Problems · NHTSA complaints

2006 Dodge Ram 1500 problems

Owners filed 817 complaints about the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 with NHTSA between Mar 2006 and Feb 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (196).

Complaints
817
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
44
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
42
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags196
  2. Exterior lighting142
  3. Electrical system131
  4. Suspension109
  5. Power train100
  6. Steering88
  7. Visibility59
  8. Engine33
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic26
  10. Seat belts24
  11. Vehicle speed control24
  12. Engine and engine cooling23
  13. Wheels23
  14. Structure17

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200623
200747
200823
200939
2010103
2011110
201233
201332
201458
2015121
2016100
201742
201827
201919
202012
20215
20228
20236
20243
20254
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

196 reports23 crashes2 fires3 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 18, 2026Air bagsODI 11718823

Exterior lighting

142 reports1 crash
“I'm always having issues with the airbag light coming on while driving it goes away then come back when there is a sudden move and causes something to trigger. also, I'm having issues with my headlight low mode not working I did a lot of research stating that many people are having the same issue and the problems have to do with the fuse box close to the battery. I'm also having an issue with the brake lamp going off on my dashboard not sure what that could be tried so many repairs and nothing seems to work.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 25, 2023Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bagsODI 11503652

Electrical system

131 reports2 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“Several safety-critical systems on my vehicle are failing, and the symptoms match existing recalls shown on Kelley Blue Book for my VIN. However, the manufacturer (Dodge/Stellantis) shows only 4 recalls, all marked completed — despite ongoing issues. 1. ABS / Brake System: The ABS warning light is on continuously, indicating a malfunction in the ABS control module. This disables anti-lock braking, increasing the risk of skidding or loss of control during emergency stops. KBB shows a recall for this issue, but Dodge says it’s either not open for my VIN or already completed. The ABS light has remained on since 2. Front Wheel Bearing: There is a grinding noise and vibration from the front wheel area, suggesting a worn or failing wheel bearing. This poses a risk of steering loss or wheel detachment. No warning lights have appeared for this issue. 3. Transfer Case / 4WD: The 4WD system intermittently fails to engage or disengage, sometimes with clunking noises or jerking. This can cause unpredictable handling or loss of traction. Issue is still ongoing. 4. Electrical System: Intermittent electrical issues include random warning messages, dimming lights, and…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2025Suspension, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11688378

Suspension

109 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“I was driving and the rear drive shaft fell out of the truck and the rear locked up making the truck undrivable. I heard this is a common problem in dodge rams and it is definitely a safety issue and there should be a recall to address this reoccurring problem that can cause a loss of life or life threatening accident”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2023Steering, Suspension, Power trainODI 11538268

Power train

100 reports5 crashes4 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, oil stains were found on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact checked underneath the vehicle and became aware that the rear axle pinion nut was loose. The axle pinion nut was tightened. The contact stated that the oil stains on the ground persisted. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2026Power trainODI 11716319

Steering

88 reports7 crashes2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the vehicle was hauling a trailer while driving at 65 mph when a loud bang was heard and the steering wheel went in circles, which led the vehicle from the center lane into the median and hit the guard rail. The rear driver's side corner of the vehicle was damaged and the front driver and front passenger side of the trailer were damaged from the collision. The contact and passenger did not sustain injuries and medical attention was not received. A police report was filed. The vehicle and trailer were towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure after the tie rod assembly and steering linkage were replaced in October 2020 by an independent mechanic. The contact had also received notifications of NHTSA Campaign numbers: 09E001000 (Steering) and 13V528000 (Steering), after the repair in October 2020. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,660.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 1, 2021SteeringCrash reportedODI 11419164
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.