2005 Dodge RAM 2500
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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 | 16 |
| 1992 | 32 |
| 1993 | 39 |
| 1994 | 168 |
| 1995 | 267 |
| 1996 | 291 |
| 1997 | 213 |
| 1998 | 225 |
| 1999 | 313 |
| 2000 | 211 |
| 2001 | 468 |
| 2002 | 155 |
| 2003 | 661 |
| 2004 | 579 |
| 2005 | 422 |
| 2006 | 668 |
| 2007 | 361 |
| 2008 | 317 |
| 2009 | 214 |
| 2010 | 236 |
| 2011 | 297 |
| 2012 | 282 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
35% of complaints: steering — 147 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
STEERING WENT OUT AND TRUCK ROLLED. VERIFIED PER MECHANIC FAILURE ON RECALLED PART/S
NHTSA ODI report, 20240223
ON FEBRUARY 3, 2012 WE WERE PASSING A LOGGING TRUCK IN A LEGAL PASSING LANE WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN OUR TRUCK STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20131111
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120801
18% of complaints: air bags — 75 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
DID NOT RECIEVE INFORMATION ABOUT A AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. I LOST CONTROL DRIVING ON ICE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH AT 55MPH AND HIT A TREE WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190221
INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALER UPON NOTICE OF THE RECALL FOR TEKATA TK HOLDINGS AIR BAGS. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171117
2005 DODGE 3500 HIT A POLE HEAD ON YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*MR THE CONSUMER'S HEAD STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING HEAD, NECK AND VISION PROBLEMS. THIS DEFECT WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
NHTSA ODI report, 20050415
13% of complaints: suspension — 54 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATH8% of complaints: electrical system — 32 distinct reports on file.
FIRE7% of complaints: power train — 30 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
DT: WITH THE CAR RUNNING, THE GEAR WENT OUT OF PARK. WITHOUT WARNING THE TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK WITH BRAKES IS SATISFIED AND ALLOWS THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT TO ANOTHER GEAR. THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20050513
SAFETY TIMELINE
FALSE PARK
ENGINE STALL
ENGINE STALL
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 INADVE
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 05V462000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN LKI ENTERPRISES, INC., BRAND NAME SUPERLIFT SUSPENSION, PITMAN ARMS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 2003-2007 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 4X4 LIGHT TRUCKS. DUE TO INADEQUATE HEAT TREATMENT DURI
Remedy: LKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN ARM, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LKI AT 1-800-551-4955.
Campaign 07E009000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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, MANUFACTUR
Remedy: 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 C
Campaign 11V350000 — check if this car was fixed
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 Meg
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 13V528000 — check if this car was fixed
Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
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 (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 2500 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (147 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (75 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (54 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 05V462000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E009000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10E013000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V350000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V528000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V770000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V313000 (air bags) 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 2500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Dodge RAM 2500 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge RAM 2500?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge RAM 2500 have?
9 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.