What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2006 Dodge RAM 3500

Typical pattern

5.4% of complaints about the 2006 Dodge RAM 3500 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2006 vehicle — around the middle of the 250 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.5 yr in service. The most-reported system is steering (78 complaints), typically at 8.2 yr or about 97,804 miles.

Complaints
349
Median age at failure
6.5 yr
Median mileage
80,000 n=282
Crash / fire / tow
7.7% of reports
Safety recalls
10 2 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Steering
78 reports · 97,804 mi
8.2 yr
12.8%
Electrical system
52 reports · 80,000 mi
6.2 yr
5.8%
Exterior lighting
45 reports · 71,000 mi
4.3 yr
2.2%
Air bags
33 reports · 135,302 mi
9.8 yr
12.1%
Visibility
25 reports · 43,261 mi
4.3 yr
0%
Power train
22 reports · 81,000 mi
7.7 yr
9.1%
Suspension
20 reports · 81,000 mi
5.3 yr
10%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

16V352000 2016-05-24 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

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, o

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

15V313000 2015-05-27 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

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.

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.

14V795000 2014-12-16
Electrical system:ignition:switch

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.

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.

13V528000 2013-11-06
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly

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.

A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

11V350000 2011-07-06
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly

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 HAV

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

10E013000 2010-05-03
Steering:gear box:shaft pitman

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. THE PITMAN ARM CAN FRACTURE AND BREAK AWAY FROM THE STEERING BOX CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

STEERING LOSS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH.

07E104000 2007-12-11
Visibility:glass, side/rear

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 VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

07E009000 2007-02-01
Suspension

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 DURING PRODUCTION, THE AFFECTED PITMAN ARMS MAY DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE UPPER SPLINED ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING OUTPUT SHAFT. MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE PITMAN ARM AND THE OUTPUT SHAFT MAY DEFORM SPLINES, RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEAR AND FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE AFFECTED PITMAN ARM.

PITMAN ARM WEAR OR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06V380000 2006-10-10
Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices

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.

DRIVERS OF LARGE VEHICLES MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY JUDGING DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

06V073000 2006-03-09
Exterior lighting

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.

WITHOUT THESE LAMPS, OTHER VEHICLE OPERATORS MAY NOT DETECT THE INCREASED WIDTH OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

In owners’ own words

Visibility 870 mi 5 mo in service
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH, THE REAR WINDOW WAS ROLLED DOWN WHICH CAUSED BACK PRESSURE IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN BACK PRESSURE OCCURRED THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THIS CAUSED TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EAR PAIN TO THE BACK PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AND ENGINEERED THIS WAY AND OPERATES CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT INSTALLED AIR DEFLECTORS ON ALL 4 WINDOWS; HOWEVER THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.
Visibility 17,000 mi 11 mo in service
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATING DEFROST DOOR HAS BECOME STUCK, DISALLOWING THE ABILITY TO HEAT, DEFROST OR COOL THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING IN ABOUT ONE IN EVERY TEN VEHICLES DUE TO A VACUUM OPERATED SYSTEM. *AK
Visibility 6,500 mi 1.6 yr in service
CAR MAKER PRODUCES AN INFERIOR PRODUCT; DODGE MEGA CAB VEHICLES HAVE INFERIOR BLOWER MOTORS CONNECTED TO THE A/C AND HEATING SYSTEMS. THEREFORE, IN THE SUMMER TIME IT TAKES AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF TIME TO COOL THE VEHICLES INTERIOR. (SOUTHERN STATES...NORTH, SOUTH CAROLINAS, GEORGIA, FLORIDA, TEXAS..ETC) *JB
Electrical system 8,500 mi 10 mo in service
ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP DRIVING ON FREEWAY. INTERMITTENTTLY BLINKING OFF AND ON @ INSTRUMRNT PANEL. *NM

Other RAM 3500 model years

2012201120102009200820072006200520042003200119991998

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