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.
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).
Had just filled gas tank fifteen minutes earlier. Driving on mountain rd. Slowed for curve and engine quit, almost ran into logging truck headon. This has happened several times after fillup. Once while driving 65 mph on freeway. Slowed to let another vehicle in front of me and engine quite as soon as I touched the brakes. When I fill gas tank it usually die at first stop. Does this until I have used up some of the gas. Have asked dealer who sold the truck to me to look into this several times before I get killed. No response. I no longer drive that road just after fill up. Have checked the internet and found that several 1500 Ram owners have had the same problem. It will be like the ignition switch problem. People will have to get killed to get it fixed.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle started to shake violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the rack and pinion, dry shaft, and the tie rods needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.
Steering vibrations or shudders when maneuvering at low speeds, making turns etc. Not consistently but intermittently seems to get worse with time. Seems to only do it when in motion and not when at a stand still and turning wheels.
Upper and lower ball joints on front suspension have deteriorated to the point that they must be replaced for concerns of safety. This is very low mileage for ball joints to fail. And since my 2wd truck has unitized ball joints (part of upper control arm, which also has to be replaced), they are very expensive.
- Romulus, MI, USA
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The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the driver heard a loud pop from the vehicle and experienced a power steering assist failure. The vehicle veered off road and rolled into a field. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and had not been inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 175000.
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.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while replacing all of the tires on the vehicle, the mechanic found deterioration on the front and rear lower and upper ball joints, as well as the tie rod. The vehicle was taken for inspection to a private mechanic, who confirmed the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 33,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that power steering fluid leaked onto the rack and pinion. As a result, the steering wheel would become very hard to control when the failure occurred. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was confirmed that the rack and pinion was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 154,094.
Noticed fluid on the ground under truck checked fluid ;added fluid; had system checked at local repair shop decided to keep adding fluid can not afford to have repair done at this time; the clamps and hoses seem to be loose but was also told about some "O" rings in the lines.
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 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
2004 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L hemi will stop running while driving. The engine completely shuts off while the vehicle is driving and the steering locks up. I have had several close calls and am currently seeking help in this matter. This is an extremely dangerous problem. I've taken it to three mechanics who have replaced all the oxygen sensors, the mass air flow sensor, throttle body, egr valve, air intake filter and the crank shaft sensor. There seems to be no end to this and everyone is just shooting in the dark. The dealerships do not get a code when they hook up to the vehicle. I am in fear of my safety. I have found several other people on the internet with the same problem.
Began to slow down for a traffic light and my truck stalled while moving almost causing me to rear end the person ahead of me since I lost all control of my brakes and power steering. From what I'm reading this had happened to many people with the same year, make and model vehicle without any type of recall and its too dangerous of a situation.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized without warning while making a turn. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 99,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge 1500. While driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing where the technicians stated there was contamination in the power steering system and the steering system would have to be flushed. The technician also stated that the rack and pinion and the fuel pump would have to be replaced. The failure continued after the repair and caused the driver of the vehicle to be involved in a crash due to the steering wheel seizing abnormally. The police were called to the scene and a report was filed. Three passengers sustained bruising and one passenger sustained a shoulder injury. The vehicle was destroyed and was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 122,450.
2004 Dodge Ram 1500 - power steering hoses, clamps and piping: I noticed the power steering pump was making a loud noise and when I checked the fluid level, the pump was dry. Further investigation reveled a large puddle of power steering fluid on my garage floor. Fortunately I wasn't driving the truck when this happened. The leak came from the area where the high and low pressure lines connect to the steering rack. Inquires on the web led me to this site, and proved that this is definitely not an isolated incident. The loss of power steering on a vehicle this size, especially if towing a large load, could be, and probably would be very dangerous. Dodge should take into account all of the incidents pertaining to this, and issue a recall for the repair before someone is not able to write a complaint like this..
2004 Dodge Ram 1500 slt hemi rack blowing seals this is going to kill someone 3 in 15000 miles I hope my wife is not driving with my son it is impossible to steer when this happens............ this problem is well know why is it not fixed its also very expensive.
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- Aromas, CA, USA