Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 257 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Dodge Ram 3500, and it carries 11 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 56 | 22% |
| Air bags | 29 | 11% |
| Exterior lighting | 23 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 6% |
| Visibility | 14 | 5% |
| Power train | 11 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 4% |
| Steering | 7 | 3% |
| Tires | 6 | 2% |
| Suspension | 6 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer stated they we
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SIMI VALLEY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (2350 FIRST ST, SIMI VALLEY, CA 93065)
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WITH THE AIR OR HEATER ACTIVATED DURING WINTER OR DURING RAIN FALL, THE WINDSHIELD BECAME EXTREMELY FOGGY. THE CO
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD FRACTURED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO THE EMBANKMENT THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AN
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A U-TURN, THE STEERING LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER IN EITHER DIRECTION. PERFORMANCE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (
NHTSA complaint: Steering
ON THE NIGHT OF APR 16, 2019 IT SAME LIKE EVERYDAY I WENT HOME FROM WORK BACK UP MY TRUCK IN THE DRIVEWAY TURN OFF AND GOT IN THE HOUSE FORGOT MY IPAD WENT BACK OUT AND GET IT ,BACK IN THE HOUSE WENT TO TAKE THE SHOWER A
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
A POSSIBLE MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT/FRONT SUSPENSION POSSIBLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND CAUSE A FATALITY CRASH. *DT*JB*DT*JB*JB
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2
Risk: 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
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.
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, 2
Risk: 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 rup
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.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Dakota, and 2006 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles manufactured July 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006 with manual transmissions. The return springs in the clutch ignition interlock switch may break.
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.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4,
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 C
| Reliability | 43 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 56 | average |
| Maintenance | 45 | below average |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 79 | good |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 257 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 56 of them (22%). There are 11 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 43/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 56/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 57/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.