2006 Dodge Ram 2500: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500: 6 recalls, 670 owner complaints.
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Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 3 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #06V038000 · 2006 · 39,274 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel antilock brake systems (ABS), the ABS electronic control unit (ECU) May cause a loss of front to rear brake balance, and the rear brakes could lock up prematurely during certain braking conditions.
Why it matters: This could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ABS ECU. The recall is expected to begin during the week of July 17, 2006.
Steering Vehicle recall #11V350000 · 2011 · 242,780 vehicles
What's wrong: This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 vehicles May have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
Why it matters: This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #13V528000 · 2013 · 706,664 vehicles
What's wrong: The left tie rod assembly May break.
Why it matters: A failure of the tie rod assembly May result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V795000 · 2014 · 54,164 vehicles
What's wrong: The return springs in the clutch ignition interlock switch May break.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2015.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V313000 · 2015 · 4,077,169 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that May be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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…
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V352000 · 2016 · 4,648,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: 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…
The 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…
3 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Equipment recall #07E009000 · 2007 · 3,350 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain lki enterprises, Inc., brand name superlift suspension, pitman arms sold as replacement equipment for 2003-2007 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4 light trucks. Due to inadequate heat treatment during production, the affected pitman arms May develop cracks in the upper splined attachment attachment to the steering output shaft. Movement between the pitman arm and the output shaft May deform splines, resulting in…
Why it matters: Pitman arm wear or failure May lead to loss of vehicle control, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Lki will notify owners and replace the pitman arm, if necessary. The recall began on March 12, 2007.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Equipment recall #07E104000 · 2007 · 1,657 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass Ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp Inc., identified as dot-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and foreign vehicles May not break into small pieces as expected of tempered glass and fails to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 205, "glazing materials."
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) May be seriously injured by shattered glass.
The fix: Safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. Retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. Safelite will notify its wholesale customers and reimburse wholesale customers for current inventory and at a specified rate for replacing their…
Steering Equipment recall #10E013000 · 2010 · 1,500 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Steering loss could result in a vehicle crash possibly resulting in property damage, injury or death.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 18 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (231): the most common themes are steering problems (156), noise or vibration (22).
- Electrical (131): the most common themes are electrical failure (35), stalls / loses power (12).
- Exterior lights (122): the most common themes are electrical failure (16), warning light on (8).
- Suspension (106): the most common themes are steering problems (42), noise or vibration (15).
The 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 has 670 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 22 Ram 2500 model years for complaints (2.3× the average Ram 2500 year). Complaints peaked in 2014 (111 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 78,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (422 complaints, 6 recalls), 2007 (361 complaints, 8 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500.
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FAQ
Does the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500, plus 3 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 problems?
Owners have filed 670 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (231), electrical (131), exterior lights (122).
Where can I get a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.