2005 Dodge RAM 1500
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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 | 1169 |
| 2004 | 1094 |
| 2005 | 1165 |
| 2006 | 792 |
| 2007 | 517 |
| 2008 | 553 |
| 2009 | 670 |
| 2010 | 485 |
| 2011 | 687 |
| 2012 | 694 |
| 2014 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
47% of complaints: power train — 547 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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
31% of complaints: air bags — 359 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow 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
7% of complaints: engine — 76 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE5% of complaints: electrical system — 56 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow 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
5% of complaints: steering — 54 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHSAFETY TIMELINE
ENGINE STALL
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
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
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
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Rear Differential Failure
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
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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
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
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
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
WORST 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 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.