2006 Dodge Ram 1500 cruise control problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Of the 5 model years of Dodge Ram 1500 we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 17.
The failure pattern owners describe
This 2006 Ram 1500 has a documented pattern of uncontrolled acceleration across multiple failure modes. Most serious: accelerator pedal becomes physically stuck when floored, trapping the throttle wide open. Owners report flooring the pedal to pass, then being unable to release it—foot removal doesn't help, hand pulling doesn't work, and braking is largely ineffective. Shifting to neutral or shutting off the engine stops it instantly. Several owners replicated this repeatedly and reliably.
Cruise control presents a separate but related hazard: once set, it accelerates past the set speed (30–60 mph creeping to 80–100+ mph) and won't disengage. Strong braking for several miles barely holds the vehicle at 85 mph. One owner could only regain control by shifting to neutral and stopping the engine.
General unintended acceleration also occurs during shifting, parking, or reversing—vehicle lunges or takes off despite foot on brake. When dealers inspect, some find sticky or jammed throttle bodies; others detect codes but can't determine cause. One Dodge case manager dismissed these as non-safety issues in 2010. Engine stalling at speed or idle is also reported. Repair costs when diagnosed typically exceed $1,200 (PCM replacement); many go unrepaired because dealers cannot reproduce or identify the fault on the computer.
Same Dodge Ram 1500 cruise control reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Stuck Throttle / Accelerator Pedal
Accelerator pedal becomes mechanically stuck when floored, preventing driver from releasing throttle. Vehicle continues accelerating uncontrollably; only solution is to shift to neutral or turn ignition off. Multiple owners reported this can be replicated reliably.
When: Across mileage range (36,470 to 145,000 miles); typically during or immediately after hard acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal feels stuck and will not release when floored; Vehicle continues accelerating at full throttle despite foot removal from pedal; Manual pulling on pedal by hand does not release it; Engine shutdown immediately releases pedal; Braking ineffective at stopping rapid acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer at complaint #15 replaced accelerator pedal at no charge. One owner (complaint #10) required PCM replacement at over $1,200. Other dealers could not duplicate or could not determine cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reported Dodge case manager stated (Sept 2010) this was not a safety concern and declined further assistance. Complaint #9 owner received NHTSA campaign 14V795000 (Electrical System) in April 2015 but vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
Cruise Control Runaway
When cruise control is engaged and set, vehicle continues accelerating beyond set speed up to or exceeding 100 mph and does not respond to cruise control buttons or deactivation attempts. Can occur on flat or uphill terrain.
When: At highway speeds (30+ mph and above); complaint #10 specifically during hill climb
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates beyond set cruise control speed (set at 30-60 mph, accelerates to 80-100+ mph); Cruise control will not disengage or decelerate vehicle; Engine RPM climbs dramatically; Strong braking necessary for extended distance (several miles); Vehicle cannot be held below 85 mph even with hard braking
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #10 required PCM (Engine Control Module) replacement at over $1,200 (repair completed 2-22-18). Other dealers ran diagnostics but found no computer codes and could not determine cause, even while experiencing the problem on test drive.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge case manager (Sept 2010) told owner this was not a safety concern and declined assistance. Multiple dealers could not find faults on computer diagnostics despite reproducing the problem during test drives.
Unintended Acceleration (General)
Vehicle accelerates without driver input on accelerator pedal, occurring during normal driving, shifting, or braking. Braking either fails or becomes ineffective. Can occur in forward or reverse.
When: 35,000 to 60,000 miles; various driving scenarios including shifting, parking, and reversing
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates on its own at same speed for 15+ seconds; Lunging forward when foot on brake pedal; Abnormal acceleration when shifting into reverse (to 15 mph+); Vehicle becomes unresponsive to braking; Throttle body found to be sticky or jammed (dealer diagnoses)
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #3 dealer found sticky substance on throttle body; vehicle not repaired. Complaint #8 dealer advised throttle body was jammed; vehicle not repaired. Complaint #6 technician detected diagnostic codes but could not determine cause; vehicle crashed into building.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #6 vehicle was towed to dealer where technician could not determine root cause despite detected codes. Police report filed. No recall or service bulletin mentioned.
Cruise Control Lockup / Unable to Disengage
Cruise control becomes locked in acceleration mode and cannot be disengaged through normal button input. Vehicle maintains high speed (85+ mph) despite brake application.
When: During highway passing maneuver at high speed
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control locks into accelerate mode; Cannot disengage cruise control through normal controls; Strong braking required for several miles; Vehicle speed remains 85+ mph minimum; Transmission may not respond to shift input (attempted neutral shift resulted in spin)
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #7 owner had to shift transmission to neutral (which did not fully engage, causing vehicle to spin) and then shut down engine to reset cruise control computer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented for this complaint.
Electronic Throttle System Warning / Non-Start
Vehicle experiences starting issues or electronic throttle system warning light illuminates. May recur after initial tow with no problem found.
When: At unspecified mileage; complaint #12 occurred 4 months prior to report
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Throttle control warning light illuminates; Problem recurs after initial repair attempt with no diagnosis
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #12 vehicle was towed to repair shop; shop found nothing wrong on first visit; problem returned with warning light illumination.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific manufacturer action documented.
Engine Stalling
Engine stalls randomly during various driving conditions without warning.
When: During high-speed driving, at red lights, and in city driving conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Random stalling while driving at high speeds; Stalling at traffic lights; Stalling during city driving
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 30,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 54,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.