2005 Dodge RAM 1500: engine overheating

Filed Sep 18, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 143,145 miles · OR

Purchased the truck new in 2005. Wife was driving to store when engine shut off. She turn around and drove 1.5 mile back to house and parked truck. Truck had plenty oil, but was leaking oil from passenger side valve cover had a small hole. Pulled covers, both heads and found head cast had broke off on passenger side. This caused hole in valve cover. Bottom of both head casting had damage to valve seal which should be pressed into place. Three of the seal pop out about 1/4 inch. And one of the seal on driver side head casting cracked cylinder head. This should not happen. I never seen this type of damage to headers. I think the casting if flawed. Before taking the valve covers of, I thought if I get another valve cover might be ok. So I searched for a valve cover. I called two dodge dealer part department. Withnell dodge in salem and mark thomas motors in albany oregon. Both dealer parts department told me they had over 60 back orders for this valve cover. That's over 120 back order for valve covers. I suspect other truck owners thought all they needed was to replace the valve cover and that should fix their problem. I also suspect the flaw in the header cast is the problem and is causing a chain reaction to occur when parts of the casting break off, hit the valve cover, which can cause the truck to overheat, and result in damage to cylinder head, rings, and header, all because the head casting was molded with an inherited flaw. Nothing make sense as to why truck had problem with header, except bad cast for header. I hope your organization can do something about this matter. I put less than 15,000 miles per year on this truck, and I should be enjoying this truck for trouble free. With dodge history of failure to notify vehicle owner about inherited problems with past, I do not expect dodge to take responsibility for what I have experienced.

Filed Jul 11, 2015 · Engine · 143,134 miles · OR

Hole in right side valve cover. Called withnell dodge in salem and mark thomas motors in albany oregon. Both dealerships have over 60 back orders for this particular valve cover. That's over 120 back orders. If I called other dealerships I suspect they will have back orders for the same product. To me this means their is a problem with dodge pickups having problems with valve covers, which are plastic. I suspect the value cover blew a hole and this caused the engine to overheat. I am not sure if I have any other problems as a result of valve cover blowing out. I will not know until I replace the valve cover. I also think a recall should occur as a result of these numbers. I think dodge knew about this problem as they are the only one who can replace this valve cover. Parts stores like napa, do not carry this part, which means dodge dealership parts department must order this particular part. And I was told this part is not available in america, which means a foreign country is producing this part, which dodge has to order and track. So what is the federal safety agency going to do. Date of incident was july 2,015.

Filed Aug 30, 2013 · Body, Electrical · NJ · fire

While truck was parked and secured, a fire started in the wire harness above the gas tank. Fire was contained before vehicle became engulfed. Fire department and police department reports made. Insurance company investigated. Determined wire harness overheated and ignited gas vapor leaking from plastic fuel system lines. Due to use of plastic materials, fire spread rapidly, including the top of the fuel tank melting. Truck has been repaired.

Filed Mar 11, 2013 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · PA

Driving heard noise from rear of truck. Sounded like a very harsh grind, then a loud bang. Rear wheels locked up and truck went into a hopping skid. Drive shaft and yoke still together was on the ground and pinion nut, in tact, trapped between universal joint and yoke. Towed to shop, found extensive damage to ring and pinion gears, pinion bearing, carrier (gear housing) and cracked outer housing. Gear oil in great condition, no signs of overheating. *tr ...updated 01/07/15 *bf updated 06/2/2015

Filed Jul 6, 2012 · Brakes, Steering · 30,000 miles · FL

The front brake will lock up on one side causing the rotor , caliper hub and wheel to become so hot it starts smoking . After it cools of it will release the locked up caliper and become drivable again. This will be fine for a while and then the other side will do the same thing.. This has to be very dangerous overheating all the front end components to these very high temperatures . There have been others with this problem on a forum ( vtcoa.com ) I am a member of . There needs to be a dodge recall on all the effected overheating parts before it causes a major accident if it hasn't already. The other problem is the power steering hoses keep leaking or blowing out . This is another real hazard to safety . Have you ever tried to steer a 3 ton truck with no power assist , not easy by any means . These two things are an accident waiting to happen and should be corrected by dodge before someone gets killed.

Filed Jun 3, 2005 · Body, Engine · 2,000 miles · CA

The consumer stated that inspection was done on vehicle and the hood was found to be corroded. Rusting activity was present at time of purchase. There was an exhaust pipe leak mid-point underneath the truck. The inspector stated that this was a major safety concern due to possible intrusion into cab area while driving. Also, exhaust system muffler,catalytic converter, and pipe showed signs of extreme overheating. Heavy deposits of dry fluffy carbon was evident inside the tail pipe. Indication of rich fuel mixture that will cause overheating with possibility of fire. Suppose to be new 2005 4x2 ram single cab.*ak

Filed May 16, 2005 · Body, Electrical · 2,522 miles · CA

2005 dodge ram 1500 experiencing problems with premature tire wear, rusted components underneath the vehicle, loose front passenger seat, transmission shifting, speedometer inaccurate, and problems with the body paint. *mr the ride height was low in the front, there was stiff suspension, there was a loose strip rubber above the left door, the suspension bar may have been cracked, there was abnormal scalloping on the front tire outside tread, there was an exhaust pipe leak, the exhaust system components showed signs of overheating. The lower portion of the right side steering knuckle showed a visible line that could possibly crack. The engine idling was harsh when moving the shift into reverse. *sc