repaired · 2018 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. 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…
2005 Dodge RAM 1500Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1,174 owner complaints about the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-770 the manufacturer reports only 23% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 4, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 has problems
1,174 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
595Power train30 crash/fire/injury
376Air bags61 crash/fire/injury
82Suspension
77Engine and engine cooling
76Engine
63Electrical system
59Steering
32Wheels
27Visibility
19618 other systems28 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 595 | 30 |
| Air bags | 376 | 61 |
| Suspension | 82 | 13 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 77 | 3 |
| Engine | 76 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 63 | 7 |
| Steering | 59 | 15 |
| Wheels | 32 | 11 |
| Visibility | 27 | 2 |
| 18 other systems | 196 | 28 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2005 Dodge RAM 1500 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. 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…
repaired · 2016 Q3
Driveline: 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.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Air bags
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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
111kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 287 power train complaints. 43% were reported before 100,000 miles.
19under 30k miles122under 100k miles165100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
16 owners mentioned a cost$1,950median
Middle half: $1,000 – $2,433
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other RAM 1500 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAM 1500 median. How we score
'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'14
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 Dodge RAM 1500 safety ratings
2005 Dodge Ram 1500 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (19.8% risk)
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500, and the recalls they led to.
- ENGINE STALLNo recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-668
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-763
- Rear Differential FailureLed to recall 14V-796
In owners' words
What RAM 1500 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
My 2005 Dodge 1500 Ram truck broke down on the side of the road and it was determined that the Driveshaft fell off. Once it arrived at Wilson Motors, the representative told me the vehicle broke due to a nut and bolt that held the driveshaft onto the rear axle. This faulty issue was known by Dodge…
The truck broke down on the side of the road and it was determined that the Driveshaft fell off. Once it arrived at Wilson Motors, the representative told me the vehicle broke due to a nut and bolt that held the driveshaft onto the rear axle. This faulty issue was known by Dodge and there was a…
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,…
Own a 2005 RAM 1500?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.