2004 Dodge RAM 1500: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Aug 5, 2016 · Steering · 60,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle began to shake violently without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the tie rod assembly failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Apr 26, 2016 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the driver side lower ball joint fractured, which caused the wheel to collapse. The contact also noticed that the upper ball joint on the driver side was damaged due to the lower ball joint fracture. Prior to the failure, the contact stated that the passenger side upper ball joint fractured that caused the wheel to collapse. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed the upper ball joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The technician also diagnosed that the driver side upper and lower ball joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2015 · Steering, Transmission · 100,000 miles · ND

While driving down the road the left front headlight would give out at random times brought to dealer and was diagnosed as fcm (later found out by another mechanic that it was a loose connector at the tipm issue was also the same exact thing on our work truck a 2004 dodge ram 3500 dually). The main safety issue is with the power rack and pinion, it has given out twice on the road in heavy traffic, the fix the first time was a complete replacement of the power rack and pinion system. The second time, the replacement of inner tie rod seals. Another computer issue was brought in for loss of power to whole truck at random times, cruise control failing, power surges. Unit replaced twice in one year to correct the problem.

Filed Oct 1, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 120,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. While reversing the vehicle, the contact felt the steering wheel become constrictive and heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering unit failed and needed to be replaced. Also, the front lower ball joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Nov 17, 2014 · Steering · NJ

Tl* 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.

Filed Nov 27, 2013 · Brakes, Suspension · 37,900 miles · OH

While driving saturday, 11/23/2013, I noticed a vibration and humming noise coming from the front of my vehicle. Also, when I turned the car would croak or moan. I could tell something was wrong because my brake pedal became very spongy and had to be pressed in fully in order to stop the car. I began to head home with the truck as I did not want a safety hazard where I could not stop the vehicle. I also noticed that in order to steer straight, I had to hold my steering wheel approximately 30 degrees left. Upon getting the truck home I immediately saw my problem. My front passenger tire was sitting in the wheel well on an angle. Large amounts of smoke were pouring out of the undercarriage, and rubber goo was leaving a trail where I drove. I jacked the car and removed the wheel, and could see even more. My wheel hub assembly was separated and broken. This caused my tire to sit on the hub crooked and lean against my control arm. The heat from this friction was so intense that it melted my cv boot, which is why I had a rubber goo trail. It also melted the ABS sensor on the wheel hub itself. Causing my ABS to go out. The hub itself had a piece completely fallen off, as if a weld broke. The heat also warped my rotor, and cracked my brake pads in that side. Luckily, I did not have any wheel separation or total failure of the braking system, causing crash or injury. I was barely able to utilize braking and drive home at about 20mph with hazards on. The wheel hub assembly has been recalled in several year dodge ram 1500s, including 2004, 2006, and others, for bearing issues. However dodge claimed it was only a faulty part in 2wd applications. Now we know this is not true. I have a 4wd ram that had the hub assembly fail and a partial braking failure. I am out of room, but I have pictures of the parts broken on the car, and pictures of the removed parts as well.

Filed Nov 10, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 75,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed May 9, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 33,000 miles · FL

Tl* 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.

Filed Mar 22, 2013 · Suspension · NC

The upper and low ball joint is make noise . Does have no grease fiting.

Filed Sep 6, 2011 · Steering · 261,862 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. While driving 55 MPH there was a noise coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test stated the adjustment bolt for the tie rod clamp was missing. The dealer does not have the replacement parts#j0180077 in stock. The manufacturer was notified and referred her to two other dealers but the part was discontinued. The failure mileage was 261,862.

Filed Aug 4, 2011 · Steering · 88,700 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated the steering wheel was pulling while making a right or left turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test that located the failure on the front tie rod. The failure also caused the drivers side tires to wear severely and the steering wheel to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 88,700 and the current mileage was 89,104.

Filed Mar 30, 2010 · Steering · 66,000 miles · KS · crash · 1 injury

The power steering in my 2004 dodge ram 1500 locked up while switching lanes cause my vehicle to cross the road strike a electric pole then coming to a rest. The right side lower arm ball joint was found in the roadway.