2006 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RAM 3500 years
- More complaints than other years 3rd of 18 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 8 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 257 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Dodge RAM 3500. That ranks 3rd out of 18 RAM 3500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (75 complaints, 29%), typically at around 97,200 miles. Complaints mention 15 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 6 defect investigations involving it.
- 257owner complaints
- 8safety recalls
- 6NHTSA investigations
- 15complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2006 Dodge RAM 3500 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering problems | 75 | 29% | 97,200 | “tie rod” (43%) | — |
| Electrical System problems | 52 | 20% | 78,000 | “turn signal” (21%) | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 44 | 17% | 70,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 33 | 13% | 135,302 | — | — |
| Visibility | 24 | 9% | 46,631 | — | — |
| Power Train | 22 | 9% | 80,500 | — | — |
| Suspension | 20 | 8% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 8 | 3% | 73,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 8 | 3% | 37,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 7 | 3% | 93,896 | — | — |
| Engine | 6 | 2% | 161,500 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 2% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 2% | 112,882 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 2% | 31,250 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 6 | 2% | 153,651 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 2% | 76,142 | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 2% | 44,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 3 | 1% | 65,500 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 1% | 163,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 1% | 60,250 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 1% | 126,900 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 1% | 51,475 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 0% | 169,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2006 Dodge RAM 3500 recalls (8)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Dakota, and 2006 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles manufactured July 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006 with manual transmissions. The return springs in the clutch ignition interlock switch may break.
Risk: Broken springs can result in a no-start condition, or cause unintended movement when the ignition is cranked, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P80.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 2500/3500 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; and model year 2008 dodge ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through august 15, 2008, because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
Risk: This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 3, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices
Problem: Certain trucks fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 111, "rear view mirrors". The right outside rear view mirror glass has a curved (convex) mirror glass installed instead of flat glass. Curved glass creates a wider view, but displays images further away than they actually are.
Risk: Drivers of large vehicles may have difficulty judging distance relationships, which could cause a crash without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace the right outside convex mirror glass with a flat mirror glass free of charge. The recall began on october 10, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Exterior lighting
Problem: Certain trucks equipped with dual rear wheels fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment." the trucks may have been inadvertently manufactured without the roof mounted cab clearance lamps.
Risk: Without these lamps, other vehicle operators may not detect the increased width of the vehicle which could cause a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will install cab clearance lights free of charge. The recall began on march 20, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Problem: On certain pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel antilock brake systems (abs), the abs electronic control unit (ecu) may cause a loss of front to rear brake balance, and the rear brakes could lock up prematurely during certain braking conditions.
Risk: This could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace the abs ecu. The recall is expected to begin during the week of july 17, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA15001) — opened Feb 24, 2015, still open, led to recall 14V668.
- Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529 (AQ14003) — opened Oct 20, 2014, closed May 16, 2016.
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture (PE14016) — opened Jun 11, 2014, closed Mar 2, 2015, led to recall 13V172000.
- Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction (PE14013) — opened May 19, 2014, closed Dec 23, 2014, led to recall 14V795000.
- Turn signal malfunction (PE08059) — opened Oct 7, 2008, closed Apr 17, 2009.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer stated they were only able to obtain parts for two vehicles at a time. The contact stated…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel wobbled violently. The vehicle was taken to simi valley chrysler dodge jeep ram (2350 first st, simi valley, ca 93065) where the dealer declined to service the vehicle due to the part not being…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving during inclement weather with the air or heater activated during winter or during rain fall, the windshield became extremely foggy. The contact pulled over and manually cleaned the windshield in order to see out of…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that the drivers side tie rod fractured in an accident. The vehicle went off the road into the embankment that stopped the vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed back the contact's home…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 3500. While driving approximately 55 mph and attempting to make a u-turn, the steering lost power without warning. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where it was determined that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and…
Other Dodge RAM 3500 years
← 2005 RAM 3500 · 2007 RAM 3500 →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 3500 | 366 | 8 |
| 2011 RAM 3500 | 225 | 5 |
| 2010 RAM 3500 | 150 | 9 |
| 2009 RAM 3500 | 105 | 5 |
| 2008 RAM 3500 | 173 | 9 |
| 2007 RAM 3500 | 210 | 11 |
| 2006 | 257 | 8 |
| 2005 RAM 3500 | 196 | 4 |
| 2004 RAM 3500 | 214 | 4 |
| 2003 RAM 3500 | 286 | 6 |
| 2002 RAM 3500 | 44 | 0 |
| 2001 RAM 3500 | 130 | 1 |
| 2000 RAM 3500 | 58 | 1 |
| 1999 RAM 3500 | 104 | 0 |
| 1998 RAM 3500 | 105 | 0 |
| 1997 RAM 3500 | 125 | 1 |
| 1996 RAM 3500 | 124 | 1 |
| 1995 RAM 3500 | 108 | 1 |
See all Dodge RAM 3500 problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Dodge RAM 3500?
Owners most often report steering, electrical system, exterior lighting problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 75 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Dodge RAM 3500?
Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2006 Dodge RAM 3500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RAM 3500 model years, the 2006 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.