2004 Dodge RAM 3500 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500, 30% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 15,660 miles. The words owners use most often: “park reverse” (14% of reports).
- 64power train complaints
- 15,660median miles at failure
- 33mention a crash
- 10mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 50%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.
- Park reverse: mentioned in 9 of 64 complaints (14%)
- Automatic transmission: mentioned in 8 of 64 complaints (13%)
- Engine running: mentioned in 7 of 64 complaints (11%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 51 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 64 complaints, 33 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 10 an injury.
Dodge RAM 3500 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 3500 | 28 | 8% | 73,000 |
| 2011 RAM 3500 | 9 | 4% | 122,000 |
| 2010 RAM 3500 | 8 | 5% | 20,000 |
| 2009 RAM 3500 | 4 | 4% | 110,503 |
| 2008 RAM 3500 | 10 | 6% | 53,289 |
| 2007 RAM 3500 | 14 | 7% | 100,000 |
| 2006 RAM 3500 | 22 | 9% | 80,500 |
| 2005 RAM 3500 | 32 | 16% | 13,500 |
| 2004 RAM 3500 | 64 | 30% | 15,660 |
| 2003 RAM 3500 | 26 | 9% | 51,000 |
| 2002 RAM 3500 | 5 | 11% | 71,120 |
| 2001 RAM 3500 | 14 | 11% | 79,785 |
| 2000 RAM 3500 | 8 | 14% | 48,000 |
| 1999 RAM 3500 | 22 | 21% | 74,035 |
| 1998 RAM 3500 | 19 | 18% | 117,620 |
| 1997 RAM 3500 | 26 | 21% | 42,500 |
| 1996 RAM 3500 | 19 | 15% | 115,000 |
| 1995 RAM 3500 | 19 | 18% | 99,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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 3500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V528000 (Steering), 16V352000 (Air Bags), 15V313000 (Air Bags), and 05V462000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available while the vehicle was in for…
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…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2004 Dodge RAM 3500s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 64 owner complaints about power train for the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 (30% of the 214 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 3500 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 15,660 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500?
The most frequent phrase is “park reverse”, in 9 of 64 complaints, followed by “automatic transmission” (8).
See all 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 problems or power train problems across all RAM 3500 years.