2005 Dodge RAM 1500 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 593 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500, 51% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 110,967 miles. The words owners use most often: “power train air” (19% of reports).
- 593power train complaints
- 110,967median miles at failure
- 26mention a crash
- 10mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $2,800typical repair cost reported by owners
- 41%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Power train air: mentioned in 114 of 593 complaints (19%)
- Pinion nut: mentioned in 70 of 593 complaints (12%)
- Rear axle: mentioned in 62 of 593 complaints (10%)
- Specific become: mentioned in 30 of 593 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 at $2,800, and half of them between $1,750 and $4,100.
Based on 11 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2019), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 288 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 593 complaints, 26 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 10 an injury.
Dodge RAM 1500 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 1500 | 92 | 13% | 65,500 |
| 2011 RAM 1500 | 176 | 26% | 44,000 |
| 2010 RAM 1500 | 229 | 47% | 60,000 |
| 2009 RAM 1500 | 231 | 34% | 69,000 |
| 2008 RAM 1500 | 73 | 13% | 84,459 |
| 2007 RAM 1500 | 61 | 12% | 63,500 |
| 2006 RAM 1500 | 100 | 13% | 89,500 |
| 2005 RAM 1500 | 593 | 51% | 110,967 |
| 2004 RAM 1500 | 181 | 16% | 120,678 |
| 2003 RAM 1500 | 125 | 11% | 74,000 |
| 2002 RAM 1500 | 99 | 12% | 82,500 |
| 2001 RAM 1500 | 95 | 9% | 57,570 |
| 2000 RAM 1500 | 45 | 9% | 60,000 |
| 1999 RAM 1500 | 59 | 10% | 70,000 |
| 1998 RAM 1500 | 85 | 16% | 90,000 |
| 1997 RAM 1500 | 56 | 16% | 70,001 |
| 1996 RAM 1500 | 52 | 17% | 106,000 |
| 1995 RAM 1500 | 30 | 14% | 86,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. The contact stated while getting the vehicle's state inspection done, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS), of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS), and NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN) however…
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the recall repair. During inspection, the dealer determined that there was additional damage to the differential, and the parts…
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the rear wheels locked up and the vehicle abruptly stopped unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2005 Dodge RAM 1500s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 593 owner complaints about power train for the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 (51% of the 1,170 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 110,967 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,800 (half paid between $1,750 and $4,100), from 11 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “power train air”, in 114 of 593 complaints, followed by “pinion nut” (70).
Other 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 problems
See all 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 problems or power train problems across all RAM 1500 years.