The 2004 Ram 2500 is a workhorse split between two vastly different powertrains: the 5.7L Hemi gasser runs hot and beats transmissions, while the 5.9L Cummins is bulletproof but paired with fragile Chrysler automatics. Both share weak front-end steering components and transmission cooling issues.
53 Block Hemi Cracking and Piston Slap
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Cold-start knocking that persists beyond warm-up, Coolant consumption with no visible leaks, White smoke on decel, Cylinder 7 misfire codes most common
Fix: Cylinder wall scoring and cracked blocks plague early Hemis. Requires short block replacement or full rebuild. 18-24 hours labor for R&R plus machine work. Many shops won't warranty rebuilds on these blocks.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
48RE Transmission Failure and Cooler Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Delayed 2-3 shift or slipping under load, Transmission fluid in coolant or vice-versa, Overheating trans temps above 220°F, Burnt clutch smell
Fix: The 48RE behind the Cummins and 545RFE behind the Hemi both fail. The internal trans cooler in the radiator cross-contaminates coolant and ATF, destroying both systems. Fix requires transmission rebuild with billet input shaft upgrade, new radiator, flush both systems. 14-18 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $3,200-5,000
Steering Box and Tie Rod End Wear
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Steering wander requiring constant correction, Clunking over bumps in front end, Play in steering wheel at center position, Uneven tire wear on inside edges
Fix: Steering gearbox develops internal wear causing slop. Tie rod ends and track bar joints wear quickly, especially with larger tires. Replace steering box, both tie rod ends, and track bar bushings together. 4-6 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Ball Joint Failure (Upper and Lower)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when turning at low speed, Steering wheel shimmy at highway speeds, Visible grease leaking from boot, Tire scrubbing sound during turns
Fix: Both uppers and lowers wear out, uppers more catastrophic if they separate. Many techs replace all four at once to avoid comebacks. Requires press work or knuckle replacement depending on style. 5-7 hours labor for all four corners.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800
Dash Cracking and Instrument Cluster Failure
Common · low severity
Symptoms: Spiderweb cracks across top of dash pad, Gauges reading erratically or dead, Odometer display fading or blank, Intermittent speedometer dropout
Fix: Dash cracks from UV exposure, no real fix except replacement dash cap overlay ($200-300 DIY). Instrument clusters develop cold solder joints; rebuilders fix for $200-300 with 2-day turnaround, or DIY resolder. 1.5 hours to R&R cluster.
Estimated cost: $350-600
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Fuel pump runs constantly even with key off, Gauges acting erratically, No crank/no start intermittently, Wipers or windows operating on their own
Fix: The TIPM under the hood develops internal relay failures. Dodge had silent recalls on later years but not 2004. Replacement requires new unit and programming. Used units from salvage are gambles. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Exhaust Manifold Cracking (Hemi)
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud ticking on cold start that quiets when warm, Exhaust smell in cabin, Visible soot streaks on manifolds, Check engine light with O2 sensor codes
Fix: Hemi manifolds crack between ports due to thermal cycling. Dorman replacements available but some crack again. Headers are better long-term solution but require tune. 4-5 hours labor per side, usually do both.
Estimated cost: $600-1,100
Owner tips
Install an external transmission cooler immediately—the factory radiator-integrated cooler will kill the transmission when it fails
Change transmission fluid every 30k miles regardless of 'lifetime fill' claims, especially with the Cummins and towing
Grease ball joints and tie rods every oil change if they have fittings; replace with greaseable aftermarket units
On Hemis, use quality synthetic oil and watch for consumption after 100k—early warning of cylinder wall issues
Budget $2k/year for front-end steering/suspension work if you're keeping it past 100k miles
Cummins models are worth the gamble if the transmission has already been rebuilt with upgrades; avoid high-mileage Hemis unless you can verify no piston slap and recent front-end work.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, owners were notified and the recall began on December 5, 2014. For all other vehicles, Chrysler notified owners and the recall began on February 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P40 Expanded. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 16V-352. This recall superseded the passenger air bag portion of recall 14V-354.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY · 13V528000
2013-11-06
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY · 11V350000
2011-07-06 · PE11009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS MAKING A TIGHT TURN. ADDITIONALLY, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 VEHICLES MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE AFFECTED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY AS A REPLACEMENT PART DURING NORMAL SERVICE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN · 10E013000
2010-05-03
FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS93001 AND FT44039, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, AND 1500 4WD MEGA CAB VEHICLES. THE PITMAN ARM CAN FRACTURE AND BREAK AWAY FROM THE STEERING BOX CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Consequence: STEERING LOSS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED INSTALLERS WILL INSPECT FOR DEFECTIVE PITMAN ARM AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 1-877-432-2832.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR · 07E104000
2007-12-11
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
SUSPENSION · 07E009000
2007-02-01
CERTAIN LKI ENTERPRISES, INC., BRAND NAME SUPERLIFT SUSPENSION, PITMAN ARMS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 2003-2007 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 4X4 LIGHT TRUCKS. DUE TO INADEQUATE HEAT TREATMENT DURING PRODUCTION, THE AFFECTED PITMAN ARMS MAY DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE UPPER SPLINED ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING OUTPUT SHAFT. MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE PITMAN ARM AND THE OUTPUT SHAFT MAY DEFORM SPLINES, RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEAR AND FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE AFFECTED PITMAN ARM.
Consequence: PITMAN ARM WEAR OR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: LKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN ARM, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LKI AT 1-800-551-4955.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT · 05V462000
2005-10-06 · EA04025
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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 04V221000
2004-05-06
THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL ON SOME PICKUP TRUCKS LISTS INCORRECT TIRE, WHEEL, AND RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE INFORMATION WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS.'
Consequence: INSTALLING THE INCORRECT TIRE/RIM SIZES AND LOADING THE VEHICLE TO THE WEIGHTS SHOWN ON THE LABEL CAN CAUSE TIRE FAILURE AND RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL OVERLAYS CONTAINING THE CORRECTED INFORMATION RELATIVE TO VEHICLE TIRE AND RIM SIZE, AND RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 03V503000
2003-12-04
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.
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