2004 Dodge RAM Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the engine stalling while driving, and in some reports the stall could not be reproduced during service. Intermittent electrical faults such as lights, wipers, gauges and wiring come next, followed by brake rotor pulsation, power steering problems and air bags that did not deploy in crashes. Mileage is listed in only some complaints, and those range from very low miles to 190,000 miles, so age and use differ widely among reports.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalling or shutting off while driving

   • 10 complaints (17%)
   • median 44,000 mi at 1.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2004–2012

   Owners describe the engine cutting out while driving, including in traffic, on a parking ramp and at speeds up to 70 mph. A report describes the power brakes and steering going out when the engine shut off while braking around turns. A complaint reports stalling soon after refueling and says the dealer found a failed fuel transfer pump. In other cases the computer was replaced or reflashed, and owners say the stalling continued afterward. Where mileage is listed, these reports run from 1,200 to 190,000 miles, including stalls in traffic and at 70 mph.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for repair records showing any computer replacement or software update, and during a test drive check for stored fault codes and normal fuel-pump operation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2004 Dodge RAM quad cab with hemi engine. For several years has been stalling, when I finally realized it was stalling shortly after fueling and letting the fuel hose click off. I have had it to the dealer 3x and the usual no problem found answer was given. Just recently after stalling in an intersection after getting gas I took it back to the dealer. They replaced the vapor canister, solenoid and flashed the computer with an update. Picked up the vehicle and same thing happened stalled while turning into a grocery. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10370894, filed 2010-12

   “2004 Dodge durango w/5.7 liter hemi engine just stalled/shut off on its own when going up a parking garage ramp at approximately 15 MPH. Lost all power to power steering and brakes. Had to come to a complete stop, place in park, and then restarted without any problem. Have had vehicle since may of 2004 and this is the first time this problem has happened. Very concerned since I have seen other complaints with same exact problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10149933, filed 2006-02, 44,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Intermittent electrical faults: lights, wipers, wiring

   • 11 complaints (19%)
   • median 71,500 mi at 7.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2024

   Owners describe lights, wipers, turn signals and gauges that stop working, flash on the wrong side, or switch off at random. Complaints also describe a blower motor that worked again when pressure was applied to the ignition switch, and a mechanic who said the wiring harness needed replacing. A local repair shop pointed to the fuse box, and a complaint suspects the keyless entry and security wiring behind random horn sounds and stalling. Where mileage is listed, these reports run from 2,965 to 84,000 miles, and some describe faults that come and go.

   What to check: During a test drive, operate every light, wiper, turn signal and gauge, and ask whether the fuse box or wiring harness has been repaired.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The low beam and high beam failed to work properly when applied. Driver noticed that while applying the high beam to the low beam the headlights would turn on and off intermittently. Driver took the vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic determined that headlight low beam and high beam dimmer switch needed to be replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10117563, filed 2005-04

   “2004 Dodge RAM. When pressing down the left turn switch to turn left, the right turn signal flashes...the opposite happens when you press the turn signal switch up to turn right. Also, the windshield wipers randomly stop working while in operation. This is a very very frequent problem with dodges, please address!”

   NHTSA complaint #10351755, filed 2010-08
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pulsation and warped rotors

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 23,000 mi at 2.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2004–2006

   Owners describe brake pedal pulsation and warped rotors, and a complaint says the steering wheel pulsed as well. Some say the rotors had to be turned and the pulsation returned months later. A complaint says the dealer blamed the driver for rotor warping after a tire rotation. Where mileage is listed, these reports fall between 19,800 and 42,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the rotors have been turned before and check for pulsation on a test drive. A service bulletin in this list covers minimum rear rotor thickness, so ask whether rotor thickness was measured.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2003 caravan and a 2004 RAM and have had ongoing issues with my brakes. I beleive that the factory must have used faulty rotors. Last august, to my amazement I had to have the rotors turned when the dealer put new pads on my caravan (26,000 miles). I begrudgingly paid over 200 dollars for this. 9 months later the brakes and steering wheel are pulsing again and the dealer is telling me the rotors must be turned again even though the pads are fine. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10126740, filed 2005-06, 26,000 miles

   “Dt: contact stated that the dealer rotated tires and tightened the lugs: nuts improperly and caused the rotors to warp. Dealer said it was the driver's fault. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #10139424, filed 2005-10, 20,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering lock-up, hose leaks, or linkage failure

   Mentioned in 4 of 58 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the steering wheel locking up, including when a power steering pump stopped working while driving at low speed. Other complaints describe a power steering hose that sheared off and leaked fluid, and a steering linkage failure that led to an unintended turn toward oncoming traffic. A complaint says the steering column would not turn while the vehicle was stopped, and a mechanic said newer power steering systems do not let the wheel turn when the vehicle is not moving. Where mileage is listed, reports range from 541 to 34,500 miles, with incidents described at speeds of about 25 to 55 mph.

   What to check: Check the power steering fluid level and look for wet or cracked hoses under the hood, and ask whether the pump and steering linkage have been inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving 55 MPH a liquid fluid leaked from top of the hood onto the windshield. Consumer was able to maintain control, and pulled over. Once the hood was lifted up consumer noticed that the steering pump solenoid was empty. The liquid had apparently leaked out. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic determined that the hydraulic hose to the steering pump sheared off, and needed to be replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10075718, filed 2004-07, 541 miles

   “While running consumer failed to turn the steering column left or right and it failed to move on its own. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic informed consumer that the problem could not be duplicated, and vehicle was operating as designed. The mechanic inform the consumer that new power steering systems do not allow the steering wheel to be turned if the vehicle is not in motion. This made it difficult to make turns in parking lots and tight spaces.”

   NHTSA complaint #10094115, filed 2004-10, 30,000 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Air bags did not deploy in crashes

   Mentioned in 4 of 58 sampled complaints

   Owners describe air bags that did not deploy in crashes, including a frontal impact and impacts from other vehicles. Some describe injuries after the crash. A complaint says the dealer was told about the problem but did not resolve it. Where mileage is listed, these reports run from 12,000 to 70,000 miles, in crashes described at speeds of 30 to 60 mph.

   What to check: Check the air bag warning light at startup and ask whether any air bag recall repairs are still open, since a complaint describes a recall repair waiting on parts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “During a frontal collision front air bags did not deploy. The consumer sustained neck injuries. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The consumer had run off the left side of the road and struck a tree.”

   NHTSA complaint #10075769, filed 2004-07, 12,000 miles

   “2004 Dodge RAM was hit by a tour bus resulting in the truck hitting vehicle in front. None of the air bags deployed. The consumer was stopped in traffic when a tour bus rear ended the trailer he was towing. The tour bus hit the truck at about 60 MPH which caused the trailer to collapse under the bus and caused the consumer's truck to run on top of the SUV stopped in front of him. The vehicle was pushed down the highway until it rolled over. The driver of the truck was killed as a result of the accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #10118924, filed 2005-04

Buying note. Before buying, ask for records showing computer or software updates, brake rotor work, and any steering or electrical repairs. On a test drive, watch for stalling, electrical faults and steering feel, and confirm that the air bag warning light is not on.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 58 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.