MYRModel Year Report

2006 Dodge RAM 3500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2006 Dodge RAM 3500
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of 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
257
Recalls
11

Campaigns on file for 2006

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 10 complaints 1993: 20 complaints 1994: 70 complaints 1994 1995: 108 complaints 1996: 124 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 105 complaints 1999: 104 complaints 2000: 58 complaints 2000 2001: 130 complaints 2002: 44 complaints 2003: 286 complaints 2003 2004: 214 complaints 2005: 196 complaints 2006: 257 complaints 2006 257 2007: 210 complaints 2008: 173 complaints 2009: 105 complaints 2009 2010: 150 complaints 2011: 225 complaints 2012: 365 complaints 2012
1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 10 complaints 1993: 20 complaints 1993 1994: 70 complaints 1995: 108 complaints 1995 1996: 124 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 105 complaints 1999: 104 complaints 1999 2000: 58 complaints 2001: 130 complaints 2001 2002: 44 complaints 2003: 286 complaints 2003 2004: 214 complaints 2005: 196 complaints 2006: 257 complaints 2006 257 2007: 210 complaints 2008: 173 complaints 2009: 105 complaints 2009 2010: 150 complaints 2011: 225 complaints 2011 2012: 365 complaints
1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 10 complaints 1992 1993: 20 complaints 1993 1994: 70 complaints 1994 1995: 108 complaints 1995 1996: 124 complaints 1996 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 105 complaints 1998 1999: 104 complaints 1999 2000: 58 complaints 2000 2001: 130 complaints 2001 2002: 44 complaints 2002 2003: 286 complaints 2003 2004: 214 complaints 2004 2005: 196 complaints 2005 2006: 257 complaints 2006 257 2007: 210 complaints 2007 2008: 173 complaints 2008 2009: 105 complaints 2009 2010: 150 complaints 2010 2011: 225 complaints 2011 2012: 365 complaints 2012

2006: 257 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19914
199210
199320
199470
1995108
1996124
1997125
1998105
1999104
200058
2001130
200244
2003286
2004214
2005196
2006257
2007210
2008173
2009105
2010150
2011225
2012365

Known problem areas

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

Steering

30% · 78 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and linkages.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2006 Dodge RAM 3500. Consumer writes in regards to the left tie rod ball stud recall notice.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-27

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge RAM 3500. She received recall notice number 09E001000 (Steering:linkages), but the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs.

NHTSA ODI report, 2009-11-10

Electrical system

20% · 52 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and module.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

On the night of apr 16, 2019 it same like everyday I went home from work back up my truck in the driveway turn off and got in the house forgot my ipad went back out and get it ,back in the house went to take the shower and then five minutes later...

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-04-22

While driving I heard a popping sound followed by smoke, burning plastic electrical fire smell, pulled over and found the orange wire next to the 100 pin power distribution block under the dashboard smoking.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-08

Exterior lighting

18% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing turn signal and switch.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving down a two lane road at 70MPH when approaching my road. I turned on my left blinker to signal my upcoming turn and when I began to turn the car behind me went to pass thinking that I was turning right.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-03

Air bags

13% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The other vehicle went left of center and hit my vehicle head on. Neither of my airbags deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-08-12

Visibility

10% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and defroster/defogger/hvac system.

Safety timeline

11 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2006Complaint volume 257 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2006-03-20Exterior lighting06V073000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2006-07-17Service brakes, hydraulic06V038000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2006-10-10Visibility06V380000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2007-03-12Suspension07E009000 Certain lki enterprises, inc., brand name superlift suspension, pitman arms sold as replacement equipment for 2003-2007 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 4X4 light trucks. Due to inadequate heat treatment…

    Remedy: Lki will notify owners and replace the pitman arm, if necessary. The recall began on March 12, 2007. Owners may contact lki at 1-800-551-4955.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2008-01-15Visibility07E104000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2008-10-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-04-17 Turn signal malfunction
  8. R
    2010-05-24Steering10E013000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2011-10-03Steering11V350000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2014-01-17Steering13V528000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2014-05-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-12-23 Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
  12. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  13. I
    2014-10-20Audit queryClosed 2016-05-16 Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
  14. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  15. R
    2015-03-27Electrical system14V795000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2015-06-08Air bags15V313000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2017-03-27Air bags16V352000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2006 Dodge RAM 3500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 78 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 52 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 45 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06V073000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06V038000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 06V380000 · Visibility
  • Recall 07E009000 · Suspension
  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
  • Recall 10E013000 · Steering
  • Recall 11V350000 · Steering
  • Recall 13V528000 · Steering
  • Recall 14V795000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 15V313000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V352000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2006 Dodge RAM 3500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Dodge RAM 3500 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Dodge RAM 3500?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Dodge RAM 3500 have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.