YearToAvoid

2005 Dodge Ram Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

83/100

#2 most-complained of 7 Ram years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2005 Dodge Ram has 40 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 83 out of 100 — #2 highest of 7 Ram model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is engine (16 complaints, 40% of the total). Complaints report 5 crashes, 1 fire, and 3 injuries.

Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
5 / 1
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2005 Dodge Ram problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine16 (40%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain11 (28%)
  3. Brakes5 (13%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (10%)
  5. Electrical System3 (8%)
  6. Steering2 (5%)
  7. Airbags1 (3%)
  8. Fuel System1 (3%)
  9. HVAC1 (3%)
  10. Other1 (3%)
2005 Dodge Ram complaints: complaints filed per month7Jul 2006Feb 2007Aug 2007Feb 2008Jun 2008Apr 2011Jul 2022
46 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2006 to Nov 2024; peak Feb 2007 (7).

2005 Dodge Ram recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2005 compared with other Ram years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002005200620072008200920102011
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid83400—
2006Caution50250—
2007Good33171—

All Dodge Ram years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Dodge Ram a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Dodge Ram ranks #2 of 7 among Ram model years (Complaint Index 83/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 40 complaints and 0 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge Ram?
The most reported problem areas are engine (16 complaints), transmission & powertrain (11 complaints), and brakes (5 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 22,500 miles.
Does the 2005 Dodge Ram have any recalls?
No safety recall campaigns list the 2005 Dodge Ram in NHTSA’s recall database at the time of the last data update.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.