2006 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about front-end shaking and steering problems on this heavy-duty truck, typically at highway speed after hitting a bump or rough pavement. Turn-signal and wiper faults traced to the column switch are the next most common theme, and cabin air doors that stick or break, leaving the windshield hard to defog, come up repeatedly as well. Many reports arrive between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Turn signals flash the wrong side or fail

   • 53 complaints (21%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (49 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2018

   Owners report that selecting a left turn sometimes lights the right indicator, that both sides flash together or rapidly, or that a signal stops working entirely. Several say the wipers misbehave at the same time, and mechanics have pointed to the column multi-function switch or the integrated power module. In some cases owners report the switch was unavailable or the repair did not resolve the fault. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 12,000 to 190,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test both turn signals, hazards, high beams and wipers with the engine running, and ask whether the multi-function switch or power module has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The wiper stopped working except for a very slow speed when the selector was in the high position. After several minutes, this also stopped working. The turn signal began to malfunction at the same time leading me to believe the column multifunction switch was at fault. When activating the left turn signal, the right signal would often turn on instead of the left. Auto parts stores informed me that the multifunction switch is not currently available at any price.”

   NHTSA complaint #10477000, filed 2012-09, 78,000 miles

   “I first noticed the problem hooking up a trailer. My vehicles left turn signal does not operate. I also noticed the brake light on the left side does not operate. I decided to get my vehicle checked out by my local mechanic. I stated my problem to my mechanic, at once he stated, this is a common problem with 2006 Dodge RAM 3500?s. He said the integrated control module or tipm has failed. It fails on these trucks all the time. My question to him why does Dodge not have a way to fix the problem correctly? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10340857, filed 2010-06, 30,777 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Front-end shake or wobble at highway speed

   • 22 complaints (9%)
   • median 77,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2020

   Complaints describe the front end shaking violently after the truck hits a bump, expansion joint or rough pavement, usually above 40-55 mph, and continuing until the vehicle is slowed sharply. Owners describe having to hold the wheel and brake hard to regain control, and many say the shake returns after front-end parts were replaced. Some report dealers telling them the truck was not covered by the tie-rod recall or that the whole front end needed replacing. Mostly reported from about 40,000 to 120,000 miles, often at highway speeds on uneven pavement.

   Recall 13V528000Recall 11V3500001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Drive the truck at highway speed over bumps and bridge joints before buying, and ask whether the tie-rod recall work was done. Check tie rod ends, drag link and track bar for play.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Over the past years, with first occurrence of the terrifying death wobble in approximately april 2009, such wobble occurs several times per year. I am able to avoid if I stay below 40mph, or at higher speeds avoid all bumps. Had not been aware others experiencing same problem. Will approach dealer as to fix, if that does not solve the problem, I intend to take what additional steps are deemed necessary.”

   NHTSA complaint #10837646, filed 2016-02, 125,000 miles

   “When driving vehicle if you hit a small bump or larg bump the truck starts to shake and you have to stop in the road. I have repaired all of the steering linkages,tie rod ends,stabilizer shock and even taken the truck to dealership for the recall but they told me my truck was not one in the recall.I would like for someone to tell me what is wrong with my truck before someone gets killed driving a defected vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10444594, filed 2012-01, 55,000 miles
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop or run erratically

   • 25 complaints (10%)
   • median 76,150 mi at 5.6 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2018

   Complaints describe wipers quitting mid-stroke in rain or snow, running only at one speed, or starting on their own with the switch off. Owners report replacing the wiper motor and the column switch without curing it, and some say the manufacturer declined assistance because the truck was not covered by a wiper recall. Usually reported from about 65,000 miles upward, often in wet or icy conditions.

   What to check: Run the wipers through every speed and interval setting, including with the washer, and check whether repairs to the motor or switch have already been attempted.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I first noticed my headlights were hard to dim or change to bright. A few days later, my wipers would stop working. To get the wipers to work, I had to use the wash option. That would cause them to work for a while then they would go out again. About the same time, I noticed my blinkers were acting very strange. When I turned them on, they both would blink very fast. Now the problem has progressed to a point where turning the left blinker on only turns on the right blinker. It almost caused a wreck the other day. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10382542, filed 2011-02, 89,427 miles

   “Wiper blade electronics will stop intermittently causing loss of visibility especially in severe weather conditions. This has happened numerous times despite use of appropriate de-icer winter formula wiper fluid, replacement of the wiper motor, and multi-function switch assembly. The problem appears to be overload of the circuit when there is mild to moderate amount of ice on the windshield or when the steering wheel is readjusted downward causing the wiring harness to come loose. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11088989, filed 2018-04, 170,000 miles
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Cabin air doors stick or break (poor defrost and heat)

   • 11 complaints (4%)
   • median 25,000 mi at 2.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2006–2020

   Owners report blend and mode doors in the HVAC box breaking or sticking, so air goes only to the floor, one side stays hot, or the windshield will not defog in rain or winter. Several say the windshield fogged or iced over while driving and they had to pull over. Complaints describe dealers attributing it to the door or vacuum system, and some owners note a revised door design exists but was not covered by a recall. Often reported from under 20,000 to about 45,000 miles, typically in cold, wet or humid weather.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the engine warm, cycle the mode and temperature controls through every setting and confirm strong airflow reaches the windshield and both footwells evenly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car maker produces an inferior product; Dodge mega cab vehicles have inferior blower motors connected to the A/C and heating systems. Therefore, in the summer time it takes an inordinate amount of time to cool the vehicles interior. (southern states...north, south carolinas, georgia, florida, texas..etc)”

   NHTSA complaint #10188047, filed 2007-04, 6,500 miles

   “A/c - blower housing, keeps breaking so passenger side gets hot air, has been repaired every year until 2011. And needs it again this year. Happened so often that Dodge put an extended warranty on the A/C unit, but as soon as that expired, housing broke again. Blinkers- sometimes they come on and others they don't move the tilt or turn and miraculously they come on. Drivers side seat belt will not latch, takes numerous attempts to get it to latch”

   NHTSA complaint #10722764, filed 2015-06, 10,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Diesel fuel line cracks and sprays fuel

   • 7 complaints (3%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2014

   Owners of the 5.9L Cummins describe the number 4 injector line cracking and spraying diesel onto the engine bay, sometimes with a fuel smell, mist visible behind the truck, or the engine stalling. Complaints attribute the cracking to loose line clamps that let the line vibrate, and one owner reports a replacement line failing again within a few thousand miles. Mostly reported between about 45,000 and 90,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect the injector lines and their clamps for cracking, chafing or damp fuel residue, and ask whether any line has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving my 2006 Dodge RAM 3500 5.9 cummins turbo diesel pickup at approximately 60 m. P.h. When I started smelling diesel fuel fumes. I looked in my outside rear view mirrors and could see what appeared to be a mist spraying behind the vehicle. I began to look for a safe place to pull off the road as I was pulling a trailer behind me. Just before I pulled off the road, the check engine light came on. When I stopped, I could see a mist coming from the engine compartment. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10354114, filed 2010-09, 46,700 miles

   “# 4 fuel line on Dodge cummins 5.9 l diesels cracks forcing 5-6 gls. Of fuel in 5 miles onto engine. By me giving the auto dealers parts counter the type of engine (5.9 l diesel) and that it was a fuel line problem he already knew which line it was.”

   NHTSA complaint #10315738, filed 2010-03, 93,000 miles

Buying note. Take a long highway test drive over uneven pavement and bridge joints to check for front-end shake, and test the signals, wipers and HVAC airflow before buying. If records are available, confirm the tie-rod recall work was completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.