2004 Dodge RAM 1500 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 181 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500, 16% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 120,678 miles. The words owners use most often: “rear end” (23% of reports).
- 181power train complaints
- 120,678median miles at failure
- 12mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $2,500typical repair cost reported by owners
- 38%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Rear end: mentioned in 41 of 181 complaints (23%)
- Pinion nut: mentioned in 34 of 181 complaints (19%)
- Included power train: mentioned in 13 of 181 complaints (7%)
- Heard loud: mentioned in 13 of 181 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 at $2,500, and half of them between $1,650 and $3,650.
Based on 5 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2006–2018), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 160 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 181 complaints, 12 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 6 an injury.
Dodge RAM 1500 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 1500 | 92 | 13% | 65,500 |
| 2011 RAM 1500 | 176 | 26% | 44,000 |
| 2010 RAM 1500 | 229 | 47% | 60,000 |
| 2009 RAM 1500 | 231 | 34% | 69,000 |
| 2008 RAM 1500 | 73 | 13% | 84,459 |
| 2007 RAM 1500 | 61 | 12% | 63,500 |
| 2006 RAM 1500 | 100 | 13% | 89,500 |
| 2005 RAM 1500 | 593 | 51% | 110,967 |
| 2004 RAM 1500 | 181 | 16% | 120,678 |
| 2003 RAM 1500 | 125 | 11% | 74,000 |
| 2002 RAM 1500 | 99 | 12% | 82,500 |
| 2001 RAM 1500 | 95 | 9% | 57,570 |
| 2000 RAM 1500 | 45 | 9% | 60,000 |
| 1999 RAM 1500 | 59 | 10% | 70,000 |
| 1998 RAM 1500 | 85 | 16% | 90,000 |
| 1997 RAM 1500 | 56 | 16% | 70,001 |
| 1996 RAM 1500 | 52 | 17% | 106,000 |
| 1995 RAM 1500 | 30 | 14% | 86,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: On certain pickup trucks, the transfer case to transmission attaching fasteners may not be tightened correctly. This could cause the transmission adapter or transfer case housing to crack and leak fluid.
Risk: Continued operation can result in propeller shaft separation and damage to fuel system components, which could lead to a fuel leak. Fluid and/or fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can cause an underbody fire.
Fix: Dealers will retighten the transfer case to transmission fasteners. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
The driveline driveshaft fell out thereâs a pinion nut that came loose and suddenly locked my rear end up without warning. Cant move it
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2004 Dodge RAM 1500s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 181 owner complaints about power train for the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 (16% of the 1,099 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 120,678 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,500 (half paid between $1,650 and $3,650), from 5 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “rear end”, in 41 of 181 complaints, followed by “pinion nut” (34).
Other 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 problems
- Air Bags problems (368)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (116)
- Electrical System problems (99)
- Steering problems (86)
- Engine problems (74)
- Suspension problems (66)
- Structure problems (50)
See all 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 problems or power train problems across all RAM 1500 years.