MYRModel Year Report

2004 Dodge RAM 3500

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Dodge RAM 3500
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
214
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

31% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 10 complaints 1993: 20 complaints 1994: 70 complaints 1994 1995: 108 complaints 1996: 124 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 105 complaints 1999: 104 complaints 2000: 58 complaints 2000 2001: 130 complaints 2002: 44 complaints 2003: 286 complaints 2004: 214 complaints 2004 214 2005: 196 complaints 2006: 257 complaints 2007: 210 complaints 2008: 173 complaints 2009: 105 complaints 2009 2010: 150 complaints 2011: 225 complaints 2012: 365 complaints 2012
1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 10 complaints 1993: 20 complaints 1993 1994: 70 complaints 1995: 108 complaints 1995 1996: 124 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 105 complaints 1999: 104 complaints 1999 2000: 58 complaints 2001: 130 complaints 2001 2002: 44 complaints 2003: 286 complaints 2004: 214 complaints 2004 214 2005: 196 complaints 2006: 257 complaints 2007: 210 complaints 2007 2008: 173 complaints 2009: 105 complaints 2009 2010: 150 complaints 2011: 225 complaints 2011 2012: 365 complaints
1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 10 complaints 1992 1993: 20 complaints 1993 1994: 70 complaints 1994 1995: 108 complaints 1995 1996: 124 complaints 1996 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 105 complaints 1998 1999: 104 complaints 1999 2000: 58 complaints 2000 2001: 130 complaints 2001 2002: 44 complaints 2002 2003: 286 complaints 2003 2004: 214 complaints 2004 214 2005: 196 complaints 2005 2006: 257 complaints 2006 2007: 210 complaints 2007 2008: 173 complaints 2008 2009: 105 complaints 2009 2010: 150 complaints 2010 2011: 225 complaints 2011 2012: 365 complaints 2012

2004: 214 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19914
199210
199320
199470
1995108
1996124
1997125
1998105
1999104
200058
2001130
200244
2003286
2004214
2005196
2006257
2007210
2008173
2009105
2010150
2011225
2012365

Known problem areas

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

Power train

31% · 66 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show 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, 2018-01-31

Also filed under Electrical system

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, 2004-06-22

Dodge RAM 3500 with cummins diesel. I got out of the truck on an absolutely flat parking lot, believing it to be in park. Walked 30-40 feet and then vehicle began moving in reverse gear at idle and hit a car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-03-09

Air bags

20% · 43 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show 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, 2014-02-23

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-03-24

Also filed under Steering

Steering

19% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and tie rod assembly.

CRASH
Show 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, 2014-05-07

Suspension

14% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing upper ball joint and front.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

upper control arm cracked which is a safety violation and should be a recall.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-09-09

Electrical system

7% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and horn.

CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 214 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2004-04-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-08-26 False park
  3. I
    2004-08-26Engineering analysisClosed 2005-12-22 False park
  4. I
    2005-05-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-11-03 Engine stall
  5. I
    2005-11-02Engineering analysisClosed 2007-08-29 Engine stall
  6. R
    2006-03-20Power train05V462000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2007-03-12Suspension07E009000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. 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 →

  9. 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 →

  10. R
    2011-10-03Steering11V350000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2014-01-17Steering13V528000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2014-05-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-12-23 Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
  13. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  14. I
    2014-10-20Audit queryClosed 2016-05-16 Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
  15. 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 →

  16. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Dodge RAM 3500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 66 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 43 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 41 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 05V462000 · Power train
  • Recall 07E009000 · Suspension
  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
  • Recall 10E013000 · Steering
  • Recall 11V350000 · Steering
  • Recall 13V528000 · Steering
  • Recall 14V770000 · 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 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 power train, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

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