2005 Dodge RAM 1500 problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 4 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 47
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Median mileage
- 169,629 mi at time of problem
Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners not to drive it until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Key facts
- Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 16 of 47 complaints (34%).
- Airbags (11) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (8) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 169,629 mi.
- Owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries.
- The 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 has 4 recalls on file, including at least one “do not drive” warning.
- NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 5th of 9 Dodge RAM 1500 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
2005 Dodge RAM 1500 problems by category
- Transmission & Drivetrain16 complaints
- Airbags · 2 crashes11 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion8 complaints
- Other / Unknown8 complaints
- Engine4 complaints
- Brakes3 complaints
- Suspension3 complaints
- Body & Structure3 complaints
- Electrical System3 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech2 complaints
- Wheels & Tires2 complaints
- Steering2 complaints
- Lighting1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power train | 16 |
| Air bags | 11 |
| Unknown or other | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Service brakes | 3 |
| Electrical system | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2005 Dodge RAM 1500 recalls (4)
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
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.
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. 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.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
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.
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. 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. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
- POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
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.
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.
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. Chrysler's number for this recall is P77.
- AIR BAGS
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
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. 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 portion of recall 14V-354.
NHTSA defect investigations
- EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.C…
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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 fai…
Rear Differential Failure
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 on…
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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 fai…
- EA05018Opened Nov 2, 2005Closed Aug 29, 2007
Engine stall
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 brakin…
Recent 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Sep 25, 2026CAOther / Unknown
Was driving down XXX around 3 am when my truck started shaking and vibrating severally and then my rearend blinded an my driveshaft snapped all the ears off causing my driveshaft to fail. Leaving in a very dangerous way. So dangerous that they got a tow truck to in ten minutes the vehicle was loaded with us still inside because of the dangerous situation. I had my truck towed to my mechanic. To get fixed .not knowing that there was a safety recall p77 on my truck I had…
NHTSA complaint #11767038 · source - Filed Aug 31, 2026CAOther / Unknown
I believe that the pinion nut loosened causing my rear end to lock up snapping the ears off my driveshaft at 75mph on [XXX] causing me to fishtail and nearly hitting the guard rail. Coming to a stop on a bridge right outside of [XXX]. It's pitch black outthere. And with semi tru cks able to do 75mph every time they pass just shakes your whole vehicle and if you know anything about I- 40 semis are pretty much what runs at that time. My wife was very upset by this.the spot we…
NHTSA complaint #11760836 · source - Filed Aug 25, 2026NYAirbags
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 dealer
NHTSA complaint #11759585 · source - Filed Aug 5, 2026CAOther / Unknown
The pinion bolt loosend driveshaft started shaking badly then blew up causing the rearend to bind up causing loss of control. Leaving me in a dangerous situation on I40 so dangerous that they got a tow truck to me within 10 minutes which is unheard of.had my truck towed to Ascot Automotive specialist. Which is my mechanic for my truck. Had it fixed out of pocket then asked mopar to reimburse me but they refused. Please help
NHTSA complaint #11755108 · source - Filed Jul 7, 2026CAAirbags
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experience a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11748761 · source - Filed Jun 24, 2026NYAirbags
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not yet contacted.
NHTSA complaint #11746115 · source - Filed May 21, 2026NYAirbagsTransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. The contact stated while getting the vehicle's state inspection done, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS), of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS), and NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN) however, the contact stated that he had reached out to a dealer, but they decline to service the vehicle due to not having the remedy available. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
NHTSA complaint #11739397 · source - Filed Feb 19, 2026CAAirbagsOther / Unknown
I have three recalls on my 2005 Dodge Ram - driver air bag, passenger air bag and rear axle pinion nut. I called the Dodge dealer in my city and was told the Dodge dealer cannot work on vehicles over [XXX] years old even if it is for a recall. Pedder Chrysler Dodge Ram + Jeep of Poway, 13811 Poway Road Poway CA 92064 [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11719070 · source
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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology