10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 2
Average Mileage:
81,640 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #15

Mar 012019

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 135,000 miles
A possible mechanical malfunction in the front drive shaft/front suspension possibly caused the vehicle to veer into oncoming traffic and cause a fatality crash.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #14

May 172013

Ram 3500

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle lost power. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission pan and cooler line were leaking fluid and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #13

Oct 012015

Ram 3500

  • miles
Takata recall - I am unable to get this recall completed. I have been on a waiting list for over 6 months, and am still being told that the dealer is not being provided with an appropriate number of units to complete the recall. I have called Dodge and was told that this is just how it is. I am understandably worried that in the event of an accident this will cause injury to me. I have now received at least 6 recall letters, but still cannot get the recall completed.

- Herriman, UT, USA

problem #12

Mar 082006

Ram 3500

  • 6,000 miles
Every time I took it to the dealer, they said there was nothing they could do about the problem. The whole front end felt like it was loose. I could hardly keep it on the road. The dealer test drove it the several times I took it there, but they never fixed anything. I tried to fix it myself because it was a hazard. Finally we got a recall on this exact problem, after I called Chrysler for some help, which they told me they would get in touch with the dealer, but the dealer told me they never got any notice. I have a lot of receipts of all the parts I bought trying to fix the problem. But it still isn't right. I have had this truck for 10 years and love it, but am really getting tired of fixing it. Also the computer has never shifted the transmission correctly, but again the dealer could not find any problem. I sure hope you can buy this vehicle back, or fix everything I have tried to get fixed for years on end.

- Howe, TX, USA

problem #11

Jun 012014

Ram 3500

  • 117,064 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact started the ignition and the vehicle lunged forward without warning. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was operable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the gear neutral switch was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 117,064.

- Wisconsin Rapid, WI, USA

problem #10

Jun 072014

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl

  • 106,024 miles
I was driving home started hearing what sounded like grinding and some vibration, I stopped and looked all over under the hood and under the truck and could not find anything, I continued a few miles and the noise disappeared, the next day I left and the noise started up again about 30 miles from home on the freeway, I was doing about 70 mph, , when I pulled off to side of the highway, the noise disappeared before I stopped to look it over again, I turned around and went home and heard nothing at all, got under the truck and didn't see nothing, the next day it happened again doing about 55mph, this time it was getting load, I made it back home, looked over and between the left front wheel and noticed something wrong with the front driveshaft, when I got under the truck, I noticed the front shaft coming out of the front differential didn't look right, I looked closer and found that the front yoke coming out of the differential has a round ring rock guard from what I have been told is pressed onto the yoke shaft to protect the seal, and it has weights on it also to balance the shaft, the ring or rock guard has come loose and was spinning on the shaft causing damage to the differential housing and to the oil seal, it did some pretty good grinding damage to the housing, I have taken it to a driveshaft repair place, they said the will need to rebuild the front differential to check for other damage to the bearings and so, as it looks now the mechanic says he doesn't know if he can save the differential housing with all the damage, as for now I cant afford to fix it, the rng or rock guard for now is getting held back from the housing with electrical tape, I know it sounds bad but currently being cut from my job with no income, I have no other choice but to drive it the way it is, it is my only means of transportation.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #9

Aug 012012

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 125,000 miles
While at a complete stop, with foot on the brake, there was tremendous amount of power being transferred through the transmission to make the truck surge forward. I had to put both feet on the brake pedal and pull on the steering wheel to stop the vehicle. At one point, sitting at a four way intersection I released the brake pedal and I immediately slid sideways uncontrollably across the intersection. Thankfully there were no other vehicles at the intersection otherwise there would have been a guaranteed collision. Every stoplight or stop sign was like a hole shot with a transbrake.

- Tustin, MI, USA

problem #8

Oct 012013

Ram 3500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • 80,000 miles
Clutch start switch broke allowing starter to engage without clutch petal depressed....updated 01/07/ 15 the clutch master cylinder was replaced. Updated 01/20/15

- Carrollton, VA, USA

problem #7

Mar 242014

Ram 3500

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, a loud bang was heard from outside of the vehicle. The vehicle continued to accelerate until after several attempts to apply the brakes. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who stated that the transfer case had detached from the transmission which caused excessive internal damages. In addition, the brake and fuel lines both ruptured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Coal City , IL, USA

problem #6

Aug 252013

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 140,000 miles
A young child was able to enter the vehicle and start the ignition without the clutch depressed. The vehicle then moved forward striking another child and resulted in a fatality. The clutch interlock safety switch had not been tampered with and was in its original condition but did not function properly. The vehicle started without the clutch depressed. The switch has been tested and found to be defective....updated 01/07/15

- Tyler, TX, USA

problem #5

Aug 042013

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated the ignition key was turned without the clutch engaged and the vehicle began to roll on its own due to the faulty clutch safety switch. The failure recurred on separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 09-26-13

- Curtice, OH, USA

problem #4

Jun 202013

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 75,500 miles
I came to a stop light and the transmission raised the engine RPM and shook the vehicle. I had to put the transmission in neutral to keep from surging forward. It also surges in reverse as well, which is even more dangerous because I have to go in reverse and then to neutral to keep from surging backwards. There are no engine or transmission computer code read outs.

- Fort Valley, GA, USA

problem #3

Jul 052012

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 48,500 miles
Runaway acceleration first time on onramp, hit cruise resume, once the speed hit setpoint - throttle went wide open. Second time 7/5/2012 - not on cruise, doing about 65-70 on highway, passing - then throttle went wide open to 90 in next 3-4 seconds. To stop it - shifted to neutral, engine revved to 3500, pulled over and shut down the engine, waited a minute, restarted, then vehicle immediately returned to redline. Shut down, 5 minutes, on restart, got normal idle ~700rpm. Took to Dodge dealer hw hunter in lancaster California on July 9. they kept the vehicle all of the 9th, 10th and half of the 11th. Their ran diagnostics for 2 1/2 days to duplicate. They said they could do nothing else (ran all possible tests). Drove to Alaska from California without incident. Now happened again. 7/24/12 in Alaska to stop, [xxx] left car in gear and turned off the engine) and slowed with the brakes (eilson afb) after 1 minute off - restart and redlined. After 5 minutes off, restarted and got normal operation. This is ridiculously dangerous, and there are numerous posts on forums with others experiencing the same problem www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/2006-2500-diesel-speed-runaway-T288211.html www.cumminsforum.com/forum/3rd-gen-non-powertrain/403179-2006-5-9-wants-run-away-throttle.html. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Leona Valley, CA, USA

problem #2

Apr 172012

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 66,510 miles
While starting my vehicle I pushed on the clutch and the pedal went to the floor. Upon inspection it was found that the rod connected to the hydraulic clutch diaphragm broke apart. The plastic pieces were discolored and brittle. I believe the clutch fluid started leaking past the diaphragm and came in contact with the plastic clip that connects the rod to the diaphragm. Because this plastic clip is not compatible with the brake fluid it became brittle and failed. The vehicle was taken to local Dodge dealer for inspection and quote for repair. Unit was not under warranty and I filed a complaint with a Dodge service consumer representative. Dodge covered the repairs except the first $100. I am thankful this part failed in the parking lot and not moments later when I would have been engulfed in rush hour traffic. If this part failed while driving, braking distance would have dramatically increased which could have caused an accident leading to injury or possibly a fatality. Essentially, this failure in safety quality by Chrysler corporation could have led to disastrous consequences had it not simply been for luck.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #1

Nov 012006

Ram 3500

  • miles
2006 Dodge 3500 with shutter launch and turbo making loud noise. Consumer stated the mechanic replaced the angle on the driveshaft. The turbo charger was making a loud noise. The vehicle also shook real bad when it had a load. The consumer stated the vibration was no longer constant.

- Red Bud, IL, USA