Have to use force to engage clutch to start vehicle. The vehicle was stationary with a trailer attached. Unable to turn off vehicle when fueling due to probability that it would not start. Tried jumper cables without success. After stomping clutch several times vehicle started.
2004 Dodge RAM 3500 electrical problems
15 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 93,500. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 93,500
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Ignition1
- Horn1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Dodge RAM 3500 electrical problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
On December 16, 2104, Chrysler Group LLC submitted a Safety Recall Report to the federal safety agency describing a defect in the clutch ignition interlock switches in approximately 66,819 model year (MY) 2006 through early-2007 Dodge Ram Trucks, Dodge Dakota, and Mitsubishi Raider vehicles equipped with manual transmissions and built between July 1, 2005 and July 31, 2006 (the federal safety agency Recall No. 14V‑795, Chrysler Recall No. P80), including 38,969 MY 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles that are part of the subject vehicle population for PE14-013.Chrysler's Safety Report states that:1) the clutch ignition interlock switch return springs may experience fatigue failure due to material issues; 2) if the return springs are broken, the switch contacts may not reflect actual clutch pedal position; and 3) the failures could result in a vehicle experiencing unintended movement if the ignition is cranked when the clutch pedal is not being pressed.Chrysler's recall remedy will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch on all affected vehicles with a switch with a more robust design.On May 19, 2014, ODI opened PE14-013 to investigate clutch ignition interlock failure in MY 2004 through 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks with manual transmissions, based on two MY 2006 complaints and one MY 2004 complaint.One of the MY 2006 complaints involved a fatality that occurred when a young child was able to start a MY 2006 Ram 3500 truck that was parked with the transmission in gear, without depressing the clutch.The diesel engine started and the vehicle moved forward under power running over another child resulting in fatal injuries.ODI's analysis of failure data from all sources identified a total of 14 complaints and 16 warranty claims for the subject vehicles.Thirteen (13) of the complaints and all 16 warranty claims were for the 38,969 MY 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks that were included in 14V‑795.The single complaint that was outside the scope of Chrysler's recall was the MY 2004 ODI complaint identified in the opening resume for PE14-013.Further analysis of this incident indicates that the cause of the clutch switch failure in this vehicle was spring damage caused by hydraulic fluid leakage from the clutch master cylinder into the switch.The field data did not show any other similar incidents of switch failures caused by clutch master cylinder leakage. This investigation is closed based on Chrysler's recall.
PE14013
What 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Driver's door lock actuator quit working, key would not open no entrance by key fob. Had to have it replaced.car was stationary when discovered.
My 2004 dodge ram 3500 will go out of park and into reverse on its own and I was not told that this is an ongoing problem with this particular truck my truck went on its own one day over 250 feet and drove into my neighbors yard. The truck parking pawl was not completely in as I was told and this truck has the ability to do it on its own I find this unacceptable and a hazard to my health as long with my neighbors. Could you please look into this because there was not a recall sent to me or anything told to me when I purchased this from the chrysler dodge at the dealer I believe that people need to know what they're getting into and possible hazards that are linked to this could you please email me back with any information on this problem. *tt
I"m having problems,with the dodge ram 3500 truck , front suspension had to be repaired, fuel/propulsion system. Still having electrical problems, inside light stays on while vechicle is in motion. Looses power at time going up hills.
I was heading south on I-87 in new york state at 65 MPH when a loud explosion sounding like a grenade going off occurred under the floorboards. My passenger and I thought the parts under the truck were going to explode through the floorboards under us. There was a lot of noise of exploding parts. I was barely able to cost to the side of the highway. There was a great deal of oil on the pavement, wires were hanging under the truck, fuel lines and brake lines were ripped, driveshaft damaged. I noticed then that the dashboard 4 wheel drive light had come on, the front hazard lights worked but not the rear. I believe that this was the result of one of two things...a factory defect in the transfer case clutch or a computer system glitch that caused the truck to switch into 4 wd at high speed. This was a life threatening situation and I was lucky not to be involved in a serious accident and that the parts did not burst through the bottom of the truck although they dented it.
Trailer turn signals & brake (left) not working on factory 7 prong trailer adapter, truck indicator is ok, no signal to "left" in the wiring loom from the pdc/fmc to the factory 7 prong trailer adapter. (0 voltage), right turn, right brake, running, trailer brake & battery charge are fine. Dealer wants 1000$+ to fix/replace a defective pdc/fmc. Had not I done a walk around this could/would of caused an accident if I was making a "left" turn, merging or slowing down/stopping.. Bulbs are all good and independently checked with a 12v power source.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that the right turn signal and the brake lights were inoperable however, the tail lights were functional. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was determined that the fuses were not defective however, the vehicle had a seven pull connecter for hauling a trailer and the dealer suggested that the fuse board be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage and current mileages were 102,000.
When placing the turn signal in the lower position to make a left turn signal the right signal will come on. Some times nether will come on when lever placed in the right turn position. Some times left turn lights come on when the lever is placed in the right signal position.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 3500. The contact was driving approximately 20 MPH on normal road conditions when the heater system was activated; however, the blower fan failed without warning. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The failure was contributed to the steering column wiring harness. The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunction. The contact had concern of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 172,000. Updated 01/29/10. *lj the bad connection at the ignition switch was causing an arc and burning the installation at the end of the wire harness . The problem was causing the blower fan to fail intermittently. Updated 01/29/10 updated 03/30/10 *bf updated09/28/10
On a 2004 dodge truck when you hook up a trailer you may not have brake or turn signals on trailer but truck works fine due to a intergraded fuse box assy yes there are fuses that show good but the fuse box internal will short out dodge has several problems and some fires .
Questions about the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 electrical
Does the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the electrical of the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500, 7% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 93,500 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 electrical?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Dodge RAM 3500 have the most electrical problems?
The Dodge RAM 3500 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2006 (53 complaints), 2012 (45 complaints) and 2007 (24 complaints).
Other 2004 Dodge RAM 3500 problems
Transmission 64Airbags 43Steering 41Suspension 25Visibility 15Fuel system 13Body 9Brakes 8Engine 8Lights 7Tires 5Acceleration 4Seat belts 2Wheels 2Locks 1
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