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2005 Dodge Ram 1500 powertrain problems

severe 561 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500

Complaints
561
Recalls
0
Crashes
23
Avg fix
$2,500

What owners are reporting 10 most recent

powertrain · filed 12/31/2025

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…

powertrain · filed 12/31/2014

2005 RAM 1500 ONLY HAS 57,000 MILES ON IT, SEVERAL ISSUES: 1) LOUD WHINING NOISE, SOUNDS LIKE REALLY LOUD POWER STEERING WHINE BUT POWER STEERING IS OK. STARTED LAST WINTER WHEN WE HAD EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES. NOW IT IS EXTREMELY LOUD ALL OF THE TIME. AFTER HEARING ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECALL AND READING OTHER OWNER COMPLAINTS OF LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING I AM CONCERNED OF MY SAFETY. 2) I HAVE HAD T…

powertrain · filed 12/30/2019

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

powertrain · filed 12/30/2015

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A ROADWAY, THE DRIVELINE FRACTURED, THE WHEELS SEIZED IN THE REAR, AND THE VEHICLE SWAYED TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. T…

powertrain · filed 12/29/2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN), 15V313000 (AIR BAGS), AND 16V352000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD…

powertrain · filed 12/29/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL PINION SEAL LEAKED UPON INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL PINION SEAL LEAKED. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,0…

powertrain · filed 12/29/2015

RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICES BY MAIL FOR REAR AXLE PINION NUT (P77 / NHTSA 14V-796) AND DRIVER AIRBAG INFLATOR (R25 / NHTSA 15V-313.) I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALER IN JULY / AUGUST OF 2015 TO SCHEDULE REPAIRS. A WEEK LATER THE DEALER CALLED BACK TO POSTPONE THE REPAIRS BECAUSE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL BACK TO RESCHEDULE THE REPAIRS WHEN THE PARTS WERE AVAI…

powertrain · filed 12/28/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A 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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISC…

powertrain · filed 12/27/2014

I WAS AT THE STOP SIGN ON THE BRAGA BRIDGE IN MA. I STARTED TO ENTER TRAFFIC WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THEN A BUNCH OF BANGING, I INSTANTLY STOPPED ON THE BRIDGE JUST PAST THE STOP SIGN. I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, I JUMPED OUT OF THE TRUCK BUT IT BEGAN TO ROLL BACK. I HAD MY WIFE HOLD THE BREAK WHILE I CHECKED. THE TRUCK WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS BUT NOT FORWARDS. T…

powertrain · filed 12/26/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED AND THE DRIVE SHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Common questions

How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500?

It's a meaningful issue. 561 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.

At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?

No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.

Other problem areas on this vehicle

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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