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2004 Dodge H100

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By Research the Car 3 min read

Here’s a breakdown of common issues and complaints associated with the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500, categorized by component and engine/transmission option. Please note that “H100” was not a Dodge Ram 1500 model.

The 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 was a popular truck known for its bold styling and powerful engine options. Available engines included the 3.7L Magnum V6, the 4.7L Magnum V8, and the 5.7L Hemi V8. Transmission options included a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic, depending on the engine. Owners often praise the truck’s towing capacity and comfortable ride, but common complaints revolve around fuel economy, some build quality issues, and certain engine-specific problems.

Engine

3.7L Magnum V6

  • Engine Knock/Tick
    • Description/Symptoms: Ticking or knocking noise, especially noticeable at idle or low RPMs. May be related to worn lifters or exhaust manifold leaks.
    • Solution: Replacing the lifters or exhaust manifold gasket.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $800+
    • Recalls: None Found

4.7L Magnum V8

  • Sludge Buildup
    • Description/Symptoms: Excessive sludge buildup in the engine, potentially leading to oil starvation and damage. Can be caused by infrequent oil changes or use of incorrect oil.
    • Solution: Thorough engine cleaning, oil pump replacement, and adherence to a strict maintenance schedule.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $2000+
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Valve Seat Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: Dropping valve seats leading to engine misfires, poor performance, and potential engine damage.
    • Solution: Engine rebuild or replacement
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $3000+
    • Recalls: None Found

5.7L Hemi V8

  • Broken Exhaust Manifold Bolts
    • Description/Symptoms: Ticking noise, especially when the engine is cold, caused by exhaust leaks due to broken manifold bolts.
    • Solution: Replacing the broken bolts and gaskets, or replacing the entire exhaust manifold if necessary.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Lifter Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Loud ticking noise, misfires, and rough running engine. Can lead to camshaft damage.
    • Solution: Replacing the affected lifters and camshaft.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1500 - $3000+
    • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

4-Speed Automatic (42RE/44RE/45RFE)

  • Harsh Shifting/Slipping
    • Description/Symptoms: Hard or delayed shifts between gears, or the transmission slipping out of gear.
    • Solution: Transmission rebuild or replacement. Valve body repair may address some issues.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $3000+
    • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

  • Ball Joint Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Clunking or popping noises from the front suspension, especially when turning or going over bumps. Excessive tire wear.
    • Solution: Replacing the upper and/or lower ball joints.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $600+ per ball joint
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Steering Knuckle Detachment
    • Description/Symptoms: Complete separation of steering knuckle from ball joint.
    • Solution: Replacing the steering knuckle and ball joints
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $400-1000+
    • Recalls: 03V064000

Electrical

  • Instrument Cluster Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: Gauges not working properly (speedometer, fuel gauge, etc.), intermittent power loss to the cluster, or complete failure.
    • Solution: Instrument cluster repair or replacement.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Window Regulator Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Windows not going up or down
    • Solution: Replacing the window regulator.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $400+
    • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

  • Door Hinge Problems
    • Description/Symptoms: Sagging doors, difficulty opening/closing, and grinding noises when operating the doors.
    • Solution: Replacing or repairing the door hinges.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $400+ per hinge.
    • Recalls: None Found

Interior

  • Dashboard Cracking
    • Description/Symptoms: Cracking on the dashboard surface, especially in hot climates.
    • Solution: Dashboard replacement or using a dashboard cover.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1000+
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Seat Frame Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Broken seat frames that cause seats to wobble when driving
    • Solution: Welding or replacing the seat frame.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $500+
    • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 has several potential issues across its engine, transmission, suspension, electrical, exterior, and interior systems. Engine-specific problems range from minor ticking noises to more severe issues like sludge buildup and valve seat failures, varying significantly in cost. Transmission issues can be expensive to repair. Suspension problems related to ball joints and steering knuckles should be addressed promptly to prevent accidents. Electrical issues, while potentially annoying, are generally less severe. While many issues do not have an active recall, it is still important to keep in mind the TSBs that may affect the vehicle and that the steering knuckle had a recall. Overall, prospective buyers should carefully inspect these areas and consider a pre-purchase inspection to identify potential problems before buying.

Dodge, H100
Dodge H100 2004
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