2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 has a complaint index of 14, the second-lowest among 8 model years tracked, and ranks 7th worst out of those years. Its verdict is capped at Good rather than Best because NHTSA records for 2005-2009 are less complete. Steering complaints (61, 31% of total) are the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 14/100
- #7 of 8 Ram 3500 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 196
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 23
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 11
- Top issue
- Steering
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
Top 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering61 (31%)
- Airbags33 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain32 (16%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires22 (11%)
- Electrical System21 (11%)
- Engine18 (9%)
- Fuel System12 (6%)
- Brakes9 (5%)
- Other8 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers8 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Automatic transmission unexpectedly shifts out of park into reverse on its own, sometimes causing the truck to roll away unattended.
- Diesel-equipped trucks left running after the driver exits can stall or continue idling unpredictably shortly after the driver steps out.
- Steering column bolts have stripped, causing the steering to lock up during driving.
- Ball joints and tie rod ends have separated at low speed, leading to loss of steering control.
- Fuel lines have burst near the hot engine and exhaust, spraying diesel fuel and igniting fires in at least one reported case.
- Front airbags failed to deploy during frontal collisions at moderate speed.
2005 Dodge Ram 3500 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V770000Dec 3, 2014Airbags250,896 vehicles
Air bags
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 passengerÂs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 13V528000Nov 6, 2013Steering706,664 vehicles
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
- NHTSA 11V350000Jul 6, 2011Steering242,780 vehicles
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 2500/3500 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; and model year 2008 dodge ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through august 15, 2008, because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
Risk: This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 3, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
2005 compared with other Ram 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 reliable based on complaint data?
- It has a complaint index of 14, one of the lowest among the 8 model years NHTSA tracks for this truck, and ranks 7th worst out of 8. Its verdict is Good, but capped because 2005-2009 complaint records are less complete.
- What is the top problem area for the 2005 Ram 3500?
- Steering issues lead with 61 complaints, 31% of the total, and a median failure mileage of 101,800 miles. Six of those complaints involved crashes.
- Does the 2005 Ram 3500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year, covering airbags, steering tie rods, and a transmission-related out-of-park alarm software fix. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2005 Ram 3500 compare to later years like 2011 or 2012?
- The 2011 and 2012 Ram 3500 have much higher complaint indexes (86 and 100) and carry Avoid verdicts, while the 2005 model's index of 14 is far lower.
- What transmission problems did 2005 Ram 3500 owners report?
- Owners reported the transmission popping out of park into reverse unexpectedly, in some cases while the truck was unattended, leading to rollaway incidents and crashes.