2005 Dodge RAM 1500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Dodge RAM 1500
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge RAM 1500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1999: 610 complaints 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1112 complaints 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1169 complaints 2003 2004: 1094 complaints 2005: 1165 complaints 2005 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2008: 553 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 687 complaints 2012: 694 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaints 2014
2005: 1165 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19917
19920
19936
1994116
1995213
1996298
1997361
1998520
1999610
2000513
20011112
2002815
20031169
20041094
20051165
2006792
2007517
2008553
2009670
2010485
2011687
2012694
20141

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 47%

47% of complaints: power train — 547 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2005 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAGS NOT BEING DEPLOYED DURING A CRASH. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE HEAD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171127

1ST INCIDENT 2/21/13: DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY W/CENTER LEFT TURN LANES AT 40 WHEN A CAR CUT ACROSS FROM THE RIGHT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. HIT THE BRAKES CAUSING THE FRONT TO LOCK UP (REAR ABS ONLY).

NHTSA ODI report, 20130318

I visited my local Dodge dealership for airbag recalls for my 2005 Dodge Ram in December 2022. In October 2023 I noticed a leak in the rear differential.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231008

AIR BAGS 31%

31% of complaints: air bags — 359 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

2005 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAGS NOT BEING DEPLOYED DURING A CRASH. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE HEAD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171127

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V352000 (Air Bag), 15V313000 (Air Bags), and 14V796000 (Power Train) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230911

ENGINE 7%

7% of complaints: engine — 76 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 56 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

MY 2004 DODGE RAM WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN USED FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS. AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND TOTALED THE TRUCK. THE FIRE ALSO DAMAGED THE DRIVEWAY AND SUROUNDING AREA.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050627

STEERING 5%

5% of complaints: steering — 54 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

SAFETY TIMELINE

2005 — complaint volume: 1165
I 20051102 — EA (closed 20070829)

ENGINE STALL

R 20080115 — visibility

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN

Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIM

Campaign 07E104000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100524 — steering

FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS93001 AND FT44039, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, AND 1500 4WD MEGA CAB VEHICLES.

Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED INSTALLERS WILL INSPECT FOR DEFECTIVE PITMAN ARM AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTEC

Campaign 10E013000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100915 — wheels

FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RA

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND TECHNICIANS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HUB ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT

Campaign 10E040000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

I 20140624 — PE (closed 20141223)

Rear Differential Failure

R 20150203 — air bags

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...

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, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S.

Campaign 14V770000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150608 — air bags

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 15V313000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150626 — power train

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 14V796000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170327 — air bags

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 16V352000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Dodge RAM 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (547 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (359 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (76 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E013000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E040000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V770000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V313000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V796000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V352000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1994 ▲ 1995 ▲ 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ◆ 2001 ◆ 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.