99 of the 1,369 complaints about the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the electrical system — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 56,000 miles.
99
Complaints
1
Crashes
17
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mechanic said TIPM went bad. All gages guit working, check engine light stays on wind shield whipers turn on & off, engine stalls,all lights randomly turn on and off head lights turn signals exc. Transmission and 4 wheel drive say repair. Anti lock breaks acting up. Mechanic said this is happening alot for 2004 Dodge Ram trucks.
NHTSA complaint #11489776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving from Colorado to Indiana and all the sudden I heard a noise so I pulled over to the right side of the road. When a man came across the median and got a fire extinguisher from his truck and stated for me and my 3 dogs to get out because my truck was on fire. He stated that the driver shaft was on fire with flames by my gas tank.
NHTSA complaint #11439721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE HEADLAMP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING HOME. I REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE. IT WOULD NOT WORK. I GOT A SECOND BULB AND TRIED TO REPLACE THE LIGHT AGAIN. STILL WOULD NOT WORK. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THREE DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS AND NONE OF THEM COULD FIX IT. I WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE THE FUSE BOX.
NHTSA complaint #11287000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
JUST CAUGHT FIRE BURNED UP COMMON PROBLEM LOTS OF FIRES
NHTSA complaint #11180510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TIPM/FCM FAILURE, INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LIGHTS. TURN ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL RIGHT SIGNAL COMES ON, OTHER TIMES NO SIGNALS AT ALL. PROBLEM OCCURES WETHER IN PARK, DRIVING, WITH ENGINE OFF. EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED WITH REPLACEMENTS COSTING OVER $400.
NHTSA complaint #11165939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIRST IT WAS FUEL LIGHT COMING ON THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. GOT THAT OFF THEN THE BLOWN LIGHT STARTED COMING ON CHANGE ALL BLOWN FUSES AND LIGHTS BUT LIGHT WOULDN'T GO OUT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. PAID TO FIXED AFTER 1 YEAR IT STARTED UP ALL OVER AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11129228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING, ABS AND BROKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING. FOUND A FORUM WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11074598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TURN SIGNAL, WINSHIELD WIPERS, AND SPEED CONTROL HAS A MIND OF THEIR OWN. HALF THE TIME NOT WORKING THE REST OF THE TIME THE WHEN SIGNALING TO TURN RIGHT THE RIGHT DONT WORK THEN WHEN SIGNALING LEFT THE RIGHT SIDE BLINKS INSTEAD OF THE LEFT. THE WINSHIELD WIPERS JUST RANDOMLY SWIPE SOMETIMES WHEN NOT EVEN CRANKED AND KEYS NOT EVEN IN THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #11041062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. I AM HAVING ISSUE FINDING MOPAR-OEM BELL CRANK PART# 53032456 AE. IF YOU GO TO THE DEALER IN ELK GROVE CA, THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER 270. OR ON THE MORPAR WEBSITE THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER TOO. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE TRUCK HAS ( ) WITH A LIGHTING VOLT. YOU LOOSE ALL POWER AND THE TRUCK STAYS AT HIGH IDLE ABOUT 1800 RPMS. DIFFICULT BRAKING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS.
NHTSA complaint #11025221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BLOWER MOTOR QUITS WORKING WHEN HOT....BLOWER MOTOR WIRING
NHTSA complaint #11004262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR OVER TWENTY-FOUR HOURS, WITHOUT BEING STARTED OR DRIVEN, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR WAS DISPATCHED FROM FCA TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND NO DETERMINATION OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 30972693 BY THE INVESTIGATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.
NHTSA complaint #11002361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TIPM REPLACED IN A 2004 RAM 1500. REPLACED DEFECTIVE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM). FUEL PUMP WOULDN'T SHUT OFF, WIPERS TURNING ON BY THEMSELVES, BOTH SIDES OF MY TAIL LIGHTS BLACKED OUT, NO POWER. FOUND OUT THE GROUND TO THE TAIL LIGHT RELAY IN THE TIPM FAILED . HAD TO REPLACE THE TIPM ON 1-20-16 AT A DODGE DEALER. ALL PROBLEMS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS EITHER STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET OR A HIGHWAY OR TURNING. I ALSO RECEIVED A TICKET FOR NO TAIL LIGHTS. WITHOUT TAIL LIGHTS CAUSED BY A FAULTY TIPM IT CREATED THE UNSAFE CONDITION AND CAUSED A SAFETY RISK OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT
NHTSA complaint #10966649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A MALFUNCTION IN THE UNDER HOOD ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED A FIRE WHICH DESTROYED THE ENGINE, FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND SEVERELY DAMAGED THE INTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON MY DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN STARTED NOR DRIVEN IN OVER 24 HOURS UP TO THE TIME THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10946862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2004 DODGE RAM 1500 I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING SINCE THE TRUCK HAD 90000 MILES ON IT ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT AND NOT TURNING BACK ON. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S THE HEADLIGHT MODULE AND I REPLACED IT WITH A NEW AFTERMARKET ONE BUT THE TRUCKS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. I WAS DRIVING AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND I COULDN'T SEE AND HIT A DEER AT 20MPH ON A BACK ROAD . POLICE WERE NOT CALLED BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WAS ONLY THE BUMPER . BUT IF THIS DOESN'T GET FIXED SOMEONE COULD GET HURT AS WITHOUT LIGHT YOU CAN'T SEE TO DRIVE AND THE LIGHTS WON'T COME BACK ON. THIS IS JUST LIKE THE FORD RECALL I RECEIVED FOR MY CAR...
NHTSA complaint #10930274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN STATIONARY AND NO KEY IN THE IGNITION: THE ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS DISJUNCTION. SOMETIMES, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT INTENTIONALLY LOCKED, THE DOORS WILL LOCK ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT A PERSON PRESSING THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR OR THE KEY FOB. AT OTHER TIMES, WHEN THE DOOR IS LOCKED THEN AFTER RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE AT A LATER TIME, THE DOORS WILL BE UNLOCKED. THIS HAPPENS ON A FAIRLY REGULAR BASIS. THIS COULD BE A REAL PROBLEM FOR THEFT OF ITEMS IN THE VEHICLE. ON OCCASION, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN MOTION OR STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH PANEL ALL LIT THE TRUCK RANDOMLY HAS ALL THE LIGHTS TURN-OFF AND BLINK A FEW TIMES AND THEN, NORMALLY, COME BACK ON WITHIN SECONDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED DURING THE EVENING HOURS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS SOME SORT OF ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10872565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DASH MODUAL THAT CONTROLS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS, AND INTERIOR SIGNALS NO LONGER WORKS. THE GUAGES WORK AND THE SIGNALS WORK BUT THERE ARE NO LIGHTS. THIS POSES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT SEE YOUR SPEED, OIL, TEMP, AND BATTERY GUAGES. IM NOT SURE WHEN IY WENT BAD, I GOT INTO MY TRUCK ONE NIGHT AND NONE OF MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WORKED.
NHTSA complaint #10863214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED, AND THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA complaint #10790138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAULTY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILS, SHORTS OUT CAUSING DOOR LOCKS TO CONSTANTLY UNLOCK CYCLE KILL BATTERY & ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE TO DIE. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS STORIES OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN 2004-2005 DODGE RAM PICKUPS. DEALERSHIP CHARGES $1000 DOLLARS TO FIX & ADMITS IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BUT REFUSES TO HELP. FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES CUSTOMER SERVICE ALSO REFUSES TO HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10777693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TODAY I WENT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP SO THEY COULD DIAGNOSE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM I WAS HAVING IN MY TRUCK. THEY TOLD ME THAT PART # 56045112AE, 56051949AD NEED TO BE REPLACED. WHICH ARE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE IGNITION WIRE HARNESS. PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING WERE THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY IN THE UP POSITION. THE MOTOR BLOWERS FOR MY A/C AND HEAT WOULD SOMETIMES NOT WORK. AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON IN THE CLUSTER PANEL. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE WIRES WERE BURNT, BUT COULD NOT TELL ME THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THAT THERE MUST BE COMPLETELY TOO MUCH CURRENT GOING THROUGH THOSE WIRES TO CAUSE A PROBLEM LIKE THAT AND THEY AGREED. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT BECAUSE OF THE WIRES BEING IN THAT CONDITION THE AIRBAG COULD POSSIBLY GO OFF AT ANY TIME AND/OR CAUSE A FIRE. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. WHEN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH DODGE TRUCKS AND JEEPS. ALSO PART NUMBER 56051949AD HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED SO HOW DO THEY EXPECT TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. MY TRUCK ALSO HAS THE STALLING PROBLEM WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND ACCELERATING.
NHTSA complaint #10748850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY TRUCK IS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500, THAT ONLY HAS 77,965 MILES. IN THE LAST MONTH IT HAS BEGIN SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, WITH THE AIR ON. AFTER TRAVELING FOR ABOUT 10 MILES A RED LIGHT FLASHES ON THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN I WAIT FOR ABOUT A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND START MY TRUCK BACK UP THE RED LIGHT GOES OFF BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SAME ON UNTIL THE NEXT TIME I DRIVE MY TRUCK. I LOOKED UP THE CODE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND REALIZED THAT IT WAS A CLOGGED THROTTLE BODY. I FEEL THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENED ON A TRUCK WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES, ESPECIALLY WHEN MY TRUCK HAS BEEN IN TWO RECALL IN LESS THAN A MONTH APART.
NHTSA complaint #10746353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY EVERY 15 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 234,000. UPDATED 09/03/15*LJ UPDATED 10/26/2017
NHTSA complaint #10726903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HEARD A BUZZING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V770000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V313000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
NHTSA complaint #10726633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY PARKING AND TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. , FOUND OUT THIS IS DUE TO THE DESIGN FLAW OF THE ENGINE FUSE BOX AS THE CONNECTORS ARE EXPOSED TO THE WEATHER ELEMENTS , THUS SHORTED OUT THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT SENDS THE A NEGATIVE SIGNAL TO THE PARK LAMP RELAY AT 86 ,. THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS 500.00. DODGE IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AS THE REPLACEMENT NOW COMES WITH A SPLASH GUARD PLATE TO HELP PROTECT THE CONNECTORS. IF YOU GOOGLE 2004 DODGE RAM PARKING LIGHT ISSUE , YOU WILL SEE THAT A LOT OF US HAVE THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM, THEY SHOULD HONOR THIS RECALL AS IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH OUT THE TAILLIGHTS,.
NHTSA complaint #10714802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DOOR LOCK WILL ONLY OPEN FROM INSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10700953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY VEHICLES RUNNING LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND I WAS UNABLE TO BE SEEN BY OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND ME IN A SNOW STORM BECAUSE MY FUSE BOX JUST CORRODED OUT AND STOPPED WORKING CAUSING THE PARKING LAMPS RELAY TO FAULT. NOW MY VEHICLE HAS NO RUNNING LIGHTS WORKING ANYMORE AND DODGE DID NOT RECALL THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10683633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HORN SOUNDING FOR NO APPARENT REASON....CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT NUMEROUS SITES CARRY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE. EVERYTHING FROM SHRUNKEN RUBBER HORN PAD TO CONTACT INSIDE THE HORN. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN FRONTAL COLLISION AND BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. REMOVED FUSE AND FORGOT ABOUT IT AND SHOULD HAVE REMOVED RELAY AS OTHER CIRCUITS WERE STILL OPEN AND KILLED A GOOD CLOSED CELL BATTERY. SO FUSE OUT, HORNS DISCONNECTED AND STILL LOOKING FOR RELAY. DODGE CLAIMS NO KNOWLEDGE OF ISSUE....BULL JIVE...............
NHTSA complaint #10683695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED THIS 2004 DODGE ON JANUARY 5TH 2015. I WAS TO RETURN ON JANUARY 7TH TO HAVE DIFFERENT TIRES & RIMS INSTALLED. ON THE WAY I STOPPED AND FILLED THE GAS TANK. AFTERWARDS EVERY STOP SIGN I CAME TO THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT. IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP BUT CONTINUED TO STALL AT EVERY STOP SIGN. THE MECHANIC AT REDDING TRUCK & AUTO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE. IT RAN FINE UNTIL I FILLED THE GAS TANK AGAIN AND STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH IT STALLING OUT. SO NOW IF I FILL THE TANK IT WILL STALL OUT UNTIL I DRIVE IT FOR SEVERAL MILES OR UNTIL I RUN SOME OF THE GAS OUT OF THE TANK. I WAS TOLD NOT TO FILL THE TANK WHICH IS NOT A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10679542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE TRUCK STALLS OUT WHEN STOPPING, TURNING, OR JUST SITTING AT LIGHT. HAVE REPLACED EGR, THROTTLE BODY, PCV, AND HAD PCM UPDATED; BUT TRUCK IS STILL STALLING. DEALER CAN'T FIND ANY TROUBLE CODES AND CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. DEALER HAS PUT IN CALLS TO CHRYSLER STAR, BUT NO RESPONSES YET. FROM LOOKING ON LINE, I CAN SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I JUST KNOW THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE TRUCK STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN IN TRAFFIC. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NOT A FIX OR A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. YES, THIS IS A SLOW SPEED ISSUE; BUT IT IS STILL DANGEROUS. PLEASE HELP!
NHTSA complaint #10676528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.