2005 Dodge Ram problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2005 Dodge Ram sits mid-pack among Ram years: 47 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 35, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 16 reports (34% of the total).

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Ram years?

Ram NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ram years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Dodge Ram problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Engine	16	34%	▲ up
Transmission	11	23%	▲ up
Brakes	5	11%	— flat
Electrical System	4	9%	▼ down
Suspension	3	6%	— flat
Steering	2	4%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	1	2%	— flat
Fuel System	1	2%	— flat
Other	1	2%	▼ down
Seats	1	2%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	1	2%	▼ down
Airbags	1	2%	▼ down

Does the 2005 Dodge Ram have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

09E009000Visibility & WipersMarch 13, 2009 · 1,364 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,364 WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULES, P/N 55077098AJ, SOLD DURING THE 2008 AND 2009 CALENDAR YEAR FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MY 2002-2009 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER CAPABILITY.

Consequence

WHEN THE WIPER SYSTEM FAILS, THE OPERATOR WILL HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLIES WITH VENTED WIPER MOTOR HOUSINGS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

09E001000SteeringJanuary 13, 2009 · 18,000 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 18,000 AFTERMARKET STEERING LINKAGES USED FOR SERVICE ON SOME MY 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE SUBJECT LINKAGES MAY EXPERIENCE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD TO PITMAN ARM BALL STUD FRACTURE, ALSO, THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER ATTACHING BRACKET MAY YEILD AND SHIFT ON THE LINKAGE. THE PART NUMBERS OF THE AFFECTED ASSEMBLIES IS 52122362AA THROUGH 52122362AD.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE RESTRICTED ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN ONE DIRECTION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY, AND INSPECT THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07E066000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2007 · 175 units

Defect

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

Consequence

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE AND OPENED HOOD AND FOUND FLUIDS DRAINING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS ASSISTED BY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE FOURTH CYLINDER WAS LEAKING FROM…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 18, 2011 · fire

“The contact owns a 2005 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH the vehicle had nearly come to a stop as if the brake pedal had been depressed. The contact stated that his foot had been on the accelerator pedal and he had tried to accelerate but the vehicle was not…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 24, 2023 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AT 30 MPH AND ABOVE THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED CONSISTENTLY SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED ON APRIL 20, 2007. THE CONTACT HAS NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND STATED THAT THE ROTORS WEREWARPED. THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 24, 2007

“ENGINE STALLS OR ROUGH IDLES WHILES COMING TO BRIEF STOPS, IE STOP SIGNS OR RED LIGHTS. IT IS USUALLY BUT NOT ALWAYS WHEN I HAVE RUN THE CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME OF THE DAY WITHIN ABOUT 5 MILES OR LESS, AND SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPS ARE LOW. *NM UPDATED 04/19/07. *JB”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 19, 2007

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEANING AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. SHE IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTED TO STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE, BUT IT CONTINUED TO DRAG AND LEAN. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 1, 2007 · crash

2005 Dodge Ram — common questions

Is the 2005 Dodge Ram reliable?

It is close to typical for the Ram: 47 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2005 Ram problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (16 complaints), transmission (11 complaints), brakes (5 complaints).

Does the 2005 Dodge Ram have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Dodge Ram. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Dodge Ram years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ram years to avoid are 1996, 1995, 1998, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2000, 2002, 1992, 2004, 1993, 2003, 1991. The cleanest record among Ram years belongs to 2011.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2005 compare to other Ram years?

What are the most common 2005 Dodge Ram problems?

Does the 2005 Dodge Ram have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2005 Dodge Ram — common questions

Is the 2005 Dodge Ram reliable?

What are the most common 2005 Ram problems?

Does the 2005 Dodge Ram have recalls?

Which Dodge Ram years should you avoid?

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