Air bags failed to deploy resulting in additional injury $ 30,000 damage mostly to front of vehicle. *tr
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 airbags problems
severe 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
4crashes
5injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 30 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 6 model years of Dodge Ram 3500 in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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
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…
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…
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?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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 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.