2004 Dodge 1500 Visibility Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO PERFORM AS DESIGNED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COURTESY CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM TAMPA (9207 E. ADAMO DR, TAMPA, FL 33619, (813) 694-8784) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E009000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11338992

Incident

Jul 1, 2004

Mileage

101,000 mi

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED ACTING UP BY GOING SLOW, THEN FAST, THEN SLOW, THEN INTERMITTANT WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION...NOW THEY DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME WHEN THEY ARE ON AND THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE WIPERS WILL JUST STOP OUT OF THE BLUE AND I HAVE TO MANUALLY TWIST THEM OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN. I HAVE TO KEEP TURNING THE WIPERS OFF AND THEN BACK ON FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRIP, AND PART OF THE TIME THE WIPERS WILL NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. IT WAS POURING DOWN RAIN AND I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS AND WHILE THERE IS A RECALL FOR MODELS OF THIS YEAR, I WAS TOLD THIS PARTICULAR TRUCK DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR A NEW WIPER MODULE.

NHTSA ID

10850115

Incident

Mar 10, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi

LAST SPRING, APRIL 2015, I NOTICED THAT MY DEFROSTER WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE AIR BLOWS OUT OF THE A.C. VENTS, BUT NOT THE TOP DASHBOARD VENTS. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE: 1. HOW WIDESPREAD THE PROBLEM WAS (VERY COMMON IN OLDER VEHICLES; I BOUGHT MY TRUCK NEW IN 2004 FROM A DEALER THAT IS NOW OUT OF BUSINESS) 2. WHAT THE REACTION FROM DODGE WAS ( $1.500.00 TO REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH THEY MUST DO AN AIRBAG RECALL REPAIR IN THE SAME AREA) 3. HOW EXPENSIVE IT WOULD BE TO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL REPAIR JOB DONE ( EST. $1,200.00 - $1,500.00) 4. HOW EXPENSIVE/DIFFICULT IT WOULD BE TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR MYSELF (UNIFORMLY INEXPENSIVE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE IN METAL FOR AROUND $50.00, NOT THE CHEAP DODGE PLASTIC) ( DO - IT - YOURSELF INSTRUCTIONS ARE COMPLEX, COUNTER-INTUITIVE, TIME CONSUMING...8 HOURS OR MORE, AND REQUIRE SPECIAL TOOLS AS WELL AS PHYSICAL DEXTERITY) I AM STUCK HAVING TO FIND $1,500.00 FOR A REPAIR, OR DRIVE IN THE FOG THIS WINTER WITH NO DEFROST. ALL BECAUSE OF A $1.500.00 REPAIR BILL FOR A $50.00 PART.

NHTSA ID

10761756

Incident

Apr 8, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS FOGGED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLEND DOORS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10664404

Incident

Nov 15, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE DEFROSTER SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE WINDSHIELD BECAME VERY FOGGY AND IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDOW WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ACTUATOR SYSTEM, HEATER DOOR AND THE HEATER BOX WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD ALL THREE COMPONENTS REPLACED. THE HEATER SYSTEM FAILURE RECURRED 11,000 MILES LATER. CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO AGAIN HAVE THE ACTUATOR SYSTEM, HEATER BOX AND THE HEATER DOOR REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,365. UPDATED 04/03/13*LJ

NHTSA ID

10503603

Incident

Dec 1, 2009

Mileage

72,362 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL POP WAS HEARD AS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SEALANT FAILED, CAUSING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A GLASS SPECIALIST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GLASS SPECIALIST WHO INSPECTED THE WINDSHIELD AND ADVISED THAT THE URETHANE SEALANT WAS NOT STICKING TO THE GLASS. THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD RETURN HIS CALL WITHIN 24 HOURS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,500. .... UPDATED 02-20-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS WELL AS THE GEAR ASSEMBLY, STEERING RACK, GEAR SHAFT, FLUID. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. UPDATED 02/25/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID

10491656

Incident

Jan 4, 2013

Mileage

85,500 mi

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, I TURNED THE CLIMATE CONTROL TO THE DEFROST SETTING. AFTER 5 MINUTES, NO AIR WAS BLOWING TO THE WINDSHIELD, ONLY FROM THE DASH VENTS. NO FLOOR AIR, NO DEFROSTER AIR, ONLY DASH VENT AIR. TEMPERATURE ADJUSTED FROM WARM TO COLD JUST FINE, HOWEVER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM, WAS TOLD TO BRING THE TRUCK IN FOR A DIAGNOSIS AT A FEE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE. I CALLED A SECOND DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT BY MY DESCRIPTION, THE "RECIRC" DOOR AND "MODE 1" DOOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE "MODE 2" DOOR MIGHT ALSO NEED REPLACEMENT, BUT THAT MY "BLEND" DOOR IS WORKING. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE AROUND $1300.00 TO GET MY DEFROSTER FUNCTIONING AGAIN. I ASKED IF THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE, HE SAID IT WAS VERY COMMON. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, HE REPLIED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR COMFORT FEATURES, THAT HE WAS AWARE OF. I WOULD THINK THAT THE DEFROSTER WAS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10470252

Incident

Jul 26, 2012

Mileage

70,295 mi

ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF THE TIME, MY TURN SIGNALS AND FLASHERS DO NOT INDICATE THE SIGNAL I WANT TO GIVE. DURING THOSE TIMES, WHEN I INDICATE RIGHT IT DOESN'T FLASH AT ALL. IF I INDICATE LEFT, IT INDICATES RIGHT. ALSO IF I PUT ON THE HAZARDS, IT EITHER CORRECTS THE PROBLEM OR IT INDICATES LEFT. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND PROVIDES A BIG SAFETY INCIDENT ON THE ROAD. I HAVE NOTICED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS HAD THIS BEFORE AS IT IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THE WEB. IT INCREASES SUBSTANTIALLY DURING THE FALL AND WINTER MONTHS AND IS ALMOST NOT EXISTENT DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. IT ALSO AFFECTS MY WIPERS THAT WHEN I HAVE THE LIGHTS ON I CAN SEE THAT MY VEHICLE IS ACTING UP BECAUSE THE WIPERS ARE AT 1 DETENT LESS THAN WHAT I AM TRYING TO PROVIDE. THIS MAKES IT SO I CAN'T USE THE FAST WIPING POSITION. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10435558

Incident

Aug 12, 2008

Mileage

65,000 mi

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER WAS NOT BLOWING STRONG ENOUGH TO DEMIST THE WINDSHIELD. I TRIED THE HVAC KNOB ON OTHER SETTINGS, AND THE AIR FLOW WAS VERY WEAK ON ALL THE SETTINGS. UPON REMOVAL OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FROM THE AIR BOX, I DISCOVERED THAT THE RE-CIRCULATION DOOR HAD DROPPED DOWN AND WAS BLOCKING THE AIR FLOW TO THE BLOWER MOTOR. I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE RE-CIRCULATION DOOR FROM THE AIR BOX, AND UPON INSPECTION DISCOVERED IT HAD BROKEN AT THE CONNECTION POINT TO THE RE-CIRCULATION ACTUATOR. THE PIECE THAT HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE DOOR WAS STILL UP INSIDE THE AIR BOX. HAD THIS PIECE OF PLASTIC FALLEN INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR, IT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE FAN OR CAUSED AN INJURY. THE HVAC FUNCTIONS WORK FULL STRENGTH NOW, BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO BLOCK THE OUTSIDE AIR FROM COMING INSIDE ON VERY HOT DAYS OR WHEN IT IS SMOKY OR THERE IS AN ODOR OUTSIDE. SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT BE MECHANICALLY ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR OWN, AND I'VE READ THAT THE REPAIR BY THE DEALERSHIP IS EXPENSIVE. SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE DOOR BREAK MULTIPLE TIMES. CHRYSLER CORPORATION SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND INSTALL A BETTER DESIGNED AND STRONGER RE-CIRCULATION DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10427507

Incident

Sep 24, 2011

Mileage

63,500 mi

AC DEFROST HEATER AIR RECIRCULATION DOOR BREAKS OFF IT PLASTIC AXLE, DROPS INTO AND BLOCKS THE AIR INTAKE INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR. THUS RESULTING IN NO AIRFLOW THRU THE HEAT VENT AC DEFROST SYSTEM. CAUSING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS SINCE THE DEFROST SYSTEM WILL NOT GET THE PROPER AIRFLOW TO WORK. *TT

NHTSA ID

10413137

Incident

Mar 15, 2011

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT PARKED WITH THE ENGINE ON AND THE DEFROSTER AND HEATER ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD WHISTLE AND AS THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS ONLY COLD AIR EMITTING FROM THE VENTILATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE BLEND AIR DOOR FAILED AND WAS NOT ALLOWING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF AIR TO FLOW FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10381537

Incident

Feb 4, 2011

Mileage

56,000 mi

THE TURN SIGNALS, WIPERS, AND HIGH BEAMS ON MY 04 DODGE RAM 1500 HAVE BEEN GIVING ME ISSUES FOR THE LAST YEAR. THIS STARTED OUT AS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST THE TURN SIGNALS. WHEN I WOULD SIGNAL LEFT THE RIGHT BLINKER WOULD COME ON, OR VISA VERSA. THEN SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK FINE, AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULD NOT COME ON AT ALL. IT'S GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME AND NOW I AM AT THE POINT WHERE ONLY WHEN I SIGNAL LEFT WILL THE RIGHT SIGNAL COME ON; NOTHING ELSE WORKS. MY HAZARD SWITCH AT ONE TIME WOULD WORK THE LEFT SIGNAL, AND THE LEFT CLICKER WOULD WORK THE RIGHT SIGNAL BUT NOW THAT DOES NOT WORK EITHER. AT THIS POINT MY HAZARD SWITCH AND LEFT CLICKER NOW ONLY WORK THE RIGHT BLINKER AND I HAVE NO WAY TO WORK THE LEFT. AS FOR THE HIGH BEAMS, SOMETIMES I AM UN-ABLE TO DISENGAGE THEM WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ON-COMING TRAFFIC. AT THIS POINT I DO NOT RISK IT AND JUST DON'T USE THEM, WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS TO MYSELF AT SOME TIMES. THE WIPERS HAVE A MIND OF THEIR OWN. SOMETIMES WHEN I HAVE THEM ON FULL SPEED/FAST IN HEAVY RAIN THEY WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN REDUCE TO THE LOWEST OR MIDDLE SETTING. SOMETIMES THEY WILL JUST NOT TURN ON AT ALL. I ALMOST GOT INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS AND NOW JUST AVOID DRIVING IN THE RAIN IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10367076

Incident

Oct 1, 2009

Mileage

45,000 mi

I HAVE A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP, I HAVE NO DEFROST DUE TO A DEFECTIVE DOOR CONTROL IN THE HEATER BOX, I HAD IT FIXED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN AND THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. ALMOST IN TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF MOISTURE ON THE INSIDE OF WIND SHIELD, PLEASE HELP, NOONE IS MAKING DODGE ACCOUNTABLE! *TR

NHTSA ID

10339058

Incident

Jan 15, 2010

Mileage

30,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT OPERATE DURING RAINY WEATHER ONLY. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E009000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) BUT WAS TOLD HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED HE WOULD BE REPAIRING THE FAILURE ON HIS OWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,000. UPDATED10/28/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE COMPLAINT IS ACCURATE. UPDATED 11/01/10*JB

NHTSA ID

10336755

Incident

Jun 2, 2010

Mileage

38,000 mi

WIPERS ICING BAD IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES DUE TO INADEQUATE DEFROSTER PERFORMANCE, UPPER HALF OF W/S STAYS ICY GOING DOWN ROAD. LOTS OF HEAT FROM HEAT/DEFROST TO THE POINT YOU ARE COOKING OUT OF CAB, BUT WINDSHIELD STILL STAYS ICY AS WELL AS WIPER BLADES. BOTTOM OF WINDOW NEVER DOES THAW IF IT IS BELOW 18 DEGREES. HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHEN AMBIENT TEMP BELOW 34 DEGREES. HAVE TRIED DEFLECTORS ON VENTS TO DIRECT MORE AIR AT BASE OF WINDSHIELD, NO HELP. GETS TO THE POINT WHEN DRIVING YOU HAVE TO STOP AND LET WINDOW THAW, REGARDLESS OF FAN SPEED OR HEAT LEVEL. GETS TOO HOT TO SIT IN VEHICLE WITH OUT SIDE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN SOME. WILL DO THIS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR IDLING ALONG IN 1ST GEAR GOING SLOW IN SNOW. HAS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 2006. *TR

NHTSA ID

10254200

Incident

Jan 2, 2009

IN FEB 08 TOOK 2004 DODGE RAM TO DEALER FOR NO HEAT THROUGH FLOOR VENTS, HEAT THROUGH OTHER VENTS, DEALER REPLACED HOUSING WITH DEFLECTION DOOR. ON DEC 23, 08, SAME PROBLEM DEVELOPED TOOK TO DEALER TO LOOK AT ON DEC 29. *TR

NHTSA ID

10252704

Incident

Feb 19, 2008

Mileage

73,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN MY WIPERS OFTEN STOP WORKING ON HIGH SPEED WHICH MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE IN A DOWN POUR. ALSO MY BLOWER FAN FOR THE A/C DEFROSTER HEATER ETC. STOPS BLOWING WHEN TILT WHEEL IS MOVED TO SOME POSITIONS. IT HAS PROCEEDED TO THE POINT OF NOT BLOWING AT ALL AND SOMETIMES WILL START BLOWING WHEN I AM NOT IN MY TRUCK WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I WAS TOLD BY A DEALER MECHANIC THAT IT IS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AND THAT HE HAS CHANGED SEVERAL. HE SAID IT IS CAUSED FROM THE WIRING HARNESS HANGING TO LOOSE AND REPEATED TILTING OF THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSES THE IGNITION SWITCH TO BREAK AND HAVE A BAD CONNECTION. THIS IS ALSO PROBABLY WHAT CAUSES SOME TRUCKS TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. THESE ARE ALL VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS IF THEY OCCUR AT CERTAIN TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10159231

Incident

Sep 16, 2004

Mileage

28,000 mi

DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT THE HEADLIGHT DIM SWITCH WAS NOT FUNCTIONING ON THE 2004 DODGE 1500 SINCE APRIL 2005. THE HEADLIGHT WOULD STAY ON BRIGHT OR DIM BUT NOT SWITCH. AT THE SAME TIME THE WINDSHIELD WASHER WOULD NOT WORK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN BACK TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS FOUR TIMES, AND HAD THE SAME SWITCH REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED, BUT WAS NOT CONSTANT. THE CONTACT WROTE TO CHRYSLER, BUT HAD NO SATISFACTION. ALSO, ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. AT THAT TIME, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK, AND THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. THIS PROBLEM HAD NOT RECURRED, BUT THE DEALER HAD NO EXPLANATION OR SOLUTION. *AK (11/17/05) *SC

NHTSA ID

10139054

Incident

Apr 4, 2005

Mileage

23,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 65 IN MOBILE, AL DOING A SPEED OF AROUND 65 MPH. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED-UP AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. THANKFULLY, THERE WERE NOT MANY CARS ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST ACROSS 3 LANES OF THE HIGHWAY, FINALLY STOPPING IN A DITCH ON AN OFF RAMP. THE PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP POPPED OFF, WRAPPED AROUND MY SERPENTINE BELT, AND CRACKED MY HEAD GASKET. THEY REPLACED ALL PARTS THAT WERE DAMAGED. ONE MONTH LATER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULATOR MALFUNCTIONED DURING A RAIN STORM AND I HAD NO WIND SHIELD WIPERS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10132589

Incident

Jul 7, 2005

Mileage

10,000 mi

THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUTS OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE POWER WINDOWS ARE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DODGE OF BURNSVILLE, WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DUPLICATED BY THE MECHANIC. I CAN NOW INDUCE THIS PROBLEM CONSISTANTLY BY ACTIVATING THE POWER WINDOWS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10114214

Incident

Feb 5, 2005

Mileage

10,000 mi