DodgeRAM 1500, 2500 Pickup20055.7L/dodge/ram-1500-2500-pickup/2005/5-7l/
DH platform

2005 Dodge RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup — 5.7L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup 5.7L.

Body TRUCKEngine 5.7LTransmission Automatic 5-spd

Built on the DH platform, the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 and 2500 Pickup operates as a truck powered by a 5.7L engine paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Key specifications for this configuration include an EPA fuel economy rating of 12/17/14 mpg and an engine oil capacity of 7.0 quarts requiring 10W-30 or 5W-30 API viscosity. This model year sits within a reliability history defined by 1205 total owner complaints with the Power Train identified as the top complaint area alongside 12 recalls, signaling researchers to prioritize verification of that component group during evaluation.

Model year2008200720062005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque135 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy12/17/14 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265-70R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB alt 04781452BF
Engine air filter68441763AA alt 05029703AA
Fuel filter52021983AB discontinued
Spark plugSPZFR6F11G alt 68304022AA
BatteryBB65F111AA alt NAS65750EX
Front wiper blades55077100AE
Serpentine belt53032037AM alt 05037206AE
Thermostat68174083AA alt 05037344AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length218.9 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase131.1 in
Curb weight4295 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined12 / 17 / 14 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, Synthetic · 75W-140 · GL-5 · 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 135 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-10-9-4-3-6-5-8-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.5
Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · 75W-140 · GL-5 · 75W-90

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 70 ft-lbs, MT: 55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)110.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts135 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts135 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-10-9-4-3-6-5-8-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.045 in
Spark Plug Torque11-15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityDiesel engines, 7.00; gasoline engines, 6.00. oz
RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-15
Oil Capacity6.00 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56.0-60.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100
Engine Oil Pressure25-110 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure25-110 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle130 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs / 11 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle145 ft-lbs / 250 ft-lbs
OtherDUAL REAR WHEELS / SINGLE REAR WHEELS
Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

Every 6,000 miEngine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Tie Rod (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 12,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Water In Fuel Sensor (clean) · Water Pump (inspect)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Radiator Fan Clutch (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2005 Dodge RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup lead in one area — the power train, 354 of 1,205 reports (29%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the power train are also the target of recall 14V-796 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 113 of the reports describe a crash and 17 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the power train pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
50
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,205
Owner complaints
113 involved a crash · 17 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,205 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train354
Power Train,Air Bags175
Air Bags162
Engine & Engine Cooling69
Engine40
Suspension34
Electrical System22
Steering21

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V796000Power Train:Driveline:Differential UnitReported 16/12/2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks manufactured January 28, 2004, to August 3, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a retention feature to the pinion nut, free of charge. The recall began on June 26, 2015, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler…

14V770000Air BagsReported 03/12/2014

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 50 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1012322024-10-29Power TrainPlate - Planetary
90040092021-04-07Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
90040092021-03-31Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
90017842021-02-22Power TrainMechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
90017842021-02-22EquipmentMechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2005 RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup 5.7L take?

7.0 qt of Above 0F: 10W-30 API, Below 100F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2005 RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 5.7L get?

EPA figures are 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined mpg.