Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the rear wheels locked up and the vehicle abruptly stopped unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear drive shaft had separated from the rear axle. The contact was aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train). The contact was advised by the dealer that the parts were no longer manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the recall repair. During inspection, the dealer determined that there was additional damage to the differential, and the parts for the repair were on backorder. The dealer informed the contact that the differential oil was contaminated and there was no coverage for the additional repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and was able to expedite the parts, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 238,000.
[redacted] was on my way home noticed rear differential making a noise slowed down to 20-30 mph to prepare to pull of the hwy rear differential locked up pinion nut came loose and driveshaft fell out had it towed home called had an appointment set up at Steve jones in Dickson Tennessee to have the recall fixed. 1 1/2 month later dealership calls and advise me to call customer care because they couldn't get the parts to fix the vehicle I called customer care they told me I would have to supply the 2 parts to fix the vehicle because they were discontinued I confirmed with the dealership they confirmed said if I supplied the parts they would fix the vehicle I ordered the parts took to dealership then was told the manager over corporate said to not fix the vehicle now dealership says corporate is going to to do a buy out and crush the vehicle I explained to them that is not acceptable it …
The truck broke down on the side of the road and it was determined that the Driveshaft fell off. Once it arrived at Wilson Motors, the representative told me the vehicle broke due to a nut and bolt that held the driveshaft onto the rear axle. This faulty issue was known by Dodge and there was a recall on these parts in 2014. I was not the original owner of the vehicle and was not aware of the recall as I bought the truck in 2021. No attempt to contact me was made by Dodge to provide me information on the recall. The parts to do the recall are obsolete and Dodge insists they have no responsibility in fixing the vehicle, even though the parts are well known to Dodge as being defective. The nut and bolt was the proximate cause of the extensive damage to driveshaft where a new driveshaft is needed. …
Vehicle brought in for recall repairs on March 18, 2024. Recalls R25 and N43 were completed. Recall P77 failed inspection. Dealer parts not available. Was asked by service advisor if ok to use aftermarket parts. I agreed. Service advisor needed approval from district rep before continuing. I was then told by service advisor that vehicle was safe to drive as long as I drove it easy. His comment, "Its lasted this long, you will be ok. Just dont pull any trailers." Was asked to wait a week for district rep to return from vacation. I took the truck home and did not drive it after reading the P77 recall info. The truck is not safe to drive with a loose rear axle pinion nut. I returned the truck on 4/8/2024 for repairs to be completed. The dealer will not communicate with me unless I initiate communication. There is no information on parts being ordered or work being scheduled. …
Rear differential locked up while driving at approximately 30 mph, causing the vehicle to come to a stop and unable to move. Luckily the failure happened on a road with little traffic so no accident occurred and other drivers were not put at risk. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to failure. Inspection revealed broken gears and pins in the rear differential. There was a recall (P77) for this model year truck for what appears to be the same problem. The recall repair work was performed in 2019 and the truck has been driven approximately 20,000 miles since the repair. …
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 dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. The contact stated while getting the vehicle's state inspection done, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS), of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS), and NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN) however, the contact stated that he had reached out to a dealer, but they decline to service the vehicle due to not having the remedy available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 216,600.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V352000 (Air Bag), 15V313000 (Air Bags), and 14V796000 (Power Train) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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 disconnect
I was driving on a highway when all of a sudden I heard what I thought to be a blow out (tire) ,as I pulled over on shoulder with difficulty I looked in mirror and saw a part has fallen off, later retrieved with tow truck driver, part being a driveshaft. Rear end had seized as I maneuvered my veh. As far on shoulder as possible, I feel fortunate for outcome of incident. I had gotten a tow to my resident now not sure what my next step is to do, any advise would be helpful. Thank you
Related recalls
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks manufactured January 28, 2004, to August 3, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized spline on the pinion gear.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a retention feature to the pinion nut, free of charge. The recall began on June 26, 2015, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA investigations
Rear Differential Failure
On December 16, 2014, Chrysler Group LLC submitted a Safety Recall Report to NHTSA describing a defect in the rear differential of approximately 256,956 model year (MY) 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks (NHTSA Recall No. 14V-796, Chrysler Recall No.
ENGINE STALL
Analysis of the complaint, field report and warranty data shows that the majority of stalling incidents in the subject vehicles appear to be related to the engine calibration concerns that daimlerchrysler addressed with service bulletins releasing revised PCM software.analysis of the complaints and odi's survey of owners of vehicles that received engine management software updates under TSB #18-013-05 show that…
Transmission complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 594 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 51% of the model year's 1,172 complaints. The component named most often is driveline › driveshaft (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-796 (differential unit, Dec 16, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 26 crashes, 4 fires and 12 injuries and 1 death to transmission & drivetrain 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.