2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Dodge Ram 3500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering6126.3%
- Airbags3314.2%
- Transmission2711.6%
- Suspension177.3%
- Electrical156.5%
- Engine135.6%
- Fuel system125.2%
- Brakes104.3%
- Visibility93.9%
- Exterior lighting73.0%
- Tires & wheels52.2%
- Powertrain (other)52.2%
- Driver assistance52.2%
- Other / unspecified52.2%
- Interior & seats41.7%
- Seat belts20.9%
- Body & structure20.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Recall that the dealer would not fix
May 13,2020. 11:32am Driving north, my drive side tire violently shook & suddenly gave way pulling me hard left. I struggling to keep truck in my lane but lost control of steering , the airbags also deployed. Blocking my view. The rode was a blind spot . I thought it was a tire failure. Be of the drop & hard pull to left. While the rode was curving right . I could not get truck to fallow curve. Causing truck to cross into oncoming lane. I never saw the other car . With air bags deployed. I thought I lost a tire and hit ditch was lifted up and hit ground hard. I was told I truck hit another car after crash . Hitting a car coming the other way. Causing a young women’s death. The tie rod had a clean break swing freely after break. In March 2020 had pulling or with extra movement off & on . Took to shop, they put a new sway bar on it. Seemed to help, no problems until this sudden catastrophic Paul and drop hard enough to deploy airbags. Truck is totaled but is here & available for inspection. Steve Erwin @ Scientific Analysis Inc. in Dallas TX 214 320-8686 has many pictures & Analysis. He mainly does accident recreations. He mentioned we need to find metals specialist to examine part failures.Due to failure being close to impact.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ACTIVE RECALL WHICH I AM UNABLE TO RESOLVE THROUGH MY DEALER. THEY TELL ME THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
2005 DODGE RAM 3500 4X4 DIESEL 48RE AUTOMATIC TRANS # [XXX]. TRUCK IS FOR PERSONAL USE AND HAS 117,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. TRUCK WAS DRIVEN TO STORE AND TORQUE CONVERTER BOLTS AND TORQUE CONVERTER STUDS WELDED ON CONVERTER SHEARED OFF CAUSING TORQUE CONVERTER TO EVACUATE TRANS FLUID ALL OVER UNDERSIDE OF TRUCK AND ALL OVER TIRES AND BRAKES. THIS DID NOT CAUSE ANY ACCIDENTS BUT COULD HAVE DAMAGED PROPERTY AND WOULD HAVE CAUSED BODILY INJURY IF OCCURRED DURING DAILY COMMUTE ON INTERSTATE. THIS INCIDENT HAS BEEN THE FIRST FOR ME WITH AN EXCEPTIONAL REPAIR BILL DUE TO THE DAMAGE THAT THIS CREATED TO THE TRANS AND FLYWHEEL AND TORQUE CONVERTER. DODGE WILL NOT WARRANTY ANY OF THIS BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE AND DODGE'S BANKRUPTCY. I HAVE READ VARIOUS THREADS PERTAINING DEFECTIVE OR WEAK TORQUE CONVERTERS AND BREAKING OF FLYWHEELS DUE TO THESE ISSUES BUT NO RECALLS AS OF YET. THE DODGE DEALER STATED MY TRUCK WAS THE SECOND ONE THIS WEEK WITH SIMILAR ISSUES BUT THEY WILL NOT COVER ANY OF THE DAMAGE TO MINE AND MUST BE PAID OUT OF POCKET. THERE IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE WITH THE WEAK PARTS BEING USED ON THESE VEH THAT CAUSE THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE AFTER MARKET MANUFACTURES ARE PRODUCING DIFFERENT DESIGNED PARTS FOR THIS APPL. THIS PROBLEM IS THE FIRST FOR ME BUT NUMEROUS TRANS SHOPS HAVE REPAIRED THE SAME SYMPTOMS FOR WHAT I HAVE FOUND OUT. MY REPAIR BILL FOR THE FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER MOUNTING BOLTS IS OVER $2500.00 AND INCREASING BEFORE MY TRUCK WILL BE REPAIRED LESS THE MONEY FOR TOWING AND RENTAL VEH BEING NEEDED. I HAVE TOLD THE DEALER I NEED ALL BROKEN PARTS FOR MY REVIEW AND I AM WAITING FOR THEIR REPLY. THE DEALERSHIP IS BEING HELPFUL BUT THE HAVE SAID THAT THEIR HANDS ARE TIED DUE TO THEIR BANKRUPTCY AND THAT IF THEIR WAS A RECALL THAT IT WOULD CREATE A MAJOR PANIC WITH IN THE DODGE NAME. I AM CERT. MECHANIC WITH OVER 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND I AM SEEING MORE AND MORE PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE . PLEASE ASSIST,AND THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 3500 QUADCAB 4X4 SWB. WHILE PLACED IN PARK, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO THE WOODS WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND THE MOTOR RUNNING. THE CONTACT INJURED HIS ARM. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED $4,000 WORTH OF DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V462000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 11/12/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE BY ITSELF. UPDATED 11/18/08. *JB
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
May 13,2020. 11:32am Driving north, my drive side tire violently shook & suddenly gave way pulling me hard left. I struggling to keep truck in my lane but lost control of steering , the airbags also deployed. Blocking my view. The rode was a blind spot . I thought it was a tire failure. Be of the drop & hard pull to left. While the rode was curving right . I could not get truck to fallow curve. Causing truck to cross into oncoming lane. I never saw the other car . With air bags deployed. I thought I lost a tire and hit ditch was lifted up and hit ground hard. I was told I truck hit another car after crash . Hitting a car coming the other way. Causing a young women’s death. The tie rod had a clean break swing freely after break. In March 2020 had pulling or with extra movement off & on . Took to shop, they put a new sway bar on it. Seemed to help, no problems until this sudden catastrophic Paul and drop hard enough to deploy airbags. Truck is totaled but is here & available for inspection. Steve Erwin @ Scientific Analysis Inc. in Dallas TX 214 320-8686 has many pictures & Analysis. He mainly does accident recreations. He mentioned we need to find metals specialist to examine part failures.Due to failure being close to impact.
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V462000 (POWER TRAIN). The vehicle was taken to a tire specialist to install larger tires on the vehicle. The contact was informed that the tires were too big and could not be installed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the employees switched the tires and added two low-drive tires on the front end and two larger tires in the rear. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH back to the residence, the vehicle vibrated violently. The contact almost crashed three times. The contact stated that while the vehicle jerked, the steering wheel was difficult to control. In addition, the odometer failed to function as intended. The contact called the tire shop and asked the contact to drive the vehicle to the shop for an inspection. The contact had safety concerns about driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 3500. THE STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND FOUND THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRES WERE BURNED AND CAUSED THE BLOWER MOTOR TO FAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRE AND THE IGNITION WERE ALL IN THE SAME HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE FAILURE AND THE WIRES WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000...UPDATED 07/21/17 *BF *CN
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
ON JULY 20, 2017 FAMILY AND I WERE RIDING IN OUR METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED 2005 RAM 3500 AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN THE CAPE COD REGION OF MASSACHUSETTS. AFTER AN HOUR TRUCK RUNNING GREAT, OUTSIDE TEMP 92 DEGREES. 30 SECONDS LATER WE HAD A CATASTROPHIC EVENT WHICH PUT US ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.12 QUARTS OF OIL ON THE GROUND, FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD, AND A HOLE IN BLOCK. REMOVED WIFE AND DAUGHTER FROM VEHICLE, EXTINGUISHED FIRE THANKS TO A STATE TROOPER, FIRE AND POLICE APPARATUS. GIVEN THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER AND A BUSINESS VEHICLE I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE MOTOR COSTING $18K. CUMMINS AND CHRYSLER INSPECTED VEHICLE. DID NOT INVESTIGATE CAUSE. REFUSED COPIES OF INSPECTION REPORTS. CUMMINS TIED UP VEHICLE FOR A MONTH. DELAYED REPAIR AND USE AS DAILY DRIVER AND CRITICAL BUSINESS NEED. ATTACHED CHRYSLER/CUMMINS RESPONSES SHOW NEGLIGENCE. RESEARCH HAS EXPOSED LATENT DEFECT WHEREBY DODGE APPLICATION OF CUMMINS DOES NOT USE ADEQUATE FUEL FILTRATION. RESULTS IN OVER FUELING OF THE INJECTORS THAT MELT OR HYDRO LOCK PISTONS, OVERLOADING RODS, DESTROYING BLOCK, SPILLING OF OIL, RESULTING IN FIRE. MANY ON LINE EXAMPLES OF SEVERELY DAMAGED ENGINES WELL BEFORE B50 LIFE OF 350K MILES. REPEATED REQUESTS TO ADDRESS SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH IGNORED. PERSONAL ENGINE INSPECTION SHOWED PUDDLED FUEL ON CRACKED PISTON 3 AND PISTON 4, INDICATING THE HYDRO LOCKED PISTON CAUSED THE ROD AND BLOCK FAILURE. REFER TO YOUTU LINK HTTPS://M.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=_BKDZXO6UNO THAT DEMONSTRATES CONSEQUENCES OF OVER FUELING. SUDDEN FAILURE ON WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE RESULTING IN FIRE ON HIGHWAY WARRANTS ROOT CAUSE INVESTIGATION. CAUSE IS LIKELY INADEQUATE FUEL FILTRATION LATENT DEFECT.7 MICRON INSTEAD OF 3.THERE ARE NO CHRYSLER DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS OR MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES TO PROTECT THE CUSTOMER. LATENT DEFECT LIABILITY IS NOT LIMITED BY WARRANTY PERIOD. MUST ADDRESS SAFETY!
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
2005 DODGE RAM 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE INTEGRATED POWER MODULE SAFETY PROBLEMS AND DRIVER AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PART KNOWN AS THE INTEGRATED POWER MODULE THAT CONTROLLED THE HEAD LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS AND STOP RELAY FOR TRAILER BRAKING WAS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE UNITED STATES. THE PART IS SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND IS CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER. *JB
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 3500. THE STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND FOUND THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRES WERE BURNED AND CAUSED THE BLOWER MOTOR TO FAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRE AND THE IGNITION WERE ALL IN THE SAME HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE FAILURE AND THE WIRES WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000...UPDATED 07/21/17 *BF *CN
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH MOUNTING TABS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FIXTURE BROKE ALLOWING THE ENTIRE HOUSING TO FALL OFF ON THE INTERSTATE. IT WAS DANGLING BY THE ELECTRICAL PIGTAIL.
SAFETY ISSUE - ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. WAS TURNING LEFT, BLINKER TURNED ON TO LEFT, BUT RIGHT BLINKERS FLASHED! PERSON BEHIND ME THOUGHT I WAS TURNING LEFT AND STARTED PASSING ON MY RIGHT. THE INTERNET HAS SO MANY COMPLAINT OF THE SAME ISSUE. NO WORD FROM DODGE!!!! THE MAY BE LOOKING INTO 2006, BUT NOT ANY OTHER YEAR! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V462000 (POWER TRAIN). The vehicle was taken to a tire specialist to install larger tires on the vehicle. The contact was informed that the tires were too big and could not be installed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the employees switched the tires and added two low-drive tires on the front end and two larger tires in the rear. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH back to the residence, the vehicle vibrated violently. The contact almost crashed three times. The contact stated that while the vehicle jerked, the steering wheel was difficult to control. In addition, the odometer failed to function as intended. The contact called the tire shop and asked the contact to drive the vehicle to the shop for an inspection. The contact had safety concerns about driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 equipped with Yokohama Tires, Tire Line: Geolander X A/T, Tire Size: 235/80/R17, DOT Number: XBA0PA01522. The contact stated that while exiting his driveway, the tires had trouble gaining stable traction. After a visual inspection of the tire tread, the contact became aware that the center tread on all four tires had excessive wear, potentially compromising vehicle safety. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the center tread did not provide an accurate measure of tread wear due to the step-up design, specific to the tire line. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The tires were replacement tires. The failure mileage was 18,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V462000 (POWER TRAIN). The vehicle was taken to a tire specialist to install larger tires on the vehicle. The contact was informed that the tires were too big and could not be installed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the employees switched the tires and added two low-drive tires on the front end and two larger tires in the rear. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH back to the residence, the vehicle vibrated violently. The contact almost crashed three times. The contact stated that while the vehicle jerked, the steering wheel was difficult to control. In addition, the odometer failed to function as intended. The contact called the tire shop and asked the contact to drive the vehicle to the shop for an inspection. The contact had safety concerns about driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER BOYFRIEND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, HE HAD PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. WHILE HE WAS RETRIEVING ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO INDEPENDENTLY ROLL BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT'S BOYFRIEND ATTEMPTED OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR THROUGH THE WINDOW BUT FAILED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING IN MOTION, HE DODGED OUT OF THE VEHICLE'S PATH. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY HIT TWO ROAD SIGNS BEFORE IT CAME TO A HALT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S BOYFRIEND SUFFERED A ROAD RASH AS A RESULT OF DASHING OUT OF THE WAY OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED BUT A PARK RANGER ARRIVED AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S BOYFRIEND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE SCENE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE ACCIDENT. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HER VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V462000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE SERVICED FOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,891. *DT *AS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
A massive amount of people in forums have encountered the same problem. When you start the vehicle it will idle pretty rough with black smoke. If and when you press the accelerator pedal it will continue to throttle up on its own. In park or driving! FORUM POST: #1. While driving my 04 Dodge 3500 Cummins down the street, at a speed of around 45mph, all of a sudden it went to wide-open throttle. It completely caught me off guard and the first thing I did was hit the brake. It had very little effect on what was happening. In less than 1 block I was well over 70mph with the brake on in a 45mph zone. #2. I had the same exact thing happen, I was at 90 mph on a 40 mph road when I finally had to put it in neutral, the pedal had no effect on rpm as I coasted to a stop the engine sat pegged at the rev limiter, and stayed there until I shut the motor down. I did not have cruise control on or showing as ready to go into the cruise, ie cruise light on in the instrument panel. I had some codes, but not sure when. FUEL PRESSURE TOO HIGH and another I forget. It was scary with the family in the truck. waited a few minutes trying to see that all connections were tight and they were, restarted and all was back to normal. 2 complaints of 1000's. I've been in the mechanical world for 50 years. Everything from motorcycles to heavy equipment and this one took me over a year to figure out. Generally, there are no codes thrown as in mine. The fuel pressure regulator malfunctions and forces pressure on the fuel rail. This feeds the injectors too much fuel and the computer will not default and shut down. I was traveling at 55mph with a 45-foot king pin trailer on my truck. Went to accelerate a bit and took off. At 75 mph, loaded (45000 lbs) I turned the ignition off. How many people has this killed and the possible reason was driver error?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ABILITY TO STEER AND BRAKE SEIZED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A DISLOCATED RIGHT ARM, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT DID NOT SPECIFY IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
May 13,2020. 11:32am Driving north, my drive side tire violently shook & suddenly gave way pulling me hard left. I struggling to keep truck in my lane but lost control of steering , the airbags also deployed. Blocking my view. The rode was a blind spot . I thought it was a tire failure. Be of the drop & hard pull to left. While the rode was curving right . I could not get truck to fallow curve. Causing truck to cross into oncoming lane. I never saw the other car . With air bags deployed. I thought I lost a tire and hit ditch was lifted up and hit ground hard. I was told I truck hit another car after crash . Hitting a car coming the other way. Causing a young women’s death. The tie rod had a clean break swing freely after break. In March 2020 had pulling or with extra movement off & on . Took to shop, they put a new sway bar on it. Seemed to help, no problems until this sudden catastrophic Paul and drop hard enough to deploy airbags. Truck is totaled but is here & available for inspection. Steve Erwin @ Scientific Analysis Inc. in Dallas TX 214 320-8686 has many pictures & Analysis. He mainly does accident recreations. He mentioned we need to find metals specialist to examine part failures.Due to failure being close to impact.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE FRACTURED WIRING HARNESS AND THE FAILED LATCHES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE VEHICLE OWNER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS UTILIZING MY VEHICLE FOR A CHILD SAFETY INSTALLATION CLASS. DURING THE CLASS ALL THREE OF THE REAR SEATING POSITIONS WERE UTILIZED FOR INSTALLATION OF CHILD SAFETY SEATS. DURING INSTALLATION, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS OUTLINED IN MY OWNERS MANUAL, ALL THREE REAR SEATBELT LOCKING LATCH PLATES BROKE. I HAD THIS PROBLEM BACK IN 2005 WHEN I INSTALLED MY DAUGHTER IN HER CAR SEAT IN THE RIGHT REAR SEATING POSITION. BACK IN 2005, THE RIGHT REAR SEATBLET POSITION WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. EACH OF THESE TIMES A SMALL PIECE OF PLASTIC BREAKS OFF, RESULTING IN THE SEATBELT LATCH PLATE NO LONGER BEING ABLE TO LOCK. THIS FEATURE IS ONLY UTILIZED TO LOCK THE SEATBELT DURING THE INSTALLATION OF A CHILD SAFETY SEAT AND HAD I NOT BEEN SOME-WHAT MECHANICALLY INCLINED, I MIGHT HAVE NOT REALIZED THE SEATBELT HAD BEEN RENDERED INOPERABLE FOR SAFE INSTALLATION OF A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. *TR
THE PASSENGER WOULD HAVE TO RELEASE THE BUCKLE AND RETURN IT TO THE RETRACTED POSITION IN ORDER TO RELEASE IT. AS THE PASSENGER MOVED, THE BELT LOCKED TIGHTER. *AK (VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER PLACED ON THE DOCUMENT) DODGE RAM 2005 *SC *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
YOU SENT ME A PIECE OF CRAP. *TR
VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT TOW HOOKS AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT GOT STUCK IN SOFT WET SAND ON A CAMPING TRIP. NO MEANS WAS AVAILABLE TO EXTRACT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ATTACHING A TOW CHAIN DIRECTLY TO THE CHASSIS. WHEN VEHICLE WAS PULLED OUT, THE FRONT SPOILER AND BUMPER WERE DAMAGED. ON 9-2-05, A DAIMLER CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE ON THEIR 1-800 LINE REFUSED TO ASSIST IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, OR EVEN PROVIDE THE TOW HOOKS THAT THE VEHICLE IS LACKING. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .