2006 Dodge RAM 1500

◆ Worse than typical
2006 Dodge RAM 1500
BUILT 2026-09-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge RAM 1500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2006 highlighted. 1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1997 1998: 520 complaints 1999: 610 complaints 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1112 complaints 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1170 complaints 2003 2004: 1097 complaints 2005: 1167 complaints 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2008: 553 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2012: 695 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaints 2014
2006: 792 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19917
19920
19936
1994116
1995213
1996298
1997361
1998520
1999610
2000513
20011112
2002815
20031170
20041097
20051167
2006792
2007517
2008553
2009670
2010485
2011688
2012695
20141

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 24%

24% of complaints: air bags — 193 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show 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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 18%

18% of complaints: exterior lighting — 139 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing turn signal and switch.

CRASH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%

16% of complaints: electrical system — 128 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and fuses and circuit breakers.

CRASH FIRE
Show 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

SUSPENSION 14%

14% of complaints: suspension — 108 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wheel bearing and front.

CRASH INJURY
POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 103 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show 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

R 20051107 — power train

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

2006 — complaint volume: 792
R 20060717 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

R 20061020 — seat belts

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

R 20061020 — air bags

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

R 20070226 — suspension

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

R 20080115 — visibility

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

R 20100524 — steering

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

R 20100915 — wheels

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

R 20140117 — steering

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

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

I 20141020 — AQ (closed 20160516)

Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150327 — electrical system

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

R 20150608 — air bags

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

R 20170327 — air bags

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

I 20210917 — EA (open)

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

▲ 1994 ▲ 1995 ▲ 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2005 ◆ 2001

See all years ranked →

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.