Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Windshield wipers work once and then they stop working. I see this has been an issue on a lot of dodges during these years. My truck doesn't have the recall. But this is a serious problem, I crashed into someone due to it. Please figure this out I know of several people that this has happened to as well.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that when entering the vehicle and close the driver side front door, there was a loud noise of glass falling. The contact noticed the driver side rear window had shatter. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate mileage was 112,000. In addition, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V452000 (air bags) however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experience a failure. VIN tool confirms part not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the windshield wipers failed and sporadically wiped the windshield. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09e009000 (visibility). The dealer inspected the vehicle and found that the windshield motor assembly failed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 02/05/16 the consumer stated when the wiper were on intermittent, t hey wiped 2-3- times at once. When they were adjusted to wipe faster, the didn't wipe at all. They would wipe when the key fob was activated to unlock the doors. Updated 02/10/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. Upon starting the vehicle, the front defogger failed to operate correctly and made it difficult to see out the front windshield. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to milford Chrysler sales (500 us-6, milford, pa 18337 [phone]) where it was diagnosed with a defective blend door that needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Windshield wipers work intermittently on delay. Sometimes they work but the majority of the time they don't. They also stopped working on the fastest speed and will sometimes stop working all together or come on by themselves. This seems to be a very common problem (google). There doesn't seem to be an easy fix unless you start changing parts and modules. Vehicle does not give a code for the problem.
The ac/heater plenum doors do not work and defrosting the windshield is impossible at times (very common in all size Ram trucks). I live in colorado and this happens while driving and it is cold out. Dodge has to be aware of the cheap plastic vent doors they used.
2004 Dodge Ram 2500. A/C and heater blend doors have failed. Unable to get air to defrost windshield. I have contacted Dodge about the problem and they refuse to reply to my inquiry. As a professional registered engineer, I can assure you that this definitely a safety issue. I just moved to texas where hot humid weather is the norm, as well as the possibility of ice storms. Not being able to defrost your windshield is definitely a safety concern. I have to reach for a towel to keep wiping the inside of the windshield. If it is very cold, icing of the windshield becomes a real issue. Without heated air being directed to the windshield allows for freezing precipitation to accumulate on the windshield. The driver is then forced to stop to remove the ice. …
2004 Dodge Ram 2500. Heat/defrost directional control quit working in May 2010. The air flow is stuck on dash. This is a safety issue with winter approaching. This is a widely reported problem on the online discussion forums such as edmunds. The Chrysler dealership I contacted is well aware of the problem that involves extreme torque applied to the vent doors because of problems with the electrical calibration of the motor controls for the doors, causing the door to break. The estimated cost of this repair is $800.00. This is a little beyond my financial means. I intend to contact Chrysler to file a complaint. The dealership did tell me that there is a recall in effect to repair this problem on the 2010 models. Thank you.
Fracture of the pitman arn at the steering box/ had to replace entire steering box/ fracture was found while undergoing wheel aligment/ was only a matter of time before it would have failed. Replace water pump/ 120000 replace rear universal joint for bad bearings/ 121,000 entire engine fan with pulley sheared off while on a trip/ 118000 replaced entire wiper mechanism due to complete failure/122000 poorly engineered vehicle/ wouldn't buy another Dodge lots of safety issues.
The defroster does not work causing safety issues, window fogs/frosts up because blend control does not work. The drivers side visor repeatedly/unexpectedly falls blocking view of road. Driver must take attention off the road to move visor to stop blockage. Driver is forced to put attention to visor to try to get it out of the way, thus attention diverted from the road. Both these defaults are major safety issues that block visibility of the road for drivers.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500, 5% of the model year's 582 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.