2006 Dodge Ram 3500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (51) · Air Bags (27) · Exterior Lighting (25)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Ram 3500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
205 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2016-05-24 · campaign 16V352000 · 4,648,270 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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, 2006-201
Risk: 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
Fix: 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. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2015-05-26 · campaign 15V313000 · 4,077,169 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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,
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-782
Electrical System:ignition:switch 2014-12-16 · campaign 14V795000 · 54,164 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is P80.
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly 2013-11-06 · campaign 13V528000 · 706,664 vehicles
Defect: 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 2011-07-06 · campaign 11V350000 · 242,780 vehicles
Defect: 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 CUSTO
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.
Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman 2010-05-03 · campaign 10E013000 · 1,500 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: STEERING LOSS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: 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 FABTECH AT 1-877-432-2832.
Service bulletins (45)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2025-05-01 · 103774 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Power Train 2024-10-30 · 101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
plate - planetary
Power Train 2021-04-07 · 9004009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
transmission kit with torque converter 1. all promaster (vf) 3.6l/62te equipped vehicles. if the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (part number 06511385a$) are one-time usage. vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires service kit p
Engine And Engine Cooling 2021-03-10 · 9004350 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
gear motor, transfer case the gear motor assembly is shipped in awd/2wd position. the transfer case needs to be positioned in awd/2wd position to properly assemble gear motor to t-case. please reference star online publication s2121000003 for further details. do not have the transfer case in in ano
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Showing the 6 most recent of 45 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-19 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 177,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2006 dodge ram 3500. it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 107,460; however, a carfax report listed the mileage as 177,000.…”
2022-08-29 · Air Bags“takata recall. the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 3500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v352000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the dealer stated they were only able to obtain parts for two vehicles at a time. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount…”
2020-10-15 · Suspension · 180,000 mi“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 under recall. the vehicle was next taken to crown dodg…”
2020-09-21 · Visibility/Wiper · 45,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 3500. the contact stated that while driving during inclement weather with the air or heater activated during winter or during rain fall, the windshield became extremely foggy. the contact pulled over and manually cleaned the windshield in order to see out of the windshield. the contact stated that several unkno…”
2019-06-12 · Suspension · 290,000 mi · 💥 crash“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. there were no dealer within a 100 miles so the con…”
2019-04-25 · Steering · 68,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 3500. while driving approximately 55 mph and attempting to make a u-turn, the steering lost power without warning. the vehicle was taken to a repair shop where it was determined that there was no recall. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to nhtsa. the dealer was not contact…”
2019-04-25 · Steering“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, (517) 789-7151) diagnosed that the intermediate steering shaft and u joint were faulty. the ve…”
2019-04-22 · Unknown Or Other · 189,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 the truck burn down, the fire truck came they put out the fire, and i got the report said engine area, …”
2019-04-12 · Suspension · 135,000 mi · 💥 crash“a possible mechanical malfunction in the front drive shaft/front suspension possibly caused the vehicle to veer into oncoming traffic and cause a fatality crash. *dt*jb*dt*jb*jb…”
2018-04-19 · Visibility/Wiper · 170,000 mi“wiper blade electronics will stop intermittently causing loss of visibility especially in severe weather conditions. this has happened numerous times despite use of appropriate de-icer winter formula wiper fluid, replacement of the wiper motor, and multi-function switch assembly. the problem appears to be overload of the circuit when there is mild …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.