The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced transmission failure, and the brake lines were rusted. The contact was trapped in the desert for hours with his dog. The contact stated that two independent mechanics had determined that the idler pulley needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that six injectors and the ECM needed to be rebuilt. While driving, the vehicle went into the death wobble, and several linkages were damaged. Additionally, the front seat belts were inoperable with the seat belt warning light illuminated. The vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was repaired under warranty previously, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 228,510.
2004 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission problems
181 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 120,000. 13 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 181
- of this car's complaints
- 16%
- typical mileage
- 120,000
- crashes
- 13
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission17
- Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)9
- Driveline: differential unit8
- Driveline8
- Driveline: driveshaft6
- Axle assembly: axle shaft4
- Axle assembly4
- Transfer case (4-wheel drive)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Dodge RAM 1500 transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks, the transfer case to transmission attaching fasteners may not be tightened correctly. This could cause the transmission adapter or transfer case housing to crack and leak fluid.
- Risk
- Continued operation can result in propeller shaft separation and damage to fuel system components, which could lead to a fuel leak. Fluid and/or fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can cause an underbody fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will retighten the transfer case to transmission fasteners. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑992‑1997.
Recall number 03V503000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Engine stall
Analysis of the complaint, field report and warranty data shows that the majority of stalling incidents in the subject vehicles appear to be related to the engine calibration concerns that daimlerchrysler addressed with service bulletins releasing revised PCM software.analysis of the complaints and odi's survey of owners of vehicles that received engine management software updates under tsb #18-013-05 show that these stalling incidents have the following characteristics: - they occur at low speeds, often during parking lot ordriveway maneuvers; - they occur during decelerations, such as braking for a stop sign or traffic signal; and - the operator is almost always able to immediately restart the vehicle.when compared with other safety defect investigations and recalls of conditions that result in stalling during low-speed deceleration with immediate engine restart possible, the failure rate in the subject vehicles is low.analyses of complaint and warranty data also show a declining trend.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.see document file for additional information regarding this resume.
EA05018
Engine stall
On may 16, 2005,odi opened preliminary evaluation pe05-027 to investigate complaints of engine stalling in model year 2004-05 dodge durango suvs and ram 1500 series pickups equipped with the 5.7l v8 engine.information provided by daimlerchrysler during pe05-027 indicated that a large percentage of the complaints are related to an idle undershoot condition that may cause the engine to stall during turning maneuvers.in february 2005, daimlerchrysler revised the powertrain control module software in production vehicles and issued a technical service bulletin (tsb 18-013-05) releasing the new software as a service remedy for the idle undershoot condition.the bulletin was superceded by tsb 18-013-05a in april 2005.daimlerchrysler believes that the failure rate for stalling while driving due to the idle undershoot condition is low and that the bulletin has adequately addressed the problem. Since pe05-027 was opened, odi has continued to receive complaints from owners of the subject vehicles who allege experiencing engine stall incidents under all types of driving conditions.in some instances the stalling has continued after the vehicle received the service bulletin repairs.this investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea05-018) to further assess the scope, frequency, and safety consequences of the alleged defect in dodge durango and ram 1500/2500/3500 series pickup trucks.
PE05027
What 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was driving to work that morning traveling about 40 into the city when all of a sudden I heard a loud noise, I barely could handle the steering wheel to coast it to the side before it came to a complete hault, I look out my window and my drive shaft broke in 2 pieces was passing me on the main road. Front end was on the side shoulder, back end was out in the road. I jumped out of the truck and grabbed up both ends of my drive shafts and put in the back of my 04 dodge ram truck, then started directing traffic on this busy road of morning commuters. Fluid was everywhere on the road so I'm trying to put sand from the side of the road onto the fluid that was on the road that had leaked out my truck all while directing traffic to keep from creating an accident. An law officer came ask was I alright, I answered explained what had happened and he never took a report instead replied with "Seems like you got everything handled" and got back in his car and drove off. I called for a tow service for their assistance and requested it be took to a shop. Where it now sits unrivaled. It was inspected by the mechanic and learned that the pinyin nut had came off cause my rear end to lock up which caused my drive shaft to come out and when it hit broke it smooth into 2 pieces that caused damage to my transmission case. This could have ended very badly for me that day, I'm thankful that it didn't. But now my truck is tore up do to a faulty manufacturers pinyin nut. And I need my truck fixed so I can work and support my family. This was not my doings. I love my truck very much and desperately need it back up and running
The driveline driveshaft fell out there’s a pinion nut that came loose and suddenly locked my rear end up without warning. Cant move it
MY NAME IS [XXX] I PURCHASED MY 2004 1500 Dodge Ram7 yrs. ago From A Private Owner Not knowing it was a Lemon Due To Transmission Problem That’s Why I’M Unable To Drive It To Get The Airbag Fix Of The Recall I Read On Line Today That The Main Problem Is A Defective TORQUE CONVERTERS THAT ARE NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY CAUSED BY SHIFTING WHICH ITS THE PROBLEM WE ARE HAVING I SAW IT WAS POSTED ON LINE AUGUST 22019 I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX SOMEONE ELSIE MANUFACTURE PROBLEMS PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION OF WHAT CAN BE DONE MY TRUCK STILL HAVE VA.Tags And Insurance On It But I Cannot Drive It[XXX] home [XXX] cell [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I was driving from Colorado to Indiana and all the sudden I heard a noise so I pulled over to the right side of the road. When a man came across the median and got a fire extinguisher from his truck and stated for me and my 3 dogs to get out because my truck was on fire. He stated that the driver shaft was on fire with flames by my gas tank.
The contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that upon looking underneath the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a crack in the middle of the transmission. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact was relating this issue to an unknown recall. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000
The pinion nut has loosened up and that caused the driveshaft to become unstable and it has caused problems that have to be changed such as (crush slave, inner and outer bearings,spacers, and pinion nut) all have to be replaced. This same issue happened to the 2005 dodge ram and they recalled those trucks just not the year of mine. I was driving my truck when this happened and it could have been extremely dangerous for my family and I and others on the road way if the driveshaft became unattached or the rear-end locked up on me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the rear pinion nut loosened while driving at 35 MPH, which caused the drive shaft to detach from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was repaired. The contact called jeff d'ambrosio dodge chrysler jeep downingtown (1221 e lancaster ave, downingtown, pa 19335) where he was informed that there were no recalls on his vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was 274,000.
We were driving on the highway 55 MPH and heard a noise while exiting and we thought we hit a large hole. Before we reached the end of the off ramp traveling at approximately 50 MPH but giving the truck some gas to accelerate we heard a very loud pop and it felt like something hit the bottom of the truck.we pulled off to side and checked under the truck to see the slip yolk and u joint of the driveline were broken and the flange nut on rear end was backed off and the rear end was shattered. Also the fuel vapor recovery lines were broke from the slip yolk and u joint breaking. Is this issue related to recall number 14v79600
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.
Questions about the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission
Does the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 181 complaints about the transmission of the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500, 16% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 120,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 03V503000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Dodge RAM 1500 have bad transmission?
The Dodge RAM 1500 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2005 (595 complaints), 2009 (231 complaints) and 2010 (229 complaints).
Other 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 problems
Airbags 368Engine 190Electrical 99Steering 86Suspension 66Fuel system 62Brakes 53Body 50Lights 29Acceleration 26Wheels 25Visibility 20Tires 19Locks 11Seat belts 10Seats 4Driver assistance 1
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