2005 Dodge RAM 2500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RAM 2500 years
- More complaints than other years 5th of 18 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 422 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Dodge RAM 2500. That ranks 5th out of 18 RAM 2500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (153 complaints, 36%), typically at around 95,925 miles. Complaints mention 44 crashes, 8 fires, 26 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 8 defect investigations involving it.
- 422owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 8NHTSA investigations
- 44complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2005 Dodge RAM 2500 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering problems | 153 | 36% | 95,925 | “death wobble” (25%) | — |
| Suspension problems | 77 | 18% | 89,400 | “death wobble” (43%) | — |
| Air Bags problems | 76 | 18% | 137,000 | “takata air bags” (28%) | — |
| Power Train problems | 63 | 15% | 25,000 | “automatic transmission” (17%) | — |
| Electrical System | 34 | 8% | 73,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 | 4% | 73,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 13 | 3% | 23,500 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 11 | 3% | 144,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 10 | 2% | 115,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 8 | 2% | 94,144 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 | 2% | 67,330 | — | — |
| Wheels | 7 | 2% | 72,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 6 | 1% | 69,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 1% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 6 | 1% | 44,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 1% | 60,200 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 1% | 56,395 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | 1% | 36,693 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 5 | 1% | 76,500 | — | — |
| Equipment | 4 | 1% | 75,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 1% | 203,500 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 1% | 138,600 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 0% | 94,500 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 0% | 131,261 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 0% | 53,255 | — | — |
| Child Seat | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 0% | 56,000 | — | — |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2005 Dodge RAM 2500 recalls (6)
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.
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.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Problem: 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 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; and model year 2008 dodge ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through august 15, 2008, because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
Risk: This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 3, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Problem: On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines and automatic transmissions, in an attempt to exit the vehicle quickly without shutting off the engine and removing the key, the driver may inadvertently leave the automatic transmission shift control in indicated reverse.
Risk: This error is an unintended action that may result in a lack of transmission park pawl engagement and possibly delayed rearward movement of the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will perform a software modification to equip these vehicles with an out-of-park alarm. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
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.
- Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529 (AQ14003) — opened Oct 20, 2014, closed May 16, 2016.
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture (PE14016) — opened Jun 11, 2014, closed Mar 2, 2015, led to recall 13V172000.
- Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction (PE14013) — opened May 19, 2014, closed Dec 23, 2014, led to recall 14V795000.
- Engine stall (EA05018) — opened Nov 2, 2005, closed Aug 29, 2007.
- Engine stall (PE05027) — opened May 16, 2005, closed Nov 3, 2005.
- False park (EA04025) — opened Aug 26, 2004, closed Dec 22, 2005, led to recall 05V462000.
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 dealer has told me for years that the air bad can not be found...there out of stock
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel wobbled, and the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that parts were not available to repair the vehicle…
White paint job from the factory has totaly failed down to the bare metal in some places and has cracks all over the truck. I understand that their was a formula change in the paint for a couple years. My truck is one of them . The paint job is totaly failed. This a factory defect. Can you help me…
Steering went out and truck rolled. Verified per mechanic failure on recalled part/s
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway and the steering wheel started to shake violently. Additionally, the contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, the…
Other Dodge RAM 2500 years
← 2004 RAM 2500 · 2006 RAM 2500 →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 2500 | 283 | 4 |
| 2011 RAM 2500 | 298 | 4 |
| 2010 RAM 2500 | 236 | 4 |
| 2009 RAM 2500 | 214 | 5 |
| 2008 RAM 2500 | 317 | 7 |
| 2007 RAM 2500 | 361 | 8 |
| 2006 RAM 2500 | 670 | 6 |
| 2005 | 422 | 6 |
| 2004 RAM 2500 | 582 | 6 |
| 2003 RAM 2500 | 661 | 6 |
| 2002 RAM 2500 | 155 | 0 |
| 2001 RAM 2500 | 469 | 1 |
| 2000 RAM 2500 | 211 | 1 |
| 1999 RAM 2500 | 313 | 0 |
| 1998 RAM 2500 | 225 | 0 |
| 1997 RAM 2500 | 213 | 0 |
| 1996 RAM 2500 | 291 | 0 |
| 1995 RAM 2500 | 267 | 0 |
See all Dodge RAM 2500 problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge RAM 2500?
Owners most often report steering, suspension, air bags problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 153 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Dodge RAM 2500?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2005 Dodge RAM 2500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RAM 2500 model years, the 2005 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.