Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed back the contact's home. There were no dealer within a 100 miles so the contact purchased the parts and had repairs done by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer informed that the steering system had been upgraded the manufacturer denied the contact reimbursement since the replacement parts were not manufacturer approved. The contact was unaware that there were four recalls on vehicle since he had just bought the vehicle used nine months earlier. The NHTSA campaigns numbers: 09e001000 (steering), 13V528000 (steering) and two more that had nothing to do with the steering were open related to the VIN. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while at 50 MPH, the passenger's side front tie rod fractured. The contact stated that the vehicle crashed into a ditch. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was the vehicle was repaired. The details of the repairs were unknown. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving approximately 65 MPH, pulling a fifth wheel camper, the vehicle began to sway left and right without warning. The failure recurred on several occasions while pulling the fifth wheel and without pulling anything. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that all four ball joints, the universal joints on the front axle, and the steering gear box assembly were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear box assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The steering gear box assembly was replaced a total of four times, but the failure persisted each time. The manufacturer was notified. …
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) where the dealer declined to service the vehicle due to the part not being under recall. The vehicle was next taken to crown Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (6300 king dr, ventura, ca 93003) and the contact was provided the same information as the first dealer. The contact was also informed that the entire front-end needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number 13V528000 (steering). The contact stated that the recall part was discontinued. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving at 55 MPH, the contact heard a noise and the vehicle veered to the right. In addition, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fan belt and other multiple parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V528000 (steering), 14V795000 (electrical system), and 14V817000 (air bags); however, the parts needed to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. She received recall notice number 09e001000 (steering:linkages), but the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. While driving the steering linkage damper and the tie rod fractured, which caused her to lose vehicle control. Consequently she crashed into a lawn and onto the porch. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for repairs. She was advised by the manufacturer that because she had not the linkage replaced according to the recall, they would not provide any assistance. The current mileage was approximately 84,000. The failure mileage was approximately 83,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving approximately 70 MPH, a popping noise was heard under the vehicle. The vehicle drifted to the right before suddenly veering to the left. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the passenger side tie rod fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 8/6/15 updated 8/10/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving approximately 70 MPH, a popping noise was heard under the vehicle. The vehicle drifted to the right before suddenly veering to the left. The contact was able to stop the vehicle and discovered that the passenger side tie rod fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.
A/C - blower housing, keeps breaking so passenger side gets hot air, has been repaired every year until 2011. And needs it again this year. Happened so often that Dodge put an extended warranty on the A/C unit, but as soon as that expired, housing broke again. Blinkers- sometimes they come on and others they don't move the tilt or turn and miraculously they come on. Drivers side seat belt will not latch, takes numerous attempts to get it to latch
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. While reversing the vehicle, the front passenger side tie rod fractured without warning. The vehicle was not able to be driven and was parked. The vehicle was to be towed to a dealer. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V528000 (steering), 11V350000 (steering), and 10e013000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
Related recalls
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
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, manufactured from February…
Remedy: 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 charge.
NHTSA investigations
Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
RMD opened this audit query (AQ) investigation in order to better understand and evaluate Chrysler's process(es) for timely and efficient execution of its safety recall campaigns, including its oversight and management of its parts division Mopar.Prior to opening this investigation, RMD had raised concerns with the company related to its execution of two safety recalls, 13V-528 and 13V-529, both of which involved…
Steering complaints in other Ram 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Dodge Ram 3500?
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Dodge Ram 3500, 29% of the model year's 258 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-528 (tie rod assembly, Nov 6, 2013); NHTSA recall 11V-350 (tie rod assembly, Jul 6, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.