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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 28)

problem #544

Mar 182024

Ram 1500

  • miles

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

Vehicle brought in for recall repairs on March 18, 2024. Recalls R25 and N43 were completed. Recall P77 failed inspection. Dealer parts not available. Was asked by service advisor if ok to use aftermarket parts. I agreed. Service advisor needed approval from district rep before continuing. I was then told by service advisor that vehicle was safe to drive as long as I drove it easy. His comment, -??Its lasted this long, you will be ok. Just dont pull any trailers.-?? Was asked to wait a week for district rep to return from vacation. I took the truck home and did not drive it after reading the P77 recall info. The truck is not safe to drive with a loose rear axle pinion nut. I returned the truck on 4/8/2024 for repairs to be completed. The dealer will not communicate with me unless I initiate communication. There is no information on parts being ordered or work being scheduled. It is now 4/29/2024 and no action from the dealer. I have asked to speak with the Service Manager and no reply.

- Rathdrum, ID, USA

problem #543

Sep 282023

Ram 1500

  • miles
I visited my local Dodge dealership for airbag recalls for my 2005 Dodge Ram in December 2022. In October 2023 I noticed a leak in the rear differential. When looking into the recalls for my Vin the differential pin was mentioned on there but never to me as I thought it was just the airbags. The part has been fixed by a mechanic shop (I paid for) but, did dodge complete the inspection or just checked complete to include airbags recall (complete)?

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #542

Sep 082023

Ram 1500

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V352000 (Air Bag), 15V313000 (Air Bags), and 14V796000 (Power Train) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect

- Dorado, PR, USA

problem #541

Jun 242023

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 200,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH the vehicle had nearly come to a stop as if the brake pedal had been depressed. The contact stated that his foot had been on the accelerator pedal and he had tried to accelerate but the vehicle was not responding. The contact stated that the steering wheel jerked to the left as the contact heard an abnormal grinding, popping, and bang sound had come from the rear. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had crashed into a concrete street divider with the left front wheel which had burst on contact. There was minor damage to the exterior and driver's door, however the contact said that there was damage to the driver's side rear wheel to the wheel well. The contact was unhurt and had called a tow truck. The contact located his drive shaft on the roadway approximately on city block to the rear of his vehicle. The police were not contacted. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact had researched online and saw that he had two recalls associated to the VIN, one recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V-352000 (Air Bags) and the recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train). The contact related the failure to 14V796000 (Power Train). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #540

Oct 152022

Ram 1500

  • 220,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train) however, the failure recurred. Additionally, while the contact was turning at 10 MPH, the axle snapped. The vehicle lost motive power and had to be towed to a friend's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

- Duncan, OK, USA

problem #539

Oct 012020

Ram 1500

  • 175,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and slowing down, the vehicle started vibrating. The vehicle was diagnosed by a certified mechanic that stated that the rear axle pinion differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was 175,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #538

May 112022

Ram 1500

  • miles

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

Had taken my vehicle in for the recall they said it was fine, after wards two months later my front right break locked up. But now my rear end that was supposed to been fixed from recall vut now it is making loud noise

- Lonoke, AR, USA

problem #537

Jun 092021

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • 211,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was wobbling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that there was a thumb-sized crack on the driveshaft. The two universal joints and the driveshaft assembly were replaced. The contact later was made aware that NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train) was associated with the VIN and was related to the failure. The contact requested reimbursement from the manufacturer however, the manufacturer denied the contact's request for reimbursement stating that the vehicle was outside the warranty period and had no active service contract. The contact was also informed that the case opened did not meet the criteria for reimbursement, and that the parts requested for reimbursement was not a part of the recall repair parts. The vehicle remained at the dealer for the three recalls associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was 211,000.

- Polk City, FL, USA

problem #536

Aug 062021

Ram 1500

  • miles
I was driving on a highway when all of a sudden I heard what I thought to be a blow out (tire),as I pulled over on shoulder with difficulty I looked in mirror and saw a part has fallen off, later retrieved with tow truck driver, part being a driveshaft. Rear end had seized as I maneuvered my veh. As far on shoulder as possible, I feel fortunate for outcome of incident. I had gotten a tow to my resident now not sure what my next step is to do, any advise would be helpful. Thank you

- Yuba City, Ca, CA, USA

problem #535

May 252021

Ram 1500

  • miles
Rear differential failure. Right rear drive shaft gets loose and makes continual noise.

- Medford , OR, USA

problem #534

Oct 062020

Ram 1500

  • 174,258 miles

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

While driving the vehicle came to a complete stop. It felt like someone had hit me from the back. When I got off to look I saw that no one had crashed into me. A bystander says that my drive shaft is on the floor. Had to call a tow truck to take home. Went to a Dodge dealer about the issue and stated that there was a recall on it. He said that the vehicle was taken to dealership 5 years ago. The problem was previously fixed. They can't do anything about it. I looked up some information and found that this has happened again to other drivers. All owners stated that issues were never resolved. My dad owns a 1999 Dodge 1500 and the drive shaft has never fallen off.

- Azusa, CA, USA

problem #533

Sep 132020

Ram 1500

  • 236,000 miles
Well driving northbound highway 54 at approximately 70 mph my Dodge pick up suddenly have the rear and lock up, at this time back rear wheel stopped causing vehicle to come to a complete standstill after about 100 yards. Upon inspection of the vehicle it was noted the rear end at smoke coming out it smelled to be oil like. Also at this time vehicles unable to be moved secondary to rear and being locked up however while in mutual short movements were allowed to go forward and load onto a flatbed and hold off to my home

- Tularosa, NM, USA

problem #532

Aug 202020

Ram 1500

  • 238,000 miles
Rear wheels locked up at 55 mph on the highway causing me to lose control and almost roll over, the driveshaft sheared off at the rear and flew out from under the truck. I was able to slide off the right side of the road and avoid a collision.

- Columbia, PA, USA

problem #531

Mar 102010

Ram 1500

  • 105,000 miles
A sensor for the transmission or computer is faulting out cousin the transmissions or gears to shift in causing it to slow down suddenly or shift down and it's not working properly

- Longview, TX, USA

problem #530

Dec 152019

Ram 1500

  • 166,000 miles
I purchased my truck December 2018 from a private citizen, I recently ran a check for recalls and it informed me that none of the recalls associated with my 2005 Ram 1500 have never been addressed. I would like information as to how I move forward in getting the recalls fixed.

- Midway, UT, USA

problem #529

Oct 312019

Ram 1500

  • 130,000 miles
Cylinder #4 push rod is bent and messed up cam and valves as a result new motor is needed. This vehicle was recalled for this problem and was never brought in. I purchased the vehicle less than two years ago with no recollection of this and now I'm out a truck with no motor due to this.

- Middleborough, MA, USA

problem #528

May 302019

Ram 1500

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle vibrated abnormally and decelerated without warning. In addition, the driveshaft detached and became stuck underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The engine was running, but the vehicle stopped moving. The contact called roadside assistance and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that a loose pinion nut caused the driveshaft and the yoke to detach. The technician notified the contact of NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train). The contact stated that he did not receive a recall notification. The contact took the vehicle to don weir's reno Dodge Ram Fiat (775-786-1211, located at 700 kietzke ln, reno, nv 89502). The dealer stated that the contact waited too long to have the recall repair performed; however, a repair appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall would not cover the extensive damages, and only the recall part would be covered. The manufacturer stated that the recall notice was sent to the contact in 2015; however, the contact stated that the notice was never received. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #527

Mar 062019

Ram 1500

  • 45,000 miles
The vehicle will intermittently stall when stopping or stopped at a traffic light or stop sign. It can be immediately restarted. It will also intermittently flash a check engine light with chime while driving down the road. This has been an ongoing problem since purchased in 2008. It happens with cold or warm engine. It may happen once a week, once a month, or several times in one day. Usually more frequently when the air temperature is below 65 degrees. There are no codes stored and no check engine light displayed (other than the intermittent light & chime).. the dealership says there are no tsb's covering my engine/transmission. There are hundred of similar complaints online with owners 4.7 engines in other Dodge & Jeep products. Many people have spent well over $1,000 on this problem and not solved it. We recently moved from a rural area to a large city. Dealing with this problem in heavy traffic is very stressful. We recently started transporting a baby in this vehicle and the impatience of other cars waiting for us to restart ours leads to other vehicles to take aggressive actions which will eventually lead to an accident.

- Nampa, ID, USA

problem #526

Dec 312018

Ram 1500

  • 195,000 miles
Dealer advises that Chrysler is declining to perform P77 recall, citing lack of availability of parts. Chrysler has made a verbal offer to purchase this vehicle which is less than my assessment of the vehicles worth. They have now told me that I must come and collect my truck from the dealership (after them having the vehicle from 12/31) today and they are declining to perform the recall service.

- Tehachapi, CA, USA

problem #525

Feb 012019

Ram 1500

  • 140,000 miles
Without warning upon leaving highway off ramp and turning into my workplace the driveshaft fell off the rear differential which then locked up rear wheels. When it was towed to dealer the tow driver mentioned the pinion nut which holds the driveshaft assembly to rear differential was obviously missing.

- Haverhill, MA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?