Four problems related to automatic transmission column shift have been reported for the 2004 Dodge Ram 3500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
: the contact stated while the vehicle was placed in park and left unattended in the driveway with the engine running, the column gear shift slipped out of park and into reverse without warning. The vehicle rolled backwards and crashed into a tree, moderate damage was sustained, but the police were not alerted. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the column gear shift was in reverse. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to await further inspection. The manufacturer was not alerted.
2004 Dodge Ram 3500 cummins diesel. I got out of my truck to help wife shut gate, it was 25 feet from truck on flat ground- I was talking to wife-looked back and truck had shifted from park into reverse and was coming towards us at 3-4 mph- I pushed wife out of the way and the truck hit me slammed me against the gate-broke the welds on a double steel pipe gate and r4an over me. This caused severe injuries to both persons.
For the last few days we have been having trouble getting the column shift to move. My wife put the truck in reverse according to the dial on the dash, however the truck would not move. Had to wiggle the shifter to get it to go into reverse. Today, the truck was parked on level ground with engine not running however the key was still in the ignition. Approx. 5 minutes later the truck rolled backward eventually going down a hill, knocking down a small tree, continued across a street, jumped the curb, through a yard and hit an enclosed car trailer. Extensive rearend damage and insurance/repair is in process.
2005 Dodge 3500 extended cab 4x4, I stopped with a passenger in truck on level ground and placed it in park w/engine running. Then, I removed my seat belt and exited the truck. I walked about 10 yards away and started to talk to a neighbor. I heard the passenger yell that the truck was rolling. I turned and ran to the truck as the passenger tried to exit the truck, but the shoulder harness tangled around her arm, and the truck was rolling in reverse. The door knocked her off her feet but she was still caught by the shoulder harness, and was being dragged as the truck continued to roll backwards. I caught up to the truck and dove in the open passenger door at the same time that she rolled under the cab. I got my hand on the brake and the truck came to a stop, but the front wheel rolled onto her hip and thigh. I put the truck in drive, it had dropped into reverse from park, pulling it forward, and she rolled free. She went by ambulance to the hospital and was later released.