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 27 of 28)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #24

Mar 012013

Ram 1500

  • 77,000 miles

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

I started to get a rough idle condition on my Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab with the 5.7 hemi motor and auto trans. Now intermittently over the past several month the truck stalls when going from reverse to drive...though not that dangerous an inconvenience. The dangerous part is when I sometimes pull into traffic the truck will start forward as it should then the motor will just die causing loss of brake and steering functions. I am getting no engine codes or check engine light. I have even hooked the truck up to a computer with no codes detected. Recently I went to pull into traffic onto a road that was 35mph and the motor again died. Luckily the driver heading toward my driver side door slammed on their brakes and allowed me to put the truck in neutral restart it and get it out of the other vehicle's lane of travel. The throttle body has been cleaned the spark plugs have been changed with no luck and the problem persists. This is a link to just (1) website of many that I found that shows this is clearly not isolated to my vehicle. www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/ram_1500/2005/engine/engine_stalls.shtml I cannot even begin to diagnose this problem because it is so sporadic with no engine lights or codes it would probably cost a small fortune for a dealer to diagnose this issue because of the amount of time in between the stall conditions.

- Hammonton, NJ, USA

problem #23

Jun 042013

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 108,000 miles
I was driving my 05 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 traveling on the interstate doing 55 mph when I heard a whining noise that grew real loud. As I attempted to pull over to the median the truck locked up and skidded to a stop just missing the guard rail. I got out and looked under my truck and saw the drive shaft had broken off from the rear end/differential and oil was pouring out the differential casing from the exposed hole where the drive shaft had been attached. If this had happened on the drive lanes I think there would have been a collision with other vehicles that may have been behind me. I had it towed to the repair shop that had repaired the rear end in 2010 at a cost of $906.93. The truck would not roll forward on to the tow truck but would roll backward making it difficult to load on the tow truck. I went online and read many complaints about the same problem I am having. These complaints are not year specific and covered vehicles ranging from the late 90S and practically all 2000 model years. Some of the divers nearly had accidents. Apparently Dodge is well aware of this on going problem but refuses to make a recall. I think someone is eventually going to get hurt or killed. I for one am getting rid of it as soon as it is fixed. I don't feel safe driving it anymore. Some people have had repairs for this problem only to have it reoccur shortly after the repair. Thank you for your time and assistance...updated 01/07/15 the pinion seal and axle seal were replaced

- Palmyra, IN, USA

problem #22

Apr 262013

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 165,000 miles
I was on kingston pike hwy sitting at a red light in front of a gas station waiting for the light to turn red. When all of a sudden it felt as though someone hit me from the rear end, the motor shut off. The truck was in gear still, so I put in park and looked behind me. I noticed that nobody hit me. I then started the truck up an put in gear at first it did nothing then it moved so turned into the parking lot of the gas station. The truck came to a stop itself, but the motor was still running so I immediately shut it off. When I got out I looked under the truck seeing the drive shaft hanging down. I called progressive insurance for a tow. I had it towed to a mechanic shop, who looked at it the next day telling me that the pinion nut had came off and went back into the case. There was damage but that he put another nut on with some locktite, but he did not brake the differential down. I was told that it would need to be done to insure how much damage was done. So I took it to a 4X4 specialist who said he had heard of this before. That I am looking at about $1000 in repairs. I came back home and researched this problem notice several people with the same problem. Along with a recall on 2009 to 2012 year models for the same thing....updated 01/07/15 updated 05/29/2015

- Knoxville , TN, USA

problem #21

Mar 012013

Ram 1500

  • 88,658 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while traveling 55 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact also stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the PCM needed to be updated but the throttle body would have to be cleaned before any other repairs could be completed. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 88,658.

- Keller, TX, USA

problem #20

Apr 132013

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 172,500 miles
I was driving approximately 35 mph (mileage 172,500) when I heard a noise coming from the rear end. I started slowing down immediately. Then I heard the drive shaft hit and drag on the pavement and the rear end locked up causing the truck to start skidding. I came to a stop in the road and unable to move the vehicle until a tow truck could come. I was towed to a local shop for repair. The mechanic told me the pinion nut came off and the drive shaft disconnected. The rear differential gears were damaged. Full replacement required. I see many cases listed here and would like to see the 2005 model year 1500 Ram added to the current recall.....updated 01/12/15

- Chambersburg, PA, USA

problem #19

Jan 152009

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
While driving down the highway the drive shaft fell off the truck at the differential side. The pinion gear fell into the housing locking the rear end up. I hit my head on the side window, and my back has been hurting ever since. The pinion gear was not broken, the only thing missing was the nut. It cost over $2500 out of my pocket to fix and a rental car. My truck is a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 slt 4X4....updated 01/07/15

- Port Arthur, TX, USA

problem #18

Jan 262013

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 92,201 miles

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

I was driving (speed 35 mph) (mileage 92,201) when the pinion nut came off and the drive shaft detached from the rear-end allowing the pinion to move freely into the rear-end causing damage. I was still rolling forward and was able to exit the 4 lane road I was on without causing an incident. My vehicle required a tow back to my home and then had to be towed to my mechanic after being told my vehicle was out of warranty. This seems to be a common occurrence and I would like to see the 2005 year 1500 Ram added to the current recall. Have repair bill on file.

- Whitehouse, OH, USA

problem #17

Feb 212013

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 132,800 miles
1st incident 2/21/13: Driving on a 4 lane highway w/center left turn lanes at 40 when a car cut across from the right to make a left turn. Hit the brakes causing the front to lock up (rear ABS only). Truck started stopping, but continued moving forward against the front brakes and into the car. Truck left unusually long skid marks. Police and insurance reports made. Damaged to front bumper. 2nd incident 3/5/13: Driving at 40 on curved section of highway with 2 lanes in direction I was going and 1 lane on opposite side separated by large grass medium when a car pulled out from the left hand U-turn in the medium. Hit the brakes causing the truck to slide straight through curve onto grass shoulder. Truck came to complete stop and heard the right rear spinning in the dirt. Put my left foot on the brake to hold truck from moving. I checked to make sure I was not on the gas. It spun for several seconds before stopping. Truck left normal length of skid marks. Did not smell burnt brakes in rear; possibly not engaged at all. I am currently looking to see if I can test the braking at a local dirt track to verify this issue, and to have outside observation of the occurrence. I have replaced all four disk brakes with high performance brake rotors and brake pads to assist with better braking in the last week. I will post the results here once I can arrange the test. Have not had any problems with normal or heavy braking; only emergency braking. First incident resulted in an accident, luckily no injuries. The drive wheel was in the dirt for second incident; there was not an accident. This is a very serious safety issue, and may be the cause of other accidents and not reported because driver could not realize it happened. It appears to be the problem where the ABS system causes excessive heat build up resulting in computer malfunction.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #16

Mar 122013

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 94,800 miles
While driving at approx 30mph, I heard a growling sound coming from underneath the vehicle, which stopped. A few seconds later, another, louder, growling sound was heard. As I started to pull off the road, there was a loud boom, followed by the real wheels locking up. Upon inspecting, found the driveshaft had come off the differential.

- Kempner, TX, USA

problem #15

Feb 202013

Ram 1500

  • 200,000 miles
While driving on interstate 195 I entered exit lane 28A and without warning at 60mph my rear tires locked up, the driveshaft disconnected from rear and my truck went into an uncontrolled spin. It was 5 seconds of terror that I thought would surely end in disaster. I stopped dangerously blocking the exit ramp and had to risk my life to pull the shaft out of the front switch to four wheel drive and drag my truck onto the shoulder as cars sped around me. I have a 9.25" rear with a 3.92 ratio and the pinion nut came off lodged in the shaft as the pinion gear jammed up the rear axles. Sound familiar? help!! I was told by Chrysler there are no issues with my model year truck but I see a number of complaints like this one. I was lucky that I wasn't killed. Hopefully Chrysler fixes this fault before someone isn't so lucky.

- Williamstown, NJ, USA

problem #14

Mar 102013

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 96,000 miles

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

Driving heard noise from rear of truck. Sounded like a very harsh grind, then a loud bang. Rear wheels locked up and truck went into a hopping skid. Drive shaft and yoke still together was on the ground and pinion nut, in tact, trapped between universal joint and yoke. Towed to shop, found extensive damage to ring and pinion gears, pinion bearing, carrier (gear housing) and cracked outer housing. Gear oil in great condition, no signs of overheating....updated 01/07/15 updated 06/2/2015

- Havertown, PA, USA

problem #13

Feb 202013

Ram 1500

  • 178,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, a loud noise sounded outside of the vehicle as the drive shaft disengaged and the rear wheels seized. The vehicle violently turned a full 180 degrees. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and towed to an independent auto mechanic. The mechanic advised that one of the nuts had dislodged from the rear differential. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Williamstown , NJ, USA

problem #12

Aug 082012

Ram 1500

  • 50,000 miles
My rear differential completely locked up. Both tire locked sending me and my kids into the dash and back seat. Bought truck new had only 50K miles but was 2 weeks out of the 7 year warranty. Spoke w Dodge rep towed to nearest dealer they had truck for 1 month, was then told not covered. Originally was told I would pay $1000 & Dodge would cover rest. 11th hr was told no coverage.

- Massapequa Park, NY, USA

problem #11

Aug 252012

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 87,897 miles
Well I was about 2 to 5 miles from home the truck lost power and then about half way up the drive way the oil pressure dropped to zero and never came back up I started it back after it died and it started to knock so I turned it off and it has not been started since.

- Philadelphia, TN, USA

problem #10

Nov 282011

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 32,454 miles
Driving on route 3 South in tyngsboro, MA. 55 mpg at 7:00am rear differential pinion bearing seized. Locked up pinion and yoke. Snapped off driveshaft, breaking front driveshaft and yoke. Also shattered transfer case.

- Chelmsford, MA, USA

problem #9

Jun 182012

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 66,600 miles
Vehicle stalled once after reversing approximately 20 feet then going back into drive, immediate restart was possible (6/18/2012). The following day (6/19/2012) this truck stalled at a red light, again, immediate restart was possible. No other problems have been determined in the vehicle that would be responsible for stalling.

- Waialua, HI, USA

problem #8

Jan 262012

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 73,300 miles
I drive a Ram 1500 4WD with the following rear differential: Dmds 3.55 axle ratio, drbs corporate 9.25 ld rear axle. While driving on a dry, bare road at 40 mph, I started to hear a low pitched growling noise from the rear end of my truck. I was trying to locate a place to pull over to, but within about 30-60 seconds I heard a single loud booming type noise from the rear end of my truck and the I wasn't able to accelerate after that (power loss to the wheels). The booming noise was my drive shaft that had just fallen off due to the pinion nut coming undone. Once the pinion nut/driveshaft came off the truck, something started flying around inside of the rear end differential case and cracked the bottom of my rear diff case (plus the rear diff was totally locked up). I recovered the driveshaft and found the pinion nut floating around inside of the driveshaft yoke flange assembly which was still attached to the drive shaft (pinion nut was not broken). There haven't been any repairs needed to that side of the rear differential (e.g. like a pinion seal or the like), that would account for the pinion nut coming loose, only the standard fluid changes at the specified times using the proper fluids (per the tsb released by Dodge: 03-003-06). During the fluid changes, there was no evidence of metal pieces or issues in the rear differential. Luckily I was on a side road during the incident in the early morning hours, but had just been on the freeway 10 minutes earlier. I can't imagine the safety issues that would have occured if that driveshaft came off on the freeway.

- Mukilteo, WA, USA

problem #7

Jan 142012

Ram 1500

  • 102,000 miles
I was driving down the road and the lsd rear differential of my 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 completely locked up and the drive line separated from the rear differential. The shop that fixed it said that a retaining clip must have come loose and destroyed the entire rear differential. Good thing I was only going about 25 mph in a residential neighborhood and not 75mph on the freeway, or the outcome could have been life threatening. Updated 5/29/2015

- Herriman, UT, USA

problem #6

Oct 172011

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles
Truck stalls daily. Only stalls when coming to a stop. Once completely stopped the tachometer jolts up and down, making the truck lurch forward, and will sometimes stall completely. Does not happen while driving, or at low speeds, only at complete stop and in drive. If in neutral this does not happen. This is unsafe to lose control of your truck and at times it lurches forward trying to get the correct RPM. I have seen all over the internet how widespread this problem is and Dodge has done nothing about it. Many times I have seen where this has occurred to people while driving! this is an automatic transmission, everything checks out fine except this, it has to be a computer problem and needs replaced. I see often where people change many parts, sometimes helping but usually not.

- Plainfield, IN, USA

problem #5

Apr 072007

Ram 1500

  • 14,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician replaced the front and rear brake kit, rotors, brake lines, hoses, fluids and the master cylinder cover. The contact stated that the failure recurred approximately three years later while driving approximately 55 mph. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle had become responsive to acceleration and was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.

- Shelton, CT, USA

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