VehicleVerdict

2004 Dodge Ram 2500 transmission problems

The 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 has 115 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

115

Transmission complaints

15%

Share of year

41

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

05V462000TransmissionOctober 6, 2005 · 250,433 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY WITHOUT SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVING THE KEY, THE DRIVER MAY INADVERTENTLY LEAVE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL IN INDICATED REVERSE.

Consequence

THIS ERROR IS AN UNINTENDED ACTION THAT MAY RESULT IN A LACK OF TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL ENGAGEMENT AND POSSIBLY DELAYED REARWARD MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PERFORM A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION TO EQUIP THESE VEHICLES WITH AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

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

2004 DODGE RAM 2500 WAS PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON WHEN THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO A DUMP TRUCK.*MR THE TRANSMISSION HAS ACTED FUNNY EVER SINCE CONSUMER GOT THE TRUCK. TALKED TO 2 DIFFERENT SERVICE MEN , THEIR REPLY WAS THAT THIS IS A NEW AND DIFFERENT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 27, 2004 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 have?

NHTSA has 115 complaints about the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 transmission — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 transmission?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the transmission: 03V503000, 05V462000.

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.