CarModelProblems.com

2004 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 2.3× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
214Complaints
7Recalls
42Crashes
4Fires
19Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Air Bags (19.6% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Air Bags complaints here are 2.3× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.

5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Air Bags42 · 19.6%RecalledRecall 14V770000
Steering37 · 17.3%RecalledRecall 11V350000 · Recall 13V528000 · Recall 10E013000
Power Train:automatic Transmission34 · 15.9%RecalledRecall 05V462000
Suspension18 · 8.4%RecalledRecall 07E009000
Electrical System13 · 6.1%Investigation closedPE14013 → recall 14V795000
Power Train13 · 6.1%RecalledRecall 05V462000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS42 · 19.6%
STEERING37 · 17.3%
SUSPENSION18 · 8.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13 · 6.1%
POWER TRAIN13 · 6.1%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT6 · 2.8%
VISIBILITY/WIPER6 · 2.8%
STRUCTURE5 · 2.3%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL5 · 2.3%

Percentages are the share of the 214 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 7 campaigns

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 14V770000 · 2014 · reported 12/03/2014

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

NHTSA campaign 11V350000 · 2011 · reported 07/06/2011

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

NHTSA campaign 13V528000 · 2013 · reported 11/06/2013

A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman

NHTSA campaign 10E013000 · 2010 · reported 05/03/2010

STEERING LOSS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension

NHTSA campaign 07E009000 · 2007 · reported 02/01/2007

PITMAN ARM WEAR OR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

NHTSA campaign 05V462000 · 2005 · reported 10/06/2005

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:glass, Side/rear

NHTSA campaign 07E104000 · 2007 · reported 12/11/2007

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“I WAS HEADING SOUTH ON I-87 IN NEW YORK STATE AT 65 MPH WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUNDING LIKE A GRENADE GOING OFF OCCURRED UNDER…”NHTSA complaint 10618369 — filed 08/02/2014 · SERVICE BRAKES
“I WAS HEADING SOUTH ON I-87 IN NEW YORK STATE AT 65 MPH WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUNDING LIKE A GRENADE GOING OFF OCCURRED UNDER…”NHTSA complaint 10618369 — filed 08/02/2014 · POWER TRAIN
“I WAS HEADING SOUTH ON I-87 IN NEW YORK STATE AT 65 MPH WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUNDING LIKE A GRENADE GOING OFF OCCURRED UNDER…”NHTSA complaint 10618369 — filed 08/02/2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

320091912201131220132543201518172017932019322022142026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500?

Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 42 of 214 NHTSA complaints (19.6%), followed by steering (37), power train:automatic transmission (34), suspension (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 have?

214 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 42 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 19 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 have any recalls?

Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V770000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500's reported problems?

5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.