Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
When wet or in heavy rain, the battery will shut off and the truck will lose power steering. The truck speedometer will still work and the engine will run, but the battery voltage gauge drops to 0 and the radio and power steering turn off, dangerously, leaving you to have to steer without power steering for the truck.
I was driving about 45-50 mph and pushed on my breaks. When i pushed on my breaks, i had no power steering and was unable to accelerate. No warning lights. I pulled over and restarted the vehicle and it was fine. Was just purchased used and driving home from dealer.
While driving vibration in the front proceeded to lose control lose control with out knowing I was off the road into a guard rail through a small building from the highway department storage I proceeded to go through the building and into to park cars after being told they were told it was a complete wreck I was brought to the hospital in exeter new hampshire please run the scenes no airbags failed to inflate and vibration and I could not stop nor steers vehicle I had no frenchy's and I use my vehicle for business and had to close my account as of right now I've been denied right rental fee nor rentals at all and that vehicle is now at foss motors in exeter new hampshire I've had it towed three times and have a total of four calls to Chrysler about this matter and have yet been informed about any compensation or what I'm gonna do about my vehicle.
I was coming off the highway in filth real shutter at 45 miles an hour it went off the road hit a guardrail but it was still showed her shattering steering wheel went through industrial little building in totaled two cars hit my head lost my tooth and my friends want to do can you help me ?. I have a police report the police report guy said I was doing 60 but when they did a real in a little seshan I was doing 42 I was coming off the highway into a corner and I was not under the influence of anything with the hospital did exactly what I was supposed to do I really had a bad concussion and I will definitely upload everything and send them to you guys tomorrow morning to this link ..my name paul lamb
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 50 MPH, an abnormal sound was heard when the steering wheel was turned. The rear of the vehicle began to fishtail and the vehicle struck various guardrails while attempting to avoid a crash. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained major injuries to the torso, neck back, ankle, and left arm. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed and not diagnosed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,600.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized causing the contact to crash. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries to the chest from hitting the steering wheel but no medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 02/19/16 the consumer stated the vehicle was totaled. Updated 12/13/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering malfunctioned. The driver lost control of the vehicle, which caused it to roll over. During the crash, the front passenger suffered a broken arm. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 67,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the driver lost control of the vehicle and caused it to roll over. The front passenger suffered a broken arm that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 67,000.
Getting off the off ramp I could not stop in a second vibrations started another car in that car went to another car with a pregnant girl...... I have asked over and over for help and costs are killing my business and had brake problems etc. You guys please help me here...?
The frame on my Dodge Ram has broken welds on both sides of the frame where the lower control arms mount to the frame. They have failed due to manufacturing defects during the welding process. The truck has never been wrecked, driven off road, or done any towing. Dodge refuses any assistance in replacing the frame because it has aged out of their warranty. The truck has 74,138 miles on it and is not drivable without a new frame. I had the truck in twice under warranty service for drivability issues under braking and steering over bumps. Neither time were the cracks in the frame found or addressed. Every time the brakes are applied, the steering wheel shakes uncontrollably and is unsafe to drive. I found the damage while changing the oil and was about to replace the frt hub bearing assembly on the passenger side since the driver's side had already failed and had been replaced earlier. …
Steering complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 5% of the model year's 1,172 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › knuckle › spindle › arm (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 1 fire and 10 injuries and 1 death to steering 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.