2004 DODGE RAM 3500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
272
Owner Complaints
7
Recalls
2
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2004 DODGE RAM 3500
The 2004 DODGE RAM 3500 has received a total of 272 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (40 complaints), Steering (36 complaints), and Power Trainautomatic Transmission (34 complaints).
Recalls for the 2004 DODGE RAM 3500
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2004 DODGE RAM 3500, potentially affecting up to 1,457,280 vehicles.
Recall 14V770000 — AIR BAGS
| 250,896 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi,...
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, owners were notified and...
View full details →Recall 13V528000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
| 706,664 vehicles affected
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
View full details →Recall 11V350000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
| 242,780 vehicles affected
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT...
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN...
View full details →Recall 10E013000 — STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
| 1,500 vehicles affected
Defect: FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS93001 AND FT44039, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, AND 1500 4WD MEGA CAB VEHICLES. THE PITMAN ARM CAN FRACTURE AND BREAK AWAY FROM THE STEERING BOX CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Consequence: STEERING LOSS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED INSTALLERS WILL INSPECT FOR DEFECTIVE PITMAN ARM AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 1-877-432-2832.
View full details →Recall 07E104000 — VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
| 1,657 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE...
View full details →Recall 07E009000 — SUSPENSION
| 3,350 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN LKI ENTERPRISES, INC., BRAND NAME SUPERLIFT SUSPENSION, PITMAN ARMS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 2003-2007 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 4X4 LIGHT TRUCKS. DUE TO INADEQUATE HEAT TREATMENT DURING PRODUCTION, THE AFFECTED PITMAN ARMS MAY DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE UPPER SPLINED ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING OUTPUT SHAFT. MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE PITMAN ARM AND THE OUTPUT SHAFT MAY DEFORM...
Consequence: PITMAN ARM WEAR OR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: LKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN ARM, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LKI AT 1-800-551-4955.
View full details →Recall 05V462000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
| 250,433 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY WITHOUT SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVING THE KEY, THE DRIVER MAY INADVERTENTLY LEAVE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL IN INDICATED REVERSE.
Consequence: THIS ERROR IS AN UNINTENDED ACTION THAT MAY RESULT IN A LACK OF TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL ENGAGEMENT AND POSSIBLY DELAYED REARWARD MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION TO EQUIP THESE VEHICLES WITH AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2004 DODGE RAM 3500
272 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 DODGE RAM 3500. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
upper control arm cracked which is a safety violation and should be a recall. TRW 52106776 Control arm is the cracked part in the picture My son replace both control arm and send it for alignment total cost was as below; Parts $280 + Alignment $192.59= $472.59 I like Dodge to refund me for $460
WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 90 IN WASHINGTON STATE, TRAVELING AT ABOUT 60 MPH I NOTICED A HAZE BEHIND THE TRUCK THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MIRROR. AT THE TIME, THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS BY INSTRUMENTS OR WARNING LIGHTS THAT ANYTHING WAS AMISS WITH THE TRUCK. WONDERING IF IT WAS COMING FROM THE TRUCK I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER TO CHECK. AS SOON AS I STOPPED I SMELLED HOT OIL, SO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, RELEASED THE HOOD LATCH AND CHECKED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON LIFTING THE HOOD OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED FLAMES BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND FIRE WALL. I RETRIEVED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM THE CAMPER THE TRUCK WAS HAULING AND ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. TWO MOTORISTS WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS STOPPED TO HELP AND THE COMBINED USE OF THREE DRY CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WOULD NOT PUT THE FIRE OUT AND THE TRUCK AND CAMPER COMPLETELY BURNED. WHEN I REPORTED THIS TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY WE DISCOVERED AN ERROR IN THE VIN NUMBER ON MY INSURANCE POLICY. OUT OF CURIOSITY I RESEARCHED THAT VIN NUMBER AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT SAME STYLE TRUCK HAD ALSO BURNED. IT'S VIN IS 3D7MU48C84G269656 AND CAN BE SEEN IN THE 7TH PHOTO THAT IS UPLOADED TO THIS REPORT. BOTH WERE 2004 DODGE DIESEL TUCKS WITH LOW MILEAGE. IT SEEMS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE AND I WONDER IF THERE IS A DEFECT THAT CAUSED THIS AND HOW MANY OTHER OF THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY FIRE.
WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 90 IN WASHINGTON STATE, TRAVELING AT ABOUT 60 MPH I NOTICED A HAZE BEHIND THE TRUCK THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MIRROR. AT THE TIME, THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS BY INSTRUMENTS OR WARNING LIGHTS THAT ANYTHING WAS AMISS WITH THE TRUCK. WONDERING IF IT WAS COMING FROM THE TRUCK I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER TO CHECK. AS SOON AS I STOPPED I SMELLED HOT OIL, SO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, RELEASED THE HOOD LATCH AND CHECKED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON LIFTING THE HOOD OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED FLAMES BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND FIRE WALL. I RETRIEVED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM THE CAMPER THE TRUCK WAS HAULING AND ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. TWO MOTORISTS WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS STOPPED TO HELP AND THE COMBINED USE OF THREE DRY CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WOULD NOT PUT THE FIRE OUT AND THE TRUCK AND CAMPER COMPLETELY BURNED. WHEN I REPORTED THIS TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY WE DISCOVERED AN ERROR IN THE VIN NUMBER ON MY INSURANCE POLICY. OUT OF CURIOSITY I RESEARCHED THAT VIN NUMBER AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT SAME STYLE TRUCK HAD ALSO BURNED. IT'S VIN IS 3D7MU48C84G269656 AND CAN BE SEEN IN THE 7TH PHOTO THAT IS UPLOADED TO THIS REPORT. BOTH WERE 2004 DODGE DIESEL TUCKS WITH LOW MILEAGE. IT SEEMS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE AND I WONDER IF THERE IS A DEFECT THAT CAUSED THIS AND HOW MANY OTHER OF THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY FIRE.
STEERING BECAME LOOSE AND HAD 1-2INCHES OF SLACK BEFORE GUIDING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. REPLACED WITH NEW STEERING UNIT. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR AT BUSY INTERSECTION ENTERING FREEWAY. *TR STARTED IN SECOND OR THIRD REQUIRED COSTLY REBUILD. FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY REQUIRED NEW UNIT IN FUEL TANK.
STEERING BECAME LOOSE AND HAD 1-2INCHES OF SLACK BEFORE GUIDING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. REPLACED WITH NEW STEERING UNIT. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR AT BUSY INTERSECTION ENTERING FREEWAY. *TR STARTED IN SECOND OR THIRD REQUIRED COSTLY REBUILD. FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY REQUIRED NEW UNIT IN FUEL TANK.
Safety Rating for the 2004 DODGE RAM 3500
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 DODGE RAM 3500 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 DODGE RAM 3500
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 DODGE RAM 3500. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
E09 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EMISSIONS RECALL E09 - NEW VECI LABELS. *TT
04032004 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL PRESSURE FALLS BELOW NORMAL DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. THIS INCLUDES CHEVROLET AND GMC 4500 SERIES AND ISUZU NPR AND NPRHD MODELS. *EH
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 DODGE RAM 3500
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2004 DODGE RAM 3500.
Other Model Years of the DODGE RAM 3500
- 1999 DODGE RAM 3500 — 146 complaints
- 2000 DODGE RAM 3500 — 77 complaints
- 2001 DODGE RAM 3500 — 168 complaints
- 2002 DODGE RAM 3500 — 59 complaints
- 2003 DODGE RAM 3500 — 330 complaints
- 2004 DODGE RAM 3500 (current)
- 2005 DODGE RAM 3500 — 240 complaints
- 2006 DODGE RAM 3500 — 349 complaints
- 2007 DODGE RAM 3500 — 284 complaints
- 2008 DODGE RAM 3500 — 221 complaints
- 2009 DODGE RAM 3500 — 130 complaints
Other DODGE Models
- DODGE DURANGO — 19,139 total complaints
- DODGE GRAND CARAVAN — 18,729 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 1500 — 15,420 total complaints
- DODGE CARAVAN — 14,266 total complaints
- DODGE DAKOTA — 9,227 total complaints
- DODGE CHARGER — 8,114 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 2500 — 8,092 total complaints
- DODGE INTREPID — 8,078 total complaints