2004 Dodge RAM 3500 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 3%of 214 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,374miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500, 3% of the 214 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,374 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“Exhaust smell from fresh air vents, mainly while idling my 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 4x4 with cummins engine. I noticed the smell within days of purchase, took it to several dealers, and was told they had never experienced this problem before. End suggestion was a citrus oil additive to make the exhaust smell like citrus. (no joke) fuel injector failure, filling crankcase with diesel, causing rough running and eventual oil pressure loss. Dealer, upon advisment from tech department changed the oil, replaced the faulty injector and got me out the door. …”
NHTSA complaint #10129277, filed 2005-07, 17,000 miles“There is an exhaust leak coming through the air vents when the HVAC fan is turned on. I was a little dizzy & had a headache last night after a long drive back home from north florida. After talking to a physician about my condition, he felt that the cause was most certainly carbon monoxide poisoning. I have mentioned this problem to the dealership & they have been unresponsive. They say that they have never heard of this problem before & there is no fix. I've researched the internet & found many others that have experienced a similar problem so I know I'm not alone. …”
NHTSA complaint #10062331, filed 2004-03, 9 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“Consumer exited the vehicle while it was running and went into his place of business. When the consumer returned to the vehicle it rolled back about 300 feet and collided with another vehicle. There were no injuries , and the police did not arrive on the scene. On another occasion the vehicle rolled back, but the consumer was able to catch it before any damage was done. In all, the vehicle rolled back three times. The dealer examined the vehicle and could not find the cause of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10081451, filed 2004-07, 800 miles“Dt:the contact stated vehicle would not start on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and the fuel injectors were repaired. The second time the vehicle would not start was due to the valve seat. The vehicle could not be repaired. A rebuilt engine was installed into the vehicle. The manufacturer has not been contacted about why a rebuilt engine was installed instead of a new engine. The vehicle was repaired under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10142649, filed 2005-11Related service bulletins
- 10223854Sep 7, 2016Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies…
- 10191455Sep 7, 2016Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only.
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
- 10229181Feb 12, 2015Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must…
- 10223602Feb 12, 2015Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must…
- 10139009Feb 13, 201368069384A$, R8069384A$, 68086182A$, R8027067A$, RL002012A$ - Gasket, Cylinder Head Cover Before replacing injectors for Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204…
- 10015075Apr 28, 2005New water pump for 3.7l engine - no longer common with 4.7l. Advanced service information #05-002.
- 10015060Apr 21, 2005Long crank times in ambient temperatures below freezing.
- 10015058Apr 19, 2005Idle fluctuation/diagnostic trouble codes.
- 10013210Apr 3, 2004Oil pressure falls below normal during vehicle operation. This includes chevrolet and gmc 4500 series and isuzu npr and nprhd models.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 10 | 3% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 6 | 4% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 13 | 8% |
| 2007 | 17 | 8% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 10 | 5% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 4 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 5% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
| 2000 | 5 | 9% |
| 1999 | 12 | 12% |
| 1998 | 7 | 7% |
| 1997 | 6 | 5% |
| 1996 | 7 | 6% |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% |
| 1994 | 3 | 4% |
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 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 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 27, 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