MYRModel Year Report

2005 Dodge RAM 1500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Dodge RAM 1500
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
1,169
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

51% of complaints

Complaints per year

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: 1,112 complaints 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1,171 complaints 2004: 1,097 complaints 2005: 1,169 complaints 2005 1,169 2006: 792 complaints 2007: 517 complaints 2008: 554 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2012: 697 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaint
1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1993 1994: 116 complaints 1995: 213 complaints 1995 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1999: 610 complaints 1999 2000: 513 complaints 2001: 1,112 complaints 2001 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1,171 complaints 2003 2004: 1,097 complaints 2005: 1,169 complaints 2005 1,169 2006: 792 complaints 2007: 517 complaints 2007 2008: 554 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2011 2012: 697 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2014
1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 6 complaints 1993 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1995 1996: 298 complaints 1996 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1998 1999: 610 complaints 1999 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1,112 complaints 2001 2002: 815 complaints 2002 2003: 1,171 complaints 2003 2004: 1,097 complaints 2004 2005: 1,169 complaints 2005 1,169 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2007 2008: 554 complaints 2008 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2010 2011: 688 complaints 2011 2012: 697 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaint 2014

2005: 1,169 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19917
19920
19936
1994116
1995213
1996298
1997361
1998520
1999610
2000513
20011,112
2002815
20031,171
20041,097
20051,169
2006792
2007517
2008554
2009670
2010485
2011688
2012697
20141

Known problem areas

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

Power train

51% · 597 reports

Most commonly citing driveshaft and automatic transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
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, 2017-11-27

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, 2013-03-18

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, 2023-10-08

Air bags

32% · 375 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
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, 2005-08-11

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…

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-25

Suspension

7% · 84 reports

Most commonly citing rear and front.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2005-07-17

Engine and engine cooling

7% · 79 reports

Most commonly citing exhaust system and engine.

CRASHFIRE

Engine

7% · 76 reports
CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2005Complaint volume 1,169 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2005-11-02Engineering analysisClosed 2007-08-29 Engine stall
  3. R
    2008-01-15Visibility07E104000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2010-05-24Steering10E013000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2010-09-15Wheels10E040000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  7. I
    2014-06-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-12-23 Rear Differential Failure
  8. R
    2015-02-03Air bags14V770000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  10. R
    2015-06-08Air bags15V313000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2015-06-26Power train14V796000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2017-03-27Air bags16V352000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Dodge RAM 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 597 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 375 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 84 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
  • Recall 10E013000 · Steering
  • Recall 10E040000 · Wheels
  • Recall 14V770000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V313000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V796000 · Power train
  • Recall 16V352000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 51% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.