2005 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 most often write about the rear axle and driveline, describing rear wheels locking, driveshafts separating and differential noise, many times in connection with a rear axle pinion nut recall. Airbag complaints are the second large group, mostly about open Takata inflator recalls, parts availability and airbags that did not deploy in a crash, followed by smaller clusters on brakes, stalling and fuel leaks. Most reports come in between roughly 60,000 and 180,000 miles, and many describe sudden failures while driving rather than a gradual decline.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Rear axle/driveshaft locking or separating

   • 258 complaints (22%)
   • median 118,419 mi at 10.3 yrs old (215 state mileage)
   • 23 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 21 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2026

   Complaints describe the rear wheels locking or the rear end seizing while driving, sometimes with a loud noise and the truck fishtailing or spinning. Several owners report the driveshaft detaching from the rear axle, or differential noise, leaks and broken bearings, with dealers replacing the driveshaft, rear axle assembly or differential parts. Many say the repair was tied to recall 14V796000 and that parts were unavailable or that a second failure happened after the recall work. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 200,000 miles, often while driving at highway speed.

   Recall 14V796000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 14V796000 (rear axle pinion nut) was completed, and have a shop check the rear axle, pinion nut and driveshaft for play, noise or leaks before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on the highway at 60 MPH the back wheels suddenly and without warning locked up for an instant. I immediately braked to reduce speed and try to get to the side of the road. In order to avoid being hit in the rear by other vehicles, I needed to accelerate to 60 MPH and the wheels locked again. I was able to get to the side of the road. I have called Dodge about this issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #10608727, filed 2014-07, 175,000 miles

   “Rear wheels locked up at 55 MPH on the highway causing me to lose control and almost roll over, the driveshaft sheared off at the rear and flew out from under the truck. I was able to slide off the right side of the road and avoid a collision.”

   NHTSA complaint #11351509, filed 2020-08, 238,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag recall parts, repairs and non-deployment

   • 356 complaints (30%)
   • median 89,500 mi at 10.5 yrs old (84 state mileage)
   • 59 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2026

   A large share of airbag complaints are about the Takata inflator recalls: owners say dealers had no parts for long periods, appointments were postponed, or they were unsure whether the passenger-side inflator was ever replaced. Others describe front-end collisions where the airbags did not deploy, and some report the airbag warning light staying on after a recall repair. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 64,000 to over 200,000 miles, and often years after the recalls were announced.

   Recall 15V313000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 16V352000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 14V770000

   What to check: Check the VIN against open airbag recalls and ask for written proof that the driver and passenger inflators were replaced; confirm the airbag warning light goes out at startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I took my truck in for the passenger airbag recall last year at jim cogdill Dodge. They said they fixed it but now I still get calls and am told it isn't fixed. I had already had the drivers side fixed long before that but they didn't have the passenger side. I have contacted jimcogdill Dodge and the Dodge ram people about it and I keep getting different answ ers. I have no idea if they fixed it or not.”

   NHTSA complaint #11364084, filed 2020-10, 165,000 miles

   “Takata recall I recently received the safety recall notice in the mail and spoke with an FCA employee about the recall at the number provided. The recall states that it could injure or kill myself or my family yet I was not provided with any assistance in finding another means of transportation while waiting on the recall parts to become available. Will a rental vehicle be provided while I wait for parts, as I no longer feel safe driving my vehicle?”

   NHTSA complaint #10893262, filed 2016-08, 208,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine stalling and loss of power steering

   • 210 complaints (18%)
   • median 67,500 mi at 8.3 yrs old (184 state mileage)
   • 20 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,937 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2022

   Complaints describe the engine quitting at low speed or while slowing for a turn, with the steering wheel locking and the brake pedal going hard. Some owners link it to the EGR valve or throttle control and say the dealer found nothing because no engine light came on; a few report sudden unintended acceleration. Reported from very low mileage (under 20,000) up past 100,000, often at low speed in traffic or turning.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Road-test at low speed and in turns, ask whether the EGR valve or throttle body has been serviced, and have a shop scan the PCM for stored codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine quit at low speed. Applied brakes,went to neutral and was able to start car.I use tis truck to pull a fifth wheel,since this happened don't trust if this happened with the trailer there will be three dead bodies. Will get rid of this truck don't trust it. Dealer siad there is nothing they can do about sincs it it intermitten.”

   NHTSA complaint #10323045, filed 2010-03, 19,950 miles

   “On going problem with Dodge RAM 1500 trucks. They contain a faulty exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. The sensor causes trucks to stall out when driving at slower speeds under 40 MPH. With loss of power loose power steering and power brakes. I would also imagine affects exhaust emissions as gas mileage severely drops when EGR valve is going out. Trucks engine malfunction indicator light usually comes on. If you go to dealership will charge you $175 to tell you why indicator light came on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10269007, filed 2009-05, 60,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Antilock brakes and pedal/brake shudder

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the ABS and brake warning lights coming on, a pedal that needs pumping to stop, and brake or ABS module problems that mechanics traced to the hydraulic pump or module. Others report shudder or vibration when braking from around 40-45 mph, which returned after pads and rotors were replaced. Mostly reported from about 70,000 miles upward, and often recurring after an initial repair.

   What to check: Test the brakes from highway speed for shudder, check that the ABS light is off, and ask whether the ABS module or hydraulic pump has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have replaced brake booster, brake pads, and master cylinder and brake booster and master cylinder has been replaced twice by a local garage. And still I have to pump the brakes and pray I stop.”

   NHTSA complaint #11317094, filed 2020-03, 155,000 miles

   “This is an ongoing and old problem with this vehicle. When attaining minimum speeds of 40 or 45mph, applying the brakes causes a vehicle shudder. Its almost like the vehicle is hopping. It causes operator to bounce in seat and is a safety issue as to control. Researching problem online I have discovered other complaints. Replacing brake pads and rotors solves the problem only temporarily. Having brakes checked at mechanic during this issue failed to find fault, and indicated ample thickness on brake shoes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10621059, filed 2014-08, 110,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Fuel tank corrosion, leaks and strap rust

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report a strong fuel smell, corroded or leaking fuel tanks and fuel lines, and fuel leaking onto the ground at the pump. One complaint describes the rusted fuel tank straps failing so the tank dropped and dragged, and another says the engine stalls for a while after filling up. Reported from about 60,000 to 160,000 miles, in vehicles with visible rust underneath.

   What to check: Inspect the fuel tank, lines and mounting straps for rust or seepage, and check for a fuel smell around the filler and under the truck.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After filling fuel tank 5.7 hemi stalls while in motion on a city street and highway and is hard to start. Almost caused a serious crash. After about 20-30 miles it stops stalling for the most part. It has stalled after more than 20-30 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #11406437, filed 2021-04, 114,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, there was a banging noise followed by a dragging noise coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was immediately stopped and upon inspection it was discovered that the fuel tank straps had failed and the fuel tank had fallen to the ground and was being dragged while the vehicle was being driven. The contact stated that the fuel tank straps were severely rusted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11522802, filed 2023-05, 158,000 miles

Buying note. Have any 2005 Ram 1500 inspected underneath for rear axle and driveshaft condition and confirm the rear axle and airbag recalls were completed with paperwork. A highway-speed test drive plus a brake check will surface most of what owners describe here.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.