2005 Dodge Ram 1500 problems
Owners have filed 1,637 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. Drivetrain & axles is the most reported problem area, at 36% of complaints. After that come air bags (23%) and engine (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,637 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Drivetrain & axles 36% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 163 and 25
- Injuries and deaths
- 95 and 8
- Typical mileage
- 87,000 miles 919 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 98 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 75 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 107 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 133 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 118 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 99 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 102 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 83 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 48 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 24 |
| 200k+ miles | 32 |
What the data shows
Among the 919 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 87,000 miles. For drivetrain & axles specifically, the median reported mileage is about 116,000 miles (275 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 163 complaints mention a crash; 25 complaints mention a fire; 95 injuries reported; 8 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2005 ranks 13th most-complained-about out of 19 model years of the Dodge Ram 1500 with enough data (278 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the power steering failed. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a concrete embankment and rolled over several times. The vehicle burst into flames, which were extinguished by the fire department. A police report was filed and indicated that a fractured rear axle caused the failure. The crash caused a fatality. The vehicle was towed to a salvage facility. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge ram 1500. Whenever it rained, the back up lights failed to illuminate and the cover shield of the lights also filled up with water. The lamp warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
The frame on my dodge ram has broken welds on both sides of the frame where the lower control arms mount to the frame. They have failed due to manufacturing defects during the welding process. The truck has never been wrecked, driven off road, or done any towing. Dodge refuses any assistance in replacing the frame because it has aged out of their warranty. The truck has 74,138 miles on it and is not drivable without a new frame.