Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced transmission failure, and the brake lines were rusted. The contact was trapped in the desert for hours with his dog. The contact stated that two independent mechanics had determined that the idler pulley needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that six injectors and the ECM needed to be rebuilt. While driving, the vehicle went into the death wobble, and several linkages were damaged. Additionally, the front seat belts were inoperable with the seat belt warning light illuminated. The vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was repaired under warranty previously, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 228,510.
Mechanic said TIPM went bad. All gages guit working, check engine light stays on wind shield whipers turn on & off, engine stalls,all lights randomly turn on and off head lights turn signals exc. Transmission and 4 wheel drive say repair. Anti lock breaks acting up. Mechanic said this is happening alot for 2004 Dodge Ram trucks.
While applying urgent braking at full pedal force due to another vehicle changing lanes in front of the vehicle at a much lower speed, the ABS system failed to function, causing the vehicle to skid for two to three seconds over an unknown distance. After approximately two to three seconds applying full force to the brake pedal and skidding, the pedal suddenly released all resistance against the driver's foot and was able to become fully-depressed against the floorboard/firewall of the vehicle. At the moment of the event, the vehicle gave a violent shudder and all braking power was lost. The vehicle continued forward without brakes until striking another vehicle and coming to a full stop, resulting in multiple injuries and a total loss of the vehicle. …
As I was driving on the freeway at 70 MPH, I heard a loud "smack!" before the engine stalled and I lost power steering and power brakes. Luckily, I'm pretty strong and was able to pull off to the shoulder. The engine would start but not turn over with 4 or 5 attempts. It started on the fifth or sixth try but would not idle. I was finally able to get it to start and on my way to the mechanic, I could tell something was broken in the engine. After inspecting the engine and looking into it, it's been determined that a valve spring broke and sent the valve through the piston and into the cylinder, effectively ceasing the engine while the vehicle traveled at freeway speeds.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and did not effectively stop the vehicle. The vehicle veered across the roadway and ended up in a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained bruises to the body and medical attention was not required. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 135,000. Updated 11/18/15 updated 1/12/16 updated 01/26/16.
Driving northbound on the 101 freeway in the far right lane changed to the center lane on dry asphalt pass a slower moving car and heard a loud noise. Face impacted the steering wheel .don,t recall anymore than that do have an accident report. Think the right rear axle broke or something in the right front suspension. Tie rod or ball joint the inside of the right front wheel is estroyed and was off. The truck complete with large bracket broken tie rod and ball joints and rotor . Outside of wheel is not damaged. Right rear wheel has the brake drum/disc and part of the broken off axle still bolted to it.. Allpar has a report on Dodge Ram axles braking 2002 and up.states a new design is in place for 2006. Is aware of this problem.. …
This truck has only approximately 60,000 miles. I noticed that my brakes were acting strangely -- spongy and not braking properly. They were the original brakes. On 8/4/2015, I took the truck into a local dealership to have recall work done for airbags. I received a call from the dealership indicating that something was wrong with the brakes and needed to be replaced. I agreed to the work. When I went to pick up the truck, I was advised by the service department that they had a great deal of difficulty even putting the brakes back together and that something was installed incorrectly on my truck when it was built! Since this incident, I spoke with someone who owns the "same" truck as mine -- 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi -- and his brakes completely failed in his driveway yesterday! …
Driving down the road at about 35 MPH and all of a sudden I had no power to my brakes or steering and the engine stopped. I managed to pull over placed it in park and it started right up. All electrical components remained working at the time of the incident. This scenario has happened multiple times and is a major safety issue. On a different occasion I was sitting at stop light and it turned green took my foot off of the brake and pushed the accelerator the and the truck rolled backwards and almost hit the vehicle behind me since there was a slight decline towards the rear of the truck. Again all electrical was fine, but the engine quit. For all scenarios I did not even know the engine stopped besides the brakes and steering had no power. The engine just simply stopped running,
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the brake, the check engine, the ABS and the front passenger's side air bag warning lights illuminated . The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V313000 (air bags) and 16V352000 (air bags). However, the parts needed to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,000. Parts distribution disconnect and VIN tool confirms parts unavailable.
The anti-lock brake controller in my 2004 Dodge Ram pickup truck caught fire and burned. The wiring harness completely melted through wires and all, and the brake control mechanism itself melted and burned. The part was inspected by Chrysler but in their determination since I am the second owner of the vehicle they are not responsible for any repairs. The service manager at my local Chrysler dealer has told me that he has seen this problem before, and I have been told by independent service tech's that this is definitely a manufacturers defect. That the braking controller is drawing more amperage than it should be. Chrysler has told me that there is nothing more they will do in this situation.
Brake complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500, 5% of the model year's 1,099 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 2 fires and 8 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.