Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 133,000. The contact discovered that the mileage was 209,000 from an independent mechanic. The contact reported the issue to the local authorities.
Headlights- the passenger side headlight would come on then go off whenever it wants to and now the low beam does not work. I have tested the connection and replaced the bulb several times and still does not work. When driving at night it makes it difficult to see. And is also against the law to not having working headlights. Trailer lights- the drivers side brake light/blinker on any trailer that's hooked to my truck does not work. I have taken it the a local shop (street dynamics which is out of business now) several times over the last 5 years to see if they can fix the issue. The fix was to put a jumper wire from the truck brake light to the trailer connector. I still do not have a blinker on the driver side of the trailer. Windshield wipers- the windshield wipers will come on and off whenever they want. …
The TIPM module is bad. This part controls quite a bit of electrical current to various areas of the vehicle. It stalls when stopped at a traffic light, it is not sending the brake light information to an attached trailer (left side only), gauges inside the vehicle have stopped working (to name a few of the items being affected by this control). This part can be inspected as it is currently still on the vehicle. Safety is a concern due to either not being able to move out of the roadway, and also when pulling a trailer as no one will see turn signals or brake lights on the tow vehicle as the power isn't going to the trailer lights. I was informed of the malfunction at a trailer dealership. The problems have been getting worse over the last 4 years of ownership of this vehicle. The check engine light is currently on, even though what the computer read out gave has now been repaired. …
Multiple repairs to the front end suspension of the vehicle, to the point that we are now paying for the repairs and the dealership denying they replaced the most recent track bar on the truck and blame the tires on the truck. I am really tired of running off into a ditch after hitting a bump in the road or steer to miss a pothole. Just fix the truck correctly and stop making excuses telling us it is our tires when it is a 4x4 and they cannot put more sturdy parts on the front end or take blame for the steering shaft and gear box when these have been recalled under the death wobble. Hub assembly had to be replaced on this truck as well. Trying to turn the vehicle into a parking spot and constantly having to back into a space. This death wobble has gone too far. As far as the electrical they cannot find why the dashboard keeps flickering and we keep blowing fuses or bulbs. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500. Another vehicle cut in front of the contact's vehicle causing the contact to lose control and veer off the road. As a result, the contact crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the parts were not available for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V817000 (air bags) and 14V795000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000. Updated 6/8/15
Recurrent electrical issues, that do not involve blown fuses or bulbs. Engine diagnostic codes have indicated TIPM problems and I have had to "erase codes" to restore functionality. Then 2-3 months later recurrent problems, abnormal codes and erasure restores function. Code description indicates that the TIPM will only allow 6 or 8 resets ( do not recall exact number) before TIPM will 'lock up' and need to be replaced. Description of episodes: > recurrent malfunction of instrument lights. Suddenly all dash lights and tail lights shut off, yet brake lights, headlights and hazard lights remain on. However, fog lights cannot be turned off, even after headlights off. The dash lights then flashed 4 times, remained out 2-3 mins then flashed 4 times. In addition to the lighting problems, the vehicle began misfiring and eventually stalled. Would not restart. …
Upon restarting my 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel, my ABS light and parking brake light came on after driving a few short moments ,I also noticed that speedometer indicator was not working but the vehicle RPM indicator was. Causing myself some concern I checked my brakes and noticed I had a hard brake pedal when applied but was still able to stop. I contacted my local dealership and took my vehicle in for service for this issue and recall notice concerning the drivers air bag inflator. I was contacted back by my service adviser, asking for approval for additional two hours of diagnoses time due to the fact his mechanic could not find the problem.I was notified at end of the day that the issue was found to be faulty power distribution center, output failed for circuit f202 unable to recover TIPM thru reconfiguration. …
I was driving down the road and the engine started dying then taking back off, then all of a sudden the speed odometer dropped to zero wouldnt come back up while I was still moving, then the ABS light the check enging light and the brake light and washer fluid light all came on and I lost power to the tail lights head lights and the windows started rooling up and down by them selves. When I got home and turned off the truck I called the dealer and they said that it was the TIPM and it would have to be replaced. They said the trailer I was pulling must of had a short and thats what caused it. I told them that I wasnt pulling a trailer and they called me a liar and hung up on me the windows continued to roll up and down untill the batt was disconnected. The next morning I then hooked the battery back up and it all worked fine. …
Both low beam headlights are inoperative. I have a daytime running light module that I installed in 2007 which still operates both low beams at a reduced power, so the bulbs are both good. Both high beams are operational. I noticed that when I had the light switch in the on position on 3/26/17 after dark and turned off the engine with the headlight switch still on, that the low beams we're not on, but the other lights were on. The daytime running light module only powers the low beams when the ignition is in the on position. In researching this issue online, I found that this is a common problem with the 2006 model since it has a TIPM which controls the light and other functions. The TIPM does not have replaceable relays or resetting circuit breakers for the headlights which allow the quick and easy repair or automatic reset of the headlights. …
The truck will not power the left stop lamp or signal lamp on any of my trailers; however, the left signal and stop lamp on the truck work perfectly. Dodge dealer indicated that the problem was in the truck's TIPM which does not have a fuse for that portion of the trailer's lighting and burned out internally. Dealership indicated that the only way to repair is to replace the TIPM which costs $1026.00. Dealership also indicated that this is a major problem on this vehicle which they have seen before. There is nothing to indicate that the trailer lamps aren't working except to physically observe them. This TIPM also controls numerous other things in the truck and info from the dealership and internet searches indicate there are many serious problems occurring due to them malfunctioning. These are defective units that should be recalled. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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.
Remedy: 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 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA investigations
Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
On December 16, 2104, Chrysler Group LLC submitted a Safety Recall Report to NHTSA describing a defect in the clutch ignition interlock switches in approximately 66,819 model year (MY) 2006 through early-2007 Dodge Ram Trucks, Dodge Dakota, and Mitsubishi Raider vehicles equipped with manual transmissions and built between July 1, 2005 and July 31, 2006 (NHTSA Recall No. 14V-795, Chrysler Recall No.
Electrical complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 131 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500, 20% of the model year's 670 complaints. The component named most often is integrated trailer brake control (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-795 (switch, Dec 16, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.