Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V528000 (Steering), 16V352000 (Air Bags), 15V313000 (Air Bags), and 05V462000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available while the vehicle was in for service. The local dealer was made aware of the issue, and an appointment was scheduled to repair the vehicle. The vehicle remained with the dealer for a week before the contact was informed that parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that on several occasions, while the vehicle was in park(P), the vehicle unexpectedly rolled without warning. The brake pedal was depressed with extra force while shifting to park(P). The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. …
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge RAM. The contact received recall notifications, NHTSA Capaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags and NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V313000 (Air Bags) however the parts were unavailable. The dealer was contacted, however the contact was informed that the parts were in back order. In addition, the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable until October 2026. The manufacturer was contacted. The cotnact was informed that the parts were unavailalbel.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact applied the brakes on an icy road. The vehicle slid and crashed into a stone wall. The air bags deployed one minute after the impact. The contact and the passenger sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was towed and not repaired. The failure mileage was 200,000.
While driving through an intersection (west to east), I was struck on the left side of my vehicle, pushing me to the right into a traffic lane heading north where I then struck a vehicle head on causing front end damage. My air bags did not deploy on impact. This second vehicle was moving forward but slowing down at the time of impact to avoid the accident. I'm the original owner of my vehicle and have had no prior accidents.
Takata recall called dealer (carson city Dodge - Jeep) when recall notice was received in the mail, I was added to a list and told to wait, still have not been called even though others have gone in and the dealer has done a replacement without an appointment or them being on the "list".
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V528000 (steering), 14V770000 (air bags), and 15V313000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. 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 experienced a failure. Updated 11/18/15 updated 2/10/16 updated 4/13/18 consumer stated he had three re-call notices on this vehicle, so far after many attempts to have the repair work done, I keep getting the same answer- no parts available. Also, vehicle leaks and door won't open and more updated 10/11/18
"Takata recall" I have attempted to get my airbag replaced and the dealership states that they cannot work on the vehicle because it has aftermarket wiring. The wiring is not attached to the airbag and should have no impact on the ability of a replacement airbag working. The current fix they desire is for me to find a shop of some kind that removes head units and have them remove at my cost, and then have the airbag installed and then have the head unit re-installed at my cost. I purchased the vehicle as is a little over a year ago. I just want my truck to be safe for my family to be in. My current case number with Dodge customer service is 34528836. Please help me get this fixed.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V352000 (air bags); however, the parts do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called a local dealer (premier autoplex 401 us-59 loop s, livingston, tx 7735[phone]) where it was confirmed that the recall remedy parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the issue as the contact was awaiting a callback from a supervisor. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V313000 (air bags) and 14V770000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available for the passenger side air bag recall within a reasonable timeframe; however, the part was available for the driver side air bag. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V770000 (air bags), 15V313000 (air bags), 13V528000 (steering) and indicated that the parts were not available to receive the recall repairs for an extended period of time which was unreasonable. The manufacturer was unable to determine when the parts would be shipped to the dealer. The contact was still unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. Parts distribution disconnect.
Related recalls
Air bags
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S.
NHTSA investigations
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
Airbag complaints in other Ram 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 Dodge Ram 3500?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Dodge Ram 3500, 20% of the model year's 214 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-770 (air bags, Dec 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to air bags 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.