no report yet
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk. A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR HARNESS CAN CAUSE AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.
2004 Dodge RAMProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 58 owner complaints about the 2004 Dodge RAM, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 12, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Dodge RAM has problems
58 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
10Electrical system
8Power train2 crash/fire/injury
6Tires
5Air bags4 crash/fire/injury
5Engine and engine cooling
5Service brakes, hydraulic
5Steering2 crash/fire/injury
5Structure1 crash/fire/injury
5Vehicle speed control1 crash/fire/injury
1710 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 10 | 0 |
| Power train | 8 | 2 |
| Tires | 6 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 4 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 2 |
| Structure | 5 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 1 |
| 10 other systems | 17 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2004 Dodge RAM 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.
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.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other RAM 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 median. How we score
'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Dodge RAM safety ratings
2004 Dodge Ram 1500 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Dodge RAM, and the recalls they led to.
- FALSE PARKLed to recall 05V-462
- ENGINE STALLNo recall
In owners' words
What RAM owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 used to haul a 2018 Keystone Passport Ultra Lite Grand Touring. The contact stated that the thermostat in the RV failed to operate as needed. The RV was taken to the dealer, where the thermostat was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The RV was taken…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A DEFECTIVE FUSE BOX WHICH WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 2500. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WOULD FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED.…
Own a 2004 RAM?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.