2005 Dodge RAM 3500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 16%of 196 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Dodge RAM 3500, 16% of the 196 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,500 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2005, Dodge ram 1500 4x4 quad cab 5.7l, 3.92 gears intermittently stalled. I previously owned an almost identical 2003. It had a 4.7l / 3.55 gears. So far the truck stalled twice while idling in front of the mailbox. Once while idling waiting on line to pick my child up from school. Once while idling waiting for money at an atm machine.”
NHTSA complaint #10118757, filed 2005-04, 4,729 miles“Dodge represents the 3500 ram I purchased to be a heavy duty tow vehicle capable of safely towing nearly 16000 lbs. Upon my purchase I quickly discovered that they have removed the basic overdrive lock out feature found on most if not all vehicles in this class of automobile. The computer program and transmission controls will command this vehicle into overdrive regardless of terrain or load being towed or carried at the time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10135127, filed 2005-09, 1,500 miles“My 2005 Dodge ram hd diesel w/auto trans. Come out of park with my 2 year old son inside. He is not tall enough to reach the brake, however he was able to pull it out of park into r and the truck rolled off the hill into the wood and crashed into several saplings. My son was not severely injured, he struck his right cheek, chest and abdomen somewhere in the vehicle during the crash. The vehicle now will come out of park without touching the brake at all. The vehicle was not running at the time of the incident and had been parked for approximately. 10 min.”
NHTSA complaint #10142548, filed 2005-11, 14,250 miles“2005 Dodge RAM 3500 with cummins turbo diesel. This particular model has a tow-haul mode that will not lock the transmission out of overdrive. If you are descending a hill and you so much as touch the accelerator then the truck automatically shifts into overdrive and sends you speeding down the hill. The tow-haul mode also downshifts the transmission into second gear at 50+ MPH and that can also spell disaster while descending a hill on a cold day. My fist experience with this was earlier in the week while traveling to tennessee. We had to tow our 8000 lb race trailer over mt. …”
NHTSA complaint #10135297, filed 2005-09, 1,200 miles“While in reverse with the driver side door open and wearing the seat belt the out-of park alarm sounded. The out-of park alarm was installed on the vehicle under NHTSA recall # 05v462000. When contacting the manufacturer it was determined the out-of park alarm should not sound when the seat belt is being worn.”
NHTSA complaint #10188533, filed 2007-04, 20,000 milesRelated recalls
- 05V462000Oct 6, 2005On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines and automatic transmissions, in an attempt to exit the vehicle quickly without shutting off the engine…Covers: Dodge RAM 3500 2003–2005, RAM 2500 2003–2005
Related service bulletins
- 11010205Oct 30, 2024Plate - Planetary
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10220840Mar 31, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10022003May 24, 20071-2 shift hunt at light throttle.
- 10019633Mar 11, 2006Transmission jumps out of reverse.
- 10016026Jul 23, 2005New 42rle variable line pressure transmission (vlp).
- 10012244Jan 1, 2005The powertrain control module (pcm) was inadvertently programmed with incorrect software. This can cause the on board diagnostic (obd) fuel system monitor to malfunction…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 28 | 8% |
| 2011 | 9 | 4% |
| 2010 | 8 | 5% |
| 2009 | 4 | 4% |
| 2008 | 10 | 6% |
| 2007 | 14 | 7% |
| 2006 | 22 | 9% |
| 2005 | 32 | 16% |
| 2004 | 64 | 30% |
| 2003 | 26 | 9% |
| 2002 | 5 | 11% |
| 2001 | 14 | 11% |
| 2000 | 8 | 14% |
| 1999 | 22 | 21% |
| 1998 | 19 | 18% |
| 1997 | 26 | 21% |
| 1996 | 19 | 15% |
| 1995 | 19 | 18% |
| 1994 | 10 | 14% |
| 1992 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2005 Dodge RAM 3500
61 complaintsAir bags
33 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsTires
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
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 30, 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