2004 Dodge RAM 3500 recalls and problems

The 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 has 4 safety recalls and 214 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Dodge dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
214
Crashes / fires
42 / 4
Injuries / deaths
19 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Dodge RAM 3500 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 Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 16V-352. This recall superseded the passenger air bag portion of recall 14V-354.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.

2004 Dodge RAM 3500 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train66
Air Bags43
Steering41
Suspension30
Electrical System15
Visibility9
Structure9
Exterior Lighting7
Engine and Engine Cooling6
Visibility/Wiper6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Tires5

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 34
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift — 6
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl) — 4
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel — 4
  • Power Train › Driveline — 3
  • Suspension › Front — 3
  • Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint — 3
  • Tires › Sidewall — 3

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 62,000 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 3500 complaints

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

Air Bags · reported May 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge RAM. The contact received recall notifications, NHTSA Capaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags and NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V313000 (Air Bags) however the parts were unavailable. The dealer was contacted, however the contact was informed that the parts were in back order. In addition, the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable until October 2026. The manufacturer was contacted. The cotnact was informed that the parts were unavailalbel.
Steering · reported Mar 24, 2026
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 service. The local dealer was made aware of the issue, and an appointment was scheduled to repair the vehicle. The vehicle remained with the dealer for a week before the contact was informed that parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a…
Suspension · reported Sep 9, 2025
upper control arm cracked which is a safety violation and should be a recall. TRW 52106776 Control arm is the cracked part in the picture My son replace both control arm and send it for alignment total cost was as below; Parts $280 + Alignment $192.59= $472.59 I like Dodge to refund me for $460
Engine · reported Apr 22, 2022
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 the truck I pulled to the shoulder to check. As soon as I stopped I smelled hot oil, so shut off the engine, released the hood latch and checked the engine compartment. Upon lifting the hood of the engine compartment I immediately noticed flames between the engine and fire wall. I retrieved a fire…
Fuel/Propulsion System · at 124,000 miles · reported Jun 16, 2020
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. Started in second or third required costly rebuild. Fuel gauge reads empty required new unit in fuel tank.

Other Dodge RAM 3500 years

Compare all Dodge RAM 3500 years · All Dodge models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500: 14V-770 (air bags), 13V-528 (steering), 11V-350 (steering), 05V-462 (power train). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500?

Owners report power train problems most often (66 reports), followed by air bags (43). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 62,000 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.