2005 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RAM 1500 years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 19 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 1,170 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500. That ranks 2nd out of 19 RAM 1500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (593 complaints, 51%), typically at around 110,967 miles. Complaints mention 108 crashes, 16 fires, 66 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations involving it.
- 1,170owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 5NHTSA investigations
- 108complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 593 | 51% | 110,967 | “power train air” (19%) | $2,800 |
| Air Bags problems | 374 | 32% | 89,500 | “power train air” (29%) | — |
| Suspension problems | 82 | 7% | 106,000 | “rear axle” (28%) | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 77 | 7% | 51,900 | “engine stalls” (14%) | — |
| Engine problems | 76 | 6% | 87,897 | “stalled without” (14%) | — |
| Electrical System problems | 63 | 5% | 83,500 | “turn signal” (13%) | — |
| Steering problems | 59 | 5% | 65,000 | “power train” (10%) | — |
| Unknown or Other | 40 | 3% | 102,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 32 | 3% | 89,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 27 | 2% | 62,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 25 | 2% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 24 | 2% | 87,250 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 22 | 2% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 22 | 2% | 108,500 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 17 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 | 1% | 60,279 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 | 1% | 17,490 | — | — |
| Tires | 12 | 1% | 56,102 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 11 | 1% | 73,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 8 | 1% | 21,786 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 6 | 1% | 102,500 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | 1% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 0% | 30,100 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 3 | 0% | 25,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 0% | 60,557 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 0% | 221,771 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 0% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | 0% | 15,900 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2005 Dodge RAM 1500 recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
Power train:driveline:differential unit
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks manufactured January 28, 2004, to August 3, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized spline on the pinion gear.
Risk: If the pinion nut loosens, the rear axle may seize, and/or the driveshaft may detach resulting in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a retention feature to the pinion nut, free of charge. The recall began on June 26, 2015, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P77.
Air bags
Problem: 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 originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerÂs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, owners were notified and the recall began on December 5, 2014. For all other vehicles, Chrysler notified owners and the recall began on February 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P40 Expanded. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 16V-352. This recall superseded the passenger air bag portion of recall 14V-354.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA15001) — opened Feb 24, 2015, still open, led to recall 14V668.
- Rear Differential Failure (PE14019) — opened Jun 24, 2014, closed Dec 23, 2014, led to recall 14V796000.
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture (PE14016) — opened Jun 11, 2014, closed Mar 2, 2015, led to recall 13V172000.
- Engine stall (EA05018) — opened Nov 2, 2005, closed Aug 29, 2007.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that several local dealers were contacted by phone, and the contact was informed that the parts would be available within 2-3 months. The contact stated that…
Was driving down XXX around 3 am when my truck started shaking and vibrating severally and then my rearend blinded an my driveshaft snapped all the ears off causing my driveshaft to fail. Leaving in a very dangerous way. So dangerous that they got a tow truck to in ten minutes the vehicle was…
I believe that the pinion nut loosened causing my rear end to lock up snapping the ears off my driveshaft at 75mph on [XXX] causing me to fishtail and nearly hitting the guard rail. Coming to a stop on a bridge right outside of [XXX]. It's pitch black outthere. And with semi tru cks able to do…
Dealer says part has been backordered for 165 days. My vehicle is not currently legal to drive because the nys inspection has expired. .getting a huge runaround from the dealer
The pinion bolt loosend driveshaft started shaking badly then blew up causing the rearend to bind up causing loss of control. Leaving me in a dangerous situation on I40 so dangerous that they got a tow truck to me within 10 minutes which is unheard of.had my truck towed to Ascot Automotive…
Other Dodge RAM 1500 years
← 2004 RAM 1500 · 2006 RAM 1500 →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 RAM 1500 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 RAM 1500 | 698 | 6 |
| 2011 RAM 1500 | 689 | 4 |
| 2010 RAM 1500 | 486 | 4 |
| 2009 RAM 1500 | 670 | 2 |
| 2008 RAM 1500 | 554 | 5 |
| 2007 RAM 1500 | 517 | 4 |
| 2006 RAM 1500 | 792 | 9 |
| 2005 | 1,170 | 4 |
| 2004 RAM 1500 | 1,099 | 5 |
| 2003 RAM 1500 | 1,171 | 1 |
| 2002 RAM 1500 | 815 | 3 |
| 2001 RAM 1500 | 1,112 | 2 |
| 2000 RAM 1500 | 513 | 2 |
| 1999 RAM 1500 | 610 | 0 |
| 1998 RAM 1500 | 520 | 0 |
| 1997 RAM 1500 | 361 | 0 |
| 1996 RAM 1500 | 298 | 0 |
| 1995 RAM 1500 | 213 | 0 |
See all Dodge RAM 1500 problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
Similar Dodge models
Embed this 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500?
Owners most often report power train, air bags, suspension problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 593 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RAM 1500 model years, the 2005 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.