2004 Dodge Ram 3500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (37) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (32) · Steering (26)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Ram 3500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
144 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
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
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly 2013-11-06 · campaign 13V528000 · 706,664 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 2011-07-06 · campaign 11V350000 · 242,780 vehicles
Defect: 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 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTO
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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 (36)
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: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.
Structure 2020-04-30 · 23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
disinfectant solution recommended for covid-19
Equipment 2020-04-22 · 08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
charging system, battery diagnostic tools and warranty this information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
Structure 2019-11-20 · 3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
use of aftermarket parts this bulletin involves discussing fca us llc position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
Showing the 6 most recent of 36 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-08 · Air Bags“ 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 par…”
2026-03-24 · Steering“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, an…”
2025-09-09 · Suspension“upper control arm cracked which is a safety violation and should be a recall. trw 52106776 control arm is the cracked part in the picture my son replace both control arm and send it for alignment total cost was as below; parts $280 + alignment $192.59= $472.59 i like dodge to refund me for $460 …”
2022-04-22 · Power Train · 🔥 fire“while traveling on interstate 90 in washington state, traveling at about 60 mph i noticed a haze behind the truck through the passenger side door mirror. at the time, there were no indications by instruments or warning lights that anything was amiss with the truck. wondering if it was coming from the truck i pulled to the shoulder to check. as …”
2020-06-16 · Steering · 124,000 mi“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. *tr started in second or third required costly rebuild. fuel gauge reads empty required new unit in fuel tank.…”
2019-12-17 · Electrical System · 137,887 mi“have to use force to engage clutch to start vehicle. the vehicle was stationary with a trailer attached. unable to turn off vehicle when fueling due to probability that it would not start. tried jumper cables without success. after stomping clutch several times vehicle started.…”
2019-04-26 · Unknown Or Other“2004 dodge ram 3500. consumer writes in regards to numerous repairs made to vehicle. *ld the consumer stated the dealer has held the vehicle without making any repairs, or predictions on when the repairs would be completed. *js…”
2019-03-29 · Steering · 180,000 mi“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 …”
2018-10-06 · Steering · 300,000 mi“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 …”
2018-06-15 · Air Bags“"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 remove…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.