2005 Dodge RAM Problems
- Complaints
- 40filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 22,500miles, 32 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Dodge RAM (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 2005 Dodge RAM. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 15 complaints (38% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (11) and brakes (5). 32 of the complaints include a mileage, and 69% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 22,500 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 13 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling15 38%
- Brakes5 13%
- Electrical system3 7.5%
- Suspension3 7.5%
- Steering2 5.0%
- Air bags1 2.5%
- Engine1 2.5%
- Fuel system1 2.5%
- Other or unknown1 2.5%
Also reported: Seats (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “This has been a problem on and off for 2 years. Dealer unable to find problem. While driving our 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 pick up this last weekend, as we accelerated in traffic, the truck engine choked and then began to stall. We had just turned on to the highway when the engine power began to fail for the fifth time. We were almost hit by on coming traffic due to the engine failure .”
NHTSA complaint #10182448, filed 2007-02, 25 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Truck would not go into gear. Dodge had a TSB for a faulty transmission filter that would crack. This is what caused the problem. Truck was just over 3,000 miles over warranty but Dodge would not cover the repair. Now truck is stalling when coming to a stop but only when I first start the truck up in the morning. Truck will restart no problem. Once I have driven the truck a few miles the stalling problem goes away. This happens everytime I drive the truck after it has been sitting for a while. Check engine light just came on today and truck is a the mechanic.”
NHTSA complaint #10217385, filed 2008-02, 39,500 milesBrakes: “My 2005 Dodge RAM truck with 31,700 miles on it began shuttering and having braking problems. A Dodge dealership identified that both front rotors on the vehicle were warped and needed to be replaced. Replacement was required at my expense to correct although the vehicle was still under warranty. It was denied warranty replace due to being a brake component and subject to normal ware. The brake pads and brake components themselves still had 80% usage available. I disagree that front rotors should fail at 30k miles on a new vehicle but normal brake components do not. …”
NHTSA complaint #10225352, filed 2008-04, 31,700 milesElectrical system: “20,000 miles on truck. Was driving approx 70mph on freeway when truck just died. All dash lights came on. Pulled truck over and turned ignition off then restarted. Truck started back up and check engine light stayed on. Was leaving for airport within 2 hours so couldn't take to shop before I left. I made 2 stops (completely turning off ignition) before I left for weekend and each time I started truck, engine light came on. Dropped off truck on following monday evening and noticed no more engine light when I started truck. Drove to dealer with no problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #10209130, filed 2007-11, 20,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
69% of the 32 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 60,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2005 Dodge RAM in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 13 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10033546Feb 2, 2010Fuel system, Engine cooling. Dodge: electronic fuel control actuator (fca) available for service/new diagnostics available for dtc p0251. Engine surges at idle or mil illumination. Further investigation may identify dtc…
- 10024083Jan 8, 2008Engine cooling. Positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system freezes in extreme cold ambient temperatures -- involves installing revised pcv system components.
- 10021685Apr 26, 2007Engine cooling. Engine off-idle speed limit feature to protect turbocharger when vehicle is not moving.
- 10021684Apr 26, 2007Transmission and drivetrain. Generic powertrain control module (pcm) procedure.
- 10021687Apr 13, 2007Other or unknown. Trailer towing mirror - new mirror glass locking tab - new removal procedure.
- 10021427Mar 20, 2007Transmission and drivetrain. New 48re feature that allows normal shift schedule with full disable of 4th gear overdrive.
- 10021423Mar 14, 2007Engine cooling. 5.9l turbo - diesel engine system enhancements.
- 10020924Oct 20, 2006Suspension. Axle fluid level.
- 10020919Oct 7, 2006Tires. Front end shimmy on 4x4 vehicles when traveling over rough surfaces in the road.
- 10020333Aug 31, 2006Tires. Power wagon - leads or drifts only to the right on low crown roads.
Other model years of the Dodge RAM
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 27 | 10,025 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2009 | 9 | 43,992 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 25 | 25,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2007 | 17 | 59,436 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2006 | 25 | 36,470 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 40 | 22,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 58 | 37,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 53 | 38,750 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 116 | 37,827 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 318 | 45,000 | 9 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 147 | 63,000 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 366 | 78,000 | 9 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 483 | 74,000 | 13 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 398 | 80,000 | 7 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 625 | 81,500 | 10 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1995 | 611 | 102,398 | 12 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 469 | 125,254 | 18 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 54 | 111,275 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 58 | 87,000 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 51 | — | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 23 | 17,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 28 | — | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 22 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 18 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 18 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 10 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Dodge RAM model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Dodge RAM have?
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 2005 Dodge RAM as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2005 Dodge RAM is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 15 complaints (38% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 11.
Has the 2005 Dodge RAM been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Dodge RAM reported?
Among the 32 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 22,500 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 60,000 miles; 69% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.