2004 Dodge RAM 3500
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 4 |
| 1992 | 10 |
| 1993 | 20 |
| 1994 | 70 |
| 1995 | 108 |
| 1996 | 124 |
| 1997 | 125 |
| 1998 | 105 |
| 1999 | 104 |
| 2000 | 58 |
| 2001 | 130 |
| 2002 | 44 |
| 2003 | 286 |
| 2004 | 214 |
| 2005 | 196 |
| 2006 | 257 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 173 |
| 2009 | 105 |
| 2010 | 150 |
| 2011 | 223 |
| 2012 | 365 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
20% of complaints: air bags — 42 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION (WEST TO EAST), I WAS STRUCK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE, PUSHING ME TO THE RIGHT INTO A TRAFFIC LANE HEADING NORTH WHERE I THEN STRUCK A VEHICLE HEAD ON CAUSING FRONT END DAMAGE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140223
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260324
17% of complaints: steering — 37 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
TRAVELING 55 MPH, TRUCK HIT A SMALL BUMP . TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY LEFT AND RIGHT, COULD NOT CONTROL IT. STARTED TO PULL OFF ROAD WHEN HIT A WALL DUE TO STEERING. NO WAY TO CONTROL THIS TRUCK. HAS BEEN MAINTAINED FORM DODGE ALWAYS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140507
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260324
16% of complaints: power train — 34 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
CONSUMER WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK . AFTER LEAVING THE VEHICLE RUNNING VEHICLE SLIPPED INTO REVERSE AND ROLLED BACKWARDS,COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE BEHIND IT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20040622
8% of complaints: suspension — 18 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
upper control arm cracked which is a safety violation and should be a recall.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250909
6% of complaints: power train — 13 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
MY 2004 DODGE RAM 3500 WILL GO OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN AND I WAS NOT TOLD THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR TRUCK MY TRUCK WENT ON ITS OWN ONE DAY OVER 250 FEET AND DROVE INTO MY NEIGHBORS YARD.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180131
SAFETY TIMELINE
FALSE PARK
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 3500 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (42 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (37 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (34 reports on file for this year).
- 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 3500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 have?
7 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.