2004 Dodge RAM 2500
This year had more than double the complaints of 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 16 |
| 1992 | 32 |
| 1993 | 39 |
| 1994 | 168 |
| 1995 | 267 |
| 1996 | 291 |
| 1997 | 213 |
| 1998 | 225 |
| 1999 | 313 |
| 2000 | 211 |
| 2001 | 468 |
| 2002 | 155 |
| 2003 | 661 |
| 2004 | 579 |
| 2005 | 422 |
| 2006 | 668 |
| 2007 | 361 |
| 2008 | 317 |
| 2009 | 214 |
| 2010 | 236 |
| 2011 | 297 |
| 2012 | 282 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
23% of complaints: steering — 135 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE LEFT TIE ROD BROKE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAUSING A HOLE IN MY RIM, DENTS IN THE FENDER AND BUMPER AND DAMAGE TO THE LEFT BRAKING SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140224
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram. The contact was informed that the vehicle had four notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V528000 (STEERING), 16V352000 (AIR BAGS), 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) and 09E001000 (STEERING).
NHTSA ODI report, 20260504
15% of complaints: air bags — 88 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram. The contact was informed that the vehicle had four notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V528000 (STEERING), 16V352000 (AIR BAGS), 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) and 09E001000 (STEERING).
NHTSA ODI report, 20260504
TAKATA RECALL POSSIBILITY OF DANGER DUE TO DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO DRIVER AND PASSENGERS
NHTSA ODI report, 20171126
10% of complaints: suspension — 59 distinct reports on file.
10% of complaints: power train — 58 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
I PARKED THE TRUCK AND GOT OUT TO CLOSE A GATE WHEN I TURNED AROUND THE TRUCK HAD SLIPPED INTO REVERSE AND WAS COMING TOWARD ME. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20040608
7% of complaints: electrical system — 41 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
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 FL
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.
Campaign 03V503000 — check if this car was fixed
FALSE PARK
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 SA
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
Campaign 04V221000 — check if this car was fixed
FALSE PARK
ENGINE STALL
ENGINE STALL
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY WITHOUT SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVING THE KEY, THE DRIVER MAY INADVE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION TO EQUIP THESE VEHICLES WITH AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 05V462000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN LKI ENTERPRISES, INC., BRAND NAME SUPERLIFT SUSPENSION, PITMAN ARMS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 2003-2007 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 4X4 LIGHT TRUCKS. DUE TO INADEQUATE HEAT TREATMENT DURI
Remedy: LKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN ARM, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LKI AT 1-800-551-4955.
Campaign 07E009000 — check if this car was fixed
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 FOREIGN
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 REIM
Campaign 07E104000 — check if this car was fixed
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 FABTEC
Campaign 10E013000 — check if this car was fixed
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTUR
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF C
Campaign 11V350000 — check if this car was fixed
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Meg
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Campaign 13V528000 — check if this car was fixed
Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
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.
Campaign 14V770000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2004 Dodge RAM 2500 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (135 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (88 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (59 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 03V503000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V221000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V462000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E009000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10E013000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V350000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V528000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V770000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2004 Dodge RAM 2500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Dodge RAM 2500 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Dodge RAM 2500?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge RAM 2500 have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.