2004 Dodge 1500 Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed an inspection because the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V352000 (Air Bags) and 15V313000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. Four dealers were contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, but no assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11756311

Incident

Aug 11, 2026

Vehicle: 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 I was the driver and sole occupant of my 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 and was wearing my seat belt. I was traveling westbound on [XXX], shortly after passing [XXX], when I was involved in a three-vehicle collision. The first vehicle stopped abruptly, resulting in the collision. I was traveling approximately 50–55 mph before the collision, and my truck sustained a significant frontal impact. Despite the frontal impact, the driver’s frontal airbag did not deploy. There were no passengers in the vehicle. The component/system of concern is the driver’s frontal airbag and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). Prior to the collision, I was not aware of any airbag warning lights, warning messages, or other symptoms indicating that the system was malfunctioning. The exact reason for the airbag non-deployment is currently UNKNOWN. The vehicle has not yet been inspected or altered to determine the cause. The truck is currently secured at my residence in its post-collision condition. It has not been repaired, dismantled, modified, salvaged, or otherwise disturbed since the collision and is available for inspection upon request. I am reporting this incident because the driver’s frontal airbag failed to deploy during a significant frontal collision. I am requesting that the airbag non-deployment be documented and investigated to determine whether a defect or malfunction in the airbag/SRS system contributed to the failure to deploy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11755492

Incident

Aug 4, 2026

I am the owner of a Dodge Ram truck that is currently under an active and urgent Stellantis "Stop-Drive" safety warning due to the defective Takata airbag inflator recall. I am writing to file an official complaint regarding the manufacturer's failure to provide a remedy within a reasonable timeframe, as required by federal law.I contacted an authorized dealership to schedule the recall repair. I was initially told the wait for the replacement part would be two weeks. It has now been over three months, and the dealership still has not received or provided the necessary repair parts.Because of the official "Stop-Drive" order issued by the manufacturer, I cannot legally, safely, or responsibly drive my vehicle. However, I am still forced to pay ongoing auto insurance premiums for a truck that has been rendered completely unusable for a quarter of a year due to this parts shortage. The manufacturer is failing its statutory obligation to remedy this critical safety defect in a timely manner, and they have not proactively provided me with alternative transportation or a mobile repair solution to resolve this dangerous situation.

NHTSA ID

11748425

Incident

Jun 8, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11743200

Incident

Feb 19, 2026

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers 16V352000 (Air Bags) and 15V313000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11740797

Incident

May 27, 2015

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags). The contact was unable to register the vehicle at the DMV. The local dealer was contacted, who informed him the part was backordered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11740039

Incident

May 19, 2026

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2004 Ram 1500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V352000 (Air Bags) and 15V313000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact was concerned about his safety because of the "Do Not Drive Warning," and the vehicle was unable to pass state vehicle inspection due to unrepaired recalls. The dealer and a second dealer, Royal Chrysler Motors, Inc. (3961 Waverly Rd, Owego, NY 13827), were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11737229

Incident

May 12, 2026

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced transmission failure, and the brake lines were rusted. The contact was trapped in the desert for hours with his dog. The contact stated that two independent mechanics had determined that the idler pulley needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that six injectors and the ECM needed to be rebuilt. While driving, the vehicle went into the death wobble, and several linkages were damaged. Additionally, the front seat belts were inoperable with the seat belt warning light illuminated. The vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was repaired under warranty previously, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 228,510.

NHTSA ID

11728619

Incident

Mar 1, 2026

Mileage

228,510 mi

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that parts were on back order for the recall repair. 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 experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11723043

Incident

Mar 9, 2026

Louisville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. 5311 Dixie Hwy, Louisville, KY 40216. I took my truck into this dealership to have the airbags replaced due to a recall and to have a keyless entry remote programmed. The service tech told me it was going to take a day or two to get the airbags replaced and warned me about possibly breaking my dashboard (without replacement or reimbursement) due to the known cracking dashboards on this truck. I told them to be careful (as the dashboard was in pristine condition) and go ahead with the programming and airbag recall. This was my only ride as I live an hour away, and they did not have a courtesy car for me to use, so they ended up calling an Uber to get me home. A few hours later, I got a text from the service tech saying everything was done and I could come pick up the truck. I asked if everything was done, remote programmed and airbags replaced. They said no...The next day I tried to text the tech to get a ride back to the dealership but no one responded. I called the dealership multiple times and finally got ahold of a person who had no clue what was going on. They then told me that the tech went on vacation and reassigned my truck to another tech. They couldn’t get an Uber back to the dealership, so I ended up driving there with my wife. They gave me a report of the inspection that they did on the truck and it said that the battery terminals were OK even though it has a sheetrock screw holding it in place. On arrival, the truck looked like it wasn't touched. Cover screws still had dust on them and the driver airbag cover was the same. I called them out on it and they reassured me that it was indeed replaced and the driver airbag cover was reused. Many months later I got a Carfax report from this dealership and I looked at it to find out that I still have a passenger airbag recall on the truck. I got a letter also saying I should stop driving the truck because of the airbag recall.

NHTSA ID

11719938

Incident

Jun 24, 2025

The contact owned a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while making a right turn into oncoming traffic, the vehicle rear-ended a semi-truck in front, where it came to a stop. No warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy during the collision. Additionally, the seat belts became inoperable and failed to restrain the contact, causing the contact to strike the windshield. The contact sustained a 2-inch cut that required 15 stitches, an eyelid injury that required 7 stitches, multiple bruises, and whiplash injuries, and was transported to a local emergency room for medical treatment. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11696745

Incident

Oct 31, 2025

Mileage

200,000 mi

Driving on freeway , lost power Cruise control automatically shut off yellow light shape of a motor came on ; on the upper left side of the dashboard, had to pull over on side of freeway. Able to restart after a little bit. Another time sitting at traffic light shuts off , same light again . Another time had to wait from 11 pm to 3 am before it started and had called a tow truck.. THE RECALL IT FALLS UNDER IS #20V475000 CRANKSHAFT SENSOR , called and filed claim defect # is11686607 . Please Reply

NHTSA ID

11686970

Incident

Jul 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal and stalled. In addition, the vehicle vibrated before losing power. The vehicle stalled at an intersection. The contact was stopped for hours, and the vehicle failed to restart. After six hours, the tow truck arrived, and the contact restarted the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the yellow warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact's brother, a mechanic, inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the crankshaft position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V475000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 312,000.

NHTSA ID

11686607

Incident

Aug 27, 2025

Mileage

312,000 mi

I tried to get the service done Iam a one vehicle owner the dealership told me I had to pay out of pocket for the rental car with no set day of service The dealership didn’t care whether I got the recall done cause of the year of the vehicle they provided no transportation solution

NHTSA ID

11596625

Incident

Jun 7, 2024

I was driving to work that morning traveling about 40 into the city when all of a sudden I heard a loud noise, I barely could handle the steering wheel to coast it to the side before it came to a complete hault, I look out my window and my drive shaft broke in 2 pieces was passing me on the main road. Front end was on the side shoulder, back end was out in the road. I jumped out of the truck and grabbed up both ends of my drive shafts and put in the back of my 04 dodge ram truck, then started directing traffic on this busy road of morning commuters. Fluid was everywhere on the road so I'm trying to put sand from the side of the road onto the fluid that was on the road that had leaked out my truck all while directing traffic to keep from creating an accident. An law officer came ask was I alright, I answered explained what had happened and he never took a report instead replied with "Seems like you got everything handled" and got back in his car and drove off. I called for a tow service for their assistance and requested it be took to a shop. Where it now sits unrivaled. It was inspected by the mechanic and learned that the pinyin nut had came off cause my rear end to lock up which caused my drive shaft to come out and when it hit broke it smooth into 2 pieces that caused damage to my transmission case. This could have ended very badly for me that day, I'm thankful that it didn't. But now my truck is tore up do to a faulty manufacturers pinyin nut. And I need my truck fixed so I can work and support my family. This was not my doings. I love my truck very much and desperately need it back up and running

NHTSA ID

11588596

Incident

Apr 25, 2024

Refuse a loaner car while the recall gets done

NHTSA ID

11562309

Incident

Dec 7, 2023

Got in a accident and the airbags did not deploy

NHTSA ID

11517336

Incident

Apr 16, 2023

The driveline driveshaft fell out there’s a pinion nut that came loose and suddenly locked my rear end up without warning. Cant move it

NHTSA ID

11513034

Incident

Mar 20, 2023

On 3/24/2022 my mother, Helen Mallazzo was involved in an accident in Queen Creek, Arizona. Police were called and a report was filed. When this accident occurred the seatbelts failed to restrain her and her dog and the airbags did not deploy, resulting in both of their heads hitting the windshield and leaving two large cracks in the windshield.

NHTSA ID

11506841

Incident

Mar 24, 2022

I tried to schedule with Landers jeep Chrysler Dodge in Little Rock, Arkansas to fix the airbag recall in my truck on two separate occasions in the first occasion I brought it in. They told me it would take four hours on the phone when I got it there they told me it may take a few days and they don’t even know if they have the parts for it and they told me to reschedule in the second time that I brought it in. The service manager told me he couldn’t service it right now.

NHTSA ID

11504168

Incident

Jan 3, 2023

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 ID

11489776

Incident

Oct 3, 2022

I recently figured out a problem with my truck that is an extreme danger. When you fill up the fuel tank at any gas station, it seems that the fuel enters the vapor canister and makes the engine stall for about a mile before it starts running properly. After several close encounters after filling the tank, I looked upon other threads of Dodge Ram owners and found this to be a common problem that was never addressed by Chrysler and never acted upon by NHTSA. Please look into this and advise a course of action to have Chrysler repair this problem.. It is a matter of time before either I or another with the same problem are seriously injured or killed due to this defect. Many Thanks In Advance!!

NHTSA ID

11488971

Incident

Oct 11, 2022

MY NAME IS [XXX] I PURCHASED MY 2004 1500 Dodge Ram7 yrs. ago From A Private Owner Not knowing it was a Lemon Due To Transmission Problem That’s Why I’M Unable To Drive It To Get The Airbag Fix Of The Recall I Read On Line Today That The Main Problem Is A Defective TORQUE CONVERTERS THAT ARE NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY CAUSED BY SHIFTING WHICH ITS THE PROBLEM WE ARE HAVING I SAW IT WAS POSTED ON LINE AUGUST 22019 I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX SOMEONE ELSIE MANUFACTURE PROBLEMS PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION OF WHAT CAN BE DONE MY TRUCK STILL HAVE VA.Tags And Insurance On It But I Cannot Drive It[XXX] home [XXX] cell [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11475632

Incident

Jul 9, 2020

Driving on the freeway and the throttle sticks to the floor then releases about half way than stuck back to the floor.could have caused a bad accident.this need to be investigated before someone gets killed if they haven’t already.

NHTSA ID

11474214

Incident

Jul 13, 2022

My family has owned 3 5.7 HEMI vehicles all ranging from the years of 2002-2006 and they have all had the engine randomly seize up on us while driving almost causing major accidents, two of these vehicles are still owned one in an auto shop. I do not believe that this is a coincidence, I believe this is a manufacturer fault that needs to answer to and possibly pay back everyone effected by this event. The auto shop I have the truck at is Lott's auto in Junction City, KS and they themselves know of this fault as well. This needs to be answered to, it is a safety issue and a waste of money to people who trust Dodge with these vehicles, the auto shop informed me this is with the 5.7 HEMI from all years between 2000-2011. Please investigate this and hold Dodge accountable.

NHTSA ID

11447422

Incident

Jan 12, 2022