DodgeRAM 1500, 2500 Pickup20045.9L Diesel/dodge/ram-1500-2500-pickup/2004/5-9l-diesel/
DR platform

2004 Dodge RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup — 5.9L Diesel

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup 5.9L Diesel. Covers both the standard and High Output 5.9L Diesel.

Engine 5.9L Diesel

Built on the DR platform and offered in both 1500 and 2500 configurations, the 2004 Dodge RAM Pickup with its 5.9L diesel engine anchored the heavy-duty end of the brand's full-size truck range, requiring 12.0 quarts of 5W-40 engine oil to keep the powertrain lubricated. Its real-world track record tells a more mixed story, with 580 owner complaints logged over time and the powertrain emerging as the most frequently cited trouble area, while nine manufacturer recalls add further context to the model's service history. For researchers building a reliability timeline, the 2004 model year provides a dense data point that helps frame how this generation of RAM trucks performed in the hands of long-term owners.

Model year20042003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity12.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-40OEM · verified
Lug nut torque135 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 750 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 750 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265-70R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB alt 04781452BF
Engine air filter68441763AA alt 05029703AA
Fuel filter52021983AB discontinued · alt 04897498AA
Spark plug68303918AA alt 68304022AA
Front wiper blades55077100AE
Serpentine belt53032037AM alt 05037206AE
Thermostat68174083AA alt 05037344AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length228.7 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height79.5 in
Wheelbase127.2 in
Curb weight4482 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 65.7 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 12.0 qt of 5W-40 engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 135 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 37.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-10-9-4-3-6-5-8-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.5
Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts100 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug44.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug37.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)110.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts135 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts155 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts135 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub175 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub185 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-10-9-4-3-6-5-8-7-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.00 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-15
Oil Capacity6.00 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure30 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2500 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle130 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs / 11 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle145 ft-lbs / 250 ft-lbs
OtherDUAL REAR WHEELS / SINGLE REAR WHEELS
Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 44 ft. lbs., Step 3: 6022 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9037 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 186 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 6,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 6,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter Water Separator (inspect) · Water Pump (inspect)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup top in one area — the power train, 95 of 580 reports (16%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 9 recall campaigns target the power train, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 48 of the reports describe a crash and 6 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the power train pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
39
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
8
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
580
Owner complaints
48 involved a crash · 6 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 580 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train95
Air Bags79
Steering72
Suspension49
Steering,Suspension41
Structure25
Engine & Engine Cooling17
Electrical System16

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V770000Air BagsReported 03/12/2014

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… 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…

11V350000Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod AssemblyReported 06/07/2011

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 39 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S1203000003 REV.A2026-06-26Service BrakesTrac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
1012322024-10-29Power TrainPlate - Planetary
S22080001362022-07-09Electrical SystemSecurity Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
S22080001362022-07-09Electrical SystemSecurity Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P2002
Diesel particulate filter efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0401
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow insufficient
P20EE
SCR NOx catalyst efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0087
Fuel rail / system pressure too low
P0299
Turbocharger / supercharger underboost condition

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup 5.9L Diesel take?

12.0 qt of Synthetic 5W-40 CG-4, CH-4, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.