2006 Dodge RAM 1500
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 7 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1994 | 116 |
| 1995 | 213 |
| 1996 | 298 |
| 1997 | 361 |
| 1998 | 520 |
| 1999 | 610 |
| 2000 | 513 |
| 2001 | 1112 |
| 2002 | 815 |
| 2003 | 1170 |
| 2004 | 1097 |
| 2005 | 1167 |
| 2006 | 792 |
| 2007 | 517 |
| 2008 | 553 |
| 2009 | 670 |
| 2010 | 485 |
| 2011 | 688 |
| 2012 | 695 |
| 2014 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
24% of complaints: air bags — 193 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
Unknown
NHTSA ODI report, 20240207
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR TIRE EXPLODED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180302
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON FEB 11 AT 7:00 AM. I WENT OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT TAKING OUT A MAILBOX, A COUPLE OF TREES, SIDE SWIPED A TELEPHONE POLE BEFORE COMING TO REST UP AGAINST A TREE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20070220
18% of complaints: exterior lighting — 139 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing turn signal and switch.
CRASH16% of complaints: electrical system — 128 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and fuses and circuit breakers.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
I was adjusting the steering wheel and the power completely shuts off. I had no steering power.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231217
UNKNOWN TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO WORK
NHTSA ODI report, 20231209
14% of complaints: suspension — 108 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wheel bearing and front.
CRASH INJURY13% of complaints: power train — 103 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF WHILE TOWING A 6X10 UTILITY TRAILER WHICH RESULTED IN THE TRAILER COLLIDING WITH AND DAMAGING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20061124
SAFETY TIMELINE
ON CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS, THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) MAY CONTAIN INCORRECT TRANSFER CASE CALIBRATION SET POINTS, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN INADVERTENT TRANSFER CASE DEFAUL
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE TIPM WITH NEW SOFTWARE THAT PREVENTS THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 05V461000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 06V038000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TIGHTEN SEC
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 06V354000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE WHEN
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG CUSHION AND REPROGRAM THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 06V353000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING MAY HAVE RECEIVED AN INSUFFICIENT QUANTITY OF GREASE DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT HUB AND BEARING UNITS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 07V038000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIM
Campaign 07E104000 — check if this car was fixed
FABTECH IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS93001 AND FT44039, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE 2500 4WD, 3500 4WD, AND 1500 4WD MEGA CAB VEHICLES.
Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED INSTALLERS WILL INSPECT FOR DEFECTIVE PITMAN ARM AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTEC
Campaign 10E013000 — check if this car was fixed
FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARQUEST, NATIONAL, AND PERCISION BRAND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS 515073 AND 515073, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RA
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND TECHNICIANS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HUB ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT
Campaign 10E040000 — check if this car was fixed
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 Meg
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 13V528000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 14V795000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V313000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 16V352000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2006 Dodge RAM 1500 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (193 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (139 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (128 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 05V461000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V038000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V354000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V353000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V038000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10E013000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10E040000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V528000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V795000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V313000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V352000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2006 Dodge RAM 1500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Dodge RAM 1500 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Dodge RAM 1500?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Dodge RAM 1500 have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.