2006 Dodge RAM 1500: windshield wiper failure

Filed Feb 5, 2016 · Electrical, Visibility · 65,634 miles · WA

At first the wipers would stop randomly (while driving in a rainstorm) but I would fiddle with the switch and they would normally come back on. In the last week they basically quit working altogether other than a random stroke here or there. I replaced the wiper/signal control switch on the steering column yesterday thinking it must be worn out. To no avail, the wipers are not working and after researching on the internet, I find that it is a very common problem. People are replacing parts, spending money at service centers and not getting the problem solved. I live in the rainy northwest and I can tell you that it is a big safety issue not being able to see in front of you while navigating I-5 at 70mph at some random point during a trip. This problem started over a year ago but was always a momentary thing and would resolve itself, but it is now a permanent problem and I wish I knew what part replacement would resolve it.

Filed Oct 29, 2015 · Visibility · 147,000 miles · CT

In driving rain, and on a major highway, the windshield wipers suddenly stopped working. I had to repeatedly turn them on in order to clear the rain from the windshield. There was a recall for this very defect and for this year vehicle. I called chrysler, but its customer service person, dennis, refused to honor the recall, claiming the VIN wasn't included. He also, magnanimously, offered to "reimburse" for the expense "if the recall is expanded." unacceptable response and obvious, blatant lack of concern for safety, and especially for this vehicle which it knows has this very defect.

Filed Aug 17, 2015 · Brakes, Suspension · 11,135 miles · FL

Suspension/brakes: front end wheel bearing vibration/rubbing noise. Replaced several sets of worn tires after spending $189.00 through firestone for lifetime alignments/tire balance/rotations the constant rubbing vibration noise have not alleviated. Brake rotors warped & replaced because of the issue with the pitman arm & front wheel bearings. Chrysler recall campaigns f05, g02, n62, the federal safety agency campaign 13v528000, 10e040000, 10e013000, 07v038000, 06v038000. Front wheel bearings still noisy, front end vibration still present & alignments constantly necessary. Service bulletins 08-004, 41, & 1900805 related to suspension steering part of this issue. Electrical: ignition key locking up & unable to turn the key to start the vehicle. Had to forcibly turn or wiggle the steering wheel, which is locked, in order to get the key to turn. Numerous occasions had to leave the vehicle & return in the future to attempt to turn the ignition key. Turn signal (service bulletin 08-002-12) flashes & intermittent wipers operate incorrectly. Sudden flashing back & forth of signals has almost caused car crashes on numerous occasions. Intermittent wipers stop suddenly at mid windshield point obstructing view. Both operated from the same left handle. Cruise control surges constantly when engaged. Numerous occasions surged suddenly on a hill or bridge almost causing loss of control. Tachometer shows anywhere from 0 to 250 RPM when stopped & has caused stalling of the engine. Operating the vehicle at speed (55mpm for instance), it only shows 1000rpm. During the period of ownership had to replace 3 batteries. This seems excessive for the age of the vehicle. Therefore, considering all the electrical related issues there must be a defect since all of these problems still exist. Service bulletin 5015 related to electrical systems are also parts of this issue.

Filed Aug 4, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 91,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 1500. When driving over unleveled land, the vehicle veered to the left or right and was extremely difficult to control the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced all four tires but the failure recurred. The contact was also included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 15v313000 (air bags) and was unable to determine when the part would become available to schedule the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000. Updated 11/25/15*lj the consumer stated while driving on the freeway the transmission popped loudly. The electrical system is unreliable. The turn signals, emergency flashers, high beams, and windshield wipers all operate unintentionally. Updated 2/12/16 *js

Filed Jun 3, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 93,300 miles · MD

After owning a dodge 1500 2006 mega cab for 4 years had to replace the multi function switch it stopped working had no wipers high beams or signals. 5 years later have the same thing happen seems like an on going problem with these switches. When the don't work make it a safety issue due to no wipers, signals, or high beams...

Filed Feb 24, 2015 · Electrical · 101,000 miles · IN

When turning on the left turn signal the right one comes on. Also sometimes when activating turn signals the wipers will come on as well as the window wash/spray. To correct the problem I have to hit the steering column and it will correct. I have spoken with other ram owners who have had the same experience.

Filed Mar 22, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 25,000 miles · NY

This first started a few years after I got the truck which I bought new. Occasionally when I would turn on my left turn signal, the right or both would come on. This would also make my windshield wipers not function correctly. Dealer replaced the multi function switch. Same thing happened 3 more times over the next few years. Now its happening again. I have narrowly avoided 2 accidents because of this happening. Next, the heater/AC only works through the defrost vents. In the summer when using AC the windshield starts to freeze on the inside. Causing visibility issues. Also when using heat or AC the tachometer bounces around not reading correctly. All these electrical problems concern me. Just waiting for the truck to catch fire going down the road!! Dodge has not been much of a help. $300 a piece for multi function switch. $800 to fix the heater. And they can't figure our the tachometer. I have sent videos of the tachometer messing up, complained about the milking function switch. But nothing. All these problems definitely affect the safety. Please help. Lots of other people have the same problems.

Filed Sep 2, 2012 · Visibility · 140,000 miles · HI

The windshield wipers just stop working. It would occasionally work at times but it wouldn't correspond to the correct speed. You can put the wipers on the fastest setting and it will only work on the slowest setting or just work intermittently and sometimes not work at all. This seems to be a common problem with other owners of the 2006 dodge ram 1500 and maybe it is a defective control module or defective fuse box.

Filed Feb 23, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 96,000 miles · TX

The turn signal on the vehicle began activating the wrong signal. At times the signal will not work at all. At other times it signals the opposite direction I am attempting to turn. The signal switch also controls my high beams and windshield wipers. Both of these are also affected at times by the problem. I am very concerned anyone of these issues could cause a serious accident.

Filed Jan 7, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 45,000 miles · WA

Turn signals fail to work completely, or right turn signal will activate while using left signal or vise-versa. Headlights will fail while this "multi-function switch" shorts out. No wipers, no turn signals, no lights.

Filed Dec 18, 2011 · Electrical · 58,500 miles · PA

Turn signals and windshield wipers malfunction. If I press down on the turn signal lever, the right turn signal is activated instead of the left. Sometimes no turn signal is activated. Also, my windshield wipers will stop altogether without warning. These events occur at random and are hard for me to diagnose. I would estimate that ninety-five percent of the time, the turn signals and wipers work properly. However I am worried that a future occurrence may cause an accident. Please let me know if there is a known cause, and or fix for this issue.

Filed Dec 1, 2011 · Electrical · 64,000 miles · MT

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle turn signals were activated nd the opposite tail light would flicker. The contact also mentioned that the windshield wipers would not work and when they did, they would only operate on low speed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The VIN was not available and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 64,000.