10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
121,408 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Dodge Ram 1500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 3 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #87

Sep 242016

Ram 1500

  • 212,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rear end seized and driveshaft fell out of rear end. Was driving around 35-40 mph on street. Lost all control of the truck and braking system and wrecked into an enbankment/ditch.

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #86

Sep 242016

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 149,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving on a highway at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle stopped suddenly. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed as differential failure. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000. Updated 01/11/2017 the consumer stated while driving, the rear axle locked up causing the drive shaft to snap. Updated 01/26/17.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #85

Sep 232016

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While traveling approximately 65 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 01/06/2017 the consumer stated the drive shaft disconnected from the rear axle. Updated 03/06/17.

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #84

Sep 112016

Ram 1500

  • 191,878 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It looks like the pinion nut came loose and allowed the drive shaft to come off while we were driving on a secondary road. The rear wheels locked up. I see where there was an issue with 2005 vehicles made from January 2004-August 2005. Ours is a 2004 and was made in March 2004.

- Lashmeet, WV, USA

problem #83

Aug 122016

Ram 1500

  • 246,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 57 mph, there was an abnormal vibration and loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The rear tires seized and the vehicle screeched to a stop. The contact inspected the vehicle onsite and noticed that the rear differential had separated from the driveshaft, and there was fluid leaking from the rear differential. The contact stated that the pinion nut was still in place in the driveshaft. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear differential and driveshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 246,000.

- Bremen, IN, USA

problem #82

Aug 022016

Ram 1500

  • 170,000 miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact heard an unusual noise underneath the vehicle. Moments later, the driveshaft separated without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The failure was not diagnosed and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V313000 (air bags) and 16V352000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Meadowbrook, WV, USA

problem #81

Jul 292016

Ram 1500

  • 236,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 15 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise while shifting lanes. The contact had to activate the hazard lights and stop the vehicle. The contact observed that the entire driveshaft was fractured and on the ground. The vehicle was towed to the contact's job. The vehicle was diagnosed by and independent mechanic, but not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 236,000.

- Northville, MI, USA

problem #80

Jul 012016

Ram 1500

  • 190,000 miles
I keep my truck in excellent maintainance.I was driving at 65 mph and transfer case exploded open sending drive shaft and parts into gas tank smashing guard plate and underside of chassis and body then twisting of while twisting pinion out of rear differential.I bounced over driveshaft and gained control as I coasted safely to the shoulder of roadway.trailing drivers too were able to avoid lost parts and collision.thank god. Ive consulted with 3 reputabe auto mechanics whom all agree the tranfer case would have to be faulty.I find it odd that this specific recall which was issued on so many 04 Ram 1500's but according to my trucks V.I.N.dealer says/informed me that my trucks not covered.I dont beleive this is fair.or the recall list is not comprehensive enough to include all the vehicles its supposed to.please help.

- Phila, PA, USA

problem #79

Jul 242015

Ram 1500

  • 2 miles
At approximately 155K miles, differential started howling when traveling from Florida to Virginia. Took vehicle for service. Limited slip differential clips had fallen out and broken up in the gears damaging the bearings. Had the differential rebuilt with all new bearings and clips. At 160K miles, same issue occurred damaging the pinion bearing. The vehicle is now on jack stands in my yard as I save to purchase a rebuilt unit at over $2K.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #78

Jul 142016

Ram 1500

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 20 mph, the driveshaft detached from the rear of the vehicle without warning and the rear axle locked up. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the pinion nut detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Joshua, TX, USA

problem #77

Jun 282016

Ram 1500

  • 234 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was driving on the express way. Sudden loud noise from underneath the car, a lot of smoke. Pulled over immediately.my rear axle came off. No apparent reason. I believe there is a recall on theese models, the manufacturing date of my truck is not within the timeframe established. Demand further investigation

- Alpena, MI, USA

problem #76

Jun 252016

Ram 1500

  • miles
15V-313 we have a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 that has all the issues I've read on here for complaints. The wind shield wipers only work on the highest setting and when turned off stop wherever on the windshield when you turn the switch to shut them off, the engine seems to be leaking oil some place, have had to replace both front wheel hub assembelies, rear end has foam in the fluid, im guessing from reading this that my rear axel is about to fly out from underneath my teuck while driving by the way it sounds and slips, and now a recall on air bags. I fear everytime I drive behind the wheel of my truck and by the sounds of it after reading all these complaints that there is good reason to fear for my life. How many people have to die before something is done. These vehicles should not be made available to drive if there this dangerous. Sounds like Chrysler should be buying these trucks back so all there customers dont have to risk there lives driving down the road in a poor designed vehicle the produced. Not sure why there allowed to keep them on the streets being so dangerous to drive. Our truck has every problem that people have complained about on here but yet only has one recall when looked up by VIN. Why is that?

- Morrison, IL, USA

problem #75

Jun 202016

Ram 1500

  • 180,000 miles
While driving home from work, my Dodge Ram truck rear axle locked up and threw the driveshaft out onto the road. Luckily no one was behind me. When I looked under the truck, there was transmission fluid everywhere. That's when I noticed the transfer case was cracked in half. I was left out in the middle of catfish lake road. Had to call family to come get me and called the tow truck company to have the truck towed back to the house. This incident happened on June 20, 2016 at approximately 08:00pm. I was on my way home from work. My truck could have flipped if I had not been able to keep it under control because the rear axle completely locked up. This could have resulted in a fatality.

- Cape Carteret, NC, USA

problem #74

Oct 212015

Ram 1500

  • 120,000 miles
The pinion nut come loose, drive shaft fell out and lock rear in up.thank god I had just got off highway.

- Waxahachie, TX, USA

problem #73

Apr 302016

Ram 1500

  • 145,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at mph 65 mph, the rear axle gear became detached. The vehicle towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed the vehicle had low fuel. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #72

Apr 032016

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 219,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 30 mph, the driveshaft and pinion nut detached from the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the pinion nut and rear end needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown. Updated 06/15/16

- Dermott, AR, USA

problem #71

Nov 172015

Ram 1500

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 55 mph, the pinion nut detached and caused the vehicle to crash into a cement barrier. The driver sustained a bump to the head and body bruises that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The air bags failed to deploy with the impact. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the rear driveshaft and bearings were replaced. The contact mentioned that the manufacturer issued a recall for the 2005 models under NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Daly City, CA, USA

problem #70

Mar 262016

Ram 1500

  • 125,000 miles
Rear axel pinion nut came loose and rear drive shaft fell off. Truck manufactured Feb 2004. Same problem as NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000. I was driving down the road, I started to hear a fun clanking noise, I slowed down to pull off the road and the rear axel locked up. When I was off the road I looked and found the rear drive shaft laying on the ground.

- Waddell, AZ, USA

problem #69

Feb 122015

Ram 1500

  • 120,000 miles
The pinion nut came loose and the drive shaft came out-locking the rear end-causing damage.

- Waxahachie, TX, USA

problem #68

Oct 222015

Ram 1500

  • 215,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled and made an abnormal noise. In addition, the vehicle rolled backwards, but not forward. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then to the independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the rear driveshaft detached due to the pinion nut dislodging, which caused the rear end of the vehicle to seize. The technician also stated that the rear end and driveshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 215,000.

- La Porte, TX, USA

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