2004 Dodge RAM 1500 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 86about this part
- Share
- 8%of 1,099 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,633miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 86 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500, 8% of the 1,099 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,633 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 whenever it gets wet it shuts down and it starts by the steering getting hard then dash light ( check gage ) comes on then I'm a sitting duck and it won't move. I have had alot of work done by the garage as they said this and that was the issue $2,300 latter it still does the same issue. I'm lost and I know at least 15 other truck owners with the same issue .”
NHTSA complaint #10888422, filed 2016-07, 130,000 miles“Began to slow down for a traffic light and my truck stalled while moving almost causing me to rear end the person ahead of me since I lost all control of my brakes and power steering. From what I'm reading this had happened to many people with the same year, make and model vehicle without any type of recall and its too dangerous of a situation.”
NHTSA complaint #10481017, filed 2012-10, 42,656 miles“When ever it rains I can't drive as water splashes up under the truck from the road my check gage light comes on and then steering gets stiff and you can't turn the steering wheel . I had to have it towed 3 times to a garage and once it sat inside out of the rain and dryer out the wheel was able to turn. This has almost caused accidents and deaths as I couldn't steer and in 2 cases I had to stop in the middle of a freeway as I couldn't turn around the bend in the road .”
NHTSA complaint #10888418, filed 2016-07, 120,000 miles“Steering-at approximately 70,000 miles, the power steering fluid began to require attention. At present, I have to add fluid every 3-4 weeks. My son has a pick-up, same year, same model and has the same problem. Yesterday, in a parking lot, another motorist informed me that, he too, had the same problem, only worse. He pointed to a puddle on the ground-steering fluid.”
NHTSA complaint #10181072, filed 2007-01, 79,000 miles“2004 Dodge RAM 1500 slt hemi rack blowing seals this is going to kill someone 3 in 15000 miles I hope my wife is not driving with my son it is impossible to steer when this happens............ This problem is well know why is it not fixed its also very expensive.”
NHTSA complaint #10355101, filed 2010-09, 100,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10220411Jun 5, 2013If replacing the steering linkage or drag link inner tie rod assembly at the pitman arm on a vehicle built before Febuary 14 th, 2008, verify that the pitman arm part number is…
- 10025346Jun 30, 20082003-2008 (dr) ram truck 1500-steering shudder during parking lot or low vehicle speed maneuvers.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 47 | 7% |
| 2011 | 45 | 7% |
| 2010 | 41 | 8% |
| 2009 | 28 | 4% |
| 2008 | 103 | 19% |
| 2007 | 60 | 12% |
| 2006 | 84 | 11% |
| 2005 | 59 | 5% |
| 2004 | 86 | 8% |
| 2003 | 44 | 4% |
| 2002 | 44 | 5% |
| 2001 | 53 | 5% |
| 2000 | 17 | 3% |
| 1999 | 32 | 5% |
| 1998 | 28 | 5% |
| 1997 | 23 | 6% |
| 1996 | 23 | 8% |
| 1995 | 16 | 8% |
| 1994 | 17 | 15% |
| 1991 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500
368 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
181 complaintsEngine cooling
116 complaintsElectrical system
99 complaintsEngine
74 complaintsSuspension
66 complaintsFuel system
62 complaintsBrakes
53 complaintsBody and structure
50 complaintsOther or unknown
37 complaintsExterior lighting
29 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology