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2004 Dodge RAM 3500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 214 owner complaints about the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-770 the manufacturer reports only 23% of affected cars repaired.

2004 Dodge RAM 3500
34
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.9× the RAM 3500 median · #2 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Lowest repair rate 23%Owner complaints21460 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage16kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 8, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 has problems

214 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
Power train6436
Air bags432
Steering412
Suspension251
Electrical system153
Structure90
Visibility91
Exterior lighting71
Engine and engine cooling62
15 other systems4510

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

4 recalls

2004 Dodge RAM 3500 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.

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 →

32%repaired · 2015 Q1

Linkages: tie rod assembly

Recall 13V-528 · Nov 6, 2013 · 706,664 vehicles · 224,931 repaired

Risk. A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Linkages: tie rod assembly

Recall 11V-350 · Jul 6, 2011 · 242,780 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Lever and linkage: column shift

Recall 05V-462 · Oct 6, 2005 · 250,433 vehicles

Risk. THIS ERROR IS AN UNINTENDED ACTION THAT MAY RESULT IN A LACK OF TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL ENGAGEMENT AND POSSIBLY DELAYED REARWARD MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

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 power train problems start?

16kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 51 power train complaints. 94% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
34under 30k miles48under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other RAM 3500 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 3500 median. How we score

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

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529AQ14003 · closed May 16, 2016
    No recall
  2. FALSE PARKEA04025 · closed Dec 22, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-462
  3. ENGINE STALLEA05018 · closed Aug 29, 2007
    No recall
  4. Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA15001 · still open
    Led to recall 15E-043
  5. FALSE PARKPE04039 · closed Aug 26, 2004
    No recall
  6. ENGINE STALLPE05027 · closed Nov 3, 2005
    No recall
  7. Clutch Interlock Switch MalfunctionPE14013 · closed Dec 23, 2014
    Led to recall 14V-795
  8. Air Bag Inflator RupturePE14016 · closed Mar 2, 2015
    Led to recall 14V-700
In owners' words

What RAM 3500 owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V528000 (Steering), 16V352000 (Air Bags), 15V313000 (Air Bags), and 05V462000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available while the vehicle was in for…
Complaint 11726711 · Mar 24, 2026
WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 90 IN WASHINGTON STATE, TRAVELING AT ABOUT 60 MPH I NOTICED A HAZE BEHIND THE TRUCK THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MIRROR. AT THE TIME, THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS BY INSTRUMENTS OR WARNING LIGHTS THAT ANYTHING WAS AMISS WITH THE TRUCK. WONDERING IF IT WAS COMING FROM…
Complaint 11461850 · Apr 22, 2022
STEERING BECAME LOOSE AND HAD 1-2INCHES OF SLACK BEFORE GUIDING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. REPLACED WITH NEW STEERING UNIT. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR AT BUSY INTERSECTION ENTERING FREEWAY. *TR STARTED IN SECOND OR THIRD REQUIRED COSTLY REBUILD. FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY REQUIRED NEW UNIT…
Complaint 11329101 · Jun 16, 2020 · 124,000 miles

Own a 2004 RAM 3500?

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