Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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 while driving 70 mph, the rear wheels locked up causing the vehicle to bounce back and forth in the middle of the highway. The vehicle then loss motive power and stalled. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear drum had locked up and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
Severe rust and corrosion on body and suspension parts. Started at around 10 years of age. Support for bed to frame shows severe corrosion making hauling unsafe. Water is able to enter the cab through corroded rocker panels causing mold. Also, electrical system malfunction in throttle body can cause no response from accelerator at intermittent times.
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.. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, a loud grinding noise emitted from underneath the truck as smoke started to come out of the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road and upon inspection by the contact, it was noticed that the drive shaft was hanging loose. The contact mentioned that there were two puddles of oil and the drive shaft was bent. The vehicle became inoperative. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle was damaged and that the pinion nut came loose. The dealer determined that the rear axle and the carrier of the axle needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included on the campaign. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V313000 (air bags) and the parts were not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the repair. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that there was a failure with the rear differential which was replaced due to a faulty housing. The contact stated that recently while driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact heard a loud abnormal noise in the rear, the rear differential fractured and the pinion nut detached. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who indicated that the rear differential needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was awaiting a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the driver side lower ball joint fractured, which caused the wheel to collapse. The contact also noticed that the upper ball joint on the driver side was damaged due to the lower ball joint fracture. Prior to the failure, the contact stated that the passenger side upper ball joint fractured that caused the wheel to collapse. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed the upper ball joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The technician also diagnosed that the driver side upper and lower ball joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
I was just made aware of the new buy back recall and fine, on similar Dodge Ram trucks like mine. The recall show 2004 Dodge Ram 2600, 3600, but not my 1600. The reason for the buy back with the other two models just also happened to my 1600. It is also on the left hand side, just like all the others. I would like my included in the buy back and get rid of this lemon. My VIN # does not show anything but an airbag issue, that I not received any information on. VIN # is: [redacted]. Thank you, I still owe over eight thousand dollars on the vehicle which is about kelly blue book price here in hawaii.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at 35 MPH, the contact heard a noise underneath the vehicle. The rear wheels seized and the vehicle spun around. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the driveshaft fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was inspected by a technician. The technician diagnosed that the u joint, rear axles, gear oil, differential, gasket, and multiple parts in the rear of the vehicle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired by the contact and the technician. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 126,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the front hub assembly broke and separated from the suspension while driving 10 MPH. The hub assembly was brand new and was just purchase from an authorized dealer. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a curb, which caused damages to the suspension and front fender of the vehicle. No one was injured. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The insurance company was notified. The dealer was also notified and refused to acknowledge the defective parts. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 187,000.
Suspension complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500, 6% of the model year's 1,099 complaints. The component named most often is rear (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 9 injuries to suspension 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.