2004 Dodge Ram 1500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (330) · Power Train (103) · Steering (44)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Ram 1500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
714 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2016-05-24 · campaign 16V352000 · 4,648,270 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-201
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2015-05-26 · campaign 15V313000 · 4,077,169 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time,
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-782
Air Bags 2014-12-03 · campaign 14V770000 · 250,896 vehicles
Defect: 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. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Sam
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Virgin Islands, owners were notified and the recall began on December 5, 2014. For all other vehicles, Chrysler notified owners and the recall began on February 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P40 Expanded
Wheels:hub 2010-08-23 · campaign 10E040000 · 34,604 vehicles
Defect: FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCKS. THE INBOARD ROLL FORM USED TO MAINTAIN THE HUB ASSEMBLY CAN FATIGUE RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION ON THE TWO WHEEL DRIVE (2WD) APPLICATIONS. THE RISK OF THESE ISSUES DO NOT OCCUR ON THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) APPLICATIONS, AND INSTALLATION ON THE 4WD APPLICATIONS
Risk: A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR IF THE WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND TECHNICIANS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HUB ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.
Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman 2010-05-03 · campaign 10E013000 · 1,500 vehicles
Defect: FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS93001 AND FT44039, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, AND 1500 4WD MEGA CAB VEHICLES. THE PITMAN ARM CAN FRACTURE AND BREAK AWAY FROM THE STEERING BOX CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Risk: STEERING LOSS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED INSTALLERS WILL INSPECT FOR DEFECTIVE PITMAN ARM AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 1-877-432-2832.
Service bulletins (40)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2024-10-30 · 101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
plate - planetary
Electrical System 2022-07-09 · S2208000136 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
security module lock out after entering the pin to unlock the wireless control module (wcm)
Power Train 2021-02-22 · 9001784 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
Equipment 2021-02-22 · 9001784 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Showing the 6 most recent of 40 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-30 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v352000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available, even though the recall stated that parts were available. the local dealer was contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount o…”
2026-09-23 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available and were on backorder. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable …”
2026-08-23 · Air Bags“takata recall parts delay - manufacturer repair failure.i am filing this complaint because chrysler/fca and its authorized dealer network have failed to provide the necessary remedy parts for an active, critical safety recall within a reasonable timeframe.my 2004 ram 1500 is subject to the urgent takata airbag recall. i contacted the manufacturer's…”
2026-08-11 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the vehicle failed an inspection because the vin was included in nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v352000 (air bags) and 15v313000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. four dealers were contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. the c…”
2026-08-07 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“vehicle: 2004 dodge ram 1500 i was the driver and sole occupant of my 2004 dodge ram 1500 and was wearing my seat belt. i was traveling westbound on [xxx], shortly after passing [xxx], when i was involved in a three-vehicle collision. the first vehicle stopped abruptly, resulting in the collision. i was traveling approximately 50–55 mph before th…”
2026-07-06 · Air Bags“i am the owner of a dodge ram truck that is currently under an active and urgent stellantis "stop-drive" safety warning due to the defective takata airbag inflator recall. i am writing to file an official complaint regarding the manufacturer's failure to provide a remedy within a reasonable timeframe, as required by federal law.i contacted an autho…”
2026-06-10 · Air Bags“see attached document for complaint.…”
2026-05-29 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers 16v352000 (air bags) and 15v313000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted; however the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a re…”
2026-05-26 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram. the contact stated that the recall notification letter for nhtsa campaign number: 16v352000 (air bags). the contact was unable to register the vehicle at the dmv. the local dealer was contacted, who informed him the part was backordered. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not contacted. the contact…”
2026-05-12 · Air Bags“takata recall. the contact owns a 2004 ram 1500. the contact received notifications of nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v352000 (air bags) and 15v313000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact was concer…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.