1,097 complaints 2004 1,097 2005: 1,169 complaints 2005 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2007 2008: 554 complaints 2008 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2010 2011: 688 complaints 2011 2012: 697 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaint 2014

2004: 1,097 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19917
19920
19936
1994116
1995213
1996298
1997361
1998520
1999610
2000513
20011,112
2002815
20031,171
20041,097
20051,169
2006792
2007517
2008554
2009670
2010485
2011688
2012697
20141

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

33% · 366 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle: 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 I was the driver and sole occupant of my 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 and was wearing my seat belt. I was traveling westbound on [XXX], shortly after passing [XXX], when I was involved in a three-vehicle collision.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-07

The contact owned a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while making a right turn into oncoming traffic, the vehicle rear-ended a semi-truck in front, where it came to a stop. No warning lights illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-10-31

Also filed under Seat belts

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Dodge RAM 1500. While driving 45 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-26

Power train

17% · 188 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and control module (tcm/pcm/tecm).

CRASHFIREINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

11% · 117 reports

Most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Electrical system

9% · 99 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Just caught fire burned up common problem lots of fires

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-02-16

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-01-12

Steering

8% · 88 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and tie rod assembly.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2003-12-22Power train03V503000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 1,097 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2004-05-05Equipment04V221000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2005-05-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-11-03 Engine stall
  5. I
    2005-11-02Engineering analysisClosed 2007-08-29 Engine stall
  6. R
    2008-01-15Visibility07E104000 Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp inc., identified as DOT-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and…

    Remedy: Safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. Retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. Safelite will notify its wholesale customers and…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2010-05-24Steering10E013000 Fabtech is recalling certain aftermarket replacement pitman arms, p/nos. Fts93001 and FT44039, installed for use on certain 2003 through 2008 Dodge 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, and 1500 4WD mega cab vehicles.

    Remedy: Fabtech will notify owners and authorized installers will inspect for defective pitman arm and replace if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on May 24, 2010. Owners may contact…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2010-09-15Wheels10E040000 Federal-mogul is recalling certain carquest, national, and percision brand wheel hub assemblies, p/nos 515073 and 515073, sold for use as replacement equipment on model year 2002 through 2008 Dodge…

    Remedy: Federal-mogul will notify owners of record and technicians will replace the affected hub assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on September 15, 2010. Owners may contact federal-mogul…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  10. R
    2015-02-03Air bags14V770000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  12. R
    2015-06-08Air bags15V313000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2017-03-27Air bags16V352000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Dodge RAM 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 366 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 188 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 117 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V503000 · Power train
  • Recall 04V221000 · Equipment
  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
  • Recall 10E013000 · Steering
  • Recall 10E040000 · Wheels
  • Recall 14V770000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V313000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V352000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.