Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that the transfer case was making abnormal shifting sounds while the vehicle was parked. The contact stated that the transfer case was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was parked while he was working in the garage. The contact stated that he heard a clicking sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle started rolling backwards towards the street. The contact stated that he immediately entered the vehicle and engaged the electronic parking brake, and the vehicle stopped. The contact also stated that the vehicle hesitated to shift into the proper gear while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in TSB Number: 18-091-22. …
The pickup has had issue with being very difficult to come out of park. Upon searching internet is seems this is very common and expensive to fix being one of two (or both) things. The shift cable linkage and bushings premature wear, or the valve body release allowing the shifter to be removed from park. Either way concern is this will fail causing inability to shift safely into park and prevent an accident. Extremely unsafe. I have been advised this was already corrected by qualified dealer, but no change. Vehicle has just under 93,000 miles on it and only highway
When shifting my truck into park it hangs up and the indicator either reads park or nothing but the vehicle will not start due to still being engaged in gear. I t is also difficult to get out of park when it does go in. I spoke to my dealer about it and he said it was common and a valve in the transmission needed replaced since my warranty was out due to mileage it would run around $600. I did not see it as that big of a problem so I did not have it repaired. I left my truck running at a gas station one morning which I rarely do and while I was inside paying for a cup of coffee my truck took off in reverse and crashed into a utility poll. Us 287 was right behind the poll with very busy traffic. Also the fuel pumps were on the other side. I know several other people with the same model truck and the same sticky valve. I will never leave my truck idling or without the brake set. …
I was driving on I-75 @70mph, a loud bang happened, truck shut off, I guided it off the road. I had wires hanging I looked further and seen the front drive shaft blew apart. My mechanic said it had locked up. The transfer case, transmission, floor board of the truck was also all damaged. Also said I was lucky that the truck did not cause a serious accident. This truck is a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 hd. Well taken care of. No given reason why this happened. My mechanic said he has seen this many times in the Dodge trucks that the front drive shaft blows apart. Total damages will be the cost of $8,000-$10,000
Column shifter lever had been difficult to move for months from p (park) to any other gear (r, d, 1-2-3). The shifting mechanism broke today after I started the engine (truck had been parked overnight in my home's driveway) when I tried to move the shifter from park to reverse to exit the driveway and drive vehicle elsewhere. Shifter will not engage transmission into any gear now; truck is not drivable. Required an oversize rollback tow truck to come get it and take it to a repair shop since my pickup has a long bed.
I stopped by the house to pick up an umbrella and a few other personal items before going to meet my returning husband from iraq. I pulled into the driveway up to the garage and left our 2005 Dodge pickup running in park. I ran inside through the garage door and was inside approximately 4-5 minutes. The vehicle jumped from park, skipped reverse and neutral and went into drive all by itself. It ran in to our kitchen wall and did a large amount of damage. Both the home and the vehicle were damaged.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500. When pulling into the driveway, the transmission failed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Upon parking my truck, putting the vehicle in park, and exiting, I then noticed a loud clank sound and then the truck started rolling back. It was stopped by a curb. It seemed to pop out of gear. This is the second time this has happened.
I rarely use my four-wheel-drive on my 2006 Dodge Ram cummings diesel mega cab not sure exactly when it starts to happen but it was somewhere under 30,000 miles I noticed a small rattling sound underneath my truck I tried to find and locate it myself. So I went on to some forms and checked with people to see if they knew what that rattling sound could be. They all said the same thing that the u joints were giving out some as little as 15,000 miles so I checked my you joints ensure and off my you joints were wearing out I'm both sides on the front wheel steer wheels on my 4 x 4 this seems to be a common problem with the cummins diesels and especially with the Dodge mega cabs seems to be a common problem with the 2006 Dodge Ram I would appreciate it if you would check the Dodge forms in see for yourself this is a big problem in Dodge refuses to do anything about it to cover their mistakes …
Wow another trip to the transmission place.... This is beginning to get ridiculous. We are at the transmission place again. The hesitation while in motion to get into traffic or while at a stop light we are literally shoving our foot through the floor board while the truck is trying to determine whether or not it wants to shift1-2. We lhad to limp home from a road trip and take it back to our transmission place we had just rebuilt it 8 months ago for the same reason we took it to him in the first place. We know for a fact what parts were used to rebuild the tranny, and we should have any problems, only for them to say oh when you have changed out your batteries or such the electrical could also mess with the governor or the solenoid. Well let's just say we have not changed batteries nor have we towed anything in the last 16 months. Dodge needs to help fix this problem. …
Transmission complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500, 6% of the model year's 670 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500, though it has 6 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 2500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.