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2006 Dodge Ram 3500 airbags problems

severe Owners of the 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 have filed 30 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →

Complaints
30
Recalls
2
Avg fix
$1,100
airbags complaints on the Dodge Ram 3500, by model year
Model yearairbags complaints
2005 Ram 3500 31
2006 Ram 3500 (this page) 30
2007 Ram 3500 29
2008 Ram 3500 15
2009 Ram 3500 11
2010 Ram 3500 3
4crashes
5injuries
What stands out

All 2 active airbags recalls on this vehicle are classified critical — based on documented crash, fire, or fatality outcomes in NHTSA's record.

Among the 6 model years of Dodge Ram 3500 in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.

Related recalls

critical NHTSA 15V313000 May 27, 2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
critical NHTSA 16V352000 May 24, 2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

The failure pattern owners describe

The vast majority of complaints—roughly 20 of 30—concern the Takata airbag recall (Campaigns 15V313000 and 16V352000). Owners received recall notices but dealers had no parts in stock for months or longer. Dealers could not give completion dates, and Dodge either would not or could not commit to when parts would ship. One owner showed up at 7 a.m. for a scheduled recall appointment only to be told parts were unavailable; another waited over a month for an appointment slot and then faced another month-long wait for parts. Owners reported dealers were allocated as few as two vehicle's worth of parts at a time.

On the functional side, one owner reported an airbag sensor warning light and chime appearing after having the driver-side airbag replaced at 150,000 miles; the dealer could not reproduce the fault. Two owners alleged their airbags failed to deploy in frontal crashes—one at 37 mph into trees (head injury, vehicle totaled), another in a head-on collision. A fourth owner reported both airbags deploying during a low-speed rear impact while the truck was parked, shattering the rear window. No injuries occurred in that rear-impact event.

Same Dodge Ram 3500 airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009

Failure modes owners describe

Takata Recall Parts Unavailability (Campaigns 15V313000 and 16V352000)

Owners received NHTSA recall notices for Takata airbags but dealers could not obtain parts to complete the repair. Manufacturer stated no restrictions on parts supply to dealers, yet parts remained unavailable for extended periods with no estimated availability dates provided. This affected multiple owners attempting to schedule recall service.

When: 2015–2017, several months to over one year after recall notices issued

Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received but parts unavailable at dealer; Dealer unable to provide completion date; Manufacturer unable or unwilling to provide estimated availability; Month-long or longer waits for parts; Limited parts allocation to dealers (two vehicles at a time reported)

Codes mentioned: NHTSA 15V313000, NHTSA 16V352000

Repairs/costs cited: Recall repair could not be performed due to parts shortage. No repair costs cited because work was never completed.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaigns 15V313000 and 16V352000 (Takata airbag recalls). Manufacturer claimed no restrictions on parts supply but did not fulfill timely delivery.

Airbag Sensor Fault After Driver-Side Airbag Replacement

After having the driver-side airbag replaced, the airbag sensor warning light illuminated and an audible chime sounded. Dealer was unable to reproduce or diagnose the fault. Issue occurred at 150,000 miles.

When: 150,000 miles; failure occurred after driver-side airbag replacement

Symptoms owners cite: Airbag sensor warning light illuminated; Audible chime sounded; Dealer unable to duplicate the failure

Codes mentioned: Airbag sensor fault (specific code not provided)

Repairs/costs cited: Repair status unclear; dealer could not reproduce the fault.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified but no resolution documented.

Airbags Failed to Deploy in Frontal Collision

Owner involved in frontal collision at 37 mph striking trees. Both driver and passenger sustained injuries; owner reported severe head injury. Airbags did not deploy despite significant frontal impact damage including suspension, tie rod, radiator, rim, hood, transmission, bumper, and fender damage. Owner alleges intent to pursue legal action.

When: Impact at 37 mph; mileage not stated

Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during frontal impact; Severe frontal crush damage to vehicle; Owner sustained head injury; No airbag deployment despite severity of collision

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled. No repair performed.

Airbags Deployed During Low-Speed Rear Impact While Parked

Vehicle was struck from behind while parked and stationary. Both driver and passenger airbags deployed from the rear-impact event, shattering the rear window with no occupant injuries reported.

When: Not stated

Symptoms owners cite: Both driver and passenger airbags deployed during low-speed rear impact; Vehicle was stationary when struck; Rear window shattered; No injuries to occupants

Repairs/costs cited: Airbag deployment caused rear glass damage.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subject to Takata recall campaigns

Airbags Failed to Deploy in Head-On Collision

Oncoming vehicle crossed center line and struck owner's truck head-on. Neither driver nor passenger airbag deployed. No further details on occupant injuries or damage costs provided.

When: Not stated

Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during head-on collision; Oncoming vehicle crossed center line

Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 4 most recent

airbags · filed 12/20/2011

Air bags failed to deploy resulting in additional injury $ 30,000 damage mostly to front of vehicle. *tr

airbags · filed 12/17/2015

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags), however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts…

airbags · filed 12/08/2016

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v352000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not…

airbags · filed 11/30/2016

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16v352000 (air bags) and 15v313000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a…

Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Dodge Ram 3500? 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 airbags problem on the 2006 Dodge Ram 3500?

It's a meaningful issue. 30 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.

At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?

Based on the 30 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 125,917 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?

Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

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 3500. 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.
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