2004 Dodge RAM 1500: loss of power steering

Filed Feb 17, 2020 · Transmission · 190,000 miles · NY

Was driving on the expressway, exited to a side road 30 MPH and heard an unusual whining coming from the rear end. Then bang! Wheels locked up, no power steering. Drive shaft disconnected at the rear of the truck. Had it towed to my house. Was very lucky this didn't happen two minutes earlier on the expressway or lives may have been lost.

Filed Apr 2, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · 172,000 miles · UT · crash

As I was driving on the freeway at 70 MPH, I heard a loud "smack!" before the engine stalled and I lost power steering and power brakes. Luckily, I'm pretty strong and was able to pull off to the shoulder. The engine would start but not turn over with 4 or 5 attempts. It started on the fifth or sixth try but would not idle. I was finally able to get it to start and on my way to the mechanic, I could tell something was broken in the engine. After inspecting the engine and looking into it, it's been determined that a valve spring broke and sent the valve through the piston and into the cylinder, effectively ceasing the engine while the vehicle traveled at freeway speeds.

Filed Jan 7, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 104,356 miles · CA

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.

Filed Dec 27, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 60,000 miles · CA

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).

Filed Dec 21, 2014 · Engine · 129,000 miles · OK

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.

Filed Aug 24, 2014 · Engine · 120,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Oct 29, 2013 · Steering · 175,000 miles · TN · crash

Tl* 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.

Filed Aug 5, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 24,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Jun 6, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 103,000 miles · IN

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.

Filed Jan 5, 2011 · Steering · 38,000 miles · AL

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..

Filed Dec 23, 2010 · Engine · 82,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500 quad. While driving at any speed, the contact noticed that the vehicle stalled after applying pressure to the brakes which caused the vehicle to lose power steering. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was informed and advised the contact that there were no recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was approximately 83,000. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Filed Apr 9, 2010 · Transmission · 84,450 miles · CO

Engine stalled while braking to turn left in a busy intersection. Lost power steering and brakes. Narrowly missed crashing into a light pole. The engine stalling occurred for the first time about three weeks ago. At that time it occurred twice in one week. Took the car to shop where spark plugs were replaced but the problem was not corrected. Engine stalled three times in thirty minutes today.