Problems with 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 STEERING

Engine stalls when driving at low speed and when in idle. this started happening approximately 3 years ago. check engine has never turned on.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that while driving out of the driveway, an abnormal squeaking noise occurred coming from the steering wheel. the contact also stated that when making turns, an abnormal scraping noise occurred coming from the steering wheel. there were no warning lights illuminated. in addition, the contact also stated that while the driver was at a stop light and to go the vehicle jerked, then failed to accelerate. the contact coasted to the side of the road powered off the engine. the vehicle was restarted and was able to drive normally. no warning lights illuminated. the contact called hayes chrysler dodge jeep ram of gainesville ((770) 535-2835, 3115 frontage rd, gainesville, ga 30504) where it was determined that the vin was not included in a recall. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 301,932.

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 dodge ram 1500. while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle veered into the other lane, spun around, drove into a ditch, and crashed into a tree. the contact was injured and received medical attention. the vehicle was destroyed and towed. a police report was filed. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 103,000. updated 01/06/17*lj consumer stated the rear axle broke and the right rear wheel broke off and was laying in the ditch by the truck! updated 7/12/18*jb

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. while driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel shook violently and the rear driver side tire shook. the vehicle began to spin and the contact could not gain control of the steering wheel. as a result, the contact crashed into a guardrail. a police report was filed. there were minor injuries, which required medical attention. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 155,000.

I own a 2004 dodge ram 1500 whenever it gets wet it shuts down and it starts by the steering getting hard then dash light ( check gage ) comes on then i'm a sitting duck and it won't move. i have had alot of work done by the garage as they said this and that was the issue $2,300 latter it still does the same issue. i'm lost and i know at least 15 other truck owners with the same issue .

15v-313 we have a 2004 dodge ram 1500 that has all the issues i've read on here for complaints. the wind shield wipers only work on the highest setting and when turned off stop wherever on the windshield when you turn the switch to shut them off, the engine seems to be leaking oil some place, have had to replace both front wheel hub assembelies, rear end has foam in the fluid, im guessing from reading this that my rear axel is about to fly out from underneath my teuck while driving by the way it sounds and slips, and now a recall on air bags. i fear everytime i drive behind the wheel of my truck and by the sounds of it after reading all these complaints that there is good reason to fear for my life. how many people have to die before something is done. these vehicles should not be made available to drive if there this dangerous. sounds like chrysler should be buying these trucks back so all there customers dont have to risk there lives driving down the road in a poor designed vehicle the produced. not sure why there allowed to keep them on the streets being so dangerous to drive. our truck has every problem that people have complained about on here but yet only has one recall when looked up by vin. why is that?

When ever it rains i can't drive as water splashes up under the truck from the road my check gage light comes on and then steering gets stiff and you can't turn the steering wheel . i had to have it towed 3 times to a garage and once it sat inside out of the rain and dryer out the wheel was able to turn. this has almost caused accidents and deaths as i couldn't steer and in 2 cases i had to stop in the middle of a freeway as i couldn't turn around the bend in the road .

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.

The truck stalls at stops and turns after fuel fill up

I recieved a letter stating a recall.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. while driving down a hill at 35 mph, the vehicle started to shake, pull to the left, and crashed into a tree. the air bags failed to deploy without warning. the driver sustained multiple injuries that required medical attention. a police report was filed. the vehicle was towed to a salvage yard, where the insurance company deemed the vehicle destroyed. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was not provided. ma 10/8 *cn

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.

Was driving in my neighborhood at approx. 20mph when the front end fell out onto the road.

Driving down the road at about 35 mph and all of a sudden i had no power to my brakes or steering and the engine stopped. i managed to pull over placed it in park and it started right up. all electrical components remained working at the time of the incident. this scenario has happened multiple times and is a major safety issue. on a different occasion i was sitting at stop light and it turned green took my foot off of the brake and pushed the accelerator the and the truck rolled backwards and almost hit the vehicle behind me since there was a slight decline towards the rear of the truck. again all electrical was fine, but the engine quit. for all scenarios i did not even know the engine stopped besides the brakes and steering had no power. the engine just simply stopped running,

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. *tr

Getting very hard to steer and wheel keeps locking up, feels loose, and sounds like it is breaking (grinding noises). *tr

Truck started squeaking then making a popping noise while turning in the driveway. the steering wheel makes a noise while turning. didn't know there was any recalls on this truck. i took it to the shop and the man said the wheel was about to come off. *tr

When i purchased this dodge ram 1500 hemi 5.7 it had a bad engine. after the engine was fixed, i notice the truck would just stop running or stall and no engine light. i would start it back up and it would kill at anytime i would slow down to turn or slow down to stop. this would happen 2 to 10 times a day. then not for a day or two. when i looked online there are a lot of people with this problem. the dealer is not fixing the problem. this can kill someone and i had to stop my son from using this truck. because i was afraid he would get killed or kill someone else. there should be a recall for this matter. updated 9/15/15 *ln.... updated 09/30/15*bf *cn

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.

Entering off the highway rt 95 felt vibration then caught the end of the curb trying to control it went into the grass, into a guard rail then also into a has sitters material danger with signs all over it building next to the tollbooth because it was slippery grass i could not stop then proceeded to somehow totaled two cars on the op. cit. side of the small building the park cars that were workers at the tollbooth it was an industrial park building and i want through i have yet to get any information nor got any type of response from chrysler dodge or anybody i have a missing tooth due to the accident it went to the hospital and i have a police report and hospital bills no rental bills and then on to work it's just terrible with no truck .. i'm sick over the whole thing and now pile of bills that i don't know what to do with i really prescient the new buyback you had done because none of myrecalls on my truck had gotten done please help.

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.

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. *tr

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). *tr

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.

Hub assembly failed and brakes gave out which allowed vehicle which resulted in crashing into a tree. *tr

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.

Vehicle stalls when slowing down for a stop sign, traffic or red light or when turning. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that an abnormal pop was heard as the front windshield sealant failed, causing the front windshield to detach from the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who referred the contact to a glass specialist. the vehicle was taken to the glass specialist who inspected the windshield and advised that the urethane sealant was not sticking to the glass. the entire windshield was replaced by the contact. the manufacturer was notified of the issue who stated that they would return his call within 24 hours. the failure mileage was 85,500. .... updated 02-20-13 *bf the consumer stated the steering column became loose and needed to be replaced. as well as the gear assembly, steering rack, gear shaft, fluid. the vehicle needed a front end alignment. updated 02/25/2013 *js

Noticed fluid on the ground under truck checked fluid ;added fluid; had system checked at local repair shop decided to keep adding fluid can not afford to have repair done at this time; the clamps and hoses seem to be loose but was also told about some "o" rings in the lines. *tr

Began to slow down for a traffic light and my truck stalled while moving almost causing me to rear end the person ahead of me since i lost all control of my brakes and power steering. from what i'm reading this had happened to many people with the same year, make and model vehicle without any type of recall and its too dangerous of a situation. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that power steering fluid leaked onto the rack and pinion. as a result, the steering wheel would become very hard to control when the failure occurred. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was confirmed that the rack and pinion was leaking. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 154,094. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the steering wheel seized without warning while making a turn. the failure was experienced several times. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 99,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge 1500. while driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver. the vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing where the technicians stated there was contamination in the power steering system and the steering system would have to be flushed. the technician also stated that the rack and pinion and the fuel pump would have to be replaced. the failure continued after the repair and caused the driver of the vehicle to be involved in a crash due to the steering wheel seizing abnormally. the police were called to the scene and a report was filed. three passengers sustained bruising and one passenger sustained a shoulder injury. the vehicle was destroyed and was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 122,450.

2004 dodge ram 1500 5.7l hemi will stop running while driving. the engine completely shuts off while the vehicle is driving and the steering locks up. i have had several close calls and am currently seeking help in this matter. this is an extremely dangerous problem. i've taken it to three mechanics who have replaced all the oxygen sensors, the mass air flow sensor, throttle body, egr valve, air intake filter and the crank shaft sensor. there seems to be no end to this and everyone is just shooting in the dark. the dealerships do not get a code when they hook up to the vehicle. i am in fear of my safety. i have found several other people on the internet with the same problem. *tr

Steering vibrations or shudders when maneuvering at low speeds, making turns etc. not consistently but intermittently seems to get worse with time. seems to only do it when in motion and not when at a stand still and turning wheels. *tr

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.

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.

Had just filled gas tank fifteen minutes earlier. driving on mountain rd. slowed for curve and engine quit, almost ran into logging truck headon. this has happened several times after fillup. once while driving 65 mph on freeway. slowed to let another vehicle in front of me and engine quite as soon as i touched the brakes. when i fill gas tank it usually die at first stop. does this until i have used up some of the gas. have asked dealer who sold the truck to me to look into this several times before i get killed. no response. i no longer drive that road just after fill up. have checked the internet and found that several 1500 ram owners have had the same problem. it will be like the ignition switch problem. people will have to get killed to get it fixed. *tr

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.. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. when the contact shifted into gear he applied the brake pedal and it extended to the floor. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the rubber flexible hydraulic hose line fitting failed which caused the brakes to fail. the dealer will replace the brake flexible line . in june of 2010 when the vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine maintenance they stated that the parking brake cable corroded and caused the parking brake to fail. the dealer cleaned and released the parking brake. he also experienced failure with the power steering hydraulic hose leaking; however, the dealer placed the hose clamp in order to stop the leaking. the failure and current mileages were 70,000. updated 1/19/2010 *cn updated 03/28/11

Steering rack leaks severly. *tr

2004 dodge ram 1500 slt hemi rack blowing seals this is going to kill someone 3 in 15000 miles i hope my wife is not driving with my son it is impossible to steer when this happens............ this problem is well know why is it not fixed its also very expensive. *tr

I have a 2004 dodge ram 1500 4x4 regular cab pickup w/ 20" wheels & oem goodyear wrangler hp tiers 5.7 hemi. vehicle is 100% stock and unmodified and maintained meticulously. at random intervals on the highway between 60 & 65 mph. the vehicle will abruptly develop a massive shaking sensation. violent enough to make it feel like it may loose control or have a flat tire. then if you slow down the truck ride smoothes as glass and will be fine till it starts to build again, or a bump sets it off. this problem is well known throwout the internet and commonly called "death wobble". this condition seems to affect primarily ram 1500-2500 from 2003-2008. *tr

I was traveling 70mph on interstate 70west and my front passenger side tire rim and axle came off my 2004 dodge 1500 quad cab pick up there is only 80 plus thousand miles. it tore up my front fender and door. i did not hit anything in the road. there was no warning of a problem, except that my cruise control kick off and would not reset. than my brake warning and abs warming lights came on about 2 mins later my steering started to shimmy and than wheel assemble came off. i was lucky the vehicle did not grab and flip. i was able to get to side of road safely. *tr

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. *tr

I bought a 2004 dodge 1500 a month ago. the truck has been good till yesterday when i was going to pickup my son when the power steering was not working. took it into dealership $1400 for new rack and pinion. if i am still lucky it will not be a pump as well. truck had 162460km when i bought it and has 163496km now. the thought of a clear safety on the truck and just over 1000km put on it and the rack and pinion needing to be replaced is not looking good for the dealership. just wanted to let people know that this issue continues. *tr

Braking on the highway led to engine stall and full loss of power to vehicle. vehicle stalled in left lane and nearly caused a crash. also, rack and pinion steering began to fail at 50,000 miles. replaced at 54,000. *tr

Excessive play on steering wheel i have a 2004 stl dodge ram 1500 5.7 hemi engine on it since i bough this truck i noticed some play on steering wheel which getting worst as you driving making almost at some point loosing control is not responsive when steering the vehicle. i have a truck check up but can't find a problem truck has only 36,000 miles this is a safety issued i hope dodge can do something about it. *tr

Serious shake in steering and ability to control steering. *tr

Http://www.carcomplaints.com/dodge/ram_1500/2002/steering/rack_and_pinion_failure.shtml consider this a safety defect lost steering while driving and also a manufacturer defect that chrysler lcc is not standing behind. please go to the website above and see all the common complaints. i believe this is a known problem not being addressed by dodge or by pressure of the nhtsa to have dodge reimburse and recall this common problem. if chrysler is going to ask for a bailout then they need to use some of our money to make this right with the american public and nhtsa needs to pressure them to get this safety, poor engineering problem fixed! i filed with bbb of auburn hills, mi. they only look at warranty issues. vehicles should not have their power steering and rack and pinion going out at 36k miles! chevy, ford, nissan, toyota doesn't! look at the website complaints and do your job nhtsa...i am forwarding this onto the us attorney general's office. maybe with a new vision and new president we can start fixing these problems and start helping the people who help fund all these government organizations and government in general..if i sound '!@#$% yes i am...i cannot afford to pay $800 to fix something that shouldn't be going out and i have two 2004 ram 1500s and both have this problem? not a coincidence...jack blair . *tr