2004 Dodge Ram: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 58 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (16% of complaints); the 2006 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram Quad Cab. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the recall was not completed. The manufacturer was not contacted. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2024
“The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that the rear wheels locked up and the vehicle skidded sideways. The contact stated that the rear driveshaft had detached. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2022
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to safely maneuver to the shoulder. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The dealer stated that the valve springs needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were 57,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram. The contact stated that the driver side door would not unlock with the key fob remote or manually. The contact had to enter the vehicle through the passenger side door or the rear driver side door. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer stated that the door actuator needed to be replaced. The dealer vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 106,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Sep 2011
“While traveling on the highway I-90 one of my pro comp all terrain tires 33/12.5/r17 lost all the tread, oit peeled off like a retread (they are not re treads) they had about 50% tread life left on the tires and I had just checked the tire pressure as I was hauling a horse trailer. As the tread came off the tire it made a couple rotations and completely destroyed the side of my truck bed. I was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pull to the side of the road. The tire still had air in it just no tread. The tread completely separated from the tire. I have read a number of posts on the internet with others having the same issue. *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Sep 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph the electronic throttle control went into limp mode and the warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was stopped and shut off. Upon restart, the vehicle operated as normal. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on several occasions where it was repaired. The failure continued. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,857 and the current mileage was 105,909.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2011
“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 and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 68,762.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2011
“2004 dodge ram. When pressing down the left turn switch to turn left, the right turn signal flashes...the opposite happens when you press the turn signal switch up to turn right. Also, the windshield wipers randomly stop working while in operation. This is a very very frequent problem with dodges, please address! *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2010
“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. The current and failure mileages were approximately 84,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram. The contact stated the air conditioner blower motor failed. The contact applied pressure to the ignition switch and the air conditioner began to function. In addition, the contact stated the windshield wipers had malfunctioned and was also connected to the ignition switch. The manufacturer advised the contact to have the dealer perform a diagnostic test, at the contacts expense. The manufacturer did not provide any further assistance. The contact did not feel safe in the vehicle and stated he was no longer driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 73,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,364 WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULES, P/N 55077098AJ, SOLD DURING THE 2008 AND 2009 CALENDAR YEAR FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MY 2002-2009 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER CAPABILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLIES WITH VENTED WIPER MOTOR HOUSINGS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 18,000 AFTERMARKET STEERING LINKAGES USED FOR SERVICE ON SOME MY 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE SUBJECT LINKAGES MAY EXPERIENCE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD TO PITMAN ARM BALL STUD FRACTURE, ALSO, THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER ATTACHING BRACKET MAY YEILD AND SHIFT ON THE LINKAGE. THE PART NUMBERS OF THE AFFECTED ASSEMBLIES IS 52122362AA THROUGH 52122362AD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY, AND INSPECT THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
ON CERTAIN PICK-UP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.7L ENGINES, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS MAY SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH A VALVE COVER STUD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ALTERNATOR WIRING INSULATION FOR DAMAGE AND REPAIR AND ADD A TIE-STRAP CLIP TO THE VALVE COVER STUD TO RETAIN THE WIRING. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ram by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Dodge Ram reliable?
NHTSA has 58 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Dodge Ram. The most complained-about area is electrical system (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge Ram problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 40,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Dodge Ram have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.