2006 Dodge RAM 1500: engine failure

Filed Jul 23, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 110,000 miles · MO

About 2 1/2 years ago I was driving my truck on a state highway travelling around 55 to 60 MPH when the engine suddenly died. Of course my power steering no longer worked but I was able to pull off the road. This was a scary situation that could have turned out very badly. Luckily, I was in a spot where I could pull over. This particular highway doesn't have a lot of shoulder area. I turned the key off and turned it back on and the truck started back up and everything was fine. This happened a couple of more times when I was travelling on the highway at higher speeds and also driving on a city street at lower speeds. I took it to my mechanic and he connected a code reader and based on the codes it was showing he changed both the cam shaft position sensor and the crank shaft position sensor but the engine continued to die while the vehicle was in motion. The last time it happened was on 1/21/2018 on the same state highway except that this time it didn't want to start back up. I had it towed to a different mechanic and he ran compression tests that showed very little compression on one side of the engine and no compression on the other side. He said he wouldn't be able to tell me what was wrong with it until he opened the engine which would cost several hundred dollars and then who knows how much after the problem was determined. I have not had the money to do that so it has been sitting at the mechanic's garage for the past 2 1/2 years. Every other mechanic I talked to said that I should just go ahead and replace the engine, which I cannot afford to do. They said 2006 was one of the worst years for the dodge ram engine. When it died it was 11 years old but had less than 110,000 miles on it.

Filed Aug 19, 2019 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 1500. While driving 30 MPH, the rear wheels seized and the driveshaft detached. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the gears in the crankcase were all tangled and fractured. The mechanic stated that the entire rear end and driveshaft needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Apr 4, 2019 · Steering · 154,645 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized approximately twelve times. The vehicle was taken to john l sullivan dodge chrysler jeep ram (950 harter pkwy, yuba city, ca 95993), but they were unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 154,645.

Filed Aug 21, 2018 · Transmission · 170,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 1500. While driving 10 MPH, the vehicle slowed down and the rear tires seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact engaged the 4-wheel drive in order to move the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and later taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Mar 2, 2018 · Suspension · 90,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 1500. While driving 35 MPH, the front hub and bearing seized. The contact stated that the front wheel fractured and separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to jim brown chrysler jeep dodge ram tampa bay (10909 n florida ave, tampa, fl 33612, (813) 452-5499) to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v038000 (suspension) in 2007 at 10,000 miles. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available. *tt

Filed Oct 3, 2017 · Transmission · 147,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 1500. While driving 35 MPH, the rear of the vehicle seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the pinion gear failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer (ed voyles chrysler dodge jeep ram, 789 cobb pkwy se, marietta, ga 30060) informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v796000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed what the local dealer told the contact. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer (32536277) and was referred to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Sep 7, 2016 · Transmission · 118,000 miles · AK

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 22 MPH, the four wheel drive ability in the rear of the vehicle seized. Only the two front wheels were operational. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the pinion nut detached from the pinion shaft and the rear end had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

Filed May 10, 2016 · Transmission · 188,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was brought to a stop and the rear end seized. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location where it was diagnosed that the entire rear axle assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the approximate failure mileage was 188,000.

Filed Oct 6, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 68,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 68,000. Updated 12/10/15*lj updated 02/02/16*lj updated 03/23/16*lj the consumer requested an update into the investigation. *js

Filed Jun 16, 2015 · Transmission · 174,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 1500. While driving at 35 MPH, the rear wheels seized and the vehicle veered to the right. The contact noticed that the pinion nut fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v474000 (power train); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 174,000. Ma 08/11/15

Filed Sep 12, 2014 · Transmission · 182,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 1500. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the rear of the vehicle seized and the driveshaft fractured. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 182,000.

Filed Dec 9, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 102,000 miles · KS

The bushings are bad in the truck. Cause shaking while breaking, uneven tread wear on tires, and truck never has a good alignment. Also trying to replace them, the bushings are seized to the bolts. Needing a torch or grinder to remove. Very bad design that needs to be noticed and fixed.