10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
97,212 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Dodge Ram 1500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #20

May 072015

Ram 1500

  • 117,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While traveling on us 290 West toward austin, tx, my rear axle locked without warning. There was no indication of any issue prior to the lock. No sound or vibration occurred prior to the incident. The rear wheels locked and the drive shaft dropped. I was able to control the truck and slide onto the shoulder. The only reason that I was at such a low speed was that I was about to pull over. Had this occurred 5 minutes prior or after I resumed travel, I would have been at 75 mph as that is the speed limit on that particular stretch of roadway. This could have been a very serious accident had it happened in city traffic or at a higher speed. The vehicle is not repaired. Your Agency may examine it to assist in your ongoing investigation: PE14019

- Pflugerville, TX, USA

problem #19

May 072015

Ram 1500

  • 142,000 miles
Approx. In 2012 I filed a complaint that the rear pinion gear had snapped on my truck. The dealership recommended installing a new / used rear end. I had the used rear end installed. On 5-7-2015 while on the highway the axle on the rear end abruptly broke. This occurred at approx. 60 mph. Almost causing a catastrophe. The wheel broke away as well as the brake caliper, thus loosing my brakes. As a result damage to the body also occurred. As I said I did file a previous complaint but was told that even though there is a recall on the rear ends on some of these models mine was not one. I paid the $2,500 or so to have that resolved. I feel this shouldn't have ever happened as this vehicle let alone twice. As of now my vehicle is awaiting a inspection from the dealership as well as insurance.

- Monroe, CT, USA

problem #18

Feb 172014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles
Turning left or right and sometimes backing up, the truck constantly squeaks. I had the hubs replaced recently as the mechanic said that was the problem but it wasn't. I don't want something to fall out from under the truck or lock up. I was at at local lowe's recently and a woman was backing her Dodge truck to load lumber and it was making the same noises as mine.

- Chesterfield, SC, USA

problem #17

Jan 172015

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The rear drive shaft fall out of the truck while I was driving. I was going about 45-50 and it just fell out. A part like that could not fall out of a truck. I bought the truck in April of 2014. Need assistance in getting this matter resolved.

- Monroe , LA, USA

problem #16

May 282014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 83,500 miles
Rear axle pinion nut came out causing the drive shaft to fall out and the rear differential to freeze up. This happened with no noise or notice while driving at 65 mph on the interstate.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #15

Sep 032014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
Back rear driveline just fell off driving at around 30 mph. Leaking seals were also found. Truck completely froze, right off the freeway exit and almost caused accidents that could have been fatal. Truck would not move until it was towed.. apparently there is a recall for 2005,2009-2011 years for this problem, but not 2006.. I'm wondering how that happened? costs were $2860.69 to fix. The consumer stated the rear differential locked up on his vehicle, twice. Updated 10/28/15.

- Sandy , UT, USA

problem #14

Dec 122014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 156,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was traveling at approximately 60 mph when the rear axle of my 2006 Ram 1500 locked up causing the vehicle to go into a skid, then released. After disassembling the rear axle, it was determined that the pinion nut had backed off causing the pinion bearings to fail and the pinion shaft to twist and fail due to the excessive movement of the pinion.

- Boonville, NY, USA

problem #13

May 032014

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
I was driving in West hartford, ct, at ~3:00 pm, on the interstate ramp, from Park Avenue to I-84 eastbound, when my Dodge Ram skidded to a stop, in the travel lane. At the time, my foot was on the accelerator, as I was accelerating up to speed. I immediately put on my hazard flashers, put the vehicle in park, grabbed my phone, and got out of the vehicle, since it was in the travel lane, and was at risk of being hit. Once I got clear of the vehicle, in the shoulder, I looked under the vehicle, and the back end of the driveshaft was laying on the pavement (it had become disconnected from the rear axle). I called 911 to request police assistance. When the police officer arrived, he couldn't even push the Dodge Ram off to the shoulder, because the rear axle would not turn. The officer set up flares and warning devices, and called a tow truck. When the tow truck arrived, even the tow rig had trouble getting the truck onto it's bed due to the rear wheels not turning. The Dodge Ram was towed to a garage. The mechanic has told me that the nut holding the pinion to the drive shaft came loose, allowing the pinion to slip into the rear differential, and jaming the differential, which locked up the rear wheels, even thought my foot was not on the brakes at the time. This incident is very serious. If a tractor trailer or any other vehicle had been immediately behind me when the Dodge Ram's rear axle locked up, I would have been rear-ended, causing an accident, injury, and possibly fatality. If my son was with me, he would have also been hurt. I had just left a wedding, and was driving to the reception, when this happened. The only reason my son was not with me, was because he asked to ride with his grandfather when we left the church...updated 06/25/14 updated 06/30/2014..updated 01/07/15

- Paoli, PA, USA

problem #12

Dec 152008

Ram 1500

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the pinion nut became loose, cusing a leak from the rear pinion area. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 13V038000 (power train) but did not confirm if the vehicle was included in the recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed that the axle pinion nuts were loose. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #11

Mar 202013

Ram 1500

  • 33,000 miles
Winding noise at low speed also have problem with head light it don't turn on (driver side ) directional door for A/C heather broken.

- Westminster, CA, USA

problem #10

Nov 152013

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 76,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the four wheel drive service warning light illuminated. The contact stated that as she attempted a turn, the vehicle independently engaged into four wheel drive high and caused the engine to operate roughly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the four wheel drive selector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000...updated 04-22-14 the consumer the problem seemed to be common, as his VIN was included in a tsb from 2007. The consumer didn't understand why he had to pay $350 to update the problem via Dodge's software/computer module program. Updated 04/23/14

- Cape Canaveral, FL, USA

problem #9

Dec 122012

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Vehicle has a delayed engagement after sitting for an extended period of time. Particularly happens in colder weather. Delayed engagement will also make transmission start off in higher gear. Will take roughly 30 seconds to engage into gear. Issue is sporadic therefore local Dodge garage has failed to diagnose problem. Dodge has had many tsa notices concerning this same delayed engagement but still neglects to take responsibility for their flaw. After speaking to multiple transmission shops I have been made aware that the 2006 Ram transmission pump is faulty and even the manager at the local Dodge garage verified that Dodge has replaced the pump with a different model because of the delayed engagement but yet they still are not replacing the faulty pumps that are currently in the vehicle they sold.

- Uniontown, PA, USA

problem #8

May 142011

Ram 1500

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle would not accelerate and the steering suddenly malfunctioned. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and crashed into a tree. No injuries were reported and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired. The contact was not aware of the exact repairs made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 94,000.

- Clinton, MD, USA

problem #7

Sep 302013

Ram 1500

  • 79,015 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle came to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the dealer had to repair the entire rear differential and pinion. The contact did not call the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 79,015.

- Fenton, MO, USA

problem #6

Mar 062009

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 19,969 miles
The rear differential/pinion seal assembly has gone out 7+ times since March of 2009. It has chattered, hummed, it has leaked and whined.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #5

Aug 182009

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
This is the tenth time my truck has stalled out since I have owned it. There is no warning, errors or codes. It has taken place while driving, turning at low speeds and while stopped. Most recently was today in which I was almost rear ended and a victim of road rage by the other driver. The truck does start again, but it takes a few minutes. The truck will then run fine for a while and then it occurs again. Weather and road conditions do not have a factor in this. II have noticed that this is a common problem with many Dodge owners. This is a severe safety issue. I have been to the dealer and they have found no issues. All of the maintenance is up to date and beyond. I have all documents to prove the above mentioned. Dodge has replied by stating that the vehicle is out of warranty. There has to be an answer to this. This is a life safety issue. Please look into this.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #4

Jul 252012

Ram 1500

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, he heard a loud bang noise coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the rear differential locked up causing it to fracture. As a result, the rear differential needed to be replaced. The contact stated there was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V474000 (power train: Driveline: Differential) that may be related to the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Monroe, CT, USA

problem #3

Feb 022009

Ram 1500

  • 40,000 miles
The problem started in 2009. Went to drive the truck and could not get the truck to drive over 20 mph. Was able to get it to a dealer close by and had to have the throttle body positioning sensor replaced. Since that date I have had to have this same sensor changed 8 more times. Each time the private mechanic talks to Chrysler and they recognize there is a faulty problem with this part and will not recall the item. When this sensor goes out it will not let you drive more than about 20mph. Also had to replace the accelerated pedal positioning sensor 4 times. Blinker problems noted by many other consumers I have also had. Where you turn on the left blinker and the right blinker comes on. As well as the A/C problem many consumers have mentioned the door breaks and then all you have is outside air coming in. My mechanic has tried to get replacement parts from Chrysler to repair the problem and Chrysler does not sell this part (please explain to me how they can make the vehicle and not sell the part to repair it when it breaks knowing it breaks often). Tie rods have also been a problem with my truck. No matter how tight they are they continue to come loose even after being replaced and then the truck will shake. My main concern at this point is it intermittently will die while driving down the highway. It will start right back up but will die again and then it wont duplicate the problem for 2 or 3 days and then will do it again. Have not been able to diagnose this problem yet. If anyone knows any suggestions to look at please advise.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #2

Oct 152011

Ram 1500

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact was driving 25 mph uphill when the transfer case gear erroneously shifted into neutral, causing the vehicle to decelerate independently. The vehicle could not be shifted into any gear and was towed to the contacts residence. The contact made repairs to the vehicle by installing a new mechanism. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.

- Kalispell, MT, USA

problem #1

Apr 272006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles
Vibration on acceleration worse with trailer attached. Truck has been to dealer 12-13 times for problem. They have replaced harmonic balancer, complete driveshaft,8 different center carriers shim and bracket, and I don't know what else. The service manager made the mistake of telling me it is what it is. That's a whole other story. A Chrysler case rep called me personally and told me to send in the lemon card. After doing so three weeks passed at this time I called Chrysler and they stated that the case worker no longer worked there. I am now in the process of taking them to court. I will never buy another Dodge in my lifetime!!! 2006 mega cab

- Lake Villa, IL, USA

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