Problems · by component

2006 Dodge Ram 1500 steering problems

88 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 cite steering, 11% of all 817 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
88
11% of all complaints
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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
“9-02-2020, POWER STEERING FAILURE, VERY HARD TO STEER, CAN'T DRIVE LIKE THAT. WAS DRIVING WHEN HAPPENED. WENT TO REPAIR SHOP 9-04-2020 HAD POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY REPLACED, FOR $186.42.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2020SteeringODI 11353277
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 09E001000 (STEERING), 13V528000 (STEERING), 14V779500 (ENGINE), 15V313000 (AIR BAGS), AND 16V352000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH NEUWIRTH MOTORS (219 S COLLEGE RD, WILMINGTON, NC 28403, 910-799-1815) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PARTS, WHICH COULD TAKE UP TO A MONTH. THE CONTACT THEN REACHED OUT TO NATIONAL DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (2223 N MARINE BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, NC 28546, 910-347-3777) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD HAVE THE PARTS SENT TO HIM OVERNIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2019Steering, Air bags, EngineODI 11255923
“FRONT WHEEL BEARING NOISE/VIBRATION. IN MOTION CITY, HIGHWAY, STRAIGHT, TURNING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE STATIONARY/ IN MOTION LOUD VACUUM/HUMMING NOISE FROM BEHIND GLOVE BOX STATIONARY/ IN MOTION”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 3, 2019Steering, Electrical system, WheelsODI 11205434
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN L SULLIVAN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (950 HARTER PKWY, YUBA CITY, CA 95993), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,645.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 4, 2019SteeringODI 11193907

Showing 6 of 88 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Steering: tie rod assembly

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Nov 6, 2013NHTSA 13V528000

Steering: shaft pitman

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported May 3, 2010NHTSA 10E013000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026

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