NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 2005 Dodge RAM 3500.
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash-test ratings for the 2005 Dodge RAM 3500. New vehicles are often added to the NCAP rating program after initial release; check nhtsa.gov/ratings for the latest status.
Component: AIR BAGS
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. For vehicles that were sold, or are currently registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, owners were notified and the recall began on December 5, 2014. For all other vehicles, Chrysler notified owners and the recall began on February 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P40 Expanded. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 16V-352. This recall superseded the passenger air bag portion of recall 14V-354.
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS MAKING A TIGHT TURN. ADDITIONALLY, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 VEHICLES MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE AFFECTED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY AS A REPLACEMENT PART DURING NORMAL SERVICE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Component: VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Component: STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS93001 AND FT44039, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, AND 1500 4WD MEGA CAB VEHICLES. THE PITMAN ARM CAN FRACTURE AND BREAK AWAY FROM THE STEERING BOX CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Consequence: STEERING LOSS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED INSTALLERS WILL INSPECT FOR DEFECTIVE PITMAN ARM AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 1-877-432-2832.
Component: SUSPENSION
CERTAIN LKI ENTERPRISES, INC., BRAND NAME SUPERLIFT SUSPENSION, PITMAN ARMS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 2003-2007 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 4X4 LIGHT TRUCKS. DUE TO INADEQUATE HEAT TREATMENT DURING PRODUCTION, THE AFFECTED PITMAN ARMS MAY DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE UPPER SPLINED ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING OUTPUT SHAFT. MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE PITMAN ARM AND THE OUTPUT SHAFT MAY DEFORM SPLINES, RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEAR AND FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE AFFECTED PITMAN ARM.
Consequence: PITMAN ARM WEAR OR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: LKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN ARM, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LKI AT 1-800-551-4955.
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY WITHOUT SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVING THE KEY, THE DRIVER MAY INADVERTENTLY LEAVE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL IN INDICATED REVERSE.
Consequence: THIS ERROR IS AN UNINTENDED ACTION THAT MAY RESULT IN A LACK OF TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL ENGAGEMENT AND POSSIBLY DELAYED REARWARD MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION TO EQUIP THESE VEHICLES WITH AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V462000 (POWER TRAIN). The vehicle was taken to a tire specialist to install larger tires on the vehicle. The contact was informed that the tires were too big and could not be installed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the employees switched the tires and added two low-drive tires on the front end and two larger tires in the rear. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH back to the residence, the vehicle vibrated violently. The contact almost crashed three times. The contact stated that while the vehicle jerked, the steering wheel was difficult to control. In addition, the odometer failed to function as intended. The contact called the tire shop and asked the contact to drive the vehicle to the shop for an inspection. The contact had safety concerns about driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Recall that the dealer would not fix
Recall that the dealer would not fix
The 2005 Dodge RAM 3500 has 7 NHTSA recalls and 196 consumer complaints on file. The high number of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns — review the complaint details above before purchasing. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
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The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 equipped with Yokohama Tires, Tire Line: Geolander X A/T, Tire Size: 235/80/R17, DOT Number: XBA0PA01522. The contact stated that while exiting his driveway, the tires had trouble gaining stable traction. After a visual inspection of the tire tread, the contact became aware that the center tread on all four tires had excessive wear, potentially compromising vehicle safety. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the center tread did not provide an accurate measure of tread wear due to the step-up design, specific to the tire line. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The tires were replacement tires. The failure mileage was 18,000.
Driver ran over tire rubber debris causing a thud under truck. Five minutes later a very loud thud noise occurred, no warning lights on dash, driver pulled off the highway immediately and exited truck. The grass was on fire underneath the truck. Explosion occurred. The entire inside of truck was gutted. Local fire department responded and put out the fire. Texas Department of Safety refused to respond since collision not involved. The truck is at a towing company awaiting salvage and has been inspected by a mechanic.
May 13,2020. 11:32am Driving north, my drive side tire violently shook & suddenly gave way pulling me hard left. I struggling to keep truck in my lane but lost control of steering , the airbags also deployed. Blocking my view. The rode was a blind spot . I thought it was a tire failure. Be of the drop & hard pull to left. While the rode was curving right . I could not get truck to fallow curve. Causing truck to cross into oncoming lane. I never saw the other car . With air bags deployed. I thought I lost a tire and hit ditch was lifted up and hit ground hard. I was told I truck hit another car after crash . Hitting a car coming the other way. Causing a young women’s death. The tie rod had a clean break swing freely after break. In March 2020 had pulling or with extra movement off & on . Took to shop, they put a new sway bar on it. Seemed to help, no problems until this sudden catastrophic Paul and drop hard enough to deploy airbags. Truck is totaled but is here & available for inspection. Steve Erwin @ Scientific Analysis Inc. in Dallas TX 214 320-8686 has many pictures & Analysis. He mainly does accident recreations. He mentioned we need to find metals specialist to examine part failures.Due to failure being close to impact.
This recall N62 13V-528 was never done by Duwanne Lanes Everett WA even though I was told by the dealership service team that they had done this recall as requested while they had my truck for over 3mo ths time. On April 3 ,2022 my vehicle had a cautostraphic failure of my steerwheell column & caused my front left tire to break totally off the front steering stabilizer front ball joint tie rod end pitman arm the wheel was free spinning .I had no steering control at all while driving 65 mph on I5 in the center lane. It is sheer luck that I was able to get truck off the freeway without being injured. I think Duanne Lanes of Everett, Wa (RECALL REMEDY INCIDENT) TS
LT 265 / 70 R 17 Driving at normal highway speed. No warning lamps, no messages, no other symptoms until heard a loud "bang" and steering became very difficult. Pulled over immediately to find a rear tire had exploded at edge of sidewall. The entire tread was blown off in one piece and caused damage to the vehicle. If I hadn't had a firm grip on the steering wheel before the tire blew up, I believe that I may have lost control of the truck, with possible injuries to occupants or bystanders nearby.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 equipped with Cooper Discoverer A/T-3 tires, Tire Size: LT235/80/R17, DOT number: (UPAB1AU4513). While driving 65 MPH, the front passenger’s tire blew out. The blowout left a dent on the front passenger’s side door as well as damaged the front panel on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The tire was then replaced with the spare. A few hours later while driving 50 mph, the front driver’s side tire also experienced a blowout. The blowout also damaged the driver’s side door as well as the front driver’s side panel. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the tires were not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21T002000 (Tires). The tires were not replaced. The tire failure mileage was approximately 6,000. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 205,000.
A massive amount of people in forums have encountered the same problem. When you start the vehicle it will idle pretty rough with black smoke. If and when you press the accelerator pedal it will continue to throttle up on its own. In park or driving! FORUM POST: #1. While driving my 04 Dodge 3500 Cummins down the street, at a speed of around 45mph, all of a sudden it went to wide-open throttle. It completely caught me off guard and the first thing I did was hit the brake. It had very little effect on what was happening. In less than 1 block I was well over 70mph with the brake on in a 45mph zone. #2. I had the same exact thing happen, I was at 90 mph on a 40 mph road when I finally had to put it in neutral, the pedal had no effect on rpm as I coasted to a stop the engine sat pegged at the rev limiter, and stayed there until I shut the motor down. I did not have cruise control on or showing as ready to go into the cruise, ie cruise light on in the instrument panel. I had some codes, but not sure when. FUEL PRESSURE TOO HIGH and another I forget. It was scary with the family in the truck. waited a few minutes trying to see that all connections were tight and they were, restarted and all was back to normal. 2 complaints of 1000's. I've been in the mechanical world for 50 years. Everything from motorcycles to heavy equipment and this one took me over a year to figure out. Generally, there are no codes thrown as in mine. The fuel pressure regulator malfunctions and forces pressure on the fuel rail. This feeds the injectors too much fuel and the computer will not default and shut down. I was traveling at 55mph with a 45-foot king pin trailer on my truck. Went to accelerate a bit and took off. At 75 mph, loaded (45000 lbs) I turned the ignition off. How many people has this killed and the possible reason was driver error?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER BOYFRIEND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, HE HAD PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. WHILE HE WAS RETRIEVING ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO INDEPENDENTLY ROLL BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT'S BOYFRIEND ATTEMPTED OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR THROUGH THE WINDOW BUT FAILED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING IN MOTION, HE DODGED OUT OF THE VEHICLE'S PATH. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY HIT TWO ROAD SIGNS BEFORE IT CAME TO A HALT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S BOYFRIEND SUFFERED A ROAD RASH AS A RESULT OF DASHING OUT OF THE WAY OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED BUT A PARK RANGER ARRIVED AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S BOYFRIEND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE SCENE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE ACCIDENT. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HER VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V462000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE SERVICED FOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,891. *DT *AS
AT 178,000 MILES (APPROXIMATELY), THE REAR SUSPENSION STRAP RUSTED THROUGH AND DROPPED THE REAR END OF THE DIESEL FUEL TANK TO THE PAVEMENT. THE PLASTIC TANK WAS GROUND DOWN BY MOVING OVER THE PAVEMENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BUT I WAS ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE BY THE UNUSUAL NOISE AND THUS STOP THE TRUCK BEFORE THE TANK RUPTURED. POTENTIAL HAZARDS INCLUDE FUEL SPILL, SMOKE, FIRE, AND VEHICLE STALL WHILE MOVING WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF RESTART. FUEL TANK FIXATION TO THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT RUST THROUGH AND FAIL DURING THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL TANK IS WITHIN 2 INCHES OF THE DRIVESHAFT AND WITHIN 18 INCHES OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS ACTIVATED BUT WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND TWO PINS DETACHED FROM THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN SAFELY DUE TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT MOTOR THAT HOLDS THE SEAT FROM MOVING- SNAPPED- SO WHEN YOUY DRIVE YOU GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD AND THE TRUCK HAS 80000 MILES ON IT.
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