Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 422 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Dodge Ram 2500, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 97 | 23% |
| Air bags | 63 | 15% |
| Power train | 50 | 12% |
| Steering | 35 | 8% |
| Suspension | 30 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 14 | 3% |
| Structure | 9 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 2% |
| Visibility/wiper | 8 | 2% |
| Steering | 7 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The dealer has told me for years that the air bad can not be found...there out of stock
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel wobbled, and the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however,
NHTSA complaint: Steering
White paint job from the factory has totaly failed down to the bare metal in some places and has cracks all over the truck. I understand that their was a formula change in the paint for a couple years. My truck is one of
NHTSA complaint: Structure
STEERING WENT OUT AND TRUCK ROLLED. VERIFIED PER MECHANIC FAILURE ON RECALLED PART/S
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway and the steering wheel started to shake violently. Add
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Steering is not as good as it should be. Has 83,000 miles and steering seems very loose, seems to wander from left to right, and hard to control, on Highway or city streets.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a Britax car seat, Model Name: Advocate ClickTight, Manufacture Date: August 26, 2016, installed in a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that a crack on the right side of the headrest had formed wit
NHTSA complaint: Child seat
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted to the selected gear, but the vehicle would not move. Additionally, the vehicle made an abnormal so
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2005 Dodge Ram 2500. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 ab
Risk: 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 inj
Fix: 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,
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rup
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company.
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 FEDER
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
Fix: 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 REIM
| Reliability | 45 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 57 | average |
| Maintenance | 49 | below average |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 79 | good |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 422 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 97 of them (23%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 45/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 57/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 58/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.