2004 Dodge Ram 2500 problems & reliability
580 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500, alongside 6 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.
14 complaints report injuries (14 injured, 4 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering → | 140 | 24% |
| Power Train → | 110 | 19% |
| Suspension → | 106 | 18% |
| Air Bags → | 89 | 15% |
| Electrical System → | 46 | 8% |
| Structure → | 35 | 6% |
| Exterior Lighting → | 26 | 4% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 24 | 4% |
| Visibility → | 18 | 3% |
| Vehicle Speed Control → | 17 | 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 71,808 miles (middle 50% between 35,000 and 114,000 miles), based on 388 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair…”
Air Bags · filed Jul 8, 2026
“The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram. The contact was informed that the vehicle had four notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V528000 (STEERING), 16V352000 (AIR BAGS), 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) and 09E001000 (STEERING). However, the parts to do the recall repairs for both air bags are not available. Two local dealers…”
Air Bags · filed May 4, 2026
“The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V528000 (Steering) and 16V352000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The…”
Steering · filed Mar 10, 2023
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Engineering Analysis EA15001 · opened Feb 24, 2015 · open · led to recall 22V945
- Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
Audit Query AQ14003 · opened Oct 20, 2014 · closed May 16, 2016
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Preliminary Evaluation PE14016 · opened Jun 11, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015 · led to recall 15V226000
- Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
Preliminary Evaluation PE14013 · opened May 19, 2014 · closed Dec 23, 2014 · led to recall 14V795000
- 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
- FALSE PARK
Engineering Analysis EA04025 · opened Aug 26, 2004 · closed Dec 22, 2005 · led to recall 05V462000
- FALSE PARK
Preliminary Evaluation PE04039 · opened Apr 13, 2004 · closed Aug 26, 2004
Technical service bulletins
39 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. The 10 most recent:
Trac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
S1203000003 REV.A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 26, 2026
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
Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module (WCM)
S2208000136 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 9, 2022
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 2500 has 6 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 2500?
- · 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 71,808 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.