Most common 2004 Dodge Ram problems
Share of the 58 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Ram complaints by model year
Best Ram years: 2011, 2009, 2007. Years to avoid: 1996, 1998, 2001, 1997, 1999. Compare all years →
2004 Dodge Ram recalls (1)
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
On certain pick-up trucks equipped with 4.7l engines, the generator wiring harness May short circuit due to contact with a valve cover stud.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the alternator wiring insulation for damage and repair and add a tie-strap clip to the valve cover stud to retain the wiring. This recall began on August 13, 2004.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2004 Dodge Ram:
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…
FALSE PARK
The subject vehicles are heavy duty pickup trucks with diesel engines and automatic transmissions commonly used for commercial and work purposes.a column mounted shift lever is used for gear selection and an electronic PRNDL on the instrument panel provides gear position information to the driver.the subject vehicles are also equipped with a brake-transmission shift interlock that prevents the shift lever from being…
What 2004 Dodge Ram owners say
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 used to haul a 2018 Keystone Passport Ultra Lite Grand Touring. The contact stated that the thermostat in the RV failed to operate as needed. The RV was taken to the dealer, where the thermostat was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The RV was taken back to the dealer, where the thermostat was replaced a second time. Additionally, the contact stated that the RV interior structure had detached in several areas, and the RV was leaking an unknown substance. The contact stated that a nearby camper repair facility inspected the RV and opened the release valve, where water had accumulated underneath the RV. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown
Car stalls when driving, no reason. No codes generated per dealer. Also have a problem with horn beeping at random times sometimes days apart. This truck is not driven for a week at times. There May be a correlation between the intermittant horn sounding and the failing ignition. The security system wiring harness and keyless entry system May be tied to an ignition kill switch when the defective keyless entry system triggers the horn. When driving, the horn May not sound as a key is in the ignition and/or the vehicle is exceeding 15 MPH May disconnect the final circuit driving the horn. Remnants of a security system wiring May exist whether or not the vehilcle comes equipped with a security system or not. This would explain why no failure codes are ever found. …
Transmission & drivetrain
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that the rear wheels locked up and the vehicle skidded sideways. The contact stated that the rear driveshaft had detached. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
I put my truck into park to run in and pick up my dry-cleaning ( was inside maybe 60 seconds) came out to find my truck gone and after looking I find it across the parking lot. It had jumped the curb went through their landscaping and hit a tree damaging the rear bumper,tailgate, bed side and dually fender. After going back in the cleaners the lady that works there informed me that her new Dodge truck has done that to her before. This is the 3rd time this truck has done this to me and it is not a year old. The first time I figured it was my fault but I started paying closer attention, the 2nd time it was in park with the "p" lit up and got about 2 stepes from the truck when it started going backwards but caught it before anything happened and now this. I have contacted Dodge and they are supposed to send someone out to look at my truck??? We'll see!!!
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 used to haul a 2018 Keystone Passport Ultra Lite Grand Touring. The contact stated that the thermostat in the RV failed to operate as needed. The RV was taken to the dealer, where the thermostat was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The RV was taken back to the dealer, where the thermostat was replaced a second time. Additionally, the contact stated that the RV interior structure had detached in several areas, and the RV was leaking an unknown substance. The contact stated that a nearby camper repair facility inspected the RV and opened the release valve, where water had accumulated underneath the RV. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown
The engine light keeps coming on. When we took it to the service center the first time we were told that the problem was with the transmission; the colinoid was then replaced. The second time we took it in to the service department because the engine light came on we were told that the computer is sending the exact same code. We were told we would need a new computer, at 56,000 miles. It was installed. The third time we took it in to the service department for the engine light being on we were told once again that the computer is indicating the same problem. After three days of being without transportation we were told that a ball bearing in the valve body was in the wrong spot , to quote the service manager. We told this was fixed so we took our vehicle home. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Dodge Ram a good car?
Based on 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Ram rates better than average: 64% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Ram at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Dodge Ram?
The electrical system — 10 complaints, 17% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (8) and engine & cooling (6).
How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge Ram have?
There is 1 recall for the 2004 Dodge Ram, the most recent from August 3, 2004 (alternator/generator/regulator). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Ram?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2009 and 2007. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1996, 1998, 2001, 1997 and 1999. See the full Dodge Ram years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge Ram problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 37,000 miles; 61% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.