Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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.
I was driving from Colorado to Indiana and all the sudden I heard a noise so I pulled over to the right side of the road. When a man came across the median and got a fire extinguisher from his truck and stated for me and my 3 dogs to get out because my truck was on fire. He stated that the driver shaft was on fire with flames by my gas tank.
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 .. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at approximately 50 MPH, there was a whining noise followed by a loud banging noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact indicated stated that the rear axle suddenly seized and the drive shaft detached from the vehicle, causing the driver to lose control and crash into a ditch. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused when the rear axle pinion nut became loose. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train). The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 185,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the pinion nut detached and caused the vehicle to crash into a cement barrier. The driver sustained a bump to the head and body bruises that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The air bags failed to deploy with the impact. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the rear driveshaft and bearings were replaced. The contact mentioned that the manufacturer issued a recall for the 2005 models under NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Vehicle was traveling down a 4 lane main thoroughfare in medium traffic when the rear end locked up and exploded. Driver was lucky enough to gain control of the vehicle and bring it to a stop without injury or crashing into another vehicle. Although the vehicle is a 2004, it was manufactured with in the same time frame as the 2005 p77 recall for the same issue.
4/23/2017 rear passenger side wheel and hub assembly fell off. Caused damage to vehicle. Luckily it happened while turning in a parking lot. I've seen a lot of online postings and pictures of failures and accidents due to this product deficiency. Please advise... Thank you for your time...
Same drivetrain pinion issue as the 05 model. My driveshaft came off the pinion and made me skid and caused an accident. Dodge recall center would not accept that my late 04 could have the same pinion defect as the 05.
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.. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain pickup trucks, the transfer case to transmission attaching fasteners May not be tightened correctly. This could cause the transmission adapter or transfer case housing to crack and leak fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will retighten the transfer case to transmission fasteners. Owner notification began on December 22, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
NHTSA investigations
ENGINE STALL
On May 16, 2005,odi opened preliminary evaluation pe05-027 to investigate complaints of engine stalling in model year 2004-05 Dodge durango suvs and Ram 1500 series pickups equipped with the 5.7l v8 engine.information provided by daimlerchrysler during pe05-027 indicated that a large percentage of the complaints are related to an idle undershoot condition that May cause the engine to stall during turning…
ENGINE STALL
Analysis of the complaint, field report and warranty data shows that the majority of stalling incidents in the subject vehicles appear to be related to the engine calibration concerns that daimlerchrysler addressed with service bulletins releasing revised PCM software.analysis of the complaints and odi's survey of owners of vehicles that received engine management software updates under TSB #18-013-05 show that…
Transmission complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 181 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500, 16% of the model year's 1,099 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-503 (automatic transmission, Dec 4, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 121,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 4 fires and 8 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.