Dodge Ram 1500

Name: 2005 Dodge Ram 1500
Brand: Dodge

EPA MPG: 15 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 15 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 7 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 7 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 7 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 7 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

Road Test

With its Hemi V8, this version of the Ram is among the quickest trucks we've tested. But it's also one of the thirstiest, averaging a paltry 11 mpg. A jittery ride and cumbersome handling hurt the Ram's overall score, as did the barely adequate brakes. The cabin is a bit noisy, and access is very difficult. On the plus side, our Ram had a large cargo bed and tows more than 8,000 pounds.

2005 Pickup Trucks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Dodge Ram 1500

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Silvera...

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Chevrolet Silvera...

Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

Dodge Ram 2500

Dodge Ram 3500

Ford F-150

See All Models Reliability

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Dodge vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

View all Owner Satisfaction

Dodge vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Dodge vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

2005 Full-sized pickup trucks Ratings

2005 Dodge Ram 1500

$3,975 - $12,775

EPA MPG 15 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Chevrolet Avalanche

$5,075 - $7,675

EPA MPG 15 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

$4,375 - $12,250

EPA MPG 16 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

$ NA

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

$ NA

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Dodge Ram 2500

$4,550 - $9,950

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Dodge Ram 3500

$6,225 - $11,950

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Ford F-150

$3,600 - $7,425

EPA MPG 16 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Ford F-250

$4,350 - $9,975

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Ford F-350

$4,500 - $11,575

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 GMC Sierra 1500

$4,700 - $9,325

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD

$ NA

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 GMC Sierra 3500HD

$ NA

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Nissan Titan

$4,825 - $7,275

EPA MPG 16 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2005 Toyota Tundra

$4,375 - $9,325

EPA MPG 15 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Full-sized pickup trucks Ratings

Features & Specs

regular cab

crew cab

3 front, 3 rear

4WD, Rear

3.7-liter V6 (215 hp)
4.7-liter V8 (235 hp)
5.7-liter V8 (345 hp)
8.3-liter V10 (500 hp)

5-speed automatic
4-speed automatic
6-speed manual

Join Consumer Reports cu. ft.

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2009-2012

2009 Redesign Year

The 2009 redesign brought the Ram up-to-date with a coil-spring rear suspension, which improved ride and handling significantly. This made the pickup fully competitive in the marketplace. Fuel economy for the 5.7-liter V8 was improved and cabin quiet approached that of a luxury car's. If towing is important to you, be aware that models with the 20-inch wheel option sacrifice 1,000 pounds of rated capacity. Ram became a separate brand in 2011.

2002-2008

2002 Redesign Year

The Ram's aggressive styling, spacious cabin and voluminous cargo bed are pluses; but ponderous handling, poor fuel economy, and subpar braking limit this big pickup's appeal. Engines include a hopelessly overmatched V6, two V8s, and from 2004 to 2006 a powerful V10. The popular 4.7-liter V8 is weak and thirsty. A powerful 5.7-liter Hemi V8 was offered beginning in 2003. A longer-cab four-door debuted in 2006. After Dodge reworked the suspension system for 2006, our tested 2007 model had a better ride than previous models.

1995-2001

1995 Redesign Year

The Ram's cabin is roomy and the cargo bed voluminous, but ponderous handling, poor fuel economy, and subpar braking performance limit this big pickup's appeal. Engines include a hopelessly overmatched V6, an inline-6 turbodiesel, two V8s, and a powerful V10. The popular 5.2-liter V8 is weak and thirsty. A new-for-1998 four-door Quad Cab model brought improved rear access.