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 2500Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 422 owner complaints about the 2005 Dodge RAM 2500, most often about the steering. It is covered by 6 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 June 23, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Dodge RAM 2500 has problems
422 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
153Steering11 crash/fire/injury
77Suspension3 crash/fire/injury
76Air bags12 crash/fire/injury
63Power train19 crash/fire/injury
34Electrical system4 crash/fire/injury
17Exterior lighting
13Engine and engine cooling
11Visibility/wiper
10Structure
7518 other systems13 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 153 | 11 |
| Suspension | 77 | 3 |
| Air bags | 76 | 12 |
| Power train | 63 | 19 |
| Electrical system | 34 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 17 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 3 |
| Visibility/wiper | 11 | 0 |
| Structure | 10 | 0 |
| 18 other systems | 75 | 13 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2005 Dodge RAM 2500 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 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…
repaired · 2015 Q1
Linkages: tie rod assembly
Risk. A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 2 more recalls
no report yet
Linkages: tie rod assembly
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Lever and linkage: column shift
Risk. THIS ERROR IS AN UNINTENDED ACTION THAT MAY RESULT IN A LACK OF TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL ENGAGEMENT AND POSSIBLY DELAYED REARWARD MOVEMENT OF 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 steering problems start?
96kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 106 steering complaints. 54% were reported before 100,000 miles.
5under 30k miles57under 100k miles49100k 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.
Steering
9 owners mentioned a cost$2,500median
Middle half: $1,200 – $3,000
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 2500 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 2500 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
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
8 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Dodge RAM 2500, and the recalls they led to.
- Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529No recall
- FALSE PARKLed to recall 05V-462
- ENGINE STALLNo recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 15E-043
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- ENGINE STALLNo recall
- Clutch Interlock Switch MalfunctionLed to recall 14V-795
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-763
In owners' words
What RAM 2500 owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel wobbled, and the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that parts were not available to repair the vehicle.…
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway and the steering wheel started to shake violently. Additionally, the contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, the…
Steering is not as good as it should be. Has 83,000 miles and steering seems very loose, seems to wander from left to right, and hard to control, on Highway or city streets.
Own a 2005 RAM 2500?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.