54 of the 1,369 complaints about the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the body and structure — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 64,406 miles.
54
Complaints
3
Crashes
3
Fires
10
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Severe rust and corrosion on body and suspension parts. Started at around 10 years of age. Support for bed to frame shows severe corrosion making hauling unsafe. Water is able to enter the cab through corroded rocker panels causing mold. Also, electrical system malfunction in throttle body can cause no response from accelerator at intermittent times.
NHTSA complaint #11422891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE CAB FROM THE GRAB BAR LOCATED ON THE "A" PILLAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB #23-003-04) FOR THIS PROBLEM, WHICH WAS ISSUED FOR MANY MODEL YEARS OF THIS TYPE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11374897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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AIRBAGS RECALL WHEN TO HAVE IT CHECKI AND THE DASH BOARD BROKE APART LIKE PEANUT BRITTLE. THEAY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE DASH BOARD. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE PERFORMING THE AIRBAG RECALL THE DASHBOARD BROKE APART. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE DASHBOARD. ALSO THE CARGO LIGHT CAUGHT FIRE AND DAMAGED THE HEADLINER.
NHTSA complaint #11266391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY TRUCK DASH TOP PART STARTED CRACKING OUT, AT FIRST IT HAD JUST A SMALL CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND NOW AFTER DRIVING FOR COUPLE WEEKS IN A DAILY BASIS (I DRIVE LESS THAN 30 MILES TOTAL PER DAY) IT JUST KEEPS CRACKING ALL OVER. I HAD BEFORE A 2001 DODGE RAM AND THIS HAPPEND TO IT ALSO, THAT YOU COULD ACTUALLY SEE HOLES THROUGH IT.....
NHTSA complaint #11019942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN FORD DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.
NHTSA complaint #11018909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE'S FENDERS ABOVE THE WHEELS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
NHTSA complaint #10933955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE COMPLETELY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10909697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING AND THE REAR AXLE LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PINION NUT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10884873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION OVER FIVE MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER CONTINUED TO STATE THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND EXPOSED THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10788202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SLID DOWN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE NEAR THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10787014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING SEIZED AND FRACTURED. THE FRONT FENDER WAS DAMAGED, THE DRIVER SIDE HUB ASSEMBLY, AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WERE DESTROYED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10786782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE GRIP HANDLES FAILED WHEN PULLED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SCREWS THAT HELD THE HANDLES IN PLACE, WHICH WERE INSIDE PLASTIC SLEEVES, WERE NOT STRONG ENOUGH WHEN AN OCCUPANT PULLED THEMSELVES INTO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE HANDLES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE HANDLES WERE REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10745003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
ANOTHER SINGLE DRIVER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND THE SINGLE DRIVER DODGE HIT THE DRIVER'S DOOR DIRECTLY AND DEPLOYED BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS AND TOTALED BOTH VEHICLES. THE DRIVERS AIR BAG LAUNCHED METAL INTO THE LEFT WRIST AND FOREARM OF THE DRIVER WHILE HIS HANDS WERE IN THE 10 AND 2 O'CLOCK STEERING WHEEL POSITIONS. THE LEFT WRIST LACERATIONS AND LARGE HEMATOMA REQUIRED HOSPITAL CARE AND LEFT SCARS. THE DRIVER ALSO SUFFERED LOWER BACK DAMAGE REQUIRING SURGERY. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED IN JANUARY 2014 AND SENT FOR SALVAGE. ON DECEMBER 15, 2014 I RECEIVED A CHRYSLER SAFETY RECALL (P40/NHTSA 14V-354) ON THE AIR BAG INFLATORS OF THE 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE PROBLEM IN THE RECALL NOTICE IS DESCRIBED AS; EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE, DURING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT EVENTS, COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED CHANCE OF OCCUPANT INJURY DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10735454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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2004 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE MECHANICAL AND DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPAIR ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED A NON-CONSTANT SHAKE OR TREMBLE AND SELF-BRAKING, WITH A LOSS OF POWER AND THE INABILITY TO BE CONTROLLED, BOTH WHEN HAULING HORSES AND WITHOUT ANY TOW. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10734158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND ENTERED INTO THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. DUE TO THE FAILURE, WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS ACTIVATED, THE DASHBOARD DEBRIS ENTERED INTO THE CONTACT'S EYES WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON, BUT IT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
NHTSA complaint #10683282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I ORIGINALLY REPORTED THIS ACCIDENT TO NHTSA WEBSITE AND I'M NOT ABLE TO FIND THE COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE WEBSITE HAS CHANGE. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN CUSSETA, GA, THE TRUCK MADE A LOUD NOISE ON THE LEFT SIDE AN HOUR BEFORE STARTED SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL, AND IT DID IT AGAIN BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE TRUCK WAS DEEMED TOTAL AND THE MECHANIC FROM THE WRECKAGE COMPANY SAID THE AXLE BROKE. I REPORTED THIS TO DODGE/CHRYSLER AND THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO CHECK THE TRUCK AND HE SAID TO ME "I WAS LUCKY TO BE ALIVE" DODGE/CHRYSLER NEVER GAME ME NO INFORMATION AT ALL, I WAS ACTUALLY BRUSH ASIDE LIKE NOTHING. PLEASE HELP ME FIND THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT I SUBMITTED.
NHTSA complaint #10669458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THERE IS EXTREME RUST OUT ON MY DODGE RAM ABOVE THE REAR WHEEL WELL. THIS IS ON THE BOX OF THE TRUCK. THE DODGE TRUCKS ARE RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THERE IS FOAM MATERIAL BEHIND THE BODY. ONCE THIS MATERIAL GETS DAMP OR WET, IT STARTS RUSTING THE VEHICLES FROM THE INSIDE OUT. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 82,000 MILES AND IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THRU THE OUTER METAL. THIS IS WEAKENING THE INTEGRITY OF THE BODY. I DID TALK TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY HAVE TO CUT THE BODY, REMOVE THE FOAM AND RUST AND WELD A NEW PATCH PANEL IN PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10632496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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BOTH REAR QUARTER PANELS RIGHT ABOVE THE WHEEL WELLS STARTED BUBBLING. THEN AFTER THE PAINT PEALED THERE WAS NOTHING BUT RUST. HAPPENED ON BOTH SIDES AT THE SAME TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10585233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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PAINT STARTED TO BUBBLE ON FENDERS AND HAS PROGRESSED TO FULL RUST. ALSO TAILGATE HAS BEGUN TO RUST ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #10576841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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ONCOMING VEHICLE LOST CONTROL CAME ACROSS 4 LANES TO HIT FRONT OF TRUCK. DODGE IS TOTALED BUT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I CONTACTED DODGE TO HAVE THEM CHECK THEM OUT AND WAS TOLD, FIRST A SPECIAL TASK FORCE WOULD COME CHECK THE AIRBAGS AND WE WOULD BE COMPENSATED, THEN LATER WAS TOLD DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF MY TRUCK THEY WOULDN'T BUT I COULD TAKE IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP AND SEE IF THEY WOULD RUN THE TEST AT MY EXPENSE. DODGE DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE WHY AIR BAGS DIDN'T GO OFF SINCE THE TRUCK IS 10 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #10564965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO SMALL BUBBLES IN THE PAINT ABOVE THE REAR TIRE WELL. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BOXES ABOVE BOTH REAR WELLS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH PANELS ON THE REAR BOX WOULD NEED TO BE CUT AND REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
NHTSA complaint #10537427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND HAS STEADILY GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, THE DASH SIMPLY CRACKED AND SEEMS TO BE DISINTEGRATING. THE EDGES ARE NOW SHARP LIKE GLASS AND I BELIEVE THIS PRESENTS A DANGER TO THE OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPACT. UNTIL NOW, I ASSUMED MINE WAS AN ISOLATED ISSUE BUT RECENTLY DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE HOW IT COULD BE FIXED AND CAME ACROSS HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS POSTED TO VARIOUS CAR COMPLAINT WEBSITES FOR THE VERY SAME ISSUE SO I KNOW THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10537568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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MY 2004 DODGE RAM DRIVER SIDE STOP WORKING MY KEYS GOT LOCK INSIDE THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN IS BY USING THE REMOTE AND CLIMB THROUGH ONE OF THE OTHER DOORS WHICH NOW IT IS IMPOSSIBLE SINCE NONE OF MY DOORS OPEN ANYMORE SPECIALLY THE DRIVER DOOR THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO OPEN EITHER WITH THE ORIGINAL KEY OR THE REMOTE WHICH I CAN'T DO EITHER, THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE I AM AN OLDER WOMAN AND CAN'T BE CLIMBING THROUGH MY WINDOW TO DO PERFORM THIS. PLEASE HELP *TR
NHTSA complaint #10475244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK IS STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION AND CANNOT BE UNLOCKED FROM OUTSIDE EVEN WITH KEY. REMOTE DOES NOT WORK EITHER TO UNLOCK DOOR. VERY DANGEROUS WITH POSSIBLE CHILDREN AND/OR PETS INSIDE THE VEHICLE IN 100 DEGREE TEXAS HEAT!
NHTSA complaint #10472735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE COULD ONLY ENTER THE VEHICLE USING THE REMOTE ENTRY ON THE REMAINING DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
NHTSA complaint #10439812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WAS JAMMED AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE INSERTED INTO THE MANUAL KEY LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. UPDATED 11/29/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED. 12/07/11
NHTSA complaint #10430819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED AN EIGHTEEN INCH FRACTURE ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE OR ERRONEOUS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE AND THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
NHTSA complaint #10419982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE FRONT DOORS LEAK AIR REALLY BAD GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEED YOU CANNOT CARRY A CONVERSATION WITH OUT YELLING. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED NEW DOOR SEALS BECAUSE OF NORMAL USE AND HOW OLD IT WAS AND THE AMOUNT OF MILES ON IT HAD MADE THE SEALS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY. I TOLD THEM I HAD A 1996 WITH 210,000 ON IT AND YOU COULD HEAR A PIN DROP IT WAS SO QUITE. THEY CHARGED ME $60 AND DID NOTHING FOR MY PROBLEM!!
NHTSA complaint #10414391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
DODGE RAM 1500 2004 CRACKED DASH ISSUE KNOWN TO EVERY DODGE OWNER OF 2ND AND SOME 3RD GENERATION TRUCKS. DASH HAS CRACKED IN 4 TO 5 PLACES AND NOW THERE IS A BIG HOLE IN THE RIGHT FRONT. TERRIBLE PART FAILURE WITH POTENTIAL TO CAUSE HARM.
NHTSA complaint #10413758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
2004 DODGE RAM. SEVERE CRACKS IN DASHBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #10413495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.