CarModelProblems.com

2006 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 2.8× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
792Complaints
12Recalls
43Crashes
8Fires
42Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Air Bags (23.5% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Air Bags complaints here are 2.8× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.

5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Air Bags186 · 23.5%RecalledRecall 16V352000 · Recall 15V313000 · Recall 06V353000
Electrical System118 · 14.9%RecalledRecall 14V795000
Exterior Lighting114 · 14.4%No official action
Steering78 · 9.8%RecalledRecall 13V528000 · Recall 10E013000
Power Train63 · 8%RecalledRecall 05V461000
Suspension59 · 7.4%RecalledRecall 07V038000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS186 · 23.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM118 · 14.9%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING114 · 14.4%
STEERING78 · 9.8%
POWER TRAIN63 · 8%
SUSPENSION59 · 7.4%
VISIBILITY33 · 4.2%
ENGINE33 · 4.2%
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING24 · 3%
Unspecified / other22 · 2.8%

Percentages are the share of the 792 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 12 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 16V352000 · 2016 · reported 05/24/2016

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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 15V313000 · 2015 · reported 05/27/2015

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:ignition:switch

NHTSA campaign 14V795000 · 2014 · reported 12/16/2014

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:glass, Side/rear

NHTSA campaign 07E104000 · 2007 · reported 12/11/2007

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

NHTSA campaign 13V528000 · 2013 · reported 11/06/2013

A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman

NHTSA campaign 10E013000 · 2010 · reported 05/03/2010

STEERING LOSS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Wheels:hub

NHTSA campaign 10E040000 · 2010 · reported 08/23/2010

A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR IF THE WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)

NHTSA campaign 05V461000 · 2005 · reported 10/06/2005

IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

NHTSA campaign 06V038000 · 2006 · reported 02/09/2006

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:wheel Bearing

NHTSA campaign 07V038000 · 2007 · reported 02/12/2007

THIS COULD RESULT IN BEARING DEGRADATION, AND IF SUBSEQUENT NOISE AND VIBRATION ARE IGNORED, COULD RESULT IN HUB ASSEMBLY SEPARATION. THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 06V353000 · 2006 · reported 09/14/2006

THIS CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD SEAT OCCUPANT DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front

NHTSA campaign 06V354000 · 2006 · reported 09/14/2006

THIS CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

What owners report

“I AM CURIOUS TO THE CONCERN THAT I SHOULD HAVE ABOUT MY 2006 DODGE. I HAVE HAD 3 RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE SINCE ITS PURCHASE…”NHTSA complaint 10186236 — filed 03/26/2007 · AIR BAGS

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

49201244822014152115201649392018351920206920221142024622026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Dodge RAM 1500?

Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 186 of 792 NHTSA complaints (23.5%), followed by electrical system (118), exterior lighting (114), steering (78). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2006 Dodge RAM 1500 have?

792 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 43 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 42 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2006 Dodge RAM 1500 have any recalls?

Yes — 12 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16V352000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2006 Dodge RAM 1500's reported problems?

5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.