repaired · 2018 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. 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…
2006 Dodge RAM 2500Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 670 owner complaints about the 2006 Dodge RAM 2500, most often about the steering. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-795 the manufacturer reports only 32% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 18, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Dodge RAM 2500 has problems
670 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
231Steering16 crash/fire/injury
131Electrical system6 crash/fire/injury
122Exterior lighting
106Suspension6 crash/fire/injury
77Air bags11 crash/fire/injury
38Visibility
37Power train
24Visibility/wiper
13Service brakes
10018 other systems16 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 231 | 16 |
| Electrical system | 131 | 6 |
| Exterior lighting | 122 | 0 |
| Suspension | 106 | 6 |
| Air bags | 77 | 11 |
| Visibility | 38 | 0 |
| Power train | 37 | 5 |
| Visibility/wiper | 24 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 13 | 1 |
| 18 other systems | 100 | 16 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2006 Dodge RAM 2500 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. 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…
repaired · 2016 Q2
Ignition: switch
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.
repaired · 2015 Q1
Linkages: tie rod assembly
Risk. A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 2 more recalls
no report yet
Linkages: tie rod assembly
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.
Mileage at failure
When do steering problems start?
91kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 172 steering complaints. 58% were reported before 100,000 miles.
12under 30k miles99under 100k miles73100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Electrical system
12 owners mentioned a cost$1,000median
Middle half: $981 – $1,007
Steering
10 owners mentioned a cost$917median
Middle half: $695 – $1,922
Exterior lighting
8 owners mentioned a cost$756median
Middle half: $625 – $925
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2006 vs. every other RAM 2500 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAM 2500 median. How we score
'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2006 Dodge RAM 2500, and the recalls they led to.
- Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529No recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-668
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Clutch Interlock Switch MalfunctionLed to recall 14V-795
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-772
In owners' words
What RAM 2500 owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I took my vehicle into the dealership. Almost three weeks ago for a recall on the front end, a steering component. However, they told us that the parts were back ordered several days after the vehicle had been there for three weeks. And then all of a sudden, they call and a week and a 1 after that.…
Truck does not want to stay in the road. It hops to the right with the steering not being turned. Cannot tell when it is going to do it.
Steering linkage and tie rod issues. Steering not working properly. I see that my vehicle is not listed in the recalls. Although. I am having steering issues. Constant tail light replacing.
Own a 2006 RAM 2500?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.