DodgeRam 35002004Overview/dodge/ram-3500/2004/base/

2004 Dodge Ram 3500

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Ram 3500.

The 2004 Ram 3500 is a heavy-duty full-size pickup truck built on Dodge's third-generation Ram platform, requiring 12.0 quarts of 5W-40 motor oil for its engine lubrication system—a specification that reflects the demanding nature of its powertrain; during this model year, owners filed 214 total complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the most frequent issue area being the Power Train, and the vehicle was subject to 7 recalls over its production run, placing the 2004 model within a complaint history spanning from 1991 to 2012 where annual owner complaints ranged from just 5 in the earliest year to 365 in the most recent, suggesting that while not the most problematic in the model's timeline, this generation experienced notable reliability concerns that prospective buyers should factor into their research.

Model year20052004

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 torque145 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 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05083285AA. 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 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05083285AA alt 05281090AB
Engine air filter53034249AA alt 68441763AA
Fuel filter68001914AB alt 52021983AB
Spark plug68303913AA
BatteryBB65F121AA
Front wiper blades55077100AE
Serpentine belt53032132AL alt 53041138AE
Thermostat52028898AJ alt 05086739AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length228.7 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height82.3 in
Wheelbase127.2 in
Curb weight5600 lb
Track (front / rear)66.5 / 63.4 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, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 135 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 37.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

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
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts129 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts100 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 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 Nuts145 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts135 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.045 in
Spark Plug Torque11-15 ft-lbs

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
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56.0-60.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure25-110 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure30 psi

Brakes

OtherDUAL REAR WHEELS / SINGLE REAR WHEELS
Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs / 11 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle250 ft-lbs / 145 ft-lbs
OtherDUAL REAR WHEELS / SINGLE REAR WHEELS
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.012 in / 0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.397 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.397 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
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

152.0 ft. lbs.52 ft. lbs
2loosen all bolts 360 degrees360 degrees
377.0 ft. lbs.77 ft. lbs
477.0 ft. lbs.77 ft. lbs
590 degrees90 degrees
690 degrees90 degrees
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 30,000 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 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) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miBands (adjust) · Transmission Filter (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)

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.

The 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 lands in a high-activity stretch of this generation’s federal record. After 2003 spiked to 286 complaints and 9 recalls, 2004 saw complaints fall to 214 and recalls drop to 7, yet investigations rose from 6 to 8 and TSBs continued climbing from 30 to 36. Compared with 2005’s 196 complaints, 7 recalls, and 40 TSBs, 2004 is broadly similar, while 2006 later escalated again to 257 complaints and 11 recalls, placing 2004 roughly in the middle of a volatile early-2000s arc. The leading complaint categories that year were Power Train (50), Air Bags (37), Steering (20), and Suspension (11), with 42 crash-related and 4 fire-related complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. That profile means the 2004 model is not the generation’s worst year, but it is also not a low-risk outlier. For a buyer, it is a conditional purchase: acceptable if a specific truck has a clean service history and all open recalls/TSBs are addressed, but not the strongest year in the range.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
36
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
8
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
214
Owner complaints
42 involved a crash · 4 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 214 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train50
Air Bags37
Steering20
Suspension11
Steering,Suspension7
Visibility7
Structure6
Electrical System5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 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 36 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1012322024-10-29Power TrainPlate - Planetary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…

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.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

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 3500. 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 3500 take?

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

Does the 2004 Ram 3500 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.