2005 Dodge 1500 Powertrain (other) Problems

My 2005 Dodge 1500 Ram truck broke down on the side of the road and it was determined that the Driveshaft fell off. Once it arrived at Wilson Motors, the representative told me the vehicle broke due to a nut and bolt that held the driveshaft onto the rear axle. This faulty issue was known by Dodge and there was a recall (NHTSA Recall Number14V-796) on these parts in December of 2014. I was not the original owner of the vehicle and was not aware of the recall as I bought the truck in 2021. No attempt to contact me was made by Dodge to provide me information on the recall. The parts to do the recall are obsolete and Dodge insists they have no responsibility in fixing the vehicle, even though the parts are well known to Dodge as being defective. The nut and bolt was the proximate cause of the extensive damage to driveshaft where a new driveshaft is needed. Due to the fact that the recalled parts are the culprit, I am asking Dodge to repair the vehicle to working condition or at least total out my truck and pay me out. I would expect Dodge to stand by their product when they provide a defective product to their consumers. Could you please advise me if I have any legal standing to get Dodge to pay for this?

NHTSA ID

11775744

Incident

Sep 30, 2026

The truck broke down on the side of the road and it was determined that the Driveshaft fell off. Once it arrived at Wilson Motors, the representative told me the vehicle broke due to a nut and bolt that held the driveshaft onto the rear axle. This faulty issue was known by Dodge and there was a recall on these parts in 2014. I was not the original owner of the vehicle and was not aware of the recall as I bought the truck in 2021. No attempt to contact me was made by Dodge to provide me information on the recall. The parts to do the recall are obsolete and Dodge insists they have no responsibility in fixing the vehicle, even though the parts are well known to Dodge as being defective. The nut and bolt was the proximate cause of the extensive damage to driveshaft where a new driveshaft is needed. Due to the fact that the recalled parts are the culprit, I am asking Dodge to repair the vehicle to working condition or at least total out my truck and pay me out. I would expect Dodge to stand by their product when they provide a defective product to their consumers.

NHTSA ID

11772375

Incident

Sep 30, 2026

The contact owns a 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. The contact stated while getting the vehicle's state inspection done, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS), of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS), and NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN) however, the contact stated that he had reached out to a dealer, but they decline to service the vehicle due to not having the remedy available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 216,600.

NHTSA ID

11739397

Incident

May 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the recall repair. During inspection, the dealer determined that there was additional damage to the differential, and the parts for the repair were on backorder. The dealer informed the contact that the differential oil was contaminated and there was no coverage for the additional repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and was able to expedite the parts, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 238,000.

NHTSA ID

11717343

Incident

Jan 23, 2026

Mileage

238,000 mi

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the rear wheels locked up and the vehicle abruptly stopped unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear drive shaft had separated from the rear axle. The contact was aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train). The contact was advised by the dealer that the parts were no longer manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11714574

Incident

Dec 17, 2025

Mileage

200,000 mi

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there were abnormal sounds coming from the rear end of the vehicle, and the driveshaft intermittently locked. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The contact was concerned that the vehicle was unsafe to drive to a dealer because there was no local dealer. A dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11708056

Incident

Dec 30, 2025

I took my vehicle in for the recall on Sept 22,2025 and on Friday my rear end went out on my way home from work. On my recall receipt it's states they replaced the pinion nut, but after dropping my driveshaft I noticed the pinion nut was never replaced. I have spoke to the service manager 1 time and now he won't return my phone calls .

NHTSA ID

11702492

Incident

Sep 22, 2025

[XXX] was on my way home noticed rear differential making a noise slowed down to 20-30 mph to prepare to pull of the hwy rear differential locked up pinion nut came loose and driveshaft fell out had it towed home called had an appointment set up at Steve jones in Dickson Tennessee to have the recall fixed. 1 1/2 month later dealership calls and advise me to call customer care because they couldn’t get the parts to fix the vehicle I called customer care they told me I would have to supply the 2 parts to fix the vehicle because they were discontinued I confirmed with the dealership they confirmed said if I supplied the parts they would fix the vehicle I ordered the parts took to dealership then was told the manager over corporate said to not fix the vehicle now dealership says corporate is going to to do a buy out and crush the vehicle I explained to them that is not acceptable it has been almost 5 months with no resolution and vehicle still setting at the dealership is there anything that could be done to get these recalls fixed INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11637198

Incident

Aug 18, 2024

Rear differential locked up while driving at approximately 30 mph, causing the vehicle to come to a stop and unable to move. Luckily the failure happened on a road with little traffic so no accident occurred and other drivers were not put at risk. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to failure. Inspection revealed broken gears and pins in the rear differential. There was a recall (P77) for this model year truck for what appears to be the same problem. The recall repair work was performed in 2019 and the truck has been driven approximately 20,000 miles since the repair. The FCA recall line told me to have the truck towed to a dealer to get a diagnosis and repair estimate, but after the tow was complete the recall line said since more than 2 years had passed since the recall repair work, the repair warranty had expired and nothing would be covered, regardless of diagnosis. The broken parts are still available for review if needed.

NHTSA ID

11607096

Incident

Jul 29, 2024

Vehicle brought in for recall repairs on March 18, 2024. Recalls R25 and N43 were completed. Recall P77 failed inspection. Dealer parts not available. Was asked by service advisor if ok to use aftermarket parts. I agreed. Service advisor needed approval from district rep before continuing. I was then told by service advisor that vehicle was safe to drive as long as I drove it easy. His comment, “Its lasted this long, you will be ok. Just dont pull any trailers.” Was asked to wait a week for district rep to return from vacation. I took the truck home and did not drive it after reading the P77 recall info. The truck is not safe to drive with a loose rear axle pinion nut. I returned the truck on 4/8/2024 for repairs to be completed. The dealer will not communicate with me unless I initiate communication. There is no information on parts being ordered or work being scheduled. It is now 4/29/2024 and no action from the dealer. I have asked to speak with the Service Manager and no reply.

NHTSA ID

11585976

Incident

Mar 18, 2024

I visited my local Dodge dealership for airbag recalls for my 2005 Dodge Ram in December 2022. In October 2023 I noticed a leak in the rear differential. When looking into the recalls for my Vin the differential pin was mentioned on there but never to me as I thought it was just the airbags. The part has been fixed by a mechanic shop (I paid for) but, did dodge complete the inspection or just checked complete to include airbags recall (complete)?

NHTSA ID

11548922

Incident

Sep 28, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V352000 (Air Bag), 15V313000 (Air Bags), and 14V796000 (Power Train) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect

NHTSA ID

11543781

Incident

Sep 8, 2023

Had taken my vehicle in for the recall they said it was fine , after wards two months later my front right break locked up. But now my rear end that was supposed to been fixed from recall vut now it is making loud noise

NHTSA ID

11474310

Incident

May 11, 2022

I was driving on a highway when all of a sudden I heard what I thought to be a blow out (tire) ,as I pulled over on shoulder with difficulty I looked in mirror and saw a part has fallen off, later retrieved with tow truck driver, part being a driveshaft. Rear end had seized as I maneuvered my veh. As far on shoulder as possible, I feel fortunate for outcome of incident. I had gotten a tow to my resident now not sure what my next step is to do, any advise would be helpful. Thank you

NHTSA ID

11428147

Incident

Aug 6, 2021

Rear differential failure. Right rear drive shaft gets loose and makes continual noise.

NHTSA ID

11418563

Incident

May 25, 2021

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD HIT ME FROM THE BACK. WHEN I GOT OFF TO LOOK I SAW THAT NO ONE HAD CRASHED INTO ME. A BYSTANDER SAYS THAT MY DRIVE SHAFT IS ON THE FLOOR. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE HOME. WENT TO A DODGE DEALER ABOUT THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT. HE SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 5 YEARS AGO. THE PROBLEM WAS PREVIOUSLY FIXED. THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I LOOKED UP SOME INFORMATION AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN TO OTHER DRIVERS. ALL OWNERS STATED THAT ISSUES WERE NEVER RESOLVED. MY DAD OWNS A 1999 DODGE 1500 AND THE DRIVE SHAFT HAS NEVER FALLEN OFF.

NHTSA ID

11363430

Incident

Oct 6, 2020

Mileage

174,258 mi

WELL DRIVING NORTHBOUND HIGHWAY 54 AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH MY DODGE PICK UP SUDDENLY HAVE THE REAR AND LOCK UP, AT THIS TIME BACK REAR WHEEL STOPPED CAUSING VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STANDSTILL AFTER ABOUT 100 YARDS. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOTED THE REAR END AT SMOKE COMING OUT IT SMELLED TO BE OIL LIKE. ALSO AT THIS TIME VEHICLES UNABLE TO BE MOVED SECONDARY TO REAR AND BEING LOCKED UP HOWEVER WHILE IN MUTUAL SHORT MOVEMENTS WERE ALLOWED TO GO FORWARD AND LOAD ONTO A FLATBED AND HOLD OFF TO MY HOME

NHTSA ID

11360421

Incident

Sep 13, 2020

Mileage

236,000 mi

REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND ALMOST ROLL OVER, THE DRIVESHAFT SHEARED OFF AT THE REAR AND FLEW OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK. I WAS ABLE TO SLIDE OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AVOID A COLLISION.

NHTSA ID

11351509

Incident

Aug 20, 2020

Mileage

238,000 mi

A SENSOR FOR THE TRANSMISSION OR COMPUTER IS FAULTING OUT COUSIN THE TRANSMISSIONS OR GEARS TO SHIFT IN CAUSING IT TO SLOW DOWN SUDDENLY OR SHIFT DOWN AND IT'S NOT WORKING PROPERLY

NHTSA ID

11292134

Incident

Mar 10, 2010

Mileage

105,000 mi

I PURCHASED MY TRUCK DECEMBER 2018 FROM A PRIVATE CITIZEN, I RECENTLY RAN A CHECK FOR RECALLS AND IT INFORMED ME THAT NONE OF THE RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH MY 2005 RAM 1500 HAVE NEVER BEEN ADDRESSED. I WOULD LIKE INFORMATION AS TO HOW I MOVE FORWARD IN GETTING THE RECALLS FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11289544

Incident

Dec 15, 2019

Mileage

166,000 mi

CYLINDER #4 PUSH ROD IS BENT AND MESSED UP CAM AND VALVES AS A RESULT NEW MOTOR IS NEEDED. THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WAS NEVER BROUGHT IN. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO WITH NO RECOLLECTION OF THIS AND NOW I'M OUT A TRUCK WITH NO MOTOR DUE TO THIS.

NHTSA ID

11286391

Incident

Oct 31, 2019

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DAVID STANLEY DODGE (877-853-3755, LOCATED AT 7609 SE 29TH ST, MIDWEST CITY, OK 73110) WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED TWO YEARS AGO PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SUPPORTED THE DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11278750

Incident

Nov 6, 2019

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY AND DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED AND BECAME STUCK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, BUT THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING. THE CONTACT CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A LOOSE PINION NUT CAUSED THE DRIVESHAFT AND THE YOKE TO DETACH. THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DON WEIR'S RENO DODGE RAM FIAT (775-786-1211, LOCATED AT 700 KIETZKE LN, RENO, NV 89502). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WAITED TOO LONG TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED; HOWEVER, A REPAIR APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WOULD NOT COVER THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGES, AND ONLY THE RECALL PART WOULD BE COVERED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT TO THE CONTACT IN 2015; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NOTICE WAS NEVER RECEIVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000.

NHTSA ID

11217615

Incident

May 30, 2019

Mileage

143,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHEN STOPPING OR STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. IT CAN BE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. IT WILL ALSO INTERMITTENTLY FLASH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CHIME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASED IN 2008. IT HAPPENS WITH COLD OR WARM ENGINE. IT MAY HAPPEN ONCE A WEEK, ONCE A MONTH, OR SEVERAL TIMES IN ONE DAY. USUALLY MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE AIR TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 65 DEGREES. THERE ARE NO CODES STORED AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISPLAYED (OTHER THAN THE INTERMITTENT LIGHT & CHIME).. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE ARE NO TSB'S COVERING MY ENGINE/TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE HUNDRED OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH OWNERS 4.7 ENGINES IN OTHER DODGE & JEEP PRODUCTS. MANY PEOPLE HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $1,000 ON THIS PROBLEM AND NOT SOLVED IT. WE RECENTLY MOVED FROM A RURAL AREA TO A LARGE CITY. DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IS VERY STRESSFUL. WE RECENTLY STARTED TRANSPORTING A BABY IN THIS VEHICLE AND THE IMPATIENCE OF OTHER CARS WAITING FOR US TO RESTART OURS LEADS TO OTHER VEHICLES TO TAKE AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11185684

Incident

Mar 6, 2019

Mileage

45,000 mi

DEALER ADVISES THAT CHRYSLER IS DECLINING TO PERFORM P77 RECALL, CITING LACK OF AVAILABILITY OF PARTS. CHRYSLER HAS MADE A VERBAL OFFER TO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS LESS THAN MY ASSESSMENT OF THE VEHICLES WORTH. THEY HAVE NOW TOLD ME THAT I MUST COME AND COLLECT MY TRUCK FROM THE DEALERSHIP (AFTER THEM HAVING THE VEHICLE FROM 12/31) TODAY AND THEY ARE DECLINING TO PERFORM THE RECALL SERVICE.

NHTSA ID

11180315

Incident

Dec 31, 2018

Mileage

195,000 mi