10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
26 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 2
Average Mileage:
23,735 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 2500 transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #42

Aug 212006

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,997 miles

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

: the contact stated a NHTSA recall 05V462000 regarding powertrain: Automatic transmission was performed but did not correct the problem. An out-of-park alarm was installed but the alarm sounded when the engine idled and the door was opened.

- El Cerrito, CA, USA

problem #41

Mar 312006

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles
On March 31, 2006 I stopped the 2004 Dodge 2500 Ram 4X4 to pick up my mail. Prior exiting the vehicle I placed the shift lever into park believing it was in locked park condition. The vehicle was on level ground and not moving. Believing it was safe to exit the vehicle I exited on the drivers side leaving the drivers door open and walked approx. 30 feet in front of the vehicle( approx 15 T0 30 sec.). all of sudden the vehicle started moving backwards at a high rate of speed. Concerned that other persons may be in the area I chased the vehicle down on a dead run. I attempted to enter the vehicle but was pulled down by the drivers door and hitting the back of my head on the pavement. I was temporally paralyzed and lost all limb movement. Unable to move I laid in the road and watched the front wheel roll passes my head. The vehicle was stopped by a drainage ditch without any damage. I however was not as fortunate and continue today to have multiple head, neck and memory related medical related problems resulting from the accident. I was not aware of a safety issue until receiving a recall notice DCC in Aug 2006. This is a very serious problem as the vehicle provides the driver with the false sense of safety when the vehicle is not in a safe mode.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #40

Aug 032006

(reported on)

Ram 2500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ltr re defective shift lever for 2004 Dodge 2500 quad cab, concerned that a safety recall service notice for an out of park alarm system for 2003-2005 attempts to fix transmission or shift lever problem in his vehicle. The consumer stated he placed the gear into park with the motor running, the consumer returned to the front of the vehicle, when all of a sudden the vehicle started to roll backwards. The consumer attempted to stop the vehicle, but slid off due to ice and the door knocked him to the ground, while the vehicle continued to roll backwards. The consumer requested that the recall be completed on his vehicle, however he stated the manufacturer refused to install the necessary equipment to complete the recall. The seat belt didn't retract fully.

- Willard, MO, USA

problem #39

Jul 242006

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

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

: the contact stated the recall remedy for recall # 03V503000; power train: Automatic transmission is unacceptable due to the horn sounding unexpectedly. The dealership informed the contact that there have been previous complaints about the remedy for this recall and further problems with the horn sounding unexpectedly after the recall remedy was performed.

- Lovington, NM, USA

problem #38

Jul 092005

Ram 2500 Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Mr. Dennis shannon had parked his 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 and then exited the vehicle. The vehicle remained running during this period. As Mr. Shannon began to walk back towards the rear of his truck it started to roll backwards. The police report indicates that as Mr. Shannon attempted to get back in the truck it ran over him. Mr. Shannon suffered severe and fatal injuries. Mr. Shannon died on 7-22-2005.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #37

May 302006

Ram 2500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles
: the contact stated there was a NHTSA recall campaign number 05V462000 performed on the vehicle. The contact was not satisfied with the recall remedy and is having the horn disconnected.

- Castlewood, SD, USA

problem #36

May 042006

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Consumer letter concerning the safety recall to install an out of park alarm system. ***** when the consumer arrived at the dealership, she was told the recall could take up to week, however the recall notice stated it would take an hour.

- Delta Junction, AK, USA

problem #35

Apr 192006

Ram 2500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle gear shift position indicator was placed in park. After the contact exited the vehicle left the park position, without warning, resulting in the vehicle crashing into a tree and a rock wall. There were no injuries and the police were not alerted. There was property damage. Prior to the accident, the contact received NHTSA recall, #05V462000, concerning the automatic transmission. The recall remedy has not been performed, but the contact felt it should have also addressed the potential problem of the vehicle being out of gear. The recall remedy simply has the dealer install an out of park alarm.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

problem #34

Mar 282006

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,900 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle inadvertently shifts out of gear while in park. There is a NHTSA recall # 05V462000 concerning the automatic transmission on this vehicle, however the recall repair was not performed. The recall repair includes an out-of-park alarm, but this does not stop the transmission from shifting. The contact determined this would not correct the problem. The vehicle was not seen by a dealer.

- Lebanon, TN, USA

problem #33

Mar 252006

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,899 miles
I own a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 XLT and on 03 25 06 I put my truck in park motor running to get a ice chest on patio. Turned right back around and truck was gone. It was backing up hill still in park. I ran hollering to keep someone from getting hit. A maintenance man of the park jumped in and pushed the brake down with his hand it was still in park. While I turned the key off. Well a 100 yards later the whole left side of the truck was damaged as it ran into a park model trailer and damaged the right side of the park model home if looking from front. It damaged the side panels of the trailer while putting a large hole in it along with the skirting. And possibly moving the trailer to the left. I believe that this is a serious problem and needs something done. It was a miracle no one was hit as we live in a very active 55 plus community and live on one of the busiest streets in the park. I have had my truck in several times to get the ac fixed and it still is not right. I don't know if I should keep the vehicle or sell it. I was never notified of the problem. I had it in the dealership and they said nothing about it. I feel I have a lemon. Dodge needs to acknowledge the defects in there vehicles and fix them before someone else gets hurt. Enough is enough. Thank you

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #32

Feb 102006

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,265 miles

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

2004 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel pickup truck came out of park and went into reverse while running and started across parking lot with no one in the vehicle. Vehicle almost ran me over when it went into reverse. I had gotten out to move a cart. Dealership contacted, appointment scheduled to repair problem. Vehicle had popped out of park twice (2) before with engine off. Dealership was advised of both incidents and advised there were no recalls/safety bulletins.

- Manahawkin, NJ, USA

problem #31

Jan 232006

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle rolled backwards on two separate occasions after the vehicle was placed in park with the engine on. There was a NHTSA recall, # 05V462000, regarding the automatic transmission. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Terre Haute, IN, USA

problem #30

Dec 082005

Ram 2500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,800 miles
: the consumer stated the vehicle rolled backwards 30 seconds exiting the vehicle. There was a clicking noise as if the vehicle was attempting to shift into reverse. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05V462000, regarding the automatic transmission. The consumer experienced the same problem as indicated in the recall, however the vehicle identification number. The consumer attempted to stop the truck, but was injured in the process. Updated 02/27/06.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #29

Jun 302005

Ram 2500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
The contact states there is NHTSA recall campaign 05V462000 concerning the automatic transmission. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN. The consumer stopped the vehicle to rearrange items in the truck box when the vehicle started moving backwards. The consumer jumped from the truck box and tried to get inside the vehicle to bring it to a stop. The consumer was knocked down and the vehicle ran over his right knee injuring it. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. Updated 1/11/2006 -

- Dallas , TX, USA

problem #28

Sep 132005

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle jumps into reverse while transmission indicator light indicates it is in park.

- Georgetown, SC, USA

problem #27

Aug 292005

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,350 miles
I parked at a local gas station to go inside to pay. I left the truck running with it in park. After I was inside for approximately 30-45 seconds, the trucks gear shift slipped out of park and into reverse, causing the truck to run backwards, finally striking a gas pump and knocking it over. I was able to reach the truck and stop it before it went any further. I had my bumper replaced as it was damaged. There was a claim for approx $25,000 to replace the gas pump.

- Montgomery, TX, USA

problem #26

Oct 102005

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,220 miles
When truck was placed in "park" somehow it went into reverse and hit a post at the shopping center damaging the right side or the rear bumper. Also when truck is parked with engine idling there is a banging noise coming from underneath by the 4 wheel drive engage lever.

- Dunmore, PA, USA

problem #25

Sep 062005

Ram 2500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,998 miles
A few weeks ago we had to have the transmission "dropped" on our 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4. We bought this vehicle brand new last year so we were obviously surprised that we had to have something this extensive done so soon. My husband was leaving a house and put the truck in park to walk back and open the electronic gate. When he turned around the truck was rolling back at him. He managed to get his right leg up into the vehicle to try to reach up and put the truck in park. His leg was pinned between the door jamb and the electronic fence. Finally the fence gave way and collapsed. He was lucky that it did that or it would have cut his leg off at the knee. He was shocked at what happened. After seeing all the similar complaints on a website - and one death - I wanted to make my complaint also so that maybe Dodge will do something about it before more people get hurt. All I can think of is, "what if our 3 yr old had been there - she would be dead right now". I think it is unacceptable that Chrysler/Dodge knows of this problem but won't recall the vehicle. It is life-threatening. Please do something about it before more people are injured or killed.

- Clermont, FL, USA

problem #24

Aug 112005

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,500 miles
The consumer stated that 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 went into reverse by itself. The truck was parked and was idling. The consumer left the truck with his grand child in the back asleep. The truck knocked itself into reverse and ran across a parking lot and hit a sign and crashed. After the truck hit the sign it stopped but was still running. Resulted in $7,200 damage. The child was not hurt. The consumer left the truck in park and when he returned to the truck it was in reverse. And the child was still asleep. The child had not knocked the truck out of gear. A police report was taken gave no indication of the cause. The truck bent a water valve besides the sign with some property damage. The consumer was in shock over this incident. The consumer was contact by another car owner that faced a similar situation. The consumer had refectories of the accident. The consumer said that the truck is drivable and parked at his house. Someone from Dodge was suppose to come look at the truck.

- Watertown, TN, USA

problem #23

Feb 042005

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles
Without warning the vehicle came out of park. The consumer took it to the dealer and they said there was nothing wrong with it. 6 months ago the dealer said they could not duplicate the problem and they tried it and they could get into park. The consumer said it was sporadic. The consumer stated last night(July 24, 2005) he and his wife pulled up in front of his gate and he exited the vehicle to open the gate and the vehicle came out of park with his wife still in it and it ran into a ditch and then into his fence and was stopped by a tree. His wife was not hurt. The consumer will be calling the manufacturer after this call. This has happened more than 18 times.

- Greenville , TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?