2006 Dodge RAM 3500 Steering Problems
Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2006 Dodge RAM 3500, 29% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 97,200 miles. The words owners use most often: “tie rod” (43% of reports).
- 75steering complaints
- 97,200median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 54%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Tie rod: mentioned in 32 of 75 complaints (43%)
- Steering linkages: mentioned in 8 of 75 complaints (11%)
- Shake violently: mentioned in 5 of 75 complaints (7%)
- Ball joints: mentioned in 5 of 75 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 57 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 75 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Dodge RAM 3500 steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 3500 | 222 | 61% | 27,750 |
| 2011 RAM 3500 | 164 | 73% | 42,000 |
| 2010 RAM 3500 | 92 | 61% | 51,618 |
| 2009 RAM 3500 | 69 | 66% | 48,220 |
| 2008 RAM 3500 | 94 | 54% | 65,000 |
| 2007 RAM 3500 | 88 | 42% | 93,000 |
| 2006 RAM 3500 | 75 | 29% | 97,200 |
| 2005 RAM 3500 | 61 | 31% | 101,800 |
| 2004 RAM 3500 | 41 | 19% | 101,270 |
| 2003 RAM 3500 | 37 | 13% | 80,000 |
| 2002 RAM 3500 | 8 | 18% | 89,250 |
| 2001 RAM 3500 | 17 | 13% | 49,100 |
| 2000 RAM 3500 | 5 | 9% | 137,000 |
| 1999 RAM 3500 | 11 | 11% | 149,312 |
| 1998 RAM 3500 | 8 | 8% | 236,500 |
| 1997 RAM 3500 | 10 | 8% | 198,000 |
| 1996 RAM 3500 | 10 | 8% | 98,090 |
| 1995 RAM 3500 | 5 | 5% | 32,613 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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 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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER IN EITHER DIRECTION. PERFORMANCE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (2710 AIRPORT RD, JACKSON, MI 49202, [redacted]) DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2006 Dodge RAM 3500s have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 75 owner complaints about steering for the 2006 Dodge RAM 3500 (29% of the 257 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Dodge RAM 3500 steering?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do steering problems start?
The median reported mileage is 97,200 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about steering problems on the 2006 Dodge RAM 3500?
The most frequent phrase is “tie rod”, in 32 of 75 complaints, followed by “steering linkages” (8).
Other 2006 Dodge RAM 3500 problems
See all 2006 Dodge RAM 3500 problems or steering problems across all RAM 3500 years.