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EnginePart report

2005 Dodge RAM 3500 Engine Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
2%of 196 total for the year
Median mileage
163,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Dodge RAM 3500, 2% of the 196 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 163,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Driving down highway car in front was slow when I passed car fan cut my wire on clutchfan engin light came on got home a few minites after look under hood seen wire was cut this is the 2nd time this happened in 2 days”

NHTSA complaint #10716367, filed 2015-05, 143,000 miles

“On july 20, 2017 family and I were riding in our meticulously maintained 2005 RAM 3500 at highway speed in the cape cod region of massachusetts. After an hour truck running great, outside temp 92 degrees. 30 seconds later we had a catastrophic event which put us on the side of the road.12 quarts of oil on the ground, flames under the hood, and a hole in block. Removed wife and daughter from vehicle, extinguished fire thanks to a state trooper, fire and police apparatus. Given this is my daily driver and a business vehicle I was forced to replace motor costing $18k. …”

NHTSA complaint #11040197, filed 2017-10, 183,000 miles

“Driver ran over tire rubber debris causing a thud under truck. Five minutes later a very loud thud noise occurred, no warning lights on dash, driver pulled off the highway immediately and exited truck. The grass was on fire underneath the truck. Explosion occurred. The entire inside of truck was gutted. Local fire department responded and put out the fire. Texas Department of Safety refused to respond since collision not involved. The truck is at a towing company awaiting salvage and has been inspected by a mechanic.”

NHTSA complaint #11535177, filed 2023-07

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20123510%
2011219%
20101711%
200911%
2008116%
2007178%
200662%
200532%
200421%
200310%
200212%
200111%
200012%

Other parts of the 2005 Dodge RAM 3500

Steering
61 complaints
Air bags
33 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
32 complaints
Suspension
17 complaints
Electrical system
15 complaints
Fuel system
12 complaints
Engine cooling
10 complaints
Brakes
9 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaints
Exterior lighting
7 complaints
Other or unknown
6 complaints
Tires
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Dodge RAM 3500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology