Dodge Ram 1500

Name: 2004 Dodge Ram 1500
Brand: Dodge

RECALL ALERT: There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 8 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

With its Hemi V8, this version of the Ram is among the quickest trucks we've tested. But it's also one of the thirstiest, averaging a paltry 11 mpg. A jittery ride and cumbersome handling hurt the Ram's overall score, as did the barely adequate brakes. The cabin is a bit noisy, and access is very difficult. On the plus side, our Ram had a large cargo bed and tows more than 8,000 pounds.

2004 Pickup trucks Reliability

This Car

100

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Dodge Ram 1500

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Silvera...

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Chevrolet Silvera...

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Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Dodge vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Worse Better

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

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2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

View all Owner Satisfaction

Dodge vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Dodge vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

2004 Full-sized pickup trucks Ratings

2004 Dodge Ram 1500

$3,575 - $8,725

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Chevrolet Avalanche

$4,375 - $6,850

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

$3,525 - $9,250

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

$ NA

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

$ NA

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Dodge Ram 2500

$4,375 - $9,900

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Dodge Ram 3500

$6,225 - $10,825

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Ford F-150

$3,525 - $14,000

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Ford F-250

$3,550 - $8,375

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Ford F-350

$4,200 - $11,350

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 GMC Sierra 1500

$3,975 - $8,625

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD

$ NA

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 GMC Sierra 3500HD

$ NA

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Nissan Titan

$4,575 - $6,850

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2004 Toyota Tundra

$4,750 - $8,725

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Full-sized pickup trucks Ratings

Seating

3 front, 3 rear

Drive Wheels

4WD, Rear

Warranty

Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

regular cab

crew cab

5-speed Manual
5-speed Automatic
4-speed Automatic
6-speed Manual

3.7-liter V6 (215 hp)
4.7-liter V8 (235 hp)
5.7-liter V8 (345 hp)
8.3-liter V10 (500 hp)

Model History

2009-

Current Generation

The 2009 redesign brought the Ram up-to-date with a coil-spring rear suspension, which improved ride and handling significantly. This made the pickup fully competitive in the marketplace. Fuel economy for the 5.7-liter V8 was improved and cabin quiet approached that of a luxury car's. If towing is important to you, be aware that models with the 20-inch wheel option sacrifice 1,000 pounds of rated capacity. Ram became a separate brand in 2011.

2002-2008

2002 Redesign Year

The Ram's aggressive styling, spacious cabin and voluminous cargo bed are pluses; but ponderous handling, poor fuel economy, and subpar braking limit this big pickup's appeal. Engines include a hopelessly overmatched V6, two V8s, and from 2004 to 2006 a powerful V10. The popular 4.7-liter V8 is weak and thirsty. A powerful 5.7-liter Hemi V8 was offered beginning in 2003. A longer-cab four-door debuted in 2006. After Dodge reworked the suspension system for 2006, our tested 2007 model had a better ride than previous models.

1995-2001

1995 Redesign Year

The Ram's cabin is roomy and the cargo bed voluminous, but ponderous handling, poor fuel economy, and subpar braking performance limit this big pickup's appeal. Engines include a hopelessly overmatched V6, an inline-6 turbodiesel, two V8s, and a powerful V10. The popular 5.2-liter V8 is weak and thirsty. A new-for-1998 four-door Quad Cab model brought improved rear access.