2004 Dodge Ram 1500 problems & reliability
1,094 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500, alongside 5 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
63 complaints report injuries (95 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 363 | 33% |
| Power Train | 181 | 17% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 116 | 11% |
| Electrical System | 99 | 9% |
| Steering | 86 | 8% |
| Engine | 74 | 7% |
| Suspension | 66 | 6% |
| Structure | 50 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 38 | 3% |
| Unknown OR Other | 36 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 73,000 miles (middle 50% between 38,000 and 130,000 miles), based on 701 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“I am the owner of a Dodge Ram truck that is currently under an active and urgent Stellantis "Stop-Drive" safety warning due to the defective Takata airbag inflator recall. I am writing to file an official complaint regarding the manufacturer's failure to provide a remedy within a reasonable timeframe, as required by…”
Air Bags · filed Jul 6, 2026
“The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers 16V352000 (Air Bags) and 15V313000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the…”
Air Bags · filed May 29, 2026
“The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags). The contact was unable to register the vehicle at the DMV. The local dealer was contacted, who informed him the part was backordered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…”
Air Bags · filed May 26, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Engineering Analysis EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Engineering Analysis EA15001 · opened Feb 24, 2015 · open · led to recall 22V945
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Preliminary Evaluation PE14016 · opened Jun 11, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015 · led to recall 15V226000
- ENGINE STALL
Engineering Analysis EA05018 · opened Nov 2, 2005 · closed Aug 29, 2007
- ENGINE STALL
Preliminary Evaluation PE05027 · opened May 16, 2005 · closed Nov 3, 2005
Technical service bulletins
40 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The 10 most recent:
Plate - Planetary
101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 30, 2024
Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module (WCM)
S2208000136 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 9, 2022
Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
9001784 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 22, 2021
Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
9001784 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 22, 2021
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 30, 2020
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2004 Dodge Ram 1500?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 73,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.