2004 Dodge RAM 2500 recalls and problems

The 2004 Dodge RAM 2500 has 6 safety recalls and 582 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Dodge dealer.

Recalls
6
Complaints
582
Crashes / fires
49 / 7
Injuries / deaths
14 / 4

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Dodge RAM 2500 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Dodge RAM 2500 recalls

Recall 14V-770: Air Bags

Reported Dec 3, 2014 · 250,896 vehicles affected · Chrysler Group LLC

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, owners were notified and the recall began on December 5, 2014. For all other vehicles, Chrysler notified owners and the recall began on February 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P40 Expanded. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 16V-352. This recall superseded the passenger air bag portion of recall 14V-354.

Recall 13V-528: Steering

Reported Nov 6, 2013 · 706,664 vehicles affected · Chrysler Group LLC

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.

Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.

Recall 11V-350: Steering

Reported Jul 6, 2011 · 242,780 vehicles affected · CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 2500/3500 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; and model year 2008 dodge ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through august 15, 2008, because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.

Risk: This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 3, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Recall 05V-462: Power Train

Reported Oct 6, 2005 · 250,433 vehicles affected · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

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.

Recall 04V-221: Equipment

Reported May 6, 2004 · 6,183 vehicles affected · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

Problem: The vehicle certification label on some pickup trucks lists incorrect tire, wheel, and recommended inflation pressure information which does not conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, 'tire selection and rims for vehicles other than passenger cars.'

Risk: Installing the incorrect tire/rim sizes and loading the vehicle to the weights shown on the label can cause tire failure and result in a crash without warning.

Fix: Owners will be provided with vehicle certification label overlays containing the corrected information relative to vehicle tire and rim size, and recommended inflation pressure. This recall began on may 5, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Recall 03V-503: Power Train

Reported Dec 4, 2003 · 514 vehicles affected · DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

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.

2004 Dodge RAM 2500 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Steering143
Power Train115
Suspension114
Air Bags90
Electrical System49
Structure37
Engine and Engine Cooling27
Exterior Lighting26
Visibility19
Vehicle Speed Control17
Wheels14
Fuel System, Diesel13

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 58
  • Suspension › Front — 35
  • Structure › Body — 12
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl) — 10
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift — 7
  • Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint — 7
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 6
  • Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint — 5

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 70,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 Dodge RAM 2500 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Aug 12, 2026
In the past 6 months my steering and suspension components failed causing me to wreck and also somehow my engine bay deteriorated in turn having started a fire
Air Bags · reported Jul 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experience a failure.
Air Bags · reported May 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram. The contact was informed that the vehicle had four notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V528000 (STEERING), 16V352000 (AIR BAGS), 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) and 09E001000 (STEERING). However, the parts to do the recall repairs for both air bags are not available. Two local dealers were contacted and confirmed that the recall parts were on back order and it was unknown how long it would take for them to be delivered. The recall part for the passenger side was the part that is on national back order. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a…
Air Bags · reported Mar 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V528000 (Steering) and 16V352000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Steering · reported Aug 21, 2022
My vehicle had wat is known as the 3rd gen steering assembly. Which is known and reported by multiple consumers to cause wat everyone calls a death wobble " Death wobble happens in Jeeps, 4x4s, and trucks when rapidly rotating steering wheel components cause your steering wheel to move rapidly from side to side. This causes your vehicle to feel like it's about to fall apart and you want to hold onto the steering wheel for dear life." Which cause me to nearly crash multiple times and the only way to get it to stop is to slow to speeds below 30. So I did research on how to correct this problem I…

Other Dodge RAM 2500 years

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Dodge RAM 2500 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2004 Dodge RAM 2500: 14V-770 (air bags), 13V-528 (steering), 11V-350 (steering), 05V-462 (power train), 04V-221 (equipment) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Dodge RAM 2500?

Owners report steering problems most often (143 reports), followed by power train (115). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 70,000 miles.

Are Dodge recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Dodge dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.