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2005 Dodge RAM 2500: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

422 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

82,700 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 284 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 147 of 422 complaints (34.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior11928.2%
Braking behavior409.5%
Transmission and shifting327.6%
Electrical and battery issues133.1%
Engine operation112.6%
Fuel system concerns102.4%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Steering
147
Air Bags
75
Suspension
54
Electrical System
32
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
30
Power Train
20
Suspension:Front
19
Exterior Lighting
14
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering147
Air Bags75
Suspension54
Electrical System32
Power Train:Automatic Transmission30
Power Train20
Suspension:Front19
Exterior Lighting14

Steering: 147; Air Bags: 75; Suspension: 54; Electrical System: 32; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 30; Power Train: 20; Suspension:Front: 19; Exterior Lighting: 14

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
42
25,000 to 49,999
41
50,000 to 74,999
43
75,000 to 99,999
40
100,000 to 149,999
63
150,000 and above
55
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00042
25,000 to 49,99941
50,000 to 74,99943
75,000 to 99,99940
100,000 to 149,99963
150,000 and above55

Under 25,000: 42; 25,000 to 49,999: 41; 50,000 to 74,999: 43; 75,000 to 99,999: 40; 100,000 to 149,999: 63; 150,000 and above: 55

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (63). 138 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2005
20
2006
28
2007
19
2008
10
2009
27
2010
30
2011
27
2012
30
2013
14
2014
65
2015
50
2016
43
2017
20
2018
12
2019
10
2020
7
2021
2
2022
2
2023
2
2024
2
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
200520
200628
200719
200810
200927
201030
201127
201230
201314
201465
201550
201643
201720
201812
201910
20207
20212
20222
20232
20242
20262

2005: 20; 2006: 28; 2007: 19; 2008: 10; 2009: 27; 2010: 30; 2011: 27; 2012: 30; 2013: 14; 2014: 65; 2015: 50; 2016: 43; 2017: 20; 2018: 12; 2019: 10; 2020: 7; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 119 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 40 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 32 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10117804 · 2005-04-12 (April 12, 2005)

2005 DODGE 3500 HIT A POLE HEAD ON YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*MR THE CONSUMER'S HEAD STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING HEAD, NECK AND VISION PROBLEMS. THIS DEFECT WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10117804 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10118688 · 2005-04-29 (April 29, 2005)

PURCHASED 3/4 TON PUCK-UP TRUCK. THE HEMI ENGINE HAS A NOISY VALVE TRAIN. THE DEALERSHIP PLACED NEW HEADS ON THE ENGINE PER THE NEW DODGE SERVICE BULLETIN AFTER 7,000 MILES. WITH THE NEW HEADS ON THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN THE AMOUNT OF NOISE THE ENGINE MADE. THE SERVICE BULLITEN INDICATES A CLEARANCE ISSUE REGARDING THE VALVE DIAMETER. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES REGARDING THIS ISSUE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 6,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118688 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10120041 · 2005-05-06 (May 6, 2005)

BACK END OF 05 DODGE RAM 1500 SLID ON WET PAVEMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. WHEN BACK END HIT CURB, AXLE SNAPPED WHERE WHEEL AND AXLE MEET. GIVEN EVENTS, THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AS A DEFECT-AXLE SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN IN THIS CONDITION. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED IT UNDER MY INSURANCE-WOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER WARRANTY.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,499 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120041 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10120836 · 2005-05-13 (May 13, 2005)

DT: WITH THE CAR RUNNING, THE GEAR WENT OUT OF PARK. WITHOUT WARNING THE TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK WITH BRAKES IS SATISFIED AND ALLOWS THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT TO ANOTHER GEAR. THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. PARKING INTERLOCK LOGIC IS FAULTY. TRUCK IS A RAM 2500 QUAD CAB 4X4. CHRYSLER COMPLAINT FILE #13477159 EMMA MARTEL AT [phone removed]

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120836 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10121778 · 2005-05-21 (May 21, 2005)

STALLING. UPON READING THE AP ARTICLE ABOUT DODGE RAM 1500 STALLING I WAS COMPELLED TO WRITE TO ADD THE SAME INCIDENCE OCCURRING IN THE HEMIS. (WE HAVE A 2005 2500 SERIES HEMI). IF YOU SEARCH UNDER "DODGE HEMI STALLING" YOU WILL FIND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS DOCUMENTING INCIDENTS COVERING SEVERAL YEARS AND DODGE'S FLASH SOLUTION. OUR BRAND NEW TRUCK SAT IN THEIR SHOP FOR 6 WEEKS AWAITING THE RELEASE OF THE LATEST FLASH TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD NO REOCCURRANCE OF STALLING PROBLEMS SINCE THE FLASH, BUT HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL DODGE HEMI OWNERS…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10121778 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10121783 · 2005-05-21 (May 21, 2005)

I HAVE AN 05 RAM 2500 QUAD CAB HEMI TRUCK WITH 3,200 MILES ON IT. SINCE NEW THE TRUCK HAS HAD AN ERRATIC IDLE AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY DIE WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE PCM HAS BEEN FLASHED, THE THROTTLE BODY IS PROJECTED TO BE REPLACED NEXT. THIS PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS THE TRUCK RECENTLY STALLED IN TRAFFIC THREE TIMES IN A TEN MINUTE PERIOD. I WILL ALSO BE FILLING A SIMILAR COMPLAINT FOR MY 05 HEMI DURANGO LIMITED.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,195 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121783 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10121837 · 2005-05-22 (May 22, 2005)

WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE (AUTO TRANS) ENGINE STALLS. THIS HAS HAPPENED UPON FOUR SEPERATE OCCASIONS.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10121837 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10122286 · 2005-05-27 (May 27, 2005)

I RECENTLY GOT MY 2003 DODGE RAM P/U 2500 2WD INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD THAT MY FRONT END SQUEAKS AND THIS IS DUE TO NO BALL JOINT GREASE. THIS VEHICLE HAS 16000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A WARRANTY PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SET ME UP FOR AN APPOINTMENT YESTERDAY. I STOPPED IN AND EXPLAINED WHAT I WAS TOLD. THE PERSON THAT WROTE UP MY WORK ORDER ADVISED ME THAT CHRYSLER FROWNS UPON THEM STATING THIS FACT IN THE WORK ORDER AND INSTEAD, HE WROTE THAT THE COMPLAINT WAS BALL JOINT NOISE POSS. LOOSE BALLJOINT. DURING THIS STAGE, …

Owner-reported narrative. 16,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10122286 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

05V462000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift

Reported: 2005-10-06 (October 6, 2005)

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY WITHOUT SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVING THE KEY, THE DRIVER MAY INADVERTENTLY LEAVE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL IN INDICATED REVERSE.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION TO EQUIP THESE VEHICLES WITH AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
11V350000 · Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly

Reported: 2011-07-06 (July 6, 2011)

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS MAKING A TIGHT TURN. ADDITIONALLY, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 VEHICLES MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE AFFECTED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY AS A REPLACEMENT PART DURING NORMAL SERVICE.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
13V528000 · Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly

Reported: 2013-11-06 (November 6, 2013)

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.

Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V770000 · Air Bags

Reported: 2014-12-03 (December 3, 2014)

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.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s 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 campaign record ↗
15V313000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2015-05-26 (May 26, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V352000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-05-24 (May 24, 2016)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗