VehicleVerdict

2004 Dodge Ram 3500 transmission problems

The 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 has 66 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 24% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

66

Transmission complaints

24%

Share of year

34

Crash-involved

1

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.

What owners report

PE04039 IS AN EXACT DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAPPENED TO MY MY 2004 DODGE RAM 3500 CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WITNESSES SAW ME GET OUT OF THE TRUCK, ENTER A STORE, AND THEN SAW MY TRUCK GO INTO REVERSE LONG AFTER I WAS IN THE STORE. WHEN I EXITED THE STORE, MY TRUCK HAD RUN INTO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 17, 2005 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 have?

NHTSA has 66 complaints about the 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 transmission — 24% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 transmission?

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