Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tensioner for timing chain broke at highway speed truck stalled with no control or power steering to steer or breaks to immediate stop instead had to slow roll lucky live in small farm town with low population not alot of traffic could have been bad. Took to dealer dodge service department they noticed oil pan gasket was leaking when removed oil pan the tensioner and timing chain pieces were all in the bottom of oil pan..just like the challenger and charger cars the next group to have same motor as my truck and same issues with the MDS Being the problem on the tensioner why breaks in first place. Why theres recalled and not my same motor and problem? Any ways it failed and had to pay out of pocket on a faulty tensioner that is a very big safety concern and it I'm afraid caused more damage then that to other internal parts of my engine...
I want to make a complaint because the engine in my 2005 dodge ram 1500 Magnum stalling very often, engine stalling on the traffic freeway couple of times that I have to restart the vehicle quick, good thing cars going slow. The most scary time was when I was making a right turn on this busy avenue and the engine stalled and almost got hit by other's cars the engine stalling very often that already know when it dies I put it on P and restart it as quick as I can before I get hit by other car. The next issue. It makes a grinding sound underneath when taking off at very low speed. I not sure if it is the differential or a wheel but it something there I took it to the mechanic he fix something that was woren it connects to the differential but still makes the noyse. Too many problems with this truck.
This will be the 4th time since late 2020 that this vehicle will stall either at a stop or at low speed. EGR valve has been replaced 3 times. You lose power steering and harder to brake but for the grace of God my wife has not had an accident. If you search online there are hundreds of similar complaints.
There is a class action law suit for newer rams mine has always done same thing since i have owned it occasionaly during slow speed turns it will shut off it will restart imediatly i have owned vehicle 4 years bought with 127000 miles now have 205000 miles on it
The truck stalls when slowing for a stop or idling around a corner. That is a safety issue because the steering and brakes are locked up at that point. Whether it's idling in a traffic jam, coming to a stop, or idling around the corner, you will suddenly have no power but everything else is on. Not the engine and it was so smooth that you don't notice until you can't brake or steer. There are hundreds of people with this year make and model that are having the same problem. I understand there was an investigation but it was closed without resolution. Case number ea05018. This is a growing problem and we the people are spending hundreds of dollars to replace parts that are just part of a trouble shooting issue and most of us still have the problem. And it's the same for all of us. Please relook at this problem. If I were the only one I could understand but I am not. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 40 MPH, smoke appeared from the engine compartment into the cabin. The contact merged the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The fire department was notified; however, the fire was extinguished by a state highway employee. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be inspected. The contact was informed that the firewall insulation under the hood of the vehicle had separated and fell onto the exhaust system, which caused the engine compartment fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The failure recurred multiple times. While attempting to start the ignition, the vehicle smoked and failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing where it was diagnosed that the crank shaft sensor, heat sensor, oil pressure gauge, and motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at various speeds, the cabin filled up with smoke and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had a hole in it that caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.
An electrical fire started under hood of vehicle. No signs of anything being wrong before the fire and vehicle had been parked and sitting in driveway for at least 24 hours before fire was seen and reported to police and fire dept. Nobody was home when this happened.
My 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 black rumble bee truck was stopped at red light as was fixing to make a left turn the truck stumbled as if stalling and then shot off wide open throttle my foot was not on the throttle, in to oncoming traffic I made the turn and avoided hitting any body and slide in to the parking lot where I rolled the truck in the empty lot. The police came up that watched the wreck and said that's what I get for hot rodding the truck I told them I had not and turned the switch back on with truck in park and it went to wide open throttle. They quickly said it was out of my control and called the wreck a mechanical failure. After a two months fight with insurance company I bought the truck back they had totaled the truck it only has 27000 miles on it. …
Engine complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 153 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 13% of the model year's 1,172 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 5 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.