2004 Dodge Ram 1500 power train problems
181 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 — 17% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced transmission failure, and the brake lines were rusted. The contact was trapped in the desert for hours with his dog. The contact stated that two independent mechanics had determined that the idler pulley…”
filed Apr 1, 2026
“I was driving to work that morning traveling about 40 into the city when all of a sudden I heard a loud noise, I barely could handle the steering wheel to coast it to the side before it came to a complete hault, I look out my window and my drive shaft broke in 2 pieces was passing me on the main…”
filed May 14, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE TRANSFER CASE TO TRANSMISSION ATTACHING FASTENERS MAY NOT…Campaign 03V503000 · Dec 4, 2003
Related service bulletins
Plate - Planetary
101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 30, 2024Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
9001784 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 22, 2021
Power Train problems in other Ram 1500 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Ram 1500 | 92 | 13% |
| 2011 Ram 1500 | 175 | 25% |
| 2010 Ram 1500 | 228 | 47% |
| 2009 Ram 1500 | 231 | 34% |
| 2008 Ram 1500 | 73 | 13% |
| 2007 Ram 1500 | 61 | 12% |
| 2006 Ram 1500 | 100 | 13% |
| 2005 Ram 1500 | 593 | 51% |
| 2003 Ram 1500 | 125 | 11% |
| 2002 Ram 1500 | 99 | 12% |
| 2001 Ram 1500 | 95 | 9% |
| 2000 Ram 1500 | 45 | 9% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.