2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.

Class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 8.3L 10-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
16 combined · 14 city / 20 hwy
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints349 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 82 for similar models — most often about the air bags.
  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 9 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup is a standard pickup truck offered with 4 engines (3.7L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl and 8.3L 10-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 20 highway), 4% worse than the 2006 standard pickup truck average of 16.7 MPG, for an estimated $4,200 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 349 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2006

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 Ram 1500 Pickup — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 Ram 1500 Pickup →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-4%$4,200555
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD3.7L 6-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-4%$4,200555
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD5.7L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-10%$4,450592
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD4.7L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14-16%$4,800635
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD4.7L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14-16%$4,800635
Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD4.7L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive12 / 17 / 14-10%$4,800635
Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD4.7L 8-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14-10%$4,800635
Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD5.7L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14-10%$4,800635
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD FFV4.7L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive11 / 14 / 12-28%$5,600741
Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD FFV4.7L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive11 / 14 / 12-23%$5,600741
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD8.3L 10-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive9 / 14 / 10-40%$8,200889
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD8.3L 10-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive8 / 11 / 9-46%$9,150987
Spend $9,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
16.7 MPG2006 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2006 standard pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup (this car)16 MPGNot rated4
2006 Ford F-15016 MPGNot rated1
2006 Chevrolet Silverado17 MPGNot rated0
2006 Toyota Tundra18 MPGNot rated8
2006 Nissan Titan14 MPGNot rated2
2006 Dodge Dakota Pickup17 MPGNot rated3
2006 GMC Sierra17 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (4)

Safety advisory: 2 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 24, 2016 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 16V352000 · 4,648,270 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Risk
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · May 26, 2015 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 15V313000 · 4,077,169 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch · Dec 16, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V795000 · 54,164 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Broken springs can result in a no-start condition, or cause unintended movement when the ignition is cranked, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix
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. Chrysler's number for this recall is P80.
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly · Nov 6, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V528000 · 706,664 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

349Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
20Involved a crash
6Involved a fire
22Injuries reported
115,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags175
Power Train47
Steering33
Electrical System32
Suspension26
Engine23
Unknown Or Other18
Fuel/Propulsion System16
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/10: 121/03: 121/05: 121/06: 121/08: 121/10: 122/02: 122/03: 122/04: 122/05: 222/08: 122/09: 122/11: 123/01: 123/03: 123/08: 223/12: 224/02: 224/03: 125/07: 125/08: 125/09: 125/10: 126/02: 220/1021/0622/0222/0522/1123/0824/0325/09max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Air Bags — 175 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Power Train — 47 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Steering — 33 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 115,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Ram 1500 Pickup years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2012 Ram 1500 Pickup16–Not rated6618
2011 Ram 1500 Pickup16–Not rated8500
2010 Ram 1500 Pickup16–Not rated9271
2009 Ram 1500 Pickup16–Not rated4360
2008 Ram 1500 Pickup17–Not rated6364
2007 Ram 1500 Pickup16–Not rated4306
2005 Ram 1500 Pickup16–Not rated4816

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Dodge. How we calculate this →