2004 Dodge RAM 3500 problems
Owners have filed 276 complaints about the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 23.9% of them — the clear leader, ahead of air bags at 15.6%.
Complaints276
Crashes52
Fires5
Injuries28
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 23.9% · 66
Air bags 15.6% · 43
Steering 14.9% · 41
Suspension 10.9% · 30
Electrical system 5.4% · 15
Visibility 3.3% · 9
Structure 3.3% · 9
Exterior lighting 2.5% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 52 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire and 28 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 17 model years of the Dodge RAM 3500 in this data, 2004 sits 6th by complaint volume. 2012 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 15 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 69,184 miles.
In owners' own words
I parked the truck, with the motor running and put the automatic transmission in park. I left the truck to mail some letters. I was gone less than a minute and when I returned to the truck, it was across the street and up against a large tree. I know I had put the truck in park, because it was not moving when I got out of the truck. I have two bad knees and I get out of the truck slowly. Power train · reported at 39,160 miles
1) My 1 ton 3500 Dodge truck just came out of park on its own after about 5 minutes and backed into the side of another car. I was sitting in the drivers seat using the phone and in park and it decided to go into reverse after about 5 minutes 2) the right front wheel bearing seized up from lack of grease at 52,200 miles. No damage or accident, it just sounded really bad and quit turning Power train · reported at 50,240 miles
Consumer was under the impression that the vehicle was in park . After leaving the vehicle running vehicle slipped into reverse and rolled backwards,colliding with a vehicle behind it. When the gear shifter was put in park consumer was unaware that the shifter needed to be hooked over and seated to the right. There were no injuries involved. Police arrived, but,no one was cited. Power train · reported at 16,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…