2004 Dodge RAM 3500 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 4%of 214 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500, 4% of the 214 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was heading south on I-87 in new york state at 65 MPH when a loud explosion sounding like a grenade going off occurred under the floorboards. My passenger and I thought the parts under the truck were going to explode through the floorboards under us. There was a lot of noise of exploding parts. I was barely able to cost to the side of the highway. There was a great deal of oil on the pavement, wires were hanging under the truck, fuel lines and brake lines were ripped, driveshaft damaged. …”
NHTSA complaint #10618369, filed 2014-08, 80,000 miles“(1) I was descending down a snow covered hill. (2) anti-lock brakes engaged and appeared to lock up the wheels. The anti-lock brakes did not slow the vehicle, nor did they allow me to turn. The ABS system did not disengage until about 1 full second after I released the brake completely. I came very close to rolling the truck into a gully. (3) I pulled the ABS breaker, and have had no further problems even on the same hill.”
NHTSA complaint #10100356, filed 2004-11, 10,000 miles“The brakes locked at 35 MPH, causing the vehicle to go through an intersection into a ditch. There were several problems with the engine in which the mechanics have not been able to determine. The consumer hit a fence and the air bags did not deploy. The consumer stated the engine would just stall.”
NHTSA complaint #10105576, filed 2005-03, 9,949 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #10689599, filed 2015-02, 82,000 miles“The contact owns 2004 Dodge RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating violently and exhibited an abnormal noise. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal and it failed to engage. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The failure was not diagnosed. Both the dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 137,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10592571, filed 2014-05, 137,000 milesBrakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 14 | 4% |
| 2011 | 11 | 5% |
| 2010 | 9 | 6% |
| 2009 | 5 | 5% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 13 | 5% |
| 2005 | 9 | 5% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% |
| 2002 | 4 | 9% |
| 2001 | 13 | 10% |
| 2000 | 5 | 9% |
| 1999 | 15 | 14% |
| 1998 | 20 | 19% |
| 1997 | 17 | 14% |
| 1996 | 38 | 31% |
| 1995 | 28 | 26% |
| 1994 | 18 | 26% |
| 1993 | 5 | 25% |
| 1992 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500
64 complaintsAir bags
43 complaintsSteering
41 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsTires
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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