MYRModel Year Report

2005 Dodge RAM 2500

◆ Worse than typical
2005 Dodge RAM 2500
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
422
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

36% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1993: 39 complaints 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 267 complaints 1996: 291 complaints 1997: 213 complaints 1997 1998: 225 complaints 1999: 313 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 469 complaints 2002: 155 complaints 2003: 661 complaints 2004: 581 complaints 2005: 422 complaints 2005 422 2006: 668 complaints 2007: 361 complaints 2008: 317 complaints 2009: 214 complaints 2009 2010: 236 complaints 2011: 298 complaints 2012: 283 complaints 2012
1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1993: 39 complaints 1993 1994: 168 complaints 1995: 267 complaints 1995 1996: 291 complaints 1997: 213 complaints 1997 1998: 225 complaints 1999: 313 complaints 1999 2000: 211 complaints 2001: 469 complaints 2001 2002: 155 complaints 2003: 661 complaints 2003 2004: 581 complaints 2005: 422 complaints 2005 422 2006: 668 complaints 2007: 361 complaints 2007 2008: 317 complaints 2009: 214 complaints 2009 2010: 236 complaints 2011: 298 complaints 2011 2012: 283 complaints
1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1992 1993: 39 complaints 1993 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 267 complaints 1995 1996: 291 complaints 1996 1997: 213 complaints 1997 1998: 225 complaints 1998 1999: 313 complaints 1999 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 469 complaints 2001 2002: 155 complaints 2002 2003: 661 complaints 2003 2004: 581 complaints 2004 2005: 422 complaints 2005 422 2006: 668 complaints 2006 2007: 361 complaints 2007 2008: 317 complaints 2008 2009: 214 complaints 2009 2010: 236 complaints 2010 2011: 298 complaints 2011 2012: 283 complaints 2012

2005: 422 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199116
199232
199339
1994168
1995267
1996291
1997213
1998225
1999313
2000211
2001469
2002155
2003661
2004581
2005422
2006668
2007361
2008317
2009214
2010236
2011298
2012283

Known problem areas

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

Steering

36% · 154 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and connection.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Steering went out and truck rolled. Verified per mechanic failure on recalled part/s

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-02-23

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, 2013-11-11

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, 2012-08-01

Suspension

19% · 80 reports

Most commonly citing front and upper ball joint.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

Air bags

18% · 76 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show 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, 2019-02-21

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, 2017-11-17

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-04-15

Power train

15% · 63 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and gear position indication (prndl).

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

May 2018, put truck in park and left it running to go in to get something. We were in an rv park at the time. A minute or so later, it went in reverse and backed into a trailer causing damage to both. Gearshift showedit was still in 'p'.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-12-10

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, 2005-05-13

Back end of 05 Dodge RAM 1500 slid on wet pavement at approximately 10 MPH. When back end hit curb, axle snapped where wheel and axle meet. Given events, this should be looked at as a defect-axle should not have broken in this condition.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-05-06

Electrical system

9% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing horn and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIRE

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    2004-08-26Engineering analysisClosed 2005-12-22 False park
  2. ▮
    2005Complaint volume 422 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. I
    2005-05-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-11-03 Engine stall
  4. I
    2005-11-02Engineering analysisClosed 2007-08-29 Engine stall
  5. R
    2006-03-20Power train05V462000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2007-03-12Suspension07E009000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. 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 →

  8. 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 →

  9. R
    2011-10-03Steering11V350000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2014-01-17Steering13V528000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2014-05-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-12-23 Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
  12. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  13. I
    2014-10-20Audit queryClosed 2016-05-16 Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
  14. 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 →

  15. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  16. 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 →

  17. 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 →

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

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Dodge RAM 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 154 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 80 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 76 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 05V462000 · Power train
  • Recall 07E009000 · Suspension
  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
  • Recall 10E013000 · Steering
  • Recall 11V350000 · Steering
  • Recall 13V528000 · Steering
  • Recall 14V770000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V313000 · Air bags
  • 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 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 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge RAM 2500 have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

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