2005 Dodge Ram 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 196 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (27% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 196 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Driver ran over tire rubber debris causing a thud under truck. Five minutes later a very loud thud noise occurred, no warning lights on dash, driver pulled off the highway immediately and exited truck. The grass was on fire underneath the truck. Explosion occurred. The entire inside of truck was gutted. Local fire department responded and put out the fire. Texas Department of Safety refused to respond since collision not involved. The truck is at a towing company awaiting salvage and has been inspected by a mechanic.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2023
“This recall N62 13V-528 was never done by Duwanne Lanes Everett WA even though I was told by the dealership service team that they had done this recall as requested while they had my truck for over 3mo ths time. On April 3 ,2022 my vehicle had a cautostraphic failure of my steerwheell column & caused my front left tire to break totally off the front steering stabilizer front ball joint tie rod end pitman arm the wheel was free spinning .I had no steering control at all while driving 65 mph on I5 in the center lane. It is sheer luck that I was able to get truck off the freeway without being injured. I think Duanne Lanes of Everett, Wa (RECALL REMEDY INCIDENT) TS”Owner report · Wheels · Apr 2022
“LT 265 / 70 R 17 Driving at normal highway speed. No warning lamps, no messages, no other symptoms until heard a loud "bang" and steering became very difficult. Pulled over immediately to find a rear tire had exploded at edge of sidewall. The entire tread was blown off in one piece and caused damage to the vehicle. If I hadn't had a firm grip on the steering wheel before the tire blew up, I believe that I may have lost control of the truck, with possible injuries to occupants or bystanders nearby.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“At 178,000 miles (approximately), the rear suspension strap rusted through and dropped the rear end of the diesel fuel tank to the pavement. The plastic tank was ground down by moving over the pavement at highway speeds, but I was able to recognize the issue by the unusual noise and thus stop the truck before the tank ruptured. Potential hazards include fuel spill, smoke, fire, and vehicle stall while moving without the possibility of restart. Fuel tank fixation to the vehicle should not rust through and fail during the lifetime of the vehicle. The fuel tank is within 2 inches of the driveshaft and within 18 inches of the exhaust system.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that the ABS warning indicator illuminated and two pins detached from the brake control module. The vehicle was unable to be driven safely due to the brake failure. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving in inclement weather, the windshield wiper was activated but was inoperable. The contact stated that the windshield wipers were defective. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 197,000.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jun 2018
“Takata recall. The dealership wants me to sign a waiver if they break my dash, that I am responsible. I called dodge recall, anf d they say the same thing. Why should I have to pay for their mistakes or poor workmanship? They are trying to discourage people from getting the necessary repairs none to preserve corporate profits. I bought this truck new.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2018
“Drivers side seat motor that holds the seat from moving- snapped- so when youy drive you go forward or backward and the truck has 80000 miles on it.”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2017
“On freeway going over expansion joints encountered four separate times severe steering wheel shaking and bouncing, I had to bring the truck to an almost complete stop to get it to quit! Traveling at 75 mph and 60 on the freeway its some thing thats very unsafe to have happen.”Owner report · Wheels · May 2017
“This vehicle has an active recall which I am unable to resolve through my dealer. They tell me they don't have the parts”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 23 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY WITHOUT SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVING THE KEY, THE DRIVER MAY INADVERTENTLY LEAVE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL IN INDICATED REVERSE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION TO EQUIP THESE VEHICLES WITH AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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.
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.
FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS93001 AND FT44039, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, AND 1500 4WD MEGA CAB VEHICLES. THE PITMAN ARM CAN FRACTURE AND BREAK AWAY FROM THE STEERING BOX CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED INSTALLERS WILL INSPECT FOR DEFECTIVE PITMAN ARM AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 1-877-432-2832.
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.
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.
CERTAIN LKI ENTERPRISES, INC., BRAND NAME SUPERLIFT SUSPENSION, PITMAN ARMS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 2003-2007 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 4X4 LIGHT TRUCKS. DUE TO INADEQUATE HEAT TREATMENT DURING PRODUCTION, THE AFFECTED PITMAN ARMS MAY DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE UPPER SPLINED ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING OUTPUT SHAFT. MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE PITMAN ARM AND THE OUTPUT SHAFT MAY DEFORM SPLINES, RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEAR AND FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE AFFECTED PITMAN ARM.
Remedy: LKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN ARM, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LKI AT 1-800-551-4955.
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.
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.
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ram 3500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 196 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Dodge Ram 3500. The most complained-about area is steering (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 82,251 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.