2006 Dodge Ram Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Dodge Ram, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical618.2%
- Steering412.1%
- Visibility39.1%
- Driver assistance39.1%
- Seat belts39.1%
- Suspension39.1%
- Airbags39.1%
- Exterior lighting39.1%
- Fuel system26.1%
- Engine26.1%
- Other / unspecified13.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags), the airbag warning light remained illuminated after starting the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that whenever the airbag light was illuminated, there were other electrical failures with the vehicle. The contact stated that the A/C and the heater would become inoperable. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed and determined that there was an electrical short underneath the driver's side airbag sensor wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
THE RAM 1500 HAD A FAILURE OF THE TIPM THAT CONTROLS THE HEAD LIGHTS LEAVING THE TRUCK WITH INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the vehicle was hauling a trailer while driving at 65 mph when a loud bang was heard and the steering wheel went in circles, which led the vehicle from the center lane into the median and hit the guard rail. The rear driver's side corner of the vehicle was damaged and the front driver and front passenger side of the trailer were damaged from the collision. The contact and passenger did not sustain injuries and medical attention was not received. A police report was filed. The vehicle and trailer were towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure after the tie rod assembly and steering linkage were replaced in October 2020 by an independent mechanic. The contact had also received notifications of NHTSA Campaign numbers: 09E001000 (Steering) and 13V528000 (Steering), after the repair in October 2020. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,660.
THE LEFT TIE ROD END DROPPED OFF MY VEHICLE WHILE BACKING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ISSUED ON SIMILAR TRUCKS. DODGE OFFERS NO HELP ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC. TO REPAIR THE COST WAS $1062. IF DODGE HADN'T REDESIGNED THE PARTS, MY COST WOULD HAVE BEEN $0 DUE TO THE 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE "BUMPER TO BUMPER" WARRANTY WE PURCHASED WITH THE TRUCK. (IT WAS A USED TRUCK WHEN WE PURCHASED IT.) WHY HAVEN'T ALL OF THESE TRUCKS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE? I SUPPOSE THE FACT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO DEATHS OR MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE WILL BE THE REASON. THIS IS A MAJOR HIT TO ME AND MY FAMILY. WE NEED THE TRUCK. WE NEED THE $1000 IT COST TO REPAIR. DODGE SAYS THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN HELP ME IS IF THE NHTSA EXPANDS THE RECALL. I KNOW THAT WON'T HAPPEN BUT WOULD YOU PLEASE THINK ABOUT ME AND MY FAMILY'S DILEMMA THE NEXT TIME YOU ISSUE A NON-LIFE THREATENING RECALL. I THOUGHT RECALLS WERE ALL INCLUSIVE. GUESS I THOUGHT WRONG. THANKS FOR LISTENING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN DENT ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE HEATER BOX FAILURE IN DODGE TRUCKS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE INITIAL PROBLEM WITH THE FRESH AIR/RECIRCULATION DOOR STARTED 2-3 YEARS AGO. SHORTLY, AFTER REPLACING THE FRESH AIR/RECIRCULATION DOOR, THE HEAT AND DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO REPLACE THE CONTROL SWITCH IN THE DASH, THINKING IT WAS BAD AND NOT WORKING THE INTERNAL DOORS PROPERLY, BUT AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. HE THEN REPLACED THE MODE DOOR ACTUATORS, AND THE MOTOR CONTROL THAT CONTROLLED THE DOORS. HOWEVER, THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM EITHER. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE ENTIRE DASH WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED, BECAUSE THE DOORS FAILED AND A NEW HEATER BOX WAS NEEDED. *JB..UPDATED 04/19/12 *BF UPDATED 04/23/12
THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE IN MY VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE FOLLOWING SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THE VEHICLE: 1) THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK, 2) THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK, AND 3) THE HAZZARD LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. I HAVE TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE SITUATION: 1) WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DURING A RAIN STORM ON 9/26/2011, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK. THIS CAUSED A SAFETY CONCERN AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT AND 2) WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. THIS CAUSED A SAFETY CONCERN AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH WAS ON BACK ORDER. TO BE EXACT, FOUR THOUSAND MULTI FUNCTION SWITCHES WERE ON BACK ORDER PER THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND CHRYSLER GROUP CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. NEITHER THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP OR THE CHRYSLER GROUP CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE HAD ANY IDEA WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I ASKED BOTH PARTIES WHY THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER SINCE THIS IS A MATTER OF SAFETY. NO ANSWER WAS GIVEN. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH VIA THE INTERNET, IT WAS DETERMINE THAT OTHER DODGE RAM TRUCK OWNERS HAD THE SAME TYPE ISSUE WITH THEIR MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH BEING DEFECTIVE. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF DODGE WOULD NOTIFY ALL OWNERS OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH AND HAVE THEM REVIEWED AND/OR REPLACED IF NEEDED. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY SAVE SOMEONE FROM SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH FROM THE THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH BEING DEFECTIVE WHILE DRIVING. MY HOPE AND PRAYER IS TO HAVE OTHER DODGE RAM TRUCK OWNERS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT COULD POTENTIALLY SAVE THEIR LIFE. *TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK WHEN DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,470 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,545.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING INITIAL ACCELERATION ON A HILL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS IS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS AN EDDIE BAUER DELUXE CONVERTIBLE REARFACING INFANT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 22-880. THE CHILD SEAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON MARCH 8, 2006. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOTTOM STRAP OF THE CHILD SEAT, WHICH CONNECTED THE SEAT TO THE VEHICLE, FAILED TO TIGHTEN. AS A RESULT, THE CHILD SEAT REMAINED LOOSE AND WAS NOT SAFELY SECURED TO THE SEAT PROPERLY. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURIES IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. UPDATED 03-04-09 *BF UPDATED 03/05/09. *JB
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT RECEIVED TWO SAFETY RECALL NOTICES. THE FIRST RECALL REFERENCE THE AIR BAG AND THE SECOND RECALL REFERENCE THE SEAT BELTS. THE CONTACT'S APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY PER THE MECHANIC IT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN 3 HOURS. HOWEVER WHEN THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNSURE HOW LONG THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DOESN'T HAVE THE PARTS. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE ISN'T EXPERIENCING ANY FAILURES. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE HARD AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE MORE THAN LIKELY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 2,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,944. UPDATED 04-14-09 *BF UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V038000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING). THE RECALL PART IS ON BACK ORDER AND THE CONTACT HAS BEEN WAITING FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags), the airbag warning light remained illuminated after starting the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that whenever the airbag light was illuminated, there were other electrical failures with the vehicle. The contact stated that the A/C and the heater would become inoperable. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed and determined that there was an electrical short underneath the driver's side airbag sensor wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT RECEIVED TWO SAFETY RECALL NOTICES. THE FIRST RECALL REFERENCE THE AIR BAG AND THE SECOND RECALL REFERENCE THE SEAT BELTS. THE CONTACT'S APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY PER THE MECHANIC IT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN 3 HOURS. HOWEVER WHEN THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNSURE HOW LONG THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DOESN'T HAVE THE PARTS. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE ISN'T EXPERIENCING ANY FAILURES. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE RAM 1500 HAD A FAILURE OF THE TIPM THAT CONTROLS THE HEAD LIGHTS LEAVING THE TRUCK WITH INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT THEN PULLED OVER TO CHECK THE HEADLIGHTS BUT ONLY THE HIGH BEAMS WERE OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE BULB WAS REPLACED BUT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE STILL INOPERABLE.THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,100.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while having the vehicle serviced by a local dealer, the fuel pump was found to be cracked and leaking fuel. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the fuel pump replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
2006 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WENT INTO SAFE MODE.*TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND A PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THE INJECTOR. EIGHT INJECTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN THE PAST YEAR AND SOME OF THE WIRES WERE REPLACED. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER, HE WAS INFORMED REPAIRS WERE NOT GOING TO BE AUTHORIZED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WA PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. CHRYSLER ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT MALFUNCTIONS AGAIN. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
2006 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WENT INTO SAFE MODE.*TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND A PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THE INJECTOR. EIGHT INJECTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN THE PAST YEAR AND SOME OF THE WIRES WERE REPLACED. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER, HE WAS INFORMED REPAIRS WERE NOT GOING TO BE AUTHORIZED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WA PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. CHRYSLER ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT MALFUNCTIONS AGAIN. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,692 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE HARD AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE MORE THAN LIKELY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 2,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,944. UPDATED 04-14-09 *BF UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .