Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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. …
I have had a vibration and "death wobble" on my truck since I purchased it. It has been to two different Chrysler dealers for a total of 5 or 6 times without resolution of the issue. The issue is two fold, one is when I hit a large bump at speeds greater than 45 MPH the steering wheel shakes violently, and the other this speeds over 60 MPH there is a vibration. I have spoken to Chrysler about the issues about a year or so ago. They tried to offer buy back because the issue could not be resolved, but then told me I was not qualified because I was the second owner. I also had to have the steering gear box replaced under warranty, and they replaced all the tie-rod ends ect. The issues is still the same without resolution. Now my warranty is up, and the truck still has this potential dangers issues and I have no where to go. Anytime I have the truck looked at now it cost me a lot of money. …
Truck was purchased June 2,2009. Started having injector/lift pump problems. Scheduled appt for diagnostic for 6/5/2009. Did not fix that problem and the truck was still in warranty. Performed recall h46 for tie rod end and then the problems began. Demon shake periodically at 50+ MPH . Was told nothing could be done about it. Brought truck back in for injector/ lift pump problem again, now the truck was out of warranty and surprisingly needed thousands of dollars in repair. We had to foot the bill. Demon shake continues getting worse to this day. Has been looked at again and was told there is no fix. Fortunately , no one has yet been hurt. You never know when it is going to occur. Today, I see a buy back and my truck is not on it... I have had the same problem since purchase. Why should my safety not be as important as a newer truck owner?
Tl contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving 20 MPH, the steering failed and the contact lost control of the vehicle and drove into a ditch. The failure occurred on May 9, 2007 and without warning. A Chrysler customer call center representative returned his call; however, they were unable to assist him since the vehicle was removed from the scene of the crash. The contact received the parts from the dealer to repair the vehicle. The service manager stated that changes were made to the parts needed to repair the steering failure; however, the original parts were used to perform the repair. The VIN was confirmed with the owner; however, it was unable to be verified by the system. The current mileage is 68,700 and failure mileage was 68,205.
I took my vehicle to tire kingdom a reputable tire dealer and repair facility to have my front end checked out, they informed me that the left tie rod end and center link needed to be replaced, the also said that this model truck had a recall on theses parts manufacturer recall number h46 NHTSA recall number 09e-001 and manufacturer recall number n62 NHTSA recall number 13v-528 I verified that there was a unrepaired recall on the vehicle. So I made an appointment with greenway Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram 9051 e colonial dr, orlando, fl 32817. I told them and showed them the estimate from tire kingdom stating the repairs were needed they had the truck all day oct 5 2018 but did nothing to the steering tie rods
Purchased used 2004 Dodge 3500 and while driving homedoing 60 MPH I experienced such a violent shacking of the front end I nearly loss control of my truck and struck another vehicle on the highway. My wife and I could have been killed. I later learned that this truck suffers from death wobble which Dodge is aware of. As a retired police officer with 30 years I would have towed this truck as unsafe until proper repairs were made based on the violent shaking and loss of steering control the driver experiences. Very dangerous situation that needs to be addressed.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle shook violently without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V528000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 185,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving approximately 25 MPH and making a turn, the steering and brakes seized. As a result, the gear box split in half. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000. Updated 6/18/15 updated 9/25/2017
Steering became loose and had 1-2inches of slack before guiding the vehicle properly. Replaced with new steering unit. Transmission would not shift into low gear at busy intersection entering freeway. Started in second or third required costly rebuild. Fuel gauge reads empty required new unit in fuel tank.
My Dodge trucks violently wobbling out of control at highway speeds.while driving at about 60 MPH, I hit a minor bump in the roadway and the truck started shaking violently. The only way it stopped was I had to reduce my speed to 10 MPH, the problem was I was in the express lane, I was in front of a semi truck
Related recalls
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 4x4, manufactured from February 14, 2008, through March 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2, manufactured from February 14, 2008, through March 28, 2011; and model year 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from February…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
RMD opened this audit query (AQ) investigation in order to better understand and evaluate Chrysler's process(es) for timely and efficient execution of its safety recall campaigns, including its oversight and management of its parts division Mopar.Prior to opening this investigation, RMD had raised concerns with the company related to its execution of two safety recalls, 13V-528 and 13V-529, both of which involved…
Steering complaints in other Ram 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Dodge Ram 3500?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Dodge Ram 3500, 19% of the model year's 214 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-528 (tie rod assembly, Nov 6, 2013); NHTSA recall 11V-350 (tie rod assembly, Jul 6, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering 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.