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2004 Dodge RAM 1500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1,099 owner complaints about the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-770 the manufacturer reports only 23% of affected cars repaired.

2004 Dodge RAM 1500
35
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.9× the RAM 1500 median · #3 of 19 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Lowest repair rate 23%Owner complaints1,099176 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage102kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 30, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 has problems

1,099 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags36851
Power train18116
Engine and engine cooling1163
Electrical system9918
Steering8613
Engine745
Suspension668
Structure5011
Fuel/propulsion system381
17 other systems23736

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2004 Dodge RAM 1500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

34%repaired · 2018 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 16V-352 · May 24, 2016 · 4,648,270 vehicles · 1,599,545 repaired

Risk. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

41%repaired · 2017 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 15V-313 · May 26, 2015 · 4,077,169 vehicles · 1,644,105 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

23%repaired · 2016 Q2

Air bags

Recall 14V-770 · Dec 3, 2014 · 250,896 vehicles · 57,621 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Other: labels

Recall 04V-221 · May 6, 2004 · 6,183 vehicles

Risk. INSTALLING THE INCORRECT TIRE/RIM SIZES AND LOADING THE VEHICLE TO THE WEIGHTS SHOWN ON THE LABEL CAN CAUSE TIRE FAILURE AND RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 03V-503 · Dec 4, 2003 · 514 vehicles

Risk. CONTINUED OPERATION CAN RESULT IN PROPELLER SHAFT SEPARATION AND DAMAGE TO FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FUEL LEAK.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Mileage at failure

When do air bags problems start?

102kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 78 air bags complaints. 47% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
9under 30k miles37under 100k miles41100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other RAM 1500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAM 1500 median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'14
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE STALLEA05018 · closed Aug 29, 2007
    No recall
  2. Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA15001 · still open
    Led to recall 14V-668
  3. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
  4. ENGINE STALLPE05027 · closed Nov 3, 2005
    No recall
  5. Air Bag Inflator RupturePE14016 · closed Mar 2, 2015
    Led to recall 14V-787
In owners' words

What RAM 1500 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available, even though the recall stated that parts were available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that…
Complaint 11768056 · Sep 30, 2026
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V313000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available and were on backorder. The contact…
Complaint 11766356 · Sep 23, 2026
TAKATA RECALL PARTS DELAY - MANUFACTURER REPAIR FAILURE.I am filing this complaint because Chrysler/FCA and its authorized dealer network have failed to provide the necessary remedy parts for an active, critical safety recall within a reasonable timeframe.My 2004 Ram 1500 is subject to the urgent…
Complaint 11758959 · Aug 23, 2026

Own a 2004 RAM 1500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.