10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,759 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #57

Dec 062006

Ram 1500

  • 15,000 miles

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

This was my fathers truck. I was out of the country when he purchased it. Upon his death, I began driving the truck. It was still brand new, by approximately 7 months. In one instance I was driving in saticoy, South on the 118 before going over the bridge. As I got a yellow light, I slowed down and the truck eventually stalled and had no ability to steer. I was in the truck, with my mother, at an intersection and had to immediately restart the vehicle because our lives were in danger due to traffic. Upon restarting the vehicle, I resumed to my destination. On another occasion I arrived to who is now my sister in laws house, located in simon way. In that evening it was my turn to drive to oxnard college. As I pulled out of her driveway, the truck again stalled. I had to restart it again and decided that we would go to school in her vehicle. These two incidences are just a couple of many bad early on experiences with the 2005 Dodge Ram truck I had and would go to you guys and complain, and you guys never did anything about it because nothing ever resulted in your diagnostic and would happen to you guys when on one occasion the vehicle was in your possession. Attached see exhibit 1 which shows of a vehicle rental on 12/06/06 when the Dodge truck was in your possession. I precisely recall why I had the stratus rental and it was because crown Dodge had my truck, trying to figure out what was wrong with it. Crown Dodge was billed for the rental. Well, crown Dodge inspected the truck, but the problem continued. Exhibit 2 demonstrates another time that I complained because of the same problem with the vehicle. To date, the Dodge Ram truck 1500 continues to stall. My husband uses this vehicle to drive to work. At times he uses this vehicle to take our children out and I am always concerned because of this.

- Santa Paula, CA, USA

problem #56

Mar 242016

Ram 1500

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at various speeds, the cabin filled up with smoke and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had a hole in it that caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.

- Owatonna, MN, USA

problem #55

Mar 172016

Ram 1500

  • 186,950 miles
The truck stalls when slowing for a stop or idling around a corner. That is a safety issue because the steering and brakes are locked up at that point. Whether it's idling in a traffic jam, coming to a stop, or idling around the corner, you will suddenly have no power but everything else is on. Not the engine and it was so smooth that you don't notice until you can't brake or steer. There are hundreds of people with this year make and model that are having the same problem. I understand there was an investigation but it was closed without resolution. Case number EA05018. This is a growing problem and we the people are spending hundreds of dollars to replace parts that are just part of a trouble shooting issue and most of us still have the problem. And it's the same for all of us. Please relook at this problem. If I were the only one I could understand but I am not. We love our trucks but this is a serious problem. Last night I was in a double turn intersection when it shut off. Thankful I was in the outer lane and hit the median and not another car. If you read on car complaints.com under 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 stalls/shuts down while driving, you will see that this is a serious problem and there are loads of people. They think the repair fixes but it does not and the issue does not happen all the time. It started occasionally but now it's almost daily and multiple times a day. Please please help! this started in 2009 when we bought the truck and has progressively gotten worse. Not sure if previous owner had issue but it may be why it was traded in.

- Lawton, OK, USA

problem #54

Jun 082015

Ram 1500

  • 170,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 55 mph, the front passenger side wheel seized. In addition, the driveshaft detached completely. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the water pump and front passenger side driveshaft were replaced. The contact was uncertain of the repair part that was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Lima, OH, USA

problem #53

Feb 232016

Ram 1500

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While driving in the rain, the back-up lights filled up with water and failed to illuminate. The contact replaced the exterior lighting; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. When attempting to drive the vehicle in reverse and turning the steering wheel, the vehicle would stall. The contact would have to restart the vehicle in order to complete the desired movement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Irmo, SC, USA

problem #52

Oct 302015

Ram 1500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that after driving the vehicle for ten miles and then parking, it began to leak a large amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis, however specific details of the diagnosis was not provided. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Winona, MS, USA

problem #51

Nov 062015

Ram 1500

  • 103,000 miles

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

My 2005 Dodge Ram srt-10 viper truck engine stalls/shuts down without warning, no codes, no errorlights while driving...I have a problem with my truck stalling out when parking or going through slow turns. In the middle of an intersection'while an emergency vehicle was approaching, it died and I slowly drifted over to an adjacent curve.. the most recent was on 11/06/15, but it has happened at least 5 times over the past 5 months. All lights and the radio remain on and it starts right back up, however my steering and brakes lock up which is a huge safety concern. When the steering wheel is turned my rpms drop dramatically and it sounds like the truck wants to stall. Started surging and stalling so in it went in again, this time they replaced the iac module...and then they thought it might be the fuel pump'so they tested the fuel rail and claim that it was losing 5% of its torque'but not to be concerned'then they thought it might be the map sensor'but no !...again with no indication, no error lights; and no codes' ' and the dealership mechanics still can not get it to run without shutting off once you step on the accelerator it dies' to dealer for checkup. Could not and can not find the problem. And they charged me $967 why can't Fiat-Chrysler save face when they know a part problem exists and just fix it right without ripping off customers ? the mopar mechanics have had my truck since November 6th, 2015, (over two months ) and still can not figure out what is wrong with it'.. 'they want me to pay more money while they explore different options they claim that the Fiat-Chrysler coprporation engineers want them to try' 'really..ss you are asking the consumer/customer to fund the education of your mechanics'Fiat-Chrysler really "???" please recall these trucks before some-one or some-family gets killed please..please !!

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #50

Dec 022015

Ram 1500

  • miles
I bought this truck in 2014 from the family of the original owner who was deceased. It now has about 116,000 miles. The engine stalls unexpectedly and randomly at slow speeds, often while turning on curves or at intersections, but not always. I have made all repairs recommended by Dodge and other mechanics, but it still stalls. The Dodge people say they have never seen or heard of this problem, but the internet is full of accounts of very similar situations.

- Kingston, TN, USA

problem #49

Nov 192015

Ram 1500

  • miles
Blew a rod and rear axle broke

- Suwanee, GA, USA

problem #48

Oct 312015

Ram 1500

  • 150,000 miles
The engine stall which appears you have investigated is concerning for me. Multiple times I have been make a R turn and had the engine "die" in deceleration through the turn resulting in the truck losing power steering and electrical components of the truck. The recent incident almost resulted in me striking a motorcycle waiting in the L hand turn lane for the traffic signal. The engine has stalled in several other turn situations causing me to be restarting at stand still in traffic. I feel this has proven to be a safety concern and not just a inconvenience.

- Corvallis, OR, USA

problem #47

Sep 022015

Ram 1500

  • 125,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While starting the vehicle, the engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. In addition, the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train); however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #46

Jul 022015

Ram 1500

  • 143,145 miles
Purchased the truck new in 2005. Wife was driving to store when engine shut off. She turn around and drove 1.5 mile back to house and parked truck. Truck had plenty oil, but was leaking oil from passenger side valve cover had a small hole. Pulled covers, both heads and found head cast had broke off on passenger side. This caused hole in valve cover. Bottom of both head casting had damage to valve seal which should be pressed into place. Three of the seal pop out about 1/4 inch. And one of the seal on driver side head casting cracked cylinder head. This should not happen. I never seen this type of damage to headers. I think the casting if flawed. Before taking the valve covers of, I thought if I get another valve cover might be ok. So I searched for a valve cover. I called two Dodge dealer part department. Withnell Dodge in salem and mark thomas motors in albany Oregon. Both dealer parts department told me they had over 60 back orders for this valve cover. That's over 120 back order for valve covers. I suspect other truck owners thought all they needed was to replace the valve cover and that should fix their problem. I also suspect the flaw in the header cast is the problem and is causing a chain reaction to occur when parts of the casting break off, hit the valve cover, which can cause the truck to overheat, and result in damage to cylinder head, rings, and header, all because the head casting was molded with an inherited flaw. Nothing make sense as to why truck had problem with header, except bad cast for header. I hope your organization can do something about this matter. I put less than 15,000 miles per year on this truck, and I should be enjoying this truck for trouble free. With Dodge history of failure to notify vehicle owner about inherited problems with past, I do not expect Dodge to take responsibility for what I have experienced.

- Dallas, OR, USA

problem #45

Sep 042015

Ram 1500

  • 161,000 miles
Customer states that vehicle stalls at low speeds, including stop lights and while driving in slow traffic, stall incident have occasionally occurred at highway speeds cuasing loss of power steering and power brakes. Even when no codes are thrown vehicle has a obvious misfire, codes are not constantly thrown but when they do they are only thrown during travel up hills at rpms over 3500, the codes thrown are P0306, P0308 with no apparent cuase. Approximately 6-8 months ago the code P0308 was thrown and the rocker arm on cylinder 8 was determined to be the cuase, it was replaced. Code stopped being thrown until 9/4/15. This vehicle has been used as a daily driver and has not been driven in excess of normal work and back driving. Owner has contacted a Dodge dealership who have 1. not found a corrective issues, 2. not been able to recreate the issue. This is appearing to become an issue with this model. Customer has informed Dodge who states that he should take it to a dealership and have them diagnos it.this has been done already and they couldnt find anything. Customer has since investigated NHTSA incident codes and listed related ones below NHTSA id number: 10734353 NHTSA id number: 10714473 NHTSA id number: 10706537 NHTSA id number: 10703252 NHTSA id number: 10701387 NHTSA id number: 10690819 NHTSA id number: 10684177 NHTSA id number: 10684171 NHTSA id number: 10683138 NHTSA id number: 10676503 NHTSA id number: 10673112 NHTSA id number: 10640356 NHTSA id number: 10631009 NHTSA id number: 10608546 NHTSA id number: 10607485 NHTSA id number: 10595905 NHTSA id number: 10575632 NHTSA id number: 10526020 NHTSA id number: 10524646 NHTSA id number: 10523845 NHTSA id number: 10520377

- Linden, PA, USA

problem #44

Aug 202015

Ram 1500

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving, the oil gauge pressure decreased as the oil pressure gauge warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil pressure gauge failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #43

Jul 212014

Ram 1500

  • 104,000 miles
There had never been any previous issues with my Dodge 1500 engine (2005). On July 21, 2014, while driving home from work on the highway, my temp cage started moving toward hot. I got home, turned off the car and popped the hood. The coolant was completely out! went to pep boys, filled it up and tried to start my engine, would not start. After getting it towed to three different locations the diagnosis was 4 cylinders dropping and needing an entire engine replacement. There was no "known" reason why this happened as all the mechanical parts were working properly (initially the fan was to blame -- but turned out it was working completely normal). $6,000 later (new engine and labor) I am still wondering why this happened with no answers. Insurance won't help, no mechanic can explain this to me. Please help!

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #42

Dec 012014

Ram 1500

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at 60 mph, the rpms independently increased and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Maud , TX, USA

problem #41

Jul 092015

Ram 1500

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at any speed, the vehicle hesitated as if it were low on fuel and then stopped without warning. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was able to be restarted and was towed to an independent mechanic. The failure was not replicated. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Glendale, CA, USA

problem #40

Jul 022015

Ram 1500

  • 143,134 miles
Hole in right side valve cover. Called withnell Dodge in salem and mark thomas motors in albany Oregon. Both dealerships have over 60 back orders for this particular valve cover. That's over 120 back orders. If I called other dealerships I suspect they will have back orders for the same product. To me this means their is a problem with Dodge pickups having problems with valve covers, which are plastic. I suspect the value cover blew a hole and this caused the engine to overheat. I am not sure if I have any other problems as a result of valve cover blowing out. I will not know until I replace the valve cover. I also think a recall should occur as a result of these numbers. I think Dodge knew about this problem as they are the only one who can replace this valve cover. Parts stores like Napa, do not carry this part, which means Dodge dealership parts department must order this particular part. And I was told this part is not available in America, which means a foreign country is producing this part, which Dodge has to order and track. So what is NHTSA going to do. Date of incident was July 2,015.

- Dallas, OR, USA

problem #39

May 012015

Ram 1500

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at 40 mph, an abnormal popping sound was heard and the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the push rod lifter failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #38

Nov 202014

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 84,100 miles
Contact owns a 2005 Ram 1500 slt 4.7L. Contact states this has happened several times randomly. Truck will die while driving down the road or maneuvering at low speeds. Truck has had one random incident of over heating and had to pull over and shut truck off to cool down. Restarted just fine! plastic seat belt buckles have broken and seat belts don't retract fully. Then around April 2014 started hearing a whining grinding, howling noise thought it was the tires or the road. After a few months the noise was still there so called a repair shop took it in. Had it looked at. The repair shop diagnosed it to be the rear differential pinion nut backing off. Repair shop said the truck needs the differential repaired or replaced. A short time later, I received a recall notice around February on the truck for P77 & P81. Have contacted dealer via phone on several occasions. Dealer says parts are not available at this time, and don't know when the parts will be available to remedy the situation. It has been almost 3 months since I received the notice. I am concerned about the safety of the vehicle occupants and/or other's safety.*(since the problem is, the rear axle pinion nut on your truck may have been built without an adhesive patch on the pinion nut threads. The lack of this adhesive patch could allow the rear axle pinion nut to loosen and/or the rear drive shaft to separate from the rear axle. A loose pinion nut could cause the rear axle to seize and a separated drive shaft could cause loss of motive power. Either situation could cause a crash with out warning! and the airbag inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially injuring the vehicle occupants).dealership says should be okay to drive.!! I don't see how Dodge Chrysler! can keep production/sales of these unsafe vehicles. When so many vehicles are being recalled. Thank you for your attention of this matter. Updated 06/29/15.

- Tulare Ca , CA, USA

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