10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,891 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #17

Mar 162018

Ram 1500

  • 251,600 miles
I was driving on an on-ramp to enter the freeway and was accelerating. The accelerator pedal went to the floor and the rpms climbed. The cruise control was off at this time. I tried turning the cruise control on and off, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. I stomped on the accelerator pedal several times and the vehicle's rpms and speed rolled back. The check engine light did not illuminate and I didn't notice if the electronic throttle control light was on or off. The truck drove normally after that. Approximately 1 week later, I was driving on the interstate @ 70mph. The cruise control was off. I pulled into the passing lane and pressed the accelerator pedal, but not all the way to the floor, to accelerate. The engine immediately accelerated and the pedal seemed to go all the way to the floor. I stepped on the accelerator pedal several times, but could not disengage it. I tried turning the cruise control on and off, but that did not disengage the pedal either. I was standing on the brakes at this time, but the vehicle continued acceleration. The check engine light did not illuminate, but the electronic throttle control light illuminated red. This is the first time I have ever seen this light. I put the vehicle into neutral (rpms still high) and stepped on the accelerator pedal several times. The engine started idling down.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

problem #16

Apr 092016

Ram 1500

  • miles
The cruise control accelerated by itself.

- Lompoc, CA, USA

problem #15

Sep 042015

Ram 1500

  • 161,000 miles
Customer states that vehicle stalls at low speeds, including stop lights and while driving in slow traffic, stall incident have occasionally occurred at highway speeds cuasing loss of power steering and power brakes. Even when no codes are thrown vehicle has a obvious misfire, codes are not constantly thrown but when they do they are only thrown during travel up hills at rpms over 3500, the codes thrown are P0306, P0308 with no apparent cuase. Approximately 6-8 months ago the code P0308 was thrown and the rocker arm on cylinder 8 was determined to be the cuase, it was replaced. Code stopped being thrown until 9/4/15. This vehicle has been used as a daily driver and has not been driven in excess of normal work and back driving. Owner has contacted a Dodge dealership who have 1. not found a corrective issues, 2. not been able to recreate the issue. This is appearing to become an issue with this model. Customer has informed Dodge who states that he should take it to a dealership and have them diagnos it.this has been done already and they couldnt find anything. Customer has since investigated NHTSA incident codes and listed related ones below NHTSA id number: 10734353 NHTSA id number: 10714473 NHTSA id number: 10706537 NHTSA id number: 10703252 NHTSA id number: 10701387 NHTSA id number: 10690819 NHTSA id number: 10684177 NHTSA id number: 10684171 NHTSA id number: 10683138 NHTSA id number: 10676503 NHTSA id number: 10673112 NHTSA id number: 10640356 NHTSA id number: 10631009 NHTSA id number: 10608546 NHTSA id number: 10607485 NHTSA id number: 10595905 NHTSA id number: 10575632 NHTSA id number: 10526020 NHTSA id number: 10524646 NHTSA id number: 10523845 NHTSA id number: 10520377

- Linden, PA, USA

problem #14

Apr 112015

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 98,245 miles
As I was preparing to park, my truck accelerated on it's own jumping over a concrete stopper and into a large metal pole in front of a business. The entire front of my truck caved in, the hood, the grill and the bumper crumpled and the air bag (which should have) did not deploy. The dealership is refusing to fix it and filed a criminal no trespass against me so I can't go on the lot or try to talk to the salesman. The police officers who responded checked me over, said it was an 'at fault' accident but only because I was behind the wheel and gave me a 'crash bureau form' to fill out, which I did. My online research showed recalls on both the accelerator and the air bags. Please help me. My insurance is not going to pay for the repairs due to the fact it was due to defective auto parts and the dealership should take care of it, which they won't. I am a fifty year old disabled female and my truck is my lifeline. I do not have the $7,000 the dealership wants me to pay to fix the truck I just bought (still doesn't have plates on it yet) and paid $10,000 for. I bought it from benny boyd in marble falls, Texas.

- Marble Falls, TX, USA

problem #13

Apr 112015

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
As I pulled into a parking space, when I applied the brakes, the motor revved up, causing the pick up to surge forward and jump over a concrete stopper into a metal pole in front of a business. The hood, grill and bumper caved inward about a foot, the air bags did not deploy. I had a bump on my forehead and my wrists were sore for a few days. I did not go to er.

- Marble Falls, TX, USA

problem #12

Nov 032014

Ram 1500

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle lost power and independently accelerated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Medford , OR, USA

problem #11

Jun 112014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 175,000 miles
While driving on the highway at 60 mph the back wheels suddenly and without warning locked up for an instant. I immediately braked to reduce speed and try to get to the side of the road. In order to avoid being hit in the rear by other vehicles, I needed to accelerate to 60 mph and the wheels locked again. I was able to get to the side of the road. I have called Dodge about this issue.

- Levittown, PA, USA

problem #10

May 072014

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 53,600 miles
I have a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab with the 4.7 and 4X4. Today while driving with cruise control set at 75 the accelerator stuck and I had to turn the key off to stop the truck. The truck has less than 54,000 miles on it. I don't have floor mats in the truck and once the truck was stopped I checked under the hood and the cable was tightly connected but lose on the throttle body and the same on the gas pedal.

- Midland, TX, USA

problem #9

Mar 102008

Ram 1500

  • 27,500 miles
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. I went to hoover and talked with service and the owner finding out that this had happened in several other Chrysler 300S and other Ram trucks with the 5.7 hemi just at his dealer ships (4). Once every thing got settled I started looking at the truck and found the throttle stuck wide open I released the throttle actuator the throttle snapped closed replaced it with a used one truck idles fine scared to move it but idles fine. What can be done about this if anything.

- Summerville , SC, USA

problem #8

Dec 252011

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
The contact was the mechanic working on a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary and in neutral, the vehicle erroneously accelerated. The contact crashed into a hydraulic lift and sustained injuries to the shoulder and leg. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The vehicle was neither diagnosed for the cause of the failure or repaired. The failure mileage was 78,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 9/4/13

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #7

Feb 212013

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 132,800 miles
1st incident 2/21/13: Driving on a 4 lane highway w/center left turn lanes at 40 when a car cut across from the right to make a left turn. Hit the brakes causing the front to lock up (rear ABS only). Truck started stopping, but continued moving forward against the front brakes and into the car. Truck left unusually long skid marks. Police and insurance reports made. Damaged to front bumper. 2nd incident 3/5/13: Driving at 40 on curved section of highway with 2 lanes in direction I was going and 1 lane on opposite side separated by large grass medium when a car pulled out from the left hand U-turn in the medium. Hit the brakes causing the truck to slide straight through curve onto grass shoulder. Truck came to complete stop and heard the right rear spinning in the dirt. Put my left foot on the brake to hold truck from moving. I checked to make sure I was not on the gas. It spun for several seconds before stopping. Truck left normal length of skid marks. Did not smell burnt brakes in rear; possibly not engaged at all. I am currently looking to see if I can test the braking at a local dirt track to verify this issue, and to have outside observation of the occurrence. I have replaced all four disk brakes with high performance brake rotors and brake pads to assist with better braking in the last week. I will post the results here once I can arrange the test. Have not had any problems with normal or heavy braking; only emergency braking. First incident resulted in an accident, luckily no injuries. The drive wheel was in the dirt for second incident; there was not an accident. This is a very serious safety issue, and may be the cause of other accidents and not reported because driver could not realize it happened. It appears to be the problem where the ABS system causes excessive heat build up resulting in computer malfunction.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #6

Dec 162008

Ram 1500

  • 27,000 miles
While driving in city rush hour traffic, I experienced sudden unintended acceleration (wide open throttle) after taking my foot off the throttle pedal to slow down for a turn. The throttle remained stuck in full acceleration mode until I crashed into a traffic light pole. Full details are available online here: imimpulsive.blogspot.com/2010/01/stuck-throttle-accelerator-that-almost.html

- Roberts Creek, Bc, V0n2w6 Can, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 042009

Ram 1500

  • 60,557 miles
The truck will start surging between 30 -65 mph and the engine will fail causing loss of brakes and power steering. While idling the engine will rev up to 3000 RPM up and down and will also do this while in drive. While idling at a stop light the truck will surge forward like the gas pedal was pushed to the floor and I have almost hit numerous cars in front of me many different times. I have had the throttle body cleaned and replaced, egr valve replaced, and the electronic throttle control replaced by a Dodge dealership. On average, this problem occurs 5-8 times a week. To this day the problem still exists (7/29/2010).

- Waxahachie, TX, USA

problem #4

Dec 162005

Ram 1500

  • 28,000 miles
I was nearly killed by sudden acceleration in my Ram 1500. Chrysler refused to take the incident seriously. Here is the story with graphics: imimpulsive.blogspot.com/2010/01/stuck-throttle-accelerator-that-almost.html and here's the aftermath: www.youtube.com/watch?V=rxbj6P4nama it makes me nervous knowing there are these time bombs out there, not just for the drivers like me, but other drivers too and pedestrians (I ended up on the sidewalk).

- Roberts Creek, Bc Canada, 00, USA

problem #3

Jun 162007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,194 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 quadcab lwb. The vehicle accelerated automatically to 20 mph when the contact placed it in drive. The vehicle traveled six feet and crashed into the garage door. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they were unable to diagnose the cause of failure. The current and failure mileages were 13,194.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #2

May 082006

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,133 miles
While driving 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4, I went to pass a slower moving vehicle, the truck went into passing gear, and the accelerator stuck all the way to the floor. I tried to lift it with my foot and only the plastic portion of the pedal came up, the truck was still going at full foot pedal. I looked at speedometer and was going over 100 + miles and hour, the only thing I could think to do was to put it in neutral, but at that RPM the motor would surely blow. I stood on the brakes, until I was slowing a bit and then put in neutral, at which time the motor was free revving at redline. I was able to stop, all the while the motor was red lining, and then shut the key off. Thank goodness the brakes held, I don't know how much longer they would have though, there was smoke rolling off the entire front end of the truck. I notified the dealer, who recommended that I call roadside assistance and have it towed in, he gave me the number, and was sorry for this happening, and unfortunately he had no porter to come and pick me up, could I stay with the truck until tow truck arrived. I called the tow truck assistance and waited for them to arrive, the man informed me that when the key is shut off, it resets itself, he started the truck and drove it up on the flat bed. I arrived at the dealership and they are going to look at it sometime. Last week my 17 year old daughter was driving the same vehicle and had a minor incident while pulling into a parking lot, witnesses stated that the truck was going fast. Last week I like any mother thought it was her driving skills, after today, it's really made me think about her incident. And what would have happened if it was her driving? I saw my life pass by me today literally. I don't want to drive it again. What should I do. I have only had this truck 10 months!!!!!!!!!!

- Ashtabula, OH, USA

problem #1

Jun 102005

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 520 miles
Vehicle runs fine when it's cold. But when it's warm it runs differently. It fuels itself. When coasting above 25 mph it will hold 1500 rpms, and when not having foot on the gas it has no engine braking, it will actually speed up if going down hill. Vehicle was taken to 3 different dealers 4 times, and they refused to do anything.

- New Stanton, PA, USA