2004 Dodge RAM 2500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2004 Dodge RAM 2500
BUILT 2026-09-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2004: 581 complaints

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	469
2002	155
2003	661
2004	581
2005	422
2006	668
2007	361
2008	317
2009	214
2010	236
2011	297
2012	283

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

STEERING 25%

25% of complaints: steering — 143 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gear box (other than rack and pinion) and tie rod assembly.

CRASH INJURY

Show 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

Also filed under WHEELS

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

Also filed under AIR BAGS

POWER TRAIN 20%

20% of complaints: power train — 115 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and gear position indication (prndl).

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

APPROACHED GATE ACROSS DRIVEWAY; STOPPED 2004 DODGE CUMMINS 2500 TRUCK, PUT IN PARK, OPENED GATE, PROCEEDED THROUGH 12' GATE. PULLED TRUCK FORWARD TO PROVIDED ENOUGH ROOM FOR GATE TO CLOSE; PUT VEHICLE IN PARK ON LEVEL GROUND.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131202

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

2004 DODGE DIESEL 3/4 TON PICKUP....JUMPED INTO REVERSE AND PINNED ME BETWEEN A GATE AND A BARN, FRACTURING 14 RIBS AND AN ULNA. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040204

SUSPENSION 20%

20% of complaints: suspension — 114 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and lower ball joint.

CRASH INJURY

AIR BAGS 15%

15% of complaints: air bags — 89 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260708

TAKATA RECALL POSSIBILITY OF DANGER DUE TO DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO DRIVER AND PASSENGERS

NHTSA ODI report, 20171126

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing horn and wiring.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

In the past 6 months my steering and suspension components failed causing me to wreck and also somehow my engine bay deteriorated in turn having started a fire

NHTSA ODI report, 20260812

Also filed under ENGINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20031222 — power train

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

▮ 2004 — complaint volume: 581

I 20040413 — PE (closed 20040826)

FALSE PARK

R 20040505 — equipment

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

I 20040826 — EA (closed 20051222)

FALSE PARK

I 20050516 — PE (closed 20051103)

ENGINE STALL

I 20051102 — EA (closed 20070829)

ENGINE STALL

R 20060320 — power train

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

R 20070312 — suspension

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

R 20080115 — visibility

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

R 20100524 — steering

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

R 20111003 — steering

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

R 20140117 — steering

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

I 20140519 — PE (closed 20141223)

Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

I 20141020 — AQ (closed 20160516)

Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529

R 20150203 — air bags

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

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture