10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
87,883 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Dodge Ram 1500 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #38

Jun 022015

Ram 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Severe rust and corrosion on body and suspension parts. Started at around 10 years of age. Support for bed to frame shows severe corrosion making hauling unsafe. Water is able to enter the cab through corroded rocker panels causing mold. Also, electrical system malfunction in throttle body can cause no response from accelerator at intermittent times.

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #37

Aug 152020

Ram 1500

  • 250,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the pinion nut was loose and caused the rear tires to lock up. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #36

May 142019

Ram 1500

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal cracking and grinding noise coming from the rear axle. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the rear suspension and wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. Jeff smith Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (100 iffie rd, perry, ga 31069, (478) 988-8444) was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Byron, GA, USA

problem #35

Feb 152017

Ram 1500

  • 173,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving approximately 50 miles per hour the rear end siezed up causing vehicle to come to a complete halt and throwing driveshaft from vehicle causing a two lane closure until drive shaft could be retrieved.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #34

Sep 142016

Ram 1500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 15 mph, a loud noise emitted from the vehicle. The contact pulled over and discovered that the drive shaft fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the technician informed that the locking bolt of the drive shaft had disengaged and the outer seals, the bearings and rings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #33

Sep 232016

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While traveling approximately 65 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 01/06/2017 the consumer stated the drive shaft disconnected from the rear axle. Updated 03/06/17.

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #32

Aug 082016

Ram 1500

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at an unknown speed, the rear wheels seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear axle pinion nut failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #31

Jul 142016

Ram 1500

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 20 mph, the driveshaft detached from the rear of the vehicle without warning and the rear axle locked up. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the pinion nut detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Joshua, TX, USA

problem #30

Sep 262015

Ram 1500

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the driver side lower ball joint fractured, which caused the wheel to collapse. The contact also noticed that the upper ball joint on the driver side was damaged due to the lower ball joint fracture. Prior to the failure, the contact stated that the passenger side upper ball joint fractured that caused the wheel to collapse. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed the upper ball joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The technician also diagnosed that the driver side upper and lower ball joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Athens, AL, USA

problem #29

Dec 222009

Ram 1500

  • 76,000 miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V313000 (air bags) and the parts were not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the repair. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that there was a failure with the rear differential which was replaced due to a faulty housing. The contact stated that recently while driving approximately 30 mph, the contact heard a loud abnormal noise in the rear, the rear differential fractured and the pinion nut detached. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who indicated that the rear differential needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was awaiting a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.

- Olathe, KS, USA

problem #28

Nov 222015

Ram 1500

  • 68,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 60 mph, an abnormally loud noise emitted from the vehicle and the driveshaft dislodged locking the rear wheels. Also, the contact mentioned that the pinion shaft went into the axle assembly housing and punctured a hole. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 68,000.

- Fleetwood, PA, USA

problem #27

Oct 082012

Ram 1500

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While attempting to turn the steering wheel, an abnormal noise was heard. An independent mechanic stated that the front end axle was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Waianae, HI, USA

problem #26

Aug 102015

Ram 1500

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While reversing the vehicle, the contact felt the steering wheel become constrictive and heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering unit failed and needed to be replaced. Also, the front lower ball joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Wyoming, MN, USA

problem #25

Jun 172015

Ram 1500

  • miles
Was driving in my neighborhood at approx. 20mph when the front end fell out onto the road.

- Ft Myers, FL, USA

problem #24

May 202015

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 128,000 miles
I was just made aware of the new buy back recall and fine, on similar Dodge Ram trucks like mine. The recall show 2004 Dodge Ram 2600, 3600, but not my 1600. The reason for the buy back with the other two models just also happened to my 1600. It is also on the left hand side, just like all the others. I would like my included in the buy back and get rid of this lemon. My VIN # does not show anything but an airbag issue, that I not received any information on. VIN # is: [xxx]. thank you, I still owe over eight thousand dollars on the vehicle which is about kelly blue book price here in Hawaii. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Pahoa, HI, USA

problem #23

Apr 102015

Ram 1500

  • 156,156 miles
Popping and grinding in rear end popping in the cv axle front tires leaning in and wearing on inside with new tires and front end alignment have added new calipers rotors brakes 2 new cv axles and the problem still not fixed

- Oneonta, AL, USA

problem #22

Mar 102015

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
Truck started squeaking then making a popping noise while turning in the driveway. The steering wheel makes a noise while turning. Didn't know there was any recalls on this truck. I took it to the shop and the man said the wheel was about to come off.

- Linden, NC, USA

problem #21

Jan 032015

Ram 1500

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear wheels seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the pinion nut needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Fort Dodge , IA, USA

problem #20

Dec 282014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,612 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, a loud grinding noise emitted from underneath the truck as smoke started to come out of the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road and upon inspection by the contact, it was noticed that the drive shaft was hanging loose. The contact mentioned that there were two puddles of oil and the drive shaft was bent. The vehicle became inoperative. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle was damaged and that the pinion nut came loose. The dealer determined that the rear axle and the carrier of the axle needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included on the campaign. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,612. Updated 8/10/15

- Sterling Height, MI, USA

problem #19

Sep 242014

Ram 1500

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While making a right turn at an unknown speed, an abnormal noise emitted from the vehicle. Also, the contact stated that the exhaust was leaking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the driver side spring was bent and the shocks needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

- Middelton, CT, USA

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