Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the front driver's side door would not unlock for the driver to enter the vehicle. The electronic remote lock was not functioning. The contact attempted to manually open the door with the key, but the key failed to turn and unlock the door. In order to enter the vehicle, the driver had to enter through the rear door and climb over to reach the front driver's seat. The dealer and manufacturer had not been contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracking. The contact felt unsafe due to the potential air bag deployment. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. While attempting to hold onto the roof handle, the handle detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.
First the freeze plug blew out of the engine within 2 months of purchase (which took approx. 30 days for them to fix ) and then (and now ) I'm still running back and forth to the dealership complaining about the wind and water leakage in the front doors , the wind is sometimes so loud you have to yell at each other just to talk in the vehicle. The doors visibly shake while driving, allowing the wind and water in. And h.w. Hunter dealership keeps saying there's nothing wrong with the truck. We let them test drive it alone which they did for 600 miles , and claim they heard nothing and then I drove while the district and service managers while in the truck with me they both stated that they could hear the wind but according to them that was normal. So I told they that the commercial advertised a smooth quite ride and this is not either . …
Brake job 10-21-2010 brake lines 1-3-2014 9-24-2013 new oil pan 60.45 2 new rear brake rotors 213.45 l. Rear brake hose 24.42 oil pan gasket 37.45 1 set ceramic brake pads 54.88 rt. Rear brake hose 24.42 8qt oil 40.00 1 set parking brake shoes 64.59 1 3/16x36" brake line 8.00 1 oil filter 6.50 1 hardware kit 49.33 1 l. Front brake hose 56.54 l. Exhaust manifold 217.00 381.80 1 r. Front brake hose 56.54 other parts 320.06 tax 19.09 brake fluid 5.00 1414.95 3 hrs. [email] 580.89 tax 9.62 +2.5 [email] 346.54 Dodge said sorry nine years old and nine maine winters! If I knew at the time about the nine winters gee I want a truck longer than nine winters, I guess moving my Dodge truck south, how many years will it last now Dodge?
I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab 4x4, and in July 2009, the dash cracked, with what I am left to guess is due to sunlight destroying on the plastic Chrysler uses to make the dash. I have called several regional dealers about the cost of replacing the dash, with the lowest cost as a consumer at $829.65 I was cleaning the dashboard July 2010, I'll typically clean my truck every 2-3 weeks, and as I wiped off the dash, one of the sharp edges on the dash cut the palm of my hand. This was not careless user error, I believe this is a manufacturer defect due to poor material choice for constructing a dash. I do keep the dash covered with a sun shield in parking lots where the sun is intense, and I have window tinting on the side and rear windows, and a strip on the top of the windshield, in hopes of preventing further damage. …
Ac does not blow cold on passenger side and freezes up losing power; took it to dealer under warranty on two occasions and they said they could "not duplicate complaint". I also have taken it to the dealer while under warranty and complained that the drivers door never seals properly and the wind noise is ridiculous! They said they heard nothing and "could not duplicate" my complaint. I have replaced the rubber door strip which did nothing. The dash board cracked while under warranty and the dealer said that I would have to pay $600 even under warranty. Online you can find that Dodge clearly had a resin problem for several years causing their plastics to crack prematurely. I have looked online for all of these issues and there are numerous complaints out there for the same problems. No I have no warranty and still all the same issues.
I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. I have been experiencing death wobble for about 1 year now. I have spent approx. $1000 replacing balljoints (available), trackbar bushings, steering stabilizer, axle u-joints, complete 2008 Dodge steering system to include tie-rod ends, pitman arm, and linkage (available), and shocks (available) with no successful results. At this point I am at a loss of where to go next. This is my only vehicle and my wife and daughter have to use it for transportation everyday. After experiencing this for so long I worry everyday. I have researched this online and found out that many other Dodge owners are experiencing the same problems and receiving no help from the dealerships. Please review this and help us Dodge owners repair this problem before someone is killed.
I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 with several cracks in the top dashboard. In researching the internet, I read that this is a fairly common problem with Dodge vehicles. I also read that the cracks have developed into holes. The debris from the disintegrating dashboards falls into the electrical system and also between moving parts. It has been reported that sunlight entering through the cracks and holes resulted in melted wires and electrical malfunctions. This problem was reported several years ago by several owners. Also, a tv station in orlando did an investigative report. This is a safety issues and the Dodge should recall and replace these defective dashboards before an electrical malfunction causes a fire or loss of headlights which May contribute to an accident.
Problem 1) the engine has a exhaust manifold leak. This is due to Dodge using inadequate bolts on the head and the bolts broke. The removal of the exhaust manifold requires the bolts to be drilled and tapped out. Dodge should have corrected this problem but would not. Problem 2) the vehicle leaks profusely in the cab. Ever since I bought this vehicle the cab has leaked. It leaks under the rear seat and it leaks from the front visor as well. I have tried to seal with rtv since Dodge could never fix the problem. It still leaks. Problem 3) the passenger front window works intermittently at best. Problem 4) the rear doors will not release the child lock function. I have tried numerous times but apparently the switch in the door does not work.
Body complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the body & structure of the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500, 6% of the model year's 582 complaints. The component named most often is body (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500, though it has 6 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 2500 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to body & structure 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.