Problems with 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 STRUCTURE

Airbags recall when to have it checki and the dash board broke apart like peanut brittle. theay said they could not replace the dash board. *bf the consumer stated while performing the airbag recall the dashboard broke apart. the dealer would not repair the dashboard. also the cargo light caught fire and damaged the headliner.*js

My truck dash top part started cracking out, at first it had just a small crack on the passenger side and now after driving for couple weeks in a daily basis (i drive less than 30 miles total per day) it just keeps cracking all over. i had before a 2001 dodge ram and this happend to it also, that you could actually see holes through it.....

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. while driving approximately 20 mph, the driveshaft detached from the rear of the vehicle without warning and the rear axle locked up. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the pinion nut detached from the vehicle. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign number: 14v796000 (power train). the manufacturer was notified. the approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, there was an abnormally loud noise and the vehicle slid down the road. the contact noticed smoke near the rear end of the vehicle. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the contact also received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags). the failure mileage was 150,000. vin tool confirms parts not available.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that while driving at a low speed and approaching a stop light, the front driver side wheel bearing seized and fractured. the front fender was damaged, the driver side hub assembly, and the front driver side tire were destroyed during the failure. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 71,000. parts distribution disconnect.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the vehicle experienced severe corrosion. the vehicle was taken to an unknown ford dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame would need to be replaced. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that nhtsa campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable time for the recall repair. the contact received the recall notification over five months ago. the dealer continued to state that the parts were not available. the contact also stated that the dashboard was cracked and exposed the air bags. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 60,000. vin tool confirms parts not available.

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 dodge ram 1500. while driving approximately 35 mph to exit the highway, the rear driver side tire completely fractured. the vehicle spun around and crashed into a wall. the vehicle was destroyed. none of the air bags deployed. a police report was not filed and there were no injuries. the contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that there was extensive rust and corrosion on the frame. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then towed to a repair shop. the manufacturer was not notified. the vin and failure mileage were not available.

There is extreme rust out on my dodge ram above the rear wheel well. this is on the box of the truck. the dodge trucks are rusting from the inside out. there is foam material behind the body. once this material gets damp or wet, it starts rusting the vehicles from the inside out. my truck only has 82,000 miles and is rusted completely thru the outer metal. this is weakening the integrity of the body. i did talk to a body shop and they have to cut the body, remove the foam and rust and weld a new patch panel in place. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the dashboard was cracked and entered into the air conditioning system. due to the failure, when the air conditioning unit was activated, the dashboard debris entered into the contact's eyes while driving. the failure recurred multiple times. the dealer informed the contact that the failure was common, but it could not be duplicated. the manufacturer was notified of the failure, but could not assist. the approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

2004 dodge ram. consumer writes in regards to vehicle mechanical and dealership service department repair issues. *smd the consumer stated he experienced a non-constant shake or tremble and self-braking, with a loss of power and the inability to be controlled, both when hauling horses and without any tow. the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. *jb

Oncoming vehicle lost control came across 4 lanes to hit front of truck. dodge is totaled but air bags did not deploy. i contacted dodge to have them check them out and was told, first a special task force would come check the airbags and we would be compensated, then later was told due to the age and mileage of my truck they wouldn't but i could take it to a dodge dealership and see if they would run the test at my expense. dodge didn't seem to care why air bags didn't go off since the truck is 10 years old. *tr

Another single driver vehicle ran a stop sign and the single driver dodge hit the driver's door directly and deployed both front air bags and totaled both vehicles. the drivers air bag launched metal into the left wrist and forearm of the driver while his hands were in the 10 and 2 o'clock steering wheel positions. the left wrist lacerations and large hematoma required hospital care and left scars. the driver also suffered lower back damage requiring surgery. the truck was totaled in january 2014 and sent for salvage. on december 15, 2014 i received a chrysler safety recall (p40/nhtsa 14v-354) on the air bag inflators of the 2004 dodge ram 1500. the problem in the recall notice is described as; excessive internal pressure, during airbag deployment events, could result in an increased chance of occupant injury during certain crash conditions.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. while stationary, the vehicle's fenders above the wheels were severely rusted. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 91,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that there were two small bubbles in the paint above the rear tire well. upon further investigation, she noticed that the rear boxes above both rear wells were completely rusted. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that both panels on the rear box would need to be cut and replaced. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vehicle had not been repaired. the failure and current mileage was 53,000.

Drivers side door lock is stuck in the down position and cannot be unlocked from outside even with key. remote does not work either to unlock door. very dangerous with possible children and/or pets inside the vehicle in 100 degree texas heat! *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the front driver's door would not unlock. the contact also stated that he could only enter the vehicle using the remote entry on the remaining doors. the vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 94,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the driver side door lock was jammed and the key could not be inserted into the manual key lock. the vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. the failure mileage was approximately 36,000. updated 11/29/11 *cn the consumer stated the door actuator was replaced. 12/07/11

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the dashboard exhibited an eighteen inch fracture above the instrument cluster. the contact was concerned that the failure could cause an electrical issue or erroneous air bag deployment. the contact called the manufacturer regarding the failure and the manufacturer advised that there were no recalls. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 97,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact noticed that the four bolts that detained the front bumper were missing. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for the failure. the contact stated he was concerned that the bumper could detach from the vehicle causing a failure to the brake line. the approximate failure mileage was 53,058.

Paint started to bubble on fenders and has progressed to full rust. also tailgate has begun to rust also. *tr

The front doors leak air really bad going at highway speed you cannot carry a conversation with out yelling. took it to dealer and they said it needed new door seals because of normal use and how old it was and the amount of miles on it had made the seals no longer working properly. i told them i had a 1996 with 210,000 on it and you could hear a pin drop it was so quite. they charged me $60 and did nothing for my problem!!

20004 dodge ram cracked dashboard. *tr

Dodge ram 1500 2004 cracked dash issue known to every dodge owner of 2nd and some 3rd generation trucks. dash has cracked in 4 to 5 places and now there is a big hole in the right front. terrible part failure with potential to cause harm. *kb

The panel on the drivers side (with the handle) broke when using it to assist myself into truck which caused me to fall out the truck. there is no other handle to use to get into truck. i was told by dealer that this is not what the handle is to be used for. i'm sure the passenger side is ready to break too. part number i replaced was 5gr29tl2ag. *tr

Both rear quarter panels right above the wheel wells started bubbling. then after the paint pealed there was nothing but rust. happened on both sides at the same time. *js

The handle to assist getting into my 2004 dodge ram 1500 came loose and dropped me on the ground. being 69 years old this is unacceptable. on top of it all i had to pay for a new one....large piece to just replace a handle!! expensive too! why can't american manufacturers get their [xxx] together? information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).*tr

The right front wheel assembly broke free from vehicle while driving at 40mph nice straight road st 933 going from notre dame to niles michigan. the assembly rotor calipers lug nuts suspension and rim with tire. as the assembly rolled under the truck is caused me to go airborne this happened at 1:30pm on a beautiful day. 08/25/09. after the truck came to a stop i got out and could not believe what just happen. it was just a matter of minutes before the state police arrived. his first question was am i ok do i need medical attention. his second q uestion where is the other vehicle i told him there is none. question 2 where is the rest of the truck. i said i do not know. my insurance is bent on getting the truck auction off trying to recoup some of there money. i got on your homepage and found a recall notice campaign id number 04v221000 affecting 6183 vehicles. the truck sits at copart salvage case exp.0001961. i also called the manufacture they said it must have gotten lost in the mail. thew recall was in 2004 two months after purchase of the truck they offered no help. what is there was some traffic that day there would have been many deaths including myself. *tr

on my 2004 dodge ram 1500 crew cab ,.the frame has an area 6 in by 10 in that is rusted through aprox directly under rear seat area i have only recently purchased the vehicle which is otherwise in near perfect cond. *tr

My 2004 dodge ram driver side stop working my keys got lock inside the only way to open is by using the remote and climb through one of the other doors which now it is impossible since none of my doors open anymore specially the driver door that it is supposed to open either with the original key or the remote which i can't do either, this is very frustrating because i am an older woman and can't be climbing through my window to do perform this. please help *tr *js

Cracked dash board on 2004 dodge ram p/u. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the dashboard was cracked. neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 93,000.

I had just finished cutting the grass in my backyard. being that i had grass clippings and dust all over me and my clothes i asked my wife to move the vehicles into the backyard so i could cut the frontyard. my wife is 5' 3" tall and our truck is a dodge ram 1500 w/ 20" rims. so for her to be able to get into the truck on either side she needs the assistance of the leverage handle or (the oh '!@#$% handle) as we call it. when she proceeded to pull herself up into the seat, just before being able to seat herself behind the wheel the leverage handle came off the frame of the cab. the second i realized what happened i was on my knees by her side asking her questions to determine if she was o.k. she landed on her butt first then her backside and then the back of her head hit the ground. a friend of ours was there to hear her fall but he did not see the accident because he is blind. i asked him to get a pillow from the couch so i could place it under her head. she had to lay there on the ground for about 10 minutes to get her bearings back together. after she was able to sit upright on the ground i took pictures of everything. i started looking at and studying the construction of the leverage handle and i must say that it is a very poor design. the only thing that was anchoring this handle to the cab frame was 2 small bolts, not what i expected to see in a leverage handle that supports no leverage at all. after about 2 hours she said she had a migraine headache and her neck was hurting. i took her to the emergency room where she was given a cat scan, pain killer and muscle relaxer. the e-room doctor said she has minor head injury and cervical neck strain. the injuries she received from this accident are all minor and she is very lucky her injuries are minor. with all of the complaints, accidents, deaths and defaults i saw in the website that lead me to this complaint form, it would probably take an act of congress to get daimler chrysler to fix my truck. *tr

I have a 04 quadcab with 61000 miles and very well cared for . i purchased in dec 2008. when driving at highway speeds there is a extreme amount of wind noise coming from around the doors. becomes alot worse with any kind of crosswind. all seals checked and in good condition. *tr

I have a 2004 dodge 1500 4.7l that recently began to crack on the passenger side of the dashboard. since the appearance of the cracking, i made two calls to chrysler to seek assistance in getting it replaced with no success. my first call was on 10/21/2008, i spoke to a lady by the name of cathy, she promised to look into this and give me a call back. i was assigned a ref # 18012888, but never received that call. i called again on 10/31/2008, and spoke to a lady named sheryl who was extremely rude and even threaten to cut off the call, because i asked her why am i repeating information i already gave in my first call. she told me that i needed to follow up with the dealership, which i explained to her that they did not take any information and it was the dealership that told me to call them (csn 800-992-1997). i am still waiting for her to call back. i find this a travesty that this is the one of the few times i decided to buy an american vehicle and this is how i get treated. i will never by american again. you will also see that this is a widespread issue with the dodge trucks as shown on this web links: http://www.carcomplaints.com/dodge/ram_1500/2003/accessories-interior/cracked_dashboard.shtml i hope someone will respond positively to the vehicle owners and probably chrysler will do the right thing. *tr

On 02/15/08 i discovered a puddle of fluid underneath my truck. upon investigation i found that the leak was coming from the power steering rack, where the return line enters it. the rubber return hose is attached to the stud with a hose clamp allied at the factory. however the clamp is so loose that the hose can be turned by hand. this loose clamp allowed fluid to escape. i installed a new house clamp and then had to add almost 1/2 quart of fluid to the power steering reservoir. after searching the internet i found a dodge ram forum and found 3 pages of posts about this exact topic. apparently this is a very frequent happening, which leads to the total draining of the power steering fluid. in turn the power steering pump often fails. in addition the lack of fluid and steering assistance cause the steering rack to completely fail!! any loss of power steering in a 5,800 pound truck is completely unsafe and must be dealt with by dodge, who designed this system poorly. *tr

Paint on front bumper peeling right off, unknown if any other complaints about the paint job. it is the white. 2004 ram 1500 5.7l standard cab. *tr

While getting into 2004 dodge ram 1500 the mounting handle inside the cab failed and caused me to fall off the running tube onto the ground striking my head. i am handicapped and require a strong grip to assist me into the cab of the truck. this vehicle was chosen due to its wide doors as my foot has been fused and will not bend. i am not sure why i was not seriously injured. *tr

My rear bumper which is a tow bumper just started rusting after the 36 month warranty has expired. i have an extended bumper to bumper warranty, but i was told this was not covered. i was also told by the dealer that this was not the first one that they had seen. they suggested that maybe it was bad plating which was causing the rust . this is a costly repair about $575.00 i just don't want other people to be caught off guard and to watch their rear bumper for defects. *jb

Dash panel is completely cracked in two spots on my 2004 ram pickup. *tr

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 10 mph through the woods, the underbody skid plate collected massive amounts of road debris which caused a fire underneath the vehicle. this was determined after the contact observed large amounts of smoke and flames from underneath both sides of the underbody. the vehicle was driven to a nearby water hose where the fire was extinguished. there were no injuries were sustained. there was minor fire damage sustained to the remaining underbody and shield. after an extended period of time, the vehicle was driven to the dealer for further inspection who determined the original equipment skid plate on the vehicle was designed by another manufacturer for another type of vehicle. the manufacturer was alerted. a diagnostic test showed a fault with the evaporative emission system. updated 09/05/06. *jb

2004 dodge ram. severe cracks in dashboard. *kb

Dodge ram 1500 year 2004 purchased brand new on march the vehicle had 22 miles on it when the accident occured it had approx. 10,000 miles. proble defective axle and or rim. note: previous tire blow out rim totaled and repaired that rim was placed on the truck and the tires rotation and that rim went to the left rear axle, tire is lost.

Dt: consume rowned a 2004 dodge 1500 ram. sometimes it will stall while consumer was driving. once it caused the consumer to bump a brick wall. which caused a slight dent in the bumper. it has a vibration that seemed to be coming from the transmission. sometimes the vehicle will not start. the rear driver side door would not unlock. when the dealer ran a diagnostic test they said that it was not showing the codes for these problems. after five tries the dealer was able to get the door lock fixed. as for the other problems the dealer put a new computer in the vehicle. this fixed the problem for about a week, and then the problems came back. the manufacturer was the one that said to put the new computer in. *ak

I originally reported this accident to nhtsa website and i'm not able to find the complaint because the website has change. the accident happened in cusseta, ga, the truck made a loud noise on the left side an hour before started spinning out of control, and it did it again before the accident. the truck was deemed total and the mechanic from the wreckage company said the axle broke. i reported this to dodge/chrysler and they sent an investigator to check the truck and he said to me "i was lucky to be alive" dodge/chrysler never game me no information at all, i was actually brush aside like nothing. please help me find the original complaint i submitted. *js

The dashboard started cracking several years ago and has steadily gotten much worse. there was no impact, the dash simply cracked and seems to be disintegrating. the edges are now sharp like glass and i believe this presents a danger to the occupants in the event of an impact. until now, i assumed mine was an isolated issue but recently decided to investigate how it could be fixed and came across hundreds of other complaints posted to various car complaint websites for the very same issue so i know this is a widespread issue. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. the contact stated that the front driver and passenger side grip handles failed when pulled. the contact noticed that the screws that held the handles in place, which were inside plastic sleeves, were not strong enough when an occupant pulled themselves into the vehicle. the failure recurred multiple times. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the handles were replaced. the failure recurred and the handles were replaced multiple times. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 10,000.