Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
I tried to get the service done Iam a one vehicle owner the dealership told me I had to pay out of pocket for the rental car with no set day of service The dealership didn't care whether I got the recall done cause of the year of the vehicle they provided no transportation solution
I was driving to work that morning traveling about 40 into the city when all of a sudden I heard a loud noise, I barely could handle the steering wheel to coast it to the side before it came to a complete hault, I look out my window and my drive shaft broke in 2 pieces was passing me on the main road. Front end was on the side shoulder, back end was out in the road. I jumped out of the truck and grabbed up both ends of my drive shafts and put in the back of my 04 dodge ram truck, then started directing traffic on this busy road of morning commuters. Fluid was everywhere on the road so I'm trying to put sand from the side of the road onto the fluid that was on the road that had leaked out my truck all while directing traffic to keep from creating an accident. …
Entering off the highway rt 95 felt vibration then caught the end of the curb trying to control it went into the grass, into a guard rail then also into a has sitters material danger with signs all over it building next to the tollbooth because it was slippery grass I could not stop then proceeded to somehow totaled two cars on the op. Cit. Side of the small building the park cars that were workers at the tollbooth it was an industrial park building and I want through I have yet to get any information nor got any type of response from Chrysler Dodge or anybody I have a missing tooth due to the accident it went to the hospital and I have a police report and hospital bills no rental bills and then on to work it's just terrible with no truck .. …
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 owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the steering wheel shook violently and the rear driver side tire shook. The vehicle began to spin and the contact could not gain control of the steering wheel. As a result, the contact crashed into a guardrail. A police report was filed. There were minor injuries, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle veered into the other lane, spun around, drove into a ditch, and crashed into a tree. The contact was injured and received medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000. Updated 01/06/17 consumer stated the rear axle broke and the right rear wheel broke off and was laying in the ditch by the truck! Updated 7/12/18
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.. …
Http://www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/ram_1500/2002/steering/rack_and_pinion_failure.shtml consider this a safety defect lost steering while driving and also a manufacturer defect that Chrysler lcc is not standing behind. Please go to the website above and see all the common complaints. I believe this is a known problem not being addressed by Dodge or by pressure of the NHTSA to have Dodge reimburse and recall this common problem. If Chrysler is going to ask for a bailout then they need to use some of our money to make this right with the American public and NHTSA needs to pressure them to get this safety, poor engineering problem fixed! I filed with bbb of auburn hills, mi. They only look at warranty issues. Vehicles should not have their power steering and rack and pinion going out at 36K miles! Chevy, Ford, Nissan, Toyota doesn't! …
While pulling out of a parking lot to proceed on a main road the vehicle died when I attempted to pull out and cross multiple lanes of on coming traffic. I pushed the accelerator and the truck briefly accelerated and then just died. I was able to put it in neutral and restart the engine. I purchased this vehicle with approximately 6500 miles on it and now I have 204000 . This is the 4th occasion it has stalled while at low speed for no reason. The latest occasion just occurred on08/11/15 while I was going threw a round about. I entered the round about turning slightly to the right ,half way around coming out of the turn as it was straightening the truck just shut down. In all the occurrences I have been traveling at lower speeds 30 MPH or less. 2 almost causing a crash with another vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway, an abnormal squeaking noise occurred coming from the steering wheel. The contact also stated that when making turns, an abnormal scraping noise occurred coming from the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact also stated that while the driver was at a stop light and to go the vehicle jerked, then failed to accelerate. The contact coasted to the side of the road powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted and was able to drive normally. No warning lights illuminated. The contact called hayes Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of gainesville ([phone], 3115 frontage rd, gainesville, ga 30504) where it was determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Steering complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 86 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500, 8% of the model year's 1,099 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 1 fire and 14 injuries to steering 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.