2005 Dodge RAM 1500 recalls and problems

The 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 has 4 safety recalls and 1,174 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Dodge dealer.

Urgent: recall 16V-352, recall 15V-313 carry a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
4
Complaints
1,174
Crashes / fires
109 / 16
Injuries / deaths
68 / 5

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Dodge RAM 1500 recalls

Recall 16V-352: Air Bags

Do not driveReported May 24, 2016 · 4,648,270 vehicles affected · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

Recall 15V-313: Air Bags

Do not driveReported May 26, 2015 · 4,077,169 vehicles affected · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.

Recall 14V-796: Power Train

Reported Dec 16, 2014 · 257,065 vehicles affected · Chrysler Group LLC

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks manufactured January 28, 2004, to August 3, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized spline on the pinion gear.

Risk: If the pinion nut loosens, the rear axle may seize, and/or the driveshaft may detach resulting in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a retention feature to the pinion nut, free of charge. The recall began on June 26, 2015, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P77.

Recall 14V-770: Air Bags

Reported Dec 3, 2014 · 250,896 vehicles affected · Chrysler Group LLC

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, owners were notified and the recall began on December 5, 2014. For all other vehicles, Chrysler notified owners and the recall began on February 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P40 Expanded. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 16V-352. This recall superseded the passenger air bag portion of recall 14V-354.

2005 Dodge RAM 1500 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train599
Air Bags378
Suspension84
Engine and Engine Cooling79
Engine76
Electrical System63
Steering60
Unknown or Other40
Wheels32
Visibility28
Service Brakes25
Structure24

Most reported parts

  • Suspension › Rear — 19
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System — 15
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 14
  • Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft — 14
  • Structure › Body — 14
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 13
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 10
  • Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit — 8

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 86,102 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Oct 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500.The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and declined to perform the recall repair, due to parts not being available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
Air Bags · reported Oct 16, 2026
My vehicle was involved in a severe frontal collision where I T-boned another vehicle that failed to yield the right-of-way while I was traveling at approximately 30 mph. The impact caused significant structural front-end damage to my truck. Despite a direct frontal collision at a clear deployment speed threshold (30 mph), the airbags completely failed to deploy. This vehicle’s airbag system was previously repaired under an official manufacturer safety recall. The remedy was completed by an authorized dealership several years ago. The replacement components installed during that recall…
Unknown or Other · reported Sep 25, 2026
Was driving down XXX around 3 am when my truck started shaking and vibrating severally and then my rearend blinded an my driveshaft snapped all the ears off causing my driveshaft to fail. Leaving in a very dangerous way. So dangerous that they got a tow truck to in ten minutes the vehicle was loaded with us still inside because of the dangerous situation. I had my truck towed to my mechanic. To get fixed .not knowing that there was a safety recall p77 on my truck I had already paid for the repairs and have been seeking reimbursement eversince.this happened on XXX .but keep getting the…
Unknown or Other · reported Aug 31, 2026
I believe that the pinion nut loosened causing my rear end to lock up snapping the ears off my driveshaft at 75mph on [XXX] causing me to fishtail and nearly hitting the guard rail. Coming to a stop on a bridge right outside of [XXX]. It's pitch black outthere. And with semi tru cks able to do 75mph every time they pass just shakes your whole vehicle and if you know anything about I- 40 semis are pretty much what runs at that time. My wife was very upset by this.the spot we were at was so dangerous that the tow truck dispatcher had there driver drop the car he was towing and get to us the…
Air Bags · reported Aug 25, 2026
Dealer says part has been backordered for 165 days. My vehicle is not currently legal to drive because the nys inspection has expired. .getting a huge runaround from the dealer

Other Dodge RAM 1500 years

Compare all Dodge RAM 1500 years · All Dodge models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500: 16V-352 (air bags), 15V-313 (air bags), 14V-796 (power train), 14V-770 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500?

Owners report power train problems most often (599 reports), followed by air bags (378). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 86,102 miles.

Are Dodge recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Dodge dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.