Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
At first the wipers would stop randomly (while driving in a rainstorm) but I would fiddle with the switch and they would normally come back on. In the last week they basically quit working altogether other than a random stroke here or there. I replaced the wiper/signal control switch on the steering column yesterday thinking it must be worn out. To no avail, the wipers are not working and after researching on the internet, I find that it is a very common problem. People are replacing parts, spending money at service centers and not getting the problem solved. I live in the rainy northwest and I can tell you that it is a big safety issue not being able to see in front of you while navigating I-5 at 70mph at some random point during a trip. …
Dodge is aware of this issue. They have updated the part and there are many customer paid repairs. The control box for the heating and A/C system is defective and breaks at the blend door. When this happens, the blend door no longer works and it disables the defroster and A/C. On cool or cold days, the windshield can suddenly fog up and there is no way to clear the view as air does not blow in that direction. On hot days, the system can not push air out enough to keep the driver from excessive heat. The part number is 68004226ac. This part has been supersession chain of about 4 other numbers as Dodge corrected design flaws over the years. I would also note that because this involved A/C and heating, many people do not notify NHTSA of the concern, but it is very well documented and known. It is a very common problem that causes driving issues without being reported.
In driving rain, and on a major highway, the windshield wipers suddenly stopped working. I had to repeatedly turn them on in order to clear the rain from the windshield. There was a recall for this very defect and for this year vehicle. I called Chrysler, but its customer service person, dennis, refused to honor the recall, claiming the VIN wasn't included. He also, magnanimously, offered to "reimburse" for the expense "if the recall is expanded." unacceptable response and obvious, blatant lack of concern for safety, and especially for this vehicle which it knows has this very defect.
After owning a Dodge 1500 2006 mega cab for 4 years had to replace the multi function switch it stopped working had no wipers high beams or signals. 5 years later have the same thing happen seems like an on going problem with these switches. When the don't work make it a safety issue due to no wipers, signals, or high beams...
Defrost won't work. Heat works on floor and vents. I understand from on line forums that this is an on going problem with these trucks. I feel this is a safety issue and this need recall. Someone is going to get hurt or killed some day because of this.
There has be a number of occasions this has happened about probably 100 times but paid not much attention until this winter. The turn signal level is also used to turn on the wipers on the vehicle. The problem arises when the vehicle lights are turned on, the wipers are on, and the turn signal are turned on. For no reason the turn signal from the opposite side of the vehicle is the one that operates. Normally when you are turning to the right the turn signal does not turn on and the left side signal turn on. In order to alleviate this problem I have to turn the wipers off completely. This causes a problem because this impairs visibility an also is giving other drivers the wrong signals. …
This first started a few years after I got the truck which I bought new. Occasionally when I would turn on my left turn signal, the right or both would come on. This would also make my windshield wipers not function correctly. Dealer replaced the multi function switch. Same thing happened 3 more times over the next few years. Now its happening again. I have narrowly avoided 2 accidents because of this happening. Next, the heater/ac only works through the defrost vents. In the summer when using ac the windshield starts to freeze on the inside. Causing visibility issues. Also when using heat or ac the tachometer bounces around not reading correctly. All these electrical problems concern me. Just waiting for the truck to catch fire going down the road!! Dodge has not been much of a help. $300 a piece for multi function switch. $800 to fix the heater. …
The vehicle is a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab. While driving on a freeway at the posted speed limit of 70 MPH the windshield became fogged unexpectedly and wood not clear. No air would exit the defroster vents and the system was stuck in the vent mode. The result was a near high speed collision as I was not able to see the highway. This has happened 4 times this season and the local Dodge dealer states that Dodge is aware of the problem indicating that the system will require a new housing and heating door. The estimate for the repair is between $800 and $1000. I have spent $85 to have the problem looked at and estimated. At this time the vehicle has no floor heat, and the defroster works only intermittently and compromises visibility in certain weather conditions. …
The recirculation door broke for the heater and air conditioning. This problem causes a low flow rate because the door blocks the fan opening, which leads to fogged windows and snow buildup on the windshield. Dodge is aware of the problem and has reengineering the door assembly, but is not fixing vehicles with the problem if the vehicle is out of warranty, instead they are charging customers for the parts and labor to fix the problem. This is an obvious defect, but Dodge is not repairing vehicles with the problem, instead they are charging customers for their mistake. My truck is a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 with only 35,000+ miles on it, but outside of Dodge's 3 yr or 36,000 mile warranty. Please make them recall this issue. Google "2006 Dodge Ram 1500 recirculation door" and you will see how many people have had this same problem.
Currently my Dodge Ram 1500 is having a problem with the multifunction turn signal. If you try to signal a turn the wrong blinker comes on, if you try to turn your high beams on or off the washer fluid comes on, if you try to turn the windshield wipers on they rarely work often getting stuck in the intermittent phase. I first found this problem when my windshield wipers would not come on in a flash thunderstorm while I was traveling on a highway at 65 MPH. This is going to cause an accident, if you look there are too many people having this same problem for Dodge to ignore it. If an accident occurs I will be taking any legal actions I can to make Dodge liable, I just hope that nobody is hurt or killed before it is too late.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500, 6% of the model year's 792 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.