VehicleVerdict

2004 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems

The 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 has 188 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

188

Transmission complaints

14%

Share of year

13

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

03V503000TransmissionDecember 4, 2003 · 514 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 6, 2021 · fire

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 have?

NHTSA has 188 complaints about the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 03V503000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.