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2004 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission complaints

Page 5 of 7: complaints 101 to 130 of 181, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Mar 1, 2015 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · FL · crash

Vehicle was traveling down a 4 lane main thoroughfare in medium traffic when the rear end locked up and exploded. Driver was lucky enough to gain control of the vehicle and bring it to a stop without injury or crashing into another vehicle. Although the vehicle is a 2004, it was manufactured with in the same time frame as the 2005 p77 recall for the same issue.

Filed Feb 28, 2015 · Transmission · 157,506 miles · IN

The federal safety agency action number: pe14019 recall p77 driving on the interstate when decelerating the rear end of truck violently started shaking. Under a constant speed shaking stopped. Took an exit to a county road where the truck shook violently again and the drive shaft came off the truck at about 45mph. Towed truck to mechanic who said the pinion nut came loose allowing the gear to fall into rear differential which caused drive shaft to fall off and shatter the transfer casing. Had this happened at interstate speed the drive shaft flying into a vehicle behind me could have been deadly. The is already a recall for the 2005 model referenced above. Called chrysler, who said that my truck is not affected by this recall, even though the exact same problem occurred? I believe this recall affects more than just 2005 model rams and needs to be readdressed to multiple years.

Filed Feb 23, 2015 · Transmission · 140,838 miles · OH

On my way to work when I heard a pop, lost all power and saw my drive shaft on the ground behind me. I had to pull over and had no way to keep the truck from rolling away. I had to remain inside my vehicle until help arrived. This is definitely a safety issue. I am lucky I didn't completely lose control when it happened and that I wasn't hit when I had to sit on the side of the highway inside my broken down truck. I see there are multiple incidents similar involving my year truck, yet dodge has only recalled the 2005 model. My truck was manufactured december 30, 2003.

Filed Feb 19, 2015 · Transmission · 211,000 miles · AL

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the drive shaft failed causing the rear wheels to seize. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 211,000.

Filed Feb 16, 2015 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · CA

Driving downhill on the hwy 5 going north just before grapevine at 70 MPH. I heard a loud bang and then noticed I had lost all drive as the throttle was just revving. Had to move very quickly from the speed lane over the right shoulder barely missing 18 wheelers coming down hill. Coasted on the shoulder downhill all the way into grapevine and into a parking lot. I looked under the truck and the entire rear drive shaft was missing as was part of the yoke that comes out of the differential that connects to the final shaft. Had to tow 100 miles back to los angeles. Complete rear axle/differential and shaft replaced.

Filed Feb 2, 2015 · Transmission · 100,324 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, smoke started to emit from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle began to shake and wobble before abruptly stopping. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear driveshaft fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,324. Updated 10/20/2015

Filed Jan 26, 2015 · Suspension, Transmission · 125,612 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, a loud grinding noise emitted from underneath the truck as smoke started to come out of the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road and upon inspection by the contact, it was noticed that the drive shaft was hanging loose. The contact mentioned that there were two puddles of oil and the drive shaft was bent. The vehicle became inoperative. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle was damaged and that the pinion nut came loose. The dealer determined that the rear axle and the carrier of the axle needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v796000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included on the campaign. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,612. Updated 8/10/15

Filed Dec 28, 2014 · Transmission · 59,618 miles · IN

While driving 65mph down a 3 lane highway, I heard a humming noise. I pulled over to the side of the road. I looked under the truck. The rear of my drive shaft was laying on the ground. Had it towed to a repair shop (cost $133.59). Repair shop had to make repairs to the rear axle housing/differential (cost $3,543.48). Total cost with tow bill $3677.07.

Filed Dec 22, 2014 · Transmission · 121,355 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, a grinding noise was heard and a burning oil odor entered the cabin. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear axle pinion became loose. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v796000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,355.

Filed Dec 22, 2014 · Transmission · 117,957 miles · SC

Pulling up to stop sign traveling about 5-10 MPH. Drive shaft fell out and rear end locked up. Had vehicle towed to shop and total bill was over 1200.00 including tow. Has other dodge rams had this problem.

Filed Dec 13, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · 154,681 miles · NV

Truck lost all power, throttle lamp blinking. Stalled on roadway, would start but would not give throttle to move the truck. Turned key off then back on a few times and would let me apply throttle for a few seconds, then back to no power. I did this a few times just to get off the roadway. There is no throttle cable so it is a computer control problem.

Filed Sep 3, 2014 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · WA

I was driving and was hearing a whining noise from the rear differential. I took it in for a service. During the service the shop found a chipped tooth so because the truck was under warranty the shop was nice and only charged me the time to pull the cover. I took it to a loyal dealer and it took a week to fix because I was needing my vehicle to go on a planned vacation the next week. Then at 73000 and a year later the trucks diff started to make a whining noise again and I called the local dealer again and they told me that I was out of warranty and it was going to cost me $2600.00. So I called around and 4 wheel drive parts gave me a better price so I had them change the gear ratio (4.56) and put an after market lsd (auburn locker) and now I am schedule to take the truck in again because it is making noise again at 95777 miles.just sick of the problem and not looking forward to the possibility of the diff seizing and putting my family in danger or possible death. $ wheel drive parts told me that the chyrsler 9.25 diff is a very bad diff and they recommended me to switch it out to a dana 60 because that is the diff the 3/4 ton have and never have a problem. Just cost to make the switch is very expensive. I like the truck just not this weak spot in the vehicle.

Filed Mar 3, 2014 · Suspension, Transmission · 119,000 miles · ME

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram1500. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, a loud noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The contact later discovered that the rear shaft had become separated from the vehicle due a failed to pinion nut, which also caused the rear brakes to seize. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home and was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The current and failure mileage was 119,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2014 · Transmission · 89,000 miles · NC

While driving on interstate at 65mph red lightning bolt light on dash starts flashing and truck stalls, it was almost impossible to steer and brake the vehicle safely to get off road, this was very dangerous situation with other passengers. Called dealer, they cant offer any inside to problem without vehicle at shop to read codes, no codes shown and vehicle can not be drivin, $40,000 for 89000 miles.

Filed Dec 10, 2013 · Transmission · 218,000 miles · NJ

I was driving to work when my 2004 dodge ram 1500 started making a whining noise so I drove directly to my mechanic approx 15 mile drive. The noise got progressively worse turning to a grinding noise about two miles from the mech. When I was slowing to make my turn into the mechanic's driveway the rear axle assembly locked up and dropped the drive shaft. Had I been driving at a faster rate of speed this would of been serious, possibly causing driver injury.

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 Oct 23, 2013 · Transmission · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed that the floor shifter had become detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated there was not a recall for the vehicle. The failure mileage and VIN were unavailable.

Filed Sep 18, 2013 · Transmission · 228,000 miles · NC

As I was driving down the interstate I began to hear a noise in the rear end of my ram 1500 pickup truck. I moved over to the right hand lane traveling interstate speed between 65 and 70 miles per hour when the drive shaft of the truck came loose from the rear axle of my vehicle. I contacted my father which is a mechanic and told him what had happened and he informed me that he received a letter from dodge about a warranty recall for the bolts backing off that hold the drive shaft. I pulled the drive shaft out from under the truck and put my finger into the hole where the pin fits and the nut was still there and it had backed off the pin. When I contacted the dealership and showed them a picture the service tech's response was "[xxx]" we will get it towed in and fix it. Apparently he didn't realize it was an older truck but you would think that if the drive shaft was different on the newer trucks and older trucks wouldn't you be able to tell the difference? Fortunately no one was hurt but I am out almost 2,000.00 bucks. I could understand if the bearings went out but dodge has a recall on this same issue and this failure put me and my family in danger. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr ...updated 01/07/15

Filed Sep 10, 2013 · Transmission · 190,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while traveling 50 MPH, the vehicle vibrated violently and the rear wheels seized. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Sep 5, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 139,995 miles · NV

I have a 2004 dodge ram 1500 crew cab 5.7l hemi 2wd and it continues to stall every now and then at low speeds or at a complete stop. Vehicle will start right up with no problem but battery gauge takes a few seconds to rise to operating levels. Transmission also feels like it wants to slip at time of stall. Had engine and trans changed, battery and alternator checked out okay as well. Did some research and found that a lot of incidents happen after vehicle transmission ha been serviced or transmission fluid is low; other individuals who have experienced this problem have said they had the erg valve, tps sensor, map sensor and even software. I don't know what the problem is but you end up spending hundreds of dollars trying to figure this out. I don't know why chrysler doesn't address this issue.

Filed Jul 29, 2013 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · PA

I now having problems with rear end for the 4th time since I got this truck. I paid to have repaired first time. 3 months later it went again. Dodge dealer gave hard time but they found it defective again. Fixed. Only a year and 1/2 later it is going again. I only put 18000 miles on this last one. I need to know what can be done to fix the rear in my ram truck. It is too expensive to pay out of my pocket. 4 times? Never had that with a ford. Problem is I need the truck and fixed income and can't pay dealers to keep fixing the rear. Help. I need to know if there is anything I can do about this problem as it goes back to shop on july 31. The dodge people say I am out of any warranty. I can't afford a new truck either. The dates listed is close to when this last issue started. It does not reflect back when the others first started but about 2 or 3 years now since first rear went.

Filed Mar 10, 2013 · Electrical, Suspension · 75,500 miles · CA

I was driving at freeway speed, around 70 MPH. Suddenly, I heard a noise from the rear of the truck and I noticed my speedometer went to zero. I was still moving at the same speed. The fault code identified a failure in the speed sensor in the rear differential. I was out of warranty, so I pulled the differential cover off and found what was left of the speed sensor in the bottom of the housing. I also found pieces of what was later identified as c clips from my lsd clutch assembly. The inductive portion of the speed sensor protrudes into the differential housing and was hit by the flying pieces of c clips. The carrier bearing also had a grove cut into it by these clips as they worked their way out. I am told that if I had not caught this, it would have resulted in carrier bearing failure and lock up of my rear axle. I removed all of the metal c clip pieces and removed the remaining c clips that had not yet fallen out. I don't know if there is any connection, but my left rear leaf spring cracked in half on the lower main leaf. I had to replace the spring assembly at my cost. I now have a permanent whine at low speeds and currently have 125,000 miles on my truck. I am certainly glad that I found these metal pieces when I did! There appears to be many complaints regarding this failure in my truck model, ranging from model years 2003 through 2006 ram 1500 equipped with the 5.7 hemi. At this time, chrysler has not acknowledged the patterned failures in these rear differentials.

Filed Aug 27, 2011 · Transmission · 44,000 miles · WA

While driving on the interstate, I heard a pop and saw smoke coming out of my truck. Waiting for the tow, I noticed that the transfer case housing had cracked and had spewed oil all over the bottom of the truck causing the smoke. After some research I found that the 2004 dodge ram 1500 4x4 (my truck) had been recalled because the transfer case on a possible 500+ vehicles had not been torqued properly. The federal safety agency summary states "this could cause the transmission adapter or transfer case housing to crack and leak fluid". The campaign id number is 03v503000. According to chrysler the range of vins involved is 4j116316 through 4j174991. My vehicle, being 4956, is inside this range, but was not was not listed by chrysler (I'm assuming because it was one of the vehicles that had "already been inspected or repaired"). It seems more than coincidence to me that my truck was made in the same plant, in the same lot and inside the same VIN range, and exhibited the same symptoms (a cracked transfer case housing), but chrysler customer service maintains that my VIN is not included in the recall. I am currently facing more than $2k in repairs for a pickup truck with only 44k miles on it and it is a direct result of chrysler allowing this vehicle to slip through the cracks with safety recall no. C39. My vehicle has obviously not been "inspected or repaired", and chrysler needs to make it right.

Filed Aug 9, 2011 · Transmission · 59,200 miles · NV

Engine stalls upon breaking. This is an intermittent problem. Loss of complete power going 45 MPH , all 4 breaks locked up on there own, vehicle restarted on it's own. Sometimes does not want to restart. Check engine light does not come on , nor throw codes. Over the past 3 years this has happened apx 50 times. No warning leading up to complete loss of power. Parts already replaced include: fuel pump, crankshaft position sensor and ignition switch. None of which have resolved the issue.

Filed Jun 20, 2011 · Transmission · 64,950 miles · NJ

Driving down road and felt and heard a loud bang under truck . Emergency brake and ABS lites came on and speedometer stopped working. Immediatly went to the garage to have it checked. Mechanic told me that the speed senser was broken and gear oil was leaking from the senser. When he removed the speed senser he noticed that the under side was distroyed. He then removed the differential cover and found that the retaining clips had come out and destroyed the differential unit. The differential unit and bearings were replaced with new dodge parts.

Filed Mar 8, 2011 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. The contact was traveling 35 MPH when the vehicle began exhibiting an abnormal grinding. The vehicle was towed to their mechanic where the contact was informed that the rear differential was failing. The dealer was contacted and advised that the failure was common for his year, make and model between 75,000 and 100,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 93,000.

Filed Jan 10, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 78,000 miles · DC

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 drop in rpms to approximately 400 RPM before engine dies. Issue seems to be more common when engine is cold, but has occured under all conditions. This has been a persistent problem for about 1.5 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 . This is an expensive, dangerous, and frustrating condition. Having 3 kids in the car at any given time also adds to my frustration.

Filed Dec 20, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · 50,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Dec 10, 2010 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · IL

The rear end/differential blew out on my 2004 dodge ram 1500 and is causing me to miss work and having to rent a car. My truck has 74000 miles on it is just out of the power warranty. My family needs/depends on this vehicle to get to work and around town. Can not afford the repair bills. I am currently (fighting) chrysler warranty department please help!

Filed Jul 2, 2010 · Transmission · 38,000 miles · NV

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. While driving various speeds, the contact heard a rattling sound underneath the vehicle. The contact had previously driven on a rock and dirt filled road. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the flex plate in the transmission and the bolts in the torque converter were replaced. The failure mileage was 38,000 was and the current mileage was 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.

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