2005 Dodge RAM 1500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2005 Dodge RAM 1500
BUILT 2026-09-02

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

2005: 1167 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1991	7
1992	0
1993	6
1994	116
1995	213
1996	298
1997	361
1998	520
1999	610
2000	513
2001	1112
2002	815
2003	1170
2004	1097
2005	1167
2006	792
2007	517
2008	553
2009	670
2010	485
2011	688
2012	695
2014	1

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

POWER TRAIN 51%

51% of complaints: power train — 597 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing driveshaft and automatic transmission.

CRASH FIRE 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

Also filed under AIR BAGS

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

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 32%

32% of complaints: air bags — 375 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

DT: THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING WHEN VEHICLE SWERVED TO MISS A DEER AND IT TIPPED OVER INTO A DITCH WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL IT WAS PUT INTO PARK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050811

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20260825

SUSPENSION 7%

7% of complaints: suspension — 84 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear and front.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WE PURCHASED THE CAR ON 6/30/05.ON 7/4/05, MY DAYGHTERS FRIEND WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG.THINKING THAT THERE WAS A FLAT TIRE, HE PROCEEDED TO MOVE INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050717

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 79 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing exhaust system and engine.

CRASH FIRE

ENGINE 7%

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

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2005 — complaint volume: 1167

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