10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
22 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,976 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Dodge Ram 1500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 24 of 28)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #84

Jan 062014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 41,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2005 Ram 1500 only has 57,000 miles on it, several issues: 1) loud whining noise, sounds like really loud power steering whine but power steering is ok. Started last winter when we had extremely cold temperatures. Now it is extremely loud all of the time. After hearing announcement of recall and reading other owner complaints of locking up while driving I am concerned of my safety. 2) I have had trouble with the right rear wheel feeling like it locks up when turning right especially when road is wet. 3) 4-wheel drive is impossible to use. After a short period of time it starts making a whining sound then locks up when trying to drive in reverse. Feels like tension of a rubberband that has twisted as far as it will go. 4) also, having problem of truck stalling when putting it in reverse. Always starts up again but can be dangerous if you are backing out onto a busy street. Dealership has resealed drive pinion 3 times! don't know if all 4 are related but I sure would like to have a professional look it over. My local Chrysler/Dodge dealership's service department has really gone downhill.

- Hebron, OH, USA

problem #83

Dec 252014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 86,326 miles
I was at the stop sign on the braga bridge in MA. I started to enter traffic when there was a loud bang and then a bunch of banging, I instantly stopped on the bridge just past the stop sign. I put the truck in park and shut off the engine, I jumped out of the truck but it began to roll back. I had my wife hold the break while I checked. The truck would roll backwards but not forwards. The drive shaft was lying on the ground. We had to wait for a tow truck to move the truck. A flat bed showed up and could not get the truck to roll forward. He then continued to upset me by dragging the truck onto the flat bed as it was the only way to move it.

- North Providence, RI, USA

problem #82

Dec 232014

Ram 1500

  • 86,102 miles
I noticed a whine when I let off the accelerator. When I was at a stop light I felt the rear end make a sound like it was going to lock up. I drove to a parking lot. I noticed fluid coming from the seal from the differential. I put the truck on a trailer and pulled it to my shop. When I removed the driveshaft I found the pinion nut had backed off. I researched and found this was a problem with other pick-ups. I contacted a Dodge dealer and they denied any problems. I wanted to make sure Dodge owners were aware of the problem. If this had failed at high speed there would be a potential hazard to your safety.

- Tuttle, OK, USA

problem #81

Dec 122014

Ram 1500

  • 118,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 60 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle came to a screeching halt. The contact stated that the driver side shaft and the rear axle detached. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear axle, the pinion gear, and the main gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.

- Sinton, TX, USA

problem #80

Sep 252014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 75,737 miles
While traveling around 45mph with children in the car, I noticed a whining noise immediately before I heard the tires chirping as they intermittently began to lock up. I was able to get to my destination and noticed there was gear lube sprayed all over the underside. The pinion shaft was detached from the rear differential. Truck was completely inoperable, had to be towed by flatbed as rear end was locked. Spent almost $2000 in repairs. Spoke to Dodge 12/21/14 as I'm now reading information that 2005 Dodge Ram are being recalled for this exact problem and have been told it is the 2008 model and my truck is "fine". will be following up with a supervisor.

- Medina, OH, USA

problem #79

Mar 242014

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 92,324 miles
While driving at 40 mph, the drive shaft disconnected without notice or warning, and the rear differential locked. Truck was inoperable and unmovable, and required tow. Mechanic determined that the rear axle pinion nut had backed completely out. Claim 24780895 filed with Chrysler on March 24, 2014, and refiled December 20, 2014 #26153960.

- Lodi, CA, USA

problem #78

Jun 252014

Ram 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving the truck on the highway doing about 45-50mph with my 6 month old baby in the truck, the rear wheels locked up and sent the driveshaft flying out from under the truck, the truck then fishtailed into the woods. The truck was towed to a mechanic shop, where I was told the pinion nut came off the rear differential which caused the rear wheels to lock up. This also wiped out the rear gears, carrier and driveshaft. My extended warranty plan would not cover the repairs because it was an external part on the rear differential that came loose causing the damage. The repairs cost me over $1,000.

- Medford, NY, USA

problem #77

Aug 052013

Ram 1500

  • 103,057 miles
Noticed some vibration from the rear end. We were traveling on US12 headed East. Traveling at 55 mph, started going into moscow mi. Started slowing to 35 mph, drive shaft came off we coasted the rest of the way to the center of the town. Called for a wrecker who tried to load our truck only to find the rear end had locked up. He had to go back and get a flat bed and dragged the truck on. Took us to a Chrysler dealer [xxx]. who never mentioned Dodge was having an issue. We were very lucky the rear end did not lock up at 55 mph. Guess someone as looking out for us! the rear end had to be replaced, I still have a vibration I think the drive shaft is bent? cist $3148.90 to repair plus the wrecker and a three day stay at a motel waiting for a new rear end. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Cheboygan, MI, USA

problem #76

Oct 152014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 66,000 miles
Me and my little girl were going to the local store stopped at stop sign to wait for traffic to clear traffic cleared and I went to pull out on to the main road next thing I know I was ten feet in the air my drive shaft broke and dug into the road the rear end had froze and when it did drive shaft dug into the road and lifted me and the truck up in the air scared the hell out me and my girl. Ps called Dodge about my truck and the rearend they said my VIN was not part of the recall somebody needs to look into it thanks

- Endicott, NY, USA

problem #75

Oct 032014

Ram 1500

  • 125,000 miles
The rear differential locked up and the driveshaft separated at the rear connection to the differential in model year 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. There was little or no noise or other warning prior to the lock-up and separation. The pinion was forced into the rear differential causing the lock up and damaging the internals. The drive shaft with the U-joint attached fell to the ground and was pulled free of the transfer case. I was traveling a speed of < 35 mph and was unable to move the vehicle. The vehicle was towed and repaired. I am in possession of all damaged parts and have supporting repair documentation. I am aware there is a pending investigation with this issue.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #74

Oct 312014

Ram 1500

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Just exited freeway when heard a low sounding whining from the rear of the vehicle when decelerating. Shortly after further travel at approx 35 mph a loud bang occurred and rear wheels locked up causing a long tire skid where vehicle came to a stop. The driveshaft was on the ground separated from the differential. This is the second occurrence of the exact same problem that occurred in August 2009. At that time, the vehicle was repaired at a Chrysler Jeep dealership.

- Westlake , OH, USA

problem #73

Jul 232013

Ram 1500

  • 117,733 miles
While driving, the rear wheels locked up and the drive shaft hit the road. I was able to steer the truck out of harms way before a more severe accident could occur. Upon leaving the vehicle, the draft shaft was seen laying underneath the truck, detached from the rear differential. The dealership found the pinion nut had backed off and yoke came out of rear differential. When that happened, the pinion went into the carrier and gouged it and broke the speed sensor. Repairs were extensive and not supported by Chrysler. Had to replace the rear differential center carrier, ring and pinion, both axle bearings, rear speed sensor, and rear drive shaft and yoke. Research concluded this is a common problem with other Dodge trucks of varying years as well as 2005. However, Chrysler will not recall 2005 Dodge Ram trucks.

- Dauphin, PA, USA

problem #72

Oct 232014

Ram 1500

  • 119,000 miles
The rear differential locked up. That usually means the gears inside broke or a pin etc broke. Came across an article saying alot of Dodge Ram owners have experienced the same thing. There was no indication that anything was wrong. I baby my truck, never beat on it etc because it's a limited numbered daytona series truck.

- Arlington, MA, USA

problem #71

Sep 232014

Ram 1500

  • 54,897 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge 1500 Ram. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, a loud booming sound emitted from the rear of the vehicle before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the drive shaft had failed. The drive shaft was replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 54,897.

- Coram, NY, USA

problem #70

Oct 082014

Ram 1500

  • 213,000 miles
Yoke separated from rear differential causing driveshaft to drop and rear wheels to lock up.

- Montgomery, IL, USA

problem #69

Oct 072014

Ram 1500

  • 133,000 miles
I was driving at approximately 40mph when my truck made a loud banging noise followed immediately by the wheels locking up causing the rear end to slide out from under me and cause me to come to a skidding stop. I was able to gain control of the vehicle and avoid an accident however a passerby called 911 believing there was a wreck. After coming to a stop the drive shaft was laying on the ground completely separated from the rear end. After being towed to a shop we looked and nothing was broke the nut had backed off of the pinion gear causing it receded back into the differential and the nut was still in the drive shaft. Luckily there was not an accident but if I had have been at a higher rate of speed I don't know that I could have controlled the vehicle and possibly could have been in a serious accident.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #68

Sep 252014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
Rear differential failed, caused the driveshaft to break off the vehicle while moving. Vehicle immediately stopped in road. I understand that NHTSA currently has an investigation open on this issue, id # PE14019.

- Athens, AL, USA

problem #67

Sep 162014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
Driving on parkway, 9/13/14, noted a humming noise from rear-end, when checked found to be leaking around pinion seal behind drive-shaft yolk. When changing seal noted pinion nut to be extremely loose when going to remove it. Replaced seal, tightened pinion nut back without any locking pin noted and noted rear-end still humming but not as bad, and no leak remaining at this time. Feel possibility that pinion nut being loose could have further damaged bearings and pinion, and feel this could be a safety issue. No crash has been involved or further damage noted to this point. End- web

- Nancy, KY, USA

problem #66

Sep 052014

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
My wife and child was driving my truck and the nut on the yoke on the rear end fell off. Which caused the read end to lock up and about cause a wreck. After talking to a few mechanics about fixing the problem. I found out this happens all the time with Dodge trucks. After searching about the problem online, I found out they are right. A replacement rear end was very high priced due to the high demand for them. I searched for a recall and only found recalls for 2007 and newer trucks with this problem. How can they not fix this when it's obviously a problem and very possibly deadly?

- Elk City, KS, USA

problem #65

Sep 052014

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 153,000 miles
I was driving my 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 at 30 mph when I just heard a bang and my truck came to a complete holt. I got out of my truck to see what it was and found out that my drive shaft had fallen not for my uv joint but from the rear axel pinion nut. I did some research and found out that my year make and model vehicle is common but is not a recall. But there is a recall on the 2009 thru 2012 for the same exact thing. I also found that there are several other vehicles with the same year, make, and model that had the same incident.

- Riviera Beach, FL, USA

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