I have the laramie package which has adjustable pedals as option. There's is a bushing that the brake pedal mounts to the armthis bushing breaks or wears out and causes the pedal to swing left and right. This is a safety issue which causes your foot to slip off pedal as it swings. I have done research and this incident is not isolated to my year model. There are several right ups on this same…
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 brakes problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 15 brakes complaints filed for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Dodge Ram 2500 we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 15.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of this truck identify five distinct brake-system problem areas. The most common complaint is lateral brake pedal movement caused by failing power-pedal bushings—movement can exceed 3 inches side-to-side, forcing foot slippage during braking and potentially onto the accelerator. This defect shows up as early as 50,000 miles, and despite a reported 2009 repair kit from Dodge, replacements sometimes fail identically. Steering column removal is required for repair, and parts have been on national backorder.
Trailer brake and turn signal lights fail intermittently or completely, traced to the TIPM (integrated power module) under the hood; cost around $712 for the computer. Multiple owners report finding thousands of online complaints for this electrical defect, yet no recall has been issued.
ABS problems range from warning lights at low mileage to complete brake failure at highway speed—one owner crashed into trees and a utility pole when brakes failed to respond. A recall (06V038000) exists but parts remained unavailable, and one owner reports the defect persists even after the recall was completed.
Two owners also report brake fluid leaks from corroded lines and rear axle seal failure saturating the brake system with oil, both requiring major repair costs.
Failure modes owners describe
Brake Pedal Bushing Failure / Lateral Pedal Movement
Power adjustable brake pedal bushing breaks or wears out prematurely, causing the pedal to swing left and right (up to 3 inches laterally). The pedal moves during braking application, forcing the driver to concentrate on foot placement and risking the foot slipping off the pedal entirely and potentially striking the accelerator.
When: Reported as early as 50,000 miles; some owners report early occurrence but delayed service due to infrequent driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal swings or moves side-to-side during operation; Foot slips off pedal during braking; Pedal swings left when applying brakes; Lateral pedal movement up to 3 inches or more; Pedal does not feel or look safe
Repairs/costs cited: Requires removal of steering column for repair. Parts reported on national backorder due to widespread failure. Some owners report replacement pedals fail with the same issue. Dodge reportedly issued a repair kit in 2009 for this defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repair kit available as of 2009; owners report dealers unfamiliar with the repair procedure.
Trailer Brake Light and Turn Signal Electrical Failure (TIPM)
Trailer brake lights and turn signals fail intermittently or completely. Dealer indicates the failure stems from a main power box (TIPM—Totally Integrated Power Module) under the hood. Owners report this is a known issue at Dodge dealerships that the manufacturer has not recalled despite widespread complaints.
When: Reported at various mileages; intermittent onset.
Symptoms owners cite: Right turn signal and brake light for trailer stop working; Brake lights on both truck and trailer fail to work; Back left blinker and back left brake lights fail; Lights work intermittently then stop working; Brake lights fail while towing
Repairs/costs cited: Main power box (TIPM) replacement required; costs reported around $712 for the computer module alone. Multiple owners state they found thousands of complaints online for this same electrical issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite known issue. Dealer mechanic acknowledged the defect as an ongoing problem.
ABS Malfunction and Brake Response Issues
ABS system fails to engage properly or engages incorrectly, causing extended stopping distance or brake pedal difficulty. One incident involved complete brake failure at highway speed resulting in crash; another involved ABS engaging but truck rolling forward 10–20 feet before stopping despite recall having been performed.
When: At 9,000 miles (ABS warning light); at 104,000 miles (complete brake failure); unspecified mileage for rolling issue post-recall.
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminates; Brakes become difficult to depress; Complete brake failure at highway speed (45–50 mph); ABS engages but vehicle rolls forward 10–20 feet before stopping; Vehicle fails to slow down when brake pedal depressed
Repairs/costs cited: One high-impact crash (104,000 miles) resulted in complete vehicle destruction; airbag also failed to deploy. Dealer could not determine cause in another incident (9,000 miles). One owner reports recall was performed but issue persists.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign number 06V038000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) issued; parts unavailable for extended periods. Owner reports recall performed but problem continues.
Brake Fluid Leak from Corroded Lines
Brake fluid leaks from rusted or corroded brake lines, resulting in sudden brake failure. Owner reports similar failure and expensive repair on previous vehicle.
When: Unspecified mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes fail without warning; Brake fluid leaking from lines; Vehicle nearly hits parked car when stopping
Repairs/costs cited: Owner cites repair cost of over $2,000 for same issue on previous vehicle (2003 Silverado).
Rear Axle Brake Seal Failure with Oil Saturation
Complete seal failure in rear axle brake system allows brake fluid to saturate disc and rotor with oil, causing slow loss of rear braking power preceded by strange sound from right rear.
When: Unspecified mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Slow loss of rear braking; Strange sound from right rear of truck; Complete seal failure; Brake disc and rotor saturated with oil
Repairs/costs cited: Required total overhaul of entire rear axle braking system.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2006 Dodge Ram 2500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 47,000 and 133,700 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 47,000; a quarter make it past 133,700. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Dodge/Ram 2500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.