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2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,171 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500, most often about the transmission (51% of complaints, typically around 111,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Ram 1500 model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 problems
Transmission
593 complaints · 51%Half of these problems showed up before 111,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, automatic transmission, axle assembly, manual transmission.
I was driving my 05 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 traveling on the interstate doing 55 MPH when I heard a whining noise that grew real loud. As I attempted to pull over to the median the truck locked up and skidded to a stop just missing the guard rail. I got out and looked under my truck and saw the drive shaft had broken off…
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while traveling 30 MPH, the rear tires seized. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 118,000.
Air bags
375 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The 2005 Dodge ram air bags did not deploy in a crash into a 6 foot brick column and subsequent impact with a travel trailer 4 feet beyond the fence. The point of impact was the center of the front bumper and occurred with sufficient force to push the hood through the windshield. The driver was wearing the seatbelt…
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
Engine
153 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
Continuing issue with EGR valve, after about 5 minutes of research I can see this is a wide spread issue. Also, after discussing with several mechanics this is a not a valve that should go out in the first four years. Truck idles rough and stalls at slow speeds, valve is evidently faulty or other piece of system…
On going problem with Dodge Ram 1500 trucks. They contain a faulty exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. The sensor causes trucks to stall out when driving at slower speeds under 40 MPH. With loss of power loose power steering and power brakes. I would also imagine affects exhaust emissions as gas mileage severely…
Suspension
82 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 106,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while traveling 60 MPH the pinion nut came loose from the pinion shaft. As a result, the rear wheels locked up. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that he never seen that type of failure before. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure…
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal noise and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the pinion nut rear axle and the drive shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Electrical
63 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, horn.
When I slow down, and specifically turn the wheel in either direction, my Dodge will randomly stall. The radio will stay on and the only way I know the truck has stalled is because I am not going anywhere. Once I put it in neutral it starts right up and takes off. This is extremely dangerous and has almost caused…
I purchased my 2005 Dodge ram used in 2010 with 74,000 miles. Shortly after I purchased it the truck would die when coming to a stop, no power steering, no power brakes. Well I took it to 3 different dealerships to try and get an explanation after I replaced the iac valve and cleaned every piece of the induction…
Steering
59 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, hydraulic power assist, rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist system.
Rack and pinion leaking which is connected to the power steering pump, which uses the same fluid as the rack and pinion--both have to be repaired and replaced. The tie rods are broken and connected to the rack and pinion fluid, which ultimately LED to the tierods breaking due to fluid leakage. We are also having…
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle started to make a grinding noise. The dealer advised that the part needed was unavailable to repair the vehicle under a manufacturer recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the…
Wheels and tires
44 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, tread/belt, rim, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
I just replaced the driver side wheel bearing, two years ago it was the passenger side. I have spoken to three other ram owners who have had the same experience.
I was at the stop sign on the braga bridge in ma. I started to enter traffic when there was a loud bang and then a bunch of banging, I instantly stopped on the bridge just past the stop sign. I put the truck in park and shut off the engine, I jumped out of the truck but it began to roll back. I had my wife hold the…
Other or unspecified
40 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles.
I was driving down the road and the lsd rear differential of my 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 completely locked up and the drive line separated from the rear differential. The shop that fixed it said that a retaining clip must have come loose and destroyed the entire rear differential. Good thing I was only going about 25 MPH…
A recall was posted for 2006 and newer Dodge ram for front wheel bearings. My 2005 had both front wheel bearings fail at less than 90,000 miles. Same manufacture of wheel bearings. Secondly, a recall was also given for a failed electrical switch pertaining to ignition switch and heater blower motor. Mine also failed…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Dodge Ram 1500 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on march 27, 2017. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s43. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v-7700.
Full defect summary
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. With this change, chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 ram 1500, 2005-2009 ram 2500, 2006-2009 ram 3500, 2007-2010 ram 3500 cab chassis, 2008-2010 ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis, 2004-2009 dodge durango, 2007-2009 chrysler aspen, 2007-2012 jeep wrangler, 2008-2012 dodge challenger, 2005-2008 dodge magnum, 2005-2012 chrysler 300, 2006-2012 dodge charger, 2005-2011 dodge dakota, and 2006-2009 mitsubishi raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in al, ca, fl, ga, hi, la, ms, sc, tx, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 ram 1500, 2005-2009 ram 2500, 2006-2009 r
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for chrylser on june 8, 2015. The recall for mitsubishi started on june 24, 2015. Chrysler and dodge owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is r25. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v817 in its entirety.
Full defect summary
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 srt8, 2006-2010 dodge charger, 2005-2008 magnum, 2005-2011 dodge dakota, and 2006-2009 mitsubishi raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Transmission: differential unit
Risk: If the pinion nut loosens, the rear axle may seize, and/or the driveshaft may detach resulting in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is p77.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Virgin islands, owners were notified and the recall began on december 5, 2014. For all other vehicles, chrysler notified owners and the recall began on february 3, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is p40 expanded. Note: this recall has been superseded by recall 16v-352. This recall superseded the passenger air bag p
Full defect summary
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 registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in alabama, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, texas, puerto rico, u.s. Virgin islands, saipan, guam, and american samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Rear differential failure
Summary
On december 16, 2014, chrysler group llc submitted a safety recall report to NHTSA describing a defect in the rear differential of approximately 256,956 model year (my) 2005 dodge ram 1500 pickup trucks (NHTSA recall no. 14v-796, chrysler recall no. P77).chrysler's letter states that: 1) some of the recalled vehicles may have been built with an axle pinion nut that can loosen, due to an undersized spline on the pinion gear; and 2) a loose pinion may cause the rear axle to seize and/or the driveshaft to separate, resulting in the loss of vehicle control and/or a crash with little warning.the one crash and injury noted in chrysler's safety recall report is from a NHTSA complaint documented in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Engine stall
Summary
Analysis of the complaint, field report and warranty data shows that the majority of stalling incidents in the subject vehicles appear to be related to the engine calibration concerns that daimlerchrysler addressed with service bulletins releasing revised PCM software.analysis of the complaints and odi's survey of owners of vehicles that received engine management software updates under tsb #18-013-05 show that these stalling incidents have the following characteristics: - they occur at low speeds, often during parking lot ordriveway maneuvers; - they occur during decelerations, such as braking for a stop sign or traffic signal; and - the operator is almost always able to immediately restart
Questions about the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (593 complaints, typically around 111,000 miles); air bags (375 complaints, typically around 89,500 miles); engine (153 complaints, typically around 61,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 24, 2016 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Dodge Ram 1500?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Ram 1500 model year since 2000, with 1,171 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.