Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to roll down the front passenger side window and noticed a smoke odor coming from the window. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V313000 (air bags) and 14V796000 (power train); however, the parts needed to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000. Ma 10/15/2015 updated 11/27/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while in park, the contact noticed that there was power steering fluid leaking underneath the front of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the wipers were activated but failed to function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was also taken to a dealer multiple times who diagnosed that the wiper motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V796000 (power train) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
The windshield wipers randomly stop while in intermittent mode. I have been able to restart the wipers by selecting a non-intermittent position on the control wand. This has happened more that 50 times over the last nine years and each time it was mentioned to the dealer, they said that they have to see it happen before they can find a fix. The original dealer (timberline Dodge, portland, or - out of business due to recession) tried to see it happen and the latest servicing dealer (ron tonkin Dodge - gladstone, or) said they did not know of a problem or fix. Most recently, about a week ago, it happened while driving on interstate 5 while driving at 65 MPH in light rain. Once you switch to non-intermittent mode, you can reselect intermittent mode and they work until the next failure. The only common denominator is the failure occurs when it is raining.
Turn signals work sporadically. This is a daily issue. Signal left and the right signal comes on. Signal right and maybe the left turn signal comes on, or maybe not at all. Sometimes turn signals randomly switch back and forth between left and right on their own. Many times turn signals don't work at all. Once the wipers did not work. Hazard lights sometimes do not work. I have had the multi-function switch replaced twice under warranty and twice again since. Still have the issue. I believe this is a safety concern as the turn signals are telegraphing the wrong information to other drivers. Also possibly related the oil pressure gauge in my instrument panel will not work 3-4 times a year. Next time I start the truck it works fine. All this happens when the vehicle is in motion, and when stationary, forwards, backwards, straight, or turning.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the damper door, which housed the vehicle's heater cord and defroster control, detached and caused the defrost to no longer function. The contact's visibility was impaired. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the damper door failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
ABS sensor comes on over 55mph. Exterior lighting keeps blowing bulbs and sometimes the tail lights completely shut off, sometimes brake lights inoperable. Windshield wipers work when they want to or only at the highest frequency. All occurs while vechicle is being driven in city street conditions other than on highway when I have to go above 55mph
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving various speeds,the windshield wipers only operated on high and low speeds, and failed to operate on intermittent speed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 70,000.
When heading to work, was going approximately 70 MPH on the interstate when I looked in sideview mirror and saw smoke coming from my vehicle. At that same time, I heard a loud roaring noise for a few seconds, then my driver's side wheel came off. The wheel crossed over into the east-bound lane of the interstate (I was heading west), and the brake calipers broke off. Even though my brakes and tire were gone, I was able to get my vehicle to the side of the interstate without causing injury to myself or others. All this also caused body damage to the front quarter panel of my truck, making it difficult to open and close the driver's side door. I retrieved my tire and had a tow truck take my vehicle to the local Dodge dealership where I purchased the truck. They advised me they had never heard of this happening before. …
About 1:00 pm on September 26th I opened the front drivers side door on my 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi, swb quadcab laramie to look fro some papers. The outside temperature that day was abut 80 degrees. I then pressed the unlock door button to release the lock on the rear drivers side door. I closed the drivers side front door and then opened to drivers side rear door. After looking for some papers I closed the rear drivers side door. At the exact instance the door closed I heard a moderate popping noise. I looked into the truck bed and saw tinted glass and realized that the rear window had popped out. The passenger side of the rear window had shattered into many pieces. …
I was driving my 2005 Dodge 1500 truck in rain,wipers just stop working,then after a few minutes would start working again. It did not cause accident ,but could have if raining harder. Now I don't want my spouse driving the truck with my little girl. The dealer says no recall on 2005,but there is a wiper recall on 2009. The dealer also said they have seen the problem many, many times, and have parts in stock to repair, but I will have to pay for repair. I've contacted Chrysler and have a complaint [redacted] , all they told me was to have it repaired and keep invoice in case a recall is issued so I can be reimbursed. This is not acceptable to me. Seems like someone has to die to get something done. Thank you
Window & Wiper complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 3% of the model year's 1,172 complaints. The component named most often is glass, side/rear (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.