10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,475 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Dec 192010

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 50,000 miles

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

2004 Ram 1500 5.7 hemi stalls at low engine speeds, often at stop signs, traffic lights, or parking lot maneuvers. Will usually start immediately back up, sometimes requires slight accelerator pressure when cranking in order to obtain self-sustaining engine speed. During decelerations, engine RPM is erratic and will often encounter a transient drop in RPM's to approximately 400 RPM before engine dies. Issue seems to be more common and severe in cold weather, or when engine is cold, but has occurred under all conditions. This has been a persistent problem for about two years, happening anywhere from once a day to a dozen times. Multiple dealerships and mechanics have looked at this, without result. The computer has been updated, the sensors, egr valve, and intake manifold cleaned, and the throttle body has been replaced. Still not fixed. Vehicle has been well maintained and has less than 55K miles. This is an expensive, dangerous, and frustrating condition.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #20

Jun 112010

Ram 1500

  • 133,715 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 70 mph the transfer case cracked. He stated transmission fluid leaked from the vehicle and he heard a loud, unusual bang. The vehicle stalled and he was able to push the vehicle off the roadway with assistance from others. The vehicle was towed to his residence. A local repair facility was contacted where he was given an estimate of repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 03V503000 (power train: Automatic transmission) however, his VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 133,715.

- Highland Mills, NY, USA

problem #19

Mar 172010

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 77,150 miles
I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 with 5.7 hemi I've owned since new. The truck will stall without warning at slow speeds and while turning it has always restarted. On some stalls with the lack of power steering and brakes it has been all I could do to not hit other cars. Over the years my Dodge dealer has offered no help since this doesn't produce a service code. Now I see that this is a wide spread problem and a service bulletin (tsd 18-013-05) was issued that sounds like it may or may not correct the problem. A driver without the strength to handle the truck without power steering and brakes would be in real danger.

- Bothell, WA, USA

problem #18

Sep 172009

Ram 1500

  • 79,050 miles

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

2004 Ram 1500 quad cab 5.7L hemi. Engine suddenly stalls when it reaches temperature if the vehicle is decelerating (stop or turn). The engine appears to fail to switch correctly from high to low idle and goes right to zero. This results in immediate loss of steering and significant safety hazard. This has continued to occur more frequently with time and by the online descriptions is getting to be fairly common.

- Oakton, VA, USA

problem #17

Feb 022007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 20,001 miles
Engine stalling by 2004 Dodge Ram 1500-5.7L V8 engine. This has been a recurring issue and directly led to an accident causing over $10,000 in damage and near fatal injuries. Further, this vehicle (and others I have become aware of) have been serviced at the dealership on time/schedule but this issue has never been addressed nor have they been recalled or repaired despite numerous complaints. Fortunately the repairs were covered by insurance but the vehicle still has the same problem for which neither the local dealer nor Chrysler-Dodge et, al. Has addressed this issue (although reading the files it is clear they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and man hours to refute/dismiss this matter.

- Mt. Pleasant, SC, USA

problem #16

Aug 022008

Ram 1500

  • 52,000 miles
Engine light came. Didn't notice anything wrong with the truck. Had a friend put it on the machine to find out what the code was. The code was P0404, egr something. The about a week later, while im driving, im going about 30 mph I let my foot off the gas and my truck stalls. A couple of days after that I was turning into a parking lot and my truck stalls again. Each this happens I am able to put my truck into neutral and start it right up. I noticed that if I am stopped at a light or if I am starting my truck for the first time in the day when I begin to accelerate it it seems to run a little sluggish until I give it some more gas. No accidents have occurred and have not done anything to replace anyparts as of yet. I have a 7 year, 70,000 mile power train warranty and am not sure if this malfunction is covered. I noticed that when I looked up the defects under the investigations that what was happening to my truck was the same thing being investigated. Thank you

- Fort Drum , NY, USA

problem #15

Apr 012007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

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

2004 Dodge Ram 1500 stalls for no apparent reason.left me cross ways in traffic as I pulled into road from gas station. Fuel mileage 14 mpg on and off highway. Actually drops mileage on overhead read out when coasting down a grade. Balks at cruising speed. Transmission slips in reverse after truck sits overnight. Transmission lulls in it's shifting. Been to dealership five times. They have done nothing. 1. claimed trans needed flashed, claimed secondary trans filter was bad(second time they actually changed the filter. No difference. Charged me $169 for that change. Claimed it was not covered under warranty or 0 deductible extended warranty. Charged $100 deductible and $69 diagnosis. I handed them a copy of technical service bulletin that called for the change, but they charge for diagnosis. Why $100 deductible when I have ) deductible ex warranty" " not covered under either of those warranties... this is a different warranty" ????? door seals also torn." Not covered on 2004 only 2005 models....same problem but not covered???"

- Statesville, NC, USA

problem #14

Feb 222007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles
- the contact called regarding the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact did research and found the vehicle had a recall 034503000 for the automatic transmission. The contact called the dealer & manufacturer to see if this vehicle was affected. Both the dealer and the manufacturer stated the information was proprietary and they could not release it. The vehicle had 34,000 miles.

- Arvada, CO, USA

problem #13

Jan 312007

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2004 Dodge Ram pickup regarding recall.* the consumer was informed that other customers were not having the alarm installed as it was not necessarily a safety issue. The dealer attached an alarm system to the horn to alert the consumer that the vehicle was not in park.

- Columbus, MT, USA

problem #12

Sep 062006

Ram 1500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,679 miles
: the contact stated when the vehicle was placed into reverse or when the door needed to be opened for greater visibility while backing or connecting a trailer, the parking alarm sounded. The service dealer and manufacturer were notified and refused to remove the alarm due to federal mandate of recall # 05V462000 (E17) for the power train: Automatic transmission, park alarm.

- Pitman, NJ, USA

problem #11

Aug 082006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles

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

Rear axle noise. Repeatedly reported to service department. Failure and complete replacement of rear axle. Transmission will not temporally not engage after vehicle sits for a long period. Increasing engine rpms will engage transmission. Vehicle lost substantial power while operating in mid western states of Montana and Wyoming. Still loss of power noticed upon returning to ct.

- Windsor Locks, CT, USA

problem #10

Sep 292006

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle stalled while coming to a stop and while idling. The dealership determined the seals in the electrical system of the transmission (wiring harness) leaked allowing water to get into the electrical system. The wiring to the wiring harness was corroded. The dealership cleaned several connectors and replaced a ground wire. The dealership informed the contact that if cleaning the connectors did not correct the problem, the entire wiring harness would have to be replaced.

- Baker, MT, USA

problem #9

Apr 132004

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
At less than 300 miles, shifted into 4 wheel drive while doing 65 mph on the interstate. Taken to dealership and was told a wire was left loose and wrapped around another part causing the problem. Also complained the truck was dying while driving. Also told this was a wiring problem. At 19000 the tires needed replaced and at 80000 miles the oil pressure gauge dropped to 0.

- Pineville, WV, USA

problem #8

Aug 012004

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles
Consume rowned a 2004 Dodge 1500 Ram. Sometimes it will stall while consumer was driving. Once it caused the consumer to bump a brick wall. Which caused a slight dent in the bumper. It has a vibration that seemed to be coming from the transmission. Sometimes the vehicle will not start. The rear driver side door would not unlock. When the dealer ran a diagnostic test they said that it was not showing the codes for these problems. After five tries the dealer was able to get the door lock fixed. As for the other problems the dealer put a new computer in the vehicle. This fixed the problem for about a week, and then the problems came back. The manufacturer was the one that said to put the new computer in.

- Lisbon, CT, USA

problem #7

Apr 152005

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 hemi. We purchased the truck on April 20, 2004 & started having the stalling problem about 2 months ago. I have since taken the truck to the dealership where it was purchased 3 times to have the problem fixed. Each time the dealership has the truck 2 1/2 to 3 days. The truck does not stall while the accelerator is enacted. The RPM gauge will flutter when stopped & then it will drop & the truck will die. Some days the truck will stall only once or twice & other days the truck will stall up to 20 to 30 times. The dealership has replaced the following items: Fault code, P0261, replaced PCM for erractic speed sensor signal. R&R pan & replaced trans filter per star 1763 WD94 0.80. 5094274aa module-powertrain control, 5015267ac filter pkg-powertrain control, 5010884aa sealer, 5 atf bulk - +4.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #6

May 222005

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Our truck has stalled aprox. 15-20 times while we are driving down the road or while making turns. It hasn't resulted in any accidents yet, but there has been many times when we are making a turn and it stalls all of a sudden while traffic is coming twoards us. I feel that we have only so much time before this causes a bad accident. Our truck is a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 liter hemi. I hope that there will be a recall on this matter, because I've read many other peoples complaints about this same thing. I feel very unsafe driving with my wife and my 3 year old son in the truck, not to mention the lives of the people in the other cars.

- Renton, WA, USA

problem #5

Mar 172005

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
While attempting to make a left turn my vehicle in drive would not go forward ie.transmission slipping, motor reving up!

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #4

Mar 142005

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 700 miles
700 origianl miles - pin connections(1st shop I took it to said it was reading a transmisstion error, but couldn't fix it); 6000 miles-fuel pump and map sensor; 8000 miles-transmission controller. This has left me stranded, and I've had to have it towed twice.

- Rockport, TX, USA

problem #3

Sep 172004

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 278 miles
Consumer was pulling out from a parking space and noticed that the rpms were going up, and the engine was making a funny noise. When he got to the road and approached the stop light the same thing happened. Then, vehicle slowed down and shut down. Consumer just picked the brand new vehicle up from the dealer the day before. He had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and was told that the filter in the transmission was coming apart. Which meant that none of the fluid was going to the transmission. This blew out the engine. The dealer replaced the transmission.

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #2

Aug 042004

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,300 miles
While parked on an incline, the vehicle slipped out of park. This caused the vehicle to roll backwards, causing a minor collision. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Gray, TN, USA

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