10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
104,627 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #33

Nov 282014

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 134,060 miles

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

The truck stalls out when stopping, turning, or just sitting at light. Have replaced egr, throttle body, PCV, and had PCM updated; but truck is still stalling. Dealer can't find any trouble codes and can't figure out what is causing the problem. Dealer has put in calls to Chrysler star, but no responses yet. From looking on line, I can see that there are many other owners with the same issue. I just know that this is a safety issue, especially when the truck stalls in the middle of a turn in traffic. I can't believe that there is not a fix or a recall on this issue. Yes, this is a slow speed issue; but it is still dangerous. Please help!

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #32

Nov 222014

Ram 1500

  • 198,000 miles
While coming to a stop, the truck lost all power and stalled. I immediately restarted the truck and proceeded to the next intersection, and it lost power and stalled again while braking to a full stop. I was able to make it two miles closer to my home, came to a stop and the engine revved up slightly, and then idled low to the point where I thought it was going to stall again. I got it home and had it towed to my mechanic. The truck was checked out, the truck did not stall after repeated testing for the next week. I picked it up, got a quarter mile down the road and it lost power and stalled again. I immediately returned it to the mechanic and, again, the truck did not duplicate the stalling, but the mechanic did see it rev up when coming to a stop. The mechanic replaced the idle positioning sensor and I picked up my truck only for it to stall on my way home. My mechanic has had my truck more than I have over the last two months and the problem remains undiagnosed. After basic research on Dodge forums, this is a problem that many other people are dealing with and nothing has been done to address this issue. This is a major safety issue considering that the truck loses power and stalls without warning in the middle of turns and coming to a stop. Please help resolve this issue before it costs someone their life. I am not the only person having this problem.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #31

Jan 072015

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 104,356 miles
When braking, the vehicle engine stalls as I slow down. The issue was intermittent, but now happens each time I break. I have to pull over with no power steering and restart the vehicle in P or N. sometimes, I have to wait a few minutes before it will let me restart.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #30

Dec 292014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 114,000 miles

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

Just like everyone else who owns a Dodge, I went to fuel up the truck and it went all over the ground rather than in the tank...took it to the dealer...check valve bad...need new tank....never buy Dodge again..

- Levittown, PA, USA

problem #29

Nov 012013

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
I bought this truck about 2.5 months ago used with 59xxx miles on it. This incident has happened a few times now. The first time I was coming off the freeway approaching a stoplight. As I was slowing down when I hit about 20 mph my truck completely stalled. All power was on after stall, but I had no brakes, no steering, and no engine. Luckily im a strong guy and had plenty of room to keep a straight line and very forcefully apply the non powered brakes. It started right back up so I kind of shrugged it off. It happened a few more times since then, same symptoms: Slowing down for a turn or a stop.... engine dies, no steering, no brakes, dead truck, starts right up. However last night christmas day it stalled on me a quarter of the way through a left hand turn at about 15 mph. I couldn't turn the wheel hard enough to finish my turn, I couldn't apply the brakes hard enough to stop in a safe amount of time, I died in the middle of the oncoming traffic lane. I had to quickly apply my emergency brake. Stopping just in time about 1 foot short of driving into a guardrail with a steep embankment on the other side. I am literally scared to drive this truck now, scared for my life and other peoples lives. Apparently there seems to be a common problem with these trucks stalling, but no recalls to my knowledge or definitive problem has been diagnosed... please help! respectfully, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Aromas, CA, USA

problem #28

Nov 092014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 129,000 miles
I was driving and my 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 sputtered and died without warning. I was in the left lane, and it was all I could do to pull it to the right side of the road as it lost power. I was headed uphill, so I was able to safely put it in neutral and let it roll back because I was blocking an entrance ramp to the interstate. It was 5 pm and I was westbound, so people had difficulty seeing my hazard lights while looking into the sun. It was scary! with regular maintenance and garage kept, this truck broke an engine valve spring. When this happens, the engine fails immediately because there is no longer compression in that cylinder. I was lucky, the spring held in place and did not allow the valve to drop into the cylinder, which would have been catastrophic and irreparable. After research, I found Dodge knows about this problem in the 2004 hemi engine. In fact, they redesigned the valve springs in the 2005 models. Several sites & blogs showed owners with the same problem, but Dodge never started a campaign or issued a recall. I contacted Chrysler (Dodge) and they refuse to assist or acknowledge the problem. If this had occurred on a busy interstate, I could have been involved in a serious accident. When the engine failed, I lost power steering and any ability to maneuver the vehicle. If needed, I have all documentation, and I also have the broken valve spring in my possession.

- Moore, OK, USA

problem #27

Aug 202014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 126,052 miles

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

On multiple occasions, while at low speed (pulling into an intersection from a red light or stop sign), the engine idle drops and the engine stalls. I have to brake with my left foot and keep the engine idle up by pressing on the gas to keep from stalling. I have been almost rear ended several times and do not trust the truck. After reading the complaints and research on the truck, this happens a lot and is dangerous. When I talked to the dealer, they say they are not aware of any problems like this and they would be happy to diagnose the truck (for $125) and go from there. From what I have read, it seems they want to exchange parts and charge for the service.

- Olivehurst, CA, USA

problem #26

Aug 172014

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
Engine stalled while driving a few times. Some times while turning causing a loss of steering. Finally engine quit, luckily while still and a valve sprig broke and valve dropped. Dodge has long know about this dangerous situation. Now I amount of warranty and out of luck. But lucky to be alive.

- Watauga, TX, USA

problem #25

Jun 192014

Ram 1500

  • 175,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while approaching a stop light, the vehicle stalled. The contact mentioned he was able to turn the vehicle back on but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 175,000.

- Fenton, MO, USA

problem #24

Mar 282014

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 86,400 miles
While driving in my neighborhood at 25 mph vehicle lost power and didn't want to take the gas then cut off. Would not restart, engine would rotate but not start. Pumped the accelerator then engine restarted and ran rough with no power. Had vehicle towed to dealership to be check. I was told that the engine was blown. When I check the dash the throttle elec. Light was on.

- Fayetteville , NC, USA

problem #23

Feb 012014

Ram 1500

  • 95,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while completing a turning at approximately 5 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000 and the current mileage was 99,000.

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

problem #22

Feb 052014

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 179,000 miles
Oncoming vehicle lost control came across 4 lanes to hit front of truck. Dodge is totaled but air bags did not deploy. I contacted Dodge to have them check them out and was told, first a special task force would come check the airbags and we would be compensated, then later was told due to the age and mileage of my truck they wouldn't but I could take it to a Dodge dealership and see if they would run the test at my expense. Dodge didn't seem to care why air bags didn't go off since the truck is 10 years old.

- Huntsville, AR, USA

problem #21

Apr 132011

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently stalled while applying the service brakes. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who stated that they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. The current mileage was 114,000.

- Huachuca City, AZ, USA

problem #20

Nov 012011

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
Vehicle stalls after fueling. This is very random and doesn't happen every time I fuel. I have noticed it happens more when I fuel the tank to the top. The vehicle can stall during driving or at a stop that also is random.

- Renton , WA, USA

problem #19

Sep 022013

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 139,995 miles
I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab 5.7L hemi 2wd and it continues to stall every now and then at low speeds or at a complete stop. Vehicle will start right up with no problem but battery gauge takes a few seconds to rise to operating levels. Transmission also feels like it wants to slip at time of stall. Had engine and trans changed, battery and alternator checked out okay as well. Did some research and found that a lot of incidents happen after vehicle transmission ha been serviced or transmission fluid is low; other individuals who have experienced this problem have said they had the erg valve, tps sensor, map sensor and even software. I don't know what the problem is but you end up spending hundreds of dollars trying to figure this out. I don't know why Chrysler doesn't address this issue.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #18

Nov 052012

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
In the fall of last year the check engine light came on in my 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The code that came up was misfire in cylinder 8. I took it to a mechanic and they said it was the fuel injector which they replaced. A few days later after getting my truck back the light came on again. This time the code was misfire in cylinder 6. I took it to a very trusted mechanic who stated it was a rocker arm that had come off due to junk in the engine. Once it was fixed again the light came on saying misfire in cylinder 8. the mechanic said it was the rocker arm on that cylinder and replaced it. This happened 4 more times in the next month. The mechanic, who is very reputable, believes this is a manufacturing defect that will continue to occur no matter how often it is repaired. He also stated he has seen this in many many Dodge trucks and most notably in the 474 engine. It is an engine and safety issue due to loss of throttle which occurs very often when the problem is on going and is definite risk of causing an auto accident. This code is coming up every other day now and I believe it needs to be recalled.

- West Valley City, UT, USA

problem #17

Aug 072012

Ram 1500

  • 257,098 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the temperature gauge began to rise, smoke began to emanate from the hood area, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the head gasket was blown and the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred the same day as it was repaired. The mechanic then replaced the thermostat, water pump, radiator, and fan clutch on subsequent visits but the failure continued to recur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been further repaired. The failure and current mileage was 257,098.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #16

Sep 132007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 24,000 miles
After filling gas tank full, engine dies when braking and turning a corner (losing steering) and coming to a stop. Starts back up fine, but stalls again on next low speed braking or turning a corner. Very similar to other accounts that I have read. I've had new plugs and O2 sensors costing mucho for zero result. When this occurs slowing down to make a slow turn, I have to throw it up to neutral to restart. Once I threw it in park going slowly, but it was dangerous to screech to a halt with a car behind me almost rear ended me. I've been told the same crap by dealers about this and I know they are playing dumb. The only remedy that I use for this is similar to others which is just don't fill it all the way up unless you are getting right out on the highway to run those speeds and not be stopping. I can't let others drive my truck unless I make sure that the tank is below three quarters of a tank. I can't believe that there's not a quick and dirty fix for this. Seems like you should disable emissions devices in the interest of safety.

- Waxahachie, TX, USA

problem #15

Jan 012013

Ram 1500

  • 103,000 miles
I have two issues which I believe are related. The anti rollover valve in the fuel tank is sticking preventing fuel from entering the tank properly and bubbling back up the filler tube. This happens whenever you attempt to put in fuel and has resulted in multiple fuel spills. The second issue is after a fill up the truck may stall 4-5 times while at idle at stop lights or even while rolling resulting in loss of power steering, power brakes and no advanced warning. Both issues have multiple occurrences. I repaired my fuel tank by adding an auxiliary anti-rollover valve and plumbing it into the existing evap connections. This after the dealer refused to warranty the tank even though some models have been recalled and this does have a bulletin published.

- Portage, IN, USA

problem #14

Feb 022007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
After refueling the vehicle, it stalls several times when braking, slowing down, or at idle. This always occurs in colder weather months.

- Cheshire, CT, USA

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