2006 Dodge 1500 Powertrain (other) Problems

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, oil stains were found on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact checked underneath the vehicle and became aware that the rear axle pinion nut was loose. The axle pinion nut was tightened. The contact stated that the oil stains on the ground persisted. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11716319

Incident

Feb 6, 2023

Mileage

150,000 mi

The pinion nut loosen up causing the pinion to lock down into the ring gear and locked the rear axle housing, ejecting the drive shaft.

NHTSA ID

11695312

Incident

Oct 20, 2025

Several safety-critical systems on my vehicle are failing, and the symptoms match existing recalls shown on Kelley Blue Book for my VIN. However, the manufacturer (Dodge/Stellantis) shows only 4 recalls, all marked completed — despite ongoing issues. 1. ABS / Brake System: The ABS warning light is on continuously, indicating a malfunction in the ABS control module. This disables anti-lock braking, increasing the risk of skidding or loss of control during emergency stops. KBB shows a recall for this issue, but Dodge says it’s either not open for my VIN or already completed. The ABS light has remained on since 2. Front Wheel Bearing: There is a grinding noise and vibration from the front wheel area, suggesting a worn or failing wheel bearing. This poses a risk of steering loss or wheel detachment. No warning lights have appeared for this issue. 3. Transfer Case / 4WD: The 4WD system intermittently fails to engage or disengage, sometimes with clunking noises or jerking. This can cause unpredictable handling or loss of traction. Issue is still ongoing. 4. Electrical System: Intermittent electrical issues include random warning messages, dimming lights, and occasional no-starts. These affect essential safety systems and match known electrical recalls. These issues have not been confirmed by a dealer but are ongoing and present serious SAFETY risks. I believe my vehicle may have been incorrectly excluded from applicable recalls or that prior recall work was not properly completed. These components are available for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11688378

Incident

Sep 19, 2025

Rear axle pinion nut was loosening and pinion was leaking.I had this happen on another 2006 RAM 1500 where the nut backed all the way off and the drive shaft hit the road.

NHTSA ID

11574135

Incident

Feb 25, 2024

I was driving and the rear drive shaft fell out of the truck and the rear locked up making the truck undrivable. I heard this is a common problem in dodge rams and it is definitely a safety issue and there should be a recall to address this reoccurring problem that can cause a loss of life or life threatening accident

NHTSA ID

11538268

Incident

Aug 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate after the vehicle was idling, the vehicle inadvertently stalled without warning. The failure occurred intermittently and became more frequent. The vehicle was lunging forward while idling and was shifting hard while driving. The contact stated that the coil pack relay might have malfunctioned. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the main fuse box under the hood had exposed fuses and the box was easily accessible. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic and the fuel pump was replaced. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.

NHTSA ID

11511938

Incident

Mar 15, 2022

Mileage

168,000 mi

Muy loose in diferencial damage back drive Axel i diferencial

NHTSA ID

11436480

Incident

Aug 13, 2021

I was driving down a street heard a pop then my truck slid side to side as I was trying to get control of the truck and then it lifted off the ground. And it came to a complete stop. Parts of the vehicle were on the road with transmission fluid. The mechanic I go to says the whole back rear end needs to be replaced. Everything

NHTSA ID

11428812

Incident

Aug 6, 2021

I HAVE TIPM PROBLEMS WHERE I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE PLUG CONNECTIONS AND REPLUG. THEN I WAS TOLD BY A 20 YEAR DODGE RAM CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO ACTUALLY BEAT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BOX THE TIPM WAS IN. I WAS STRANDED FOR 3 DAYS NOT BEING ABLE TO START MY TRUCK. THE BEATING PART WORKED TO GET ME ON THE ROAD AGAIN. HE SAID IT NEEDS REPLACING. I FOUND SEVERAL SMALL COMPANIES THAT HAVE STARTED BUSINESS EXCLUSIVELY TO REPAIR DODGE RAM TIPM UNITS. THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF REPAIR OPTIONS AND COSTS. IF THAT ALONE DOESN'T DISCLOSE A NEED FOR A RECALL I'M NOT SURE IF ANYTHING ELSE COULD. I'M DISABLED AND ALONE AND ISOLATED IN THE DESERT FOR COVID WHEN THIS PROBLEM STARTED LAST WEEK ON THE LAST TUESDAY IN FEB 2021 AND CALLED THE INDIO CA DODGE SERVICE ON SATURDAY TO SCHEDULE REPAIR TO THE TIPM WHEN THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME OF THE BEATING TECHNIQUE WHICH HAS WORKED SINCE THAT SAT. MY TRUCK HAS EXPERIENCED ISSUES SINCE I PURCHASED IT SHOWING MULTIPLE DIFFERENT CODES YET NONE REALLY AFFECTING THE GENERAL PERFORMANCE. OTHER THEN LIGHTS ON AND NOT PASSING SMOG THE TRUCK WAS RUNNING DECENT WITH BAD GAS MILEAGE. NOW IT'S REMAINED WITH VARIED CHECK LIGHTS AND CODES HAVE SINCE CHANGED SINCE THE BEATING. IT APPEARS THAT DODGE HAS THIS TIPM PROBLEM WITH MANY OF IT'S LINES WITHIN THE ENTIRE NETWORK OF RELATED VEHICALS. IN MY CASE I WAS OUT OF FOOD, ICE, GAS FOR HEAT IN FREEZING TEMPS AND 70+ MPH WINDS WITH NO VEHICAL TO USE. I'M 70 THIS YEAR AND IT WAS NOT A FUN FEW DAYS. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK THE END OF SUMMER 2020. I'VE PURCHASED SEVERAL PARTS AND PRODUCTS AT AUTO SUPPLIERS AND ALSO SEVERAL USED PARTS AT PULL YOUR OWN PART PLACES. I THINK DODGE KNOWS THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE THAT THEY SHOULD BE RECALLING BUT SINCE THEY AREN'T FORCED TO AND PEOPLE PAY FOR PARTS AND REPAIRS THEIR ACTUALLY PROFITING FROM THEIR OWN FAULTY PARTS AND LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK WHILE PEOPLE SUFFER

NHTSA ID

11398843

Incident

Feb 23, 2021

Mileage

163,000 mi

REAR END DIFFERENTIAL BROKE WHILE I WAS BRAKING DOWN THE ROAD AND WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE.

NHTSA ID

11372489

Incident

Oct 23, 2020

Mileage

164,000 mi

WHEN RAINING THE ENGINE MISFIRES TO THE POINT OF STALLING THE ENGINE AND WHEN HITTING THE GAS THE ENGINE WILL BIG DOWN WHEN IDLEING FOR MORE THAT 10 MINUTES THE ENGINE IDLES ROUGH AND BEGINS TO PUTTER AND STAHLS OUT. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BUT CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE PINION GEAR TO SHIFT WHICH HAD RESULTED IN A LOUD WHIRLING SOUND WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND GETS LOUDER WHEN THE FASTER THE TRUCK GOES AND ALSO CLUNKS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. WHEN HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE FRONT PASSENGER BLINKER/RUNNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES. FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING CONSISTENTLY FAILS AFTER 8,000-20,000 MILES CAUSING A LOUD HUMMING NOISE AND CAUSING ME TONS OF MONEY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON TELLING ME TO CHECK GAS CAP EVEN THOUGH I'VE REPLACE IT TWICE NOW WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THERE IS A ENGINEERING DEFECT AND ALSO THROUGH THE CODE FOR MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 7 EVEN THOUGH I'VE REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS AFTER THE CODE WAS GENERATED AND IT WENT IF FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS AND CAME BACK ON. I'M CONCLUSION I BELIEVE CHRYSLER IS KNOWINGLY SELLING UNSAFE AND, UNRELIABLE VEHICLES WHICH END TO COSTING THE CONSUMER THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS AND TIME SOMETHING WE CAN'T GET BACK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 20,000-40,000 MILES INTO OWNING THE VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 05/2005 BUT IS TITLED AS A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT CREW CAB

NHTSA ID

11353108

Incident

May 20, 2010

TRUCK STARTED RUMBLING THAT SOUNDED LIKE WHEN YOU GO OVER RUMBLE STRIPS ON THE FREEWAY IF I REPLACE THE REAR END AND IT'S STILL DOING IT. THE SECOND THING IS THE TRANSFER CASE HAS SOME KIND OF SHORT IN IT THAT NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT LOCKS IN LIGHTS OUT PERIODICALLY SO I HAD TO DISENGAGE IT SO IT WOULDN'T DO THAT SO I CAN DRIVE IT WOULD ALSO GO INTO NEUTRAL JUST RANDOMLY I WAS DRIVING UPHILL WHEN IT HAPPENED AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION THAT COST ME $4,200 WHICH I THOUGHT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IT DID NOT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11324386

Incident

Oct 15, 2019

Mileage

134,000 mi

TRANSMISSION MAKES LOAD SNAPPING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING INTO ANY GEAR FROM PARK. FRONT BRAKES CALIPER STICKING CAUSING BRAKES AND ROTORS TO OVER HEAT CREATING SEQUEL AND MASSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST AND VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH FROM THE BRAKES STICKING SO ACCELERATION IS BASICALLY NON EXISTENT. LOAD HUMMING FROM FRONT WHEELS WHICH LEADS TO A SHIMMY AND EVENTUALLY A SHAKE.

NHTSA ID

11292376

Incident

Jul 15, 2006

Mileage

15,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED AND THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEARS IN THE CRANKCASE WERE ALL TANGLED AND FRACTURED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR END AND DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11245020

Incident

Aug 12, 2019

Mileage

140,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING DOWN TOLL WAY AT 70MPH THE DRIVE SHAFT CAME OFF THE PINION . THE NUT TO HOLD SHAFT TO PINION CAME OFF.

NHTSA ID

11166194

Incident

Jan 7, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT ONLY SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11150318

Incident

May 1, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SEATBELT LOCKED - CANNOT USE. VEHICLE MAKES HUMMING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. JUST PURCHASED VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2018

NHTSA ID

11133324

Incident

Sep 5, 2018

Mileage

142,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND THE REAR TIRES SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11121253

Incident

Aug 20, 2018

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT REVERSED INDEPENDENTLY AND STOPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN RED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SELECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED PREFERRED CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF MUSKEGON AT (231) 733-4401 (LOCATED AT 3146 HENRY ST, MUSKEGON, MI 49441) AND WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11121046

Incident

Apr 11, 2018

Mileage

230,000 mi

DRIVING ON I70 PULLING TRAILER, WHEN REAR AXLE PINION NUT CAME OFF AND LOCKED UP REAREND WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. MY TRUCK WAS BUILT IN SEPT. 2005. THEY RECALLED OVER 200000 TRUCKS BUILT UP TO AUG. 2005. THEY DIDNT RECALL ENOUGH TO INCLUDE MINE. CAME VERY CLOSE TO CRASHING.

NHTSA ID

11088470

Incident

Apr 11, 2018

Mileage

117,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE CLUTCH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CLUTCH SENSOR BEARING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH FAN AND THROWOUT BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED 3WEEKS AFTER NEW CLUTCH AND FAN, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11056900

Incident

Dec 23, 2017

Mileage

189,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PINION GEAR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (ED VOYLES CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 789 COBB PKWY SE, MARIETTA, GA 30060) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED WHAT THE LOCAL DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER (32536277) AND WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11031526

Incident

Oct 1, 2017

Mileage

147,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BLEW OUT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO "JUMP". THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (BURDICK CHRYSLER, DODGE JEEP, 5885 CIR, DRIVE E. #335, CICERO, NY, 315- 699-3846) AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 11/01/17*LJ *TT

NHTSA ID

11021799

Incident

Sep 2, 2017

Mileage

36,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WITHOUT WARNING. THE TRANSFER CASE DETACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION, DESTROYED THE PARK BRAKE LINE, STRUCK THE FUEL LINE, AND SPARKED A FIRE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. A POLICE REPORT WAS ALSO FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED RESPONSIBILITY BASED ON THE REPORT OF THE INVESTIGATORS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V352000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11004380

Incident

Jun 21, 2017

Mileage

86,000 mi

MY 2006 RAM 1500 SUDDENLY DROPPED THE DRIVESHAFT ON THE HIGHWAY LAST NIGHT WITH NO WARNING OR NOISES UNTIL IT JUST DROPPED FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN IT HAPPENED AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET OFF THE INTERSTATE AND SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN THE REAR END LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE. THE PINION NUT APPARENTLY BACKED OFF ENOUGH FOR THE DRIVELINE TO JUST FALL DOWN. I CALLED DODGE ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2006 RAM 1500 TRUCKS.

NHTSA ID

10994345

Incident

Jun 10, 2017

Mileage

190,000 mi