2005 Dodge Ram 1500 cruise control problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Among the 5 model years of Dodge Ram 1500 in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe three distinct problem patterns in this 2005 RAM 1500. The most severe: sudden wide-open throttle acceleration with the pedal locked at full RPM, happening without warning at highway speeds, in parking lots, and at stop lights. One owner was doing over 100 mph before the brakes finally slowed the truck enough to shift to neutral and kill the engine—the front end smoking from brake friction. Another had the throttle stick wide open when turning left on yellow light into oncoming traffic, crashed into a parking lot, then the same condition happened again when restarting with the key. A third experienced full acceleration while merging onto an interstate, brakes holding but unable to disengage. Pumping the accelerator sometimes temporarily reduces RPMs; in one case, replacing the throttle actuator worked.
Second pattern: stalling at stop lights and low speeds, sometimes at highway speeds, causing loss of power brakes and steering. Cylinder 8 rocker arm replacement fixed it briefly, then misfires returned.
Third pattern: idle surging to 3000 RPM, vehicle creeping forward at red lights without foot on pedal, fuel surging between 30-65 mph. One owner had throttle body, EGR valve, and Electronic Throttle Control replaced—problem persisted, occurring 5-8 times weekly. Multiple dealerships refused to address it or couldn't reproduce it in the shop.
Same Dodge Ram 1500 cruise control reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Sudden unintended wide-open throttle acceleration
Accelerator pedal locks or sticks at full throttle without driver input, often triggered by normal acceleration, downshifting, or coasting. Engine revs to redline. Cruise control on/off does not disengage the condition. Pumping the pedal may temporarily reduce RPMs. Occurs at highway and city speeds. Turning off the ignition resets the system temporarily.
When: Various speeds (20 mph in parking, 45 mph highway, 65-100+ mph highway); one incident at idle at a stop light; recurring for owners over weeks or months
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal stuck to floor or won't respond to foot input; Plastic portion of pedal separates from mechanism; Engine revs to redline uncontrollably; Loss of power steering and brakes (when engine stalls); Electronic Throttle Control light illuminates (red); Vehicle continues to accelerate even when brakes applied; Check Engine light may not illuminate; Smoke from front end during braking attempt
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle actuator replaced (one owner used salvage unit); throttle body cleaned and replaced; Electronic Throttle Control unit replaced by Dodge dealership; rocker arm on cylinder 8 replaced (resolved P0308 temporarily)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to reproduce issue or diagnose cause in multiple cases; one dealer stated problem was seen in several Chrysler 300s and other RAM trucks with 5.7 HEMI engine at their locations; Chrysler stated owner should visit dealership for diagnosis; manufacturer did not take incident seriously in at least one case
Engine stalling at low and high speeds
Engine stalls unexpectedly at stop lights, slow traffic, and occasionally at highway speeds. Stalls cause loss of power steering and power brakes, creating immediate safety hazards. Misfire is evident even when no diagnostic codes are present.
When: At stop lights and low speeds; occasionally at highway speeds; on hills at RPMs over 3500; code P0308 thrown 6-8 months after cylinder 8 rocker arm replacement, then again 9/4/15
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at stop lights; Engine stalls in slow traffic; Engine stalls at highway speeds (occasional); Loss of power steering when stall occurs; Loss of power brakes when stall occurs; Obvious misfire audible; Codes not constantly thrown
Repairs/costs cited: Rocker arm on cylinder 8 replaced 6-8 months prior; issue resolved temporarily then recurred; no permanent fix identified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge dealership unable to recreate issue or find corrective action; customer contacted Dodge, directed to dealership for diagnosis; dealership unable to find anything; owner identified 20+ related NHTSA complaints suggesting pattern in model
Idle surging and erratic RPM control
Engine revs erratically while at idle, climbing to 3000 RPM and fluctuating. Vehicle surges forward at stop lights as if gas pedal fully pressed when driver's foot is off throttle. Surging also occurs between 30-65 mph during normal driving. Vehicle fuels itself without driver input when warm.
When: At idle at stop lights; while in drive at idle; between 30-65 mph; when vehicle is warm (not when cold); occurs 5-8 times per week for one owner
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs up and down at idle (to 3000 RPM); Engine revs while vehicle in drive at idle; Vehicle surges forward at stop light without driver foot on pedal; Near-miss collisions at stop lights (multiple times); Vehicle surges between 30-65 mph; Cold start runs fine; poor behavior when warm; No engine braking when coasting above 25 mph; Vehicle accelerates downhill without throttle input
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body cleaned; throttle body replaced; EGR valve replaced; Electronic Throttle Control replaced by Dodge dealership; problem persisted after all repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple Dodge dealership visits; dealers unable or refused to address issue; no permanent fix provided
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 27,000 and 60,557 miles, with the median around 28,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 60,557. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.