2006 Dodge Ram Pickup ST 5.7 Hemi

Summary:

Great

Faults:

I replaced the suspension at all 4 corners when I bought it.

The lower control arm bushings were seized... so I had to replace both front lower control arms. They include ball joints... around $1200 in parts.

Front airbag impact sensor. $180 for sensor and connector.

I bought the truck with these issues... which I feel is normal on a 10 year old vehicle.

General Comments:

This truck provides a great amount of value.

I bought it with 188,000km and not a speck of rust on it.

The Hemi engine has a lot of power. I was surprised the first time I actually floored the pedal. It has been reliable so far. I get roughly 15 MPG driving into town... it's much better cruising on the highway when the MDS system stays on for a longer period of time.

There are some known issues with the Hemi... exhaust manifold bolts, lifter tick. Nothing you wouldn't have with any other manufacturer.

There were some maintenance items it needed, but I am mechanically inclined so I do the work myself (important if you buy used vehicles).

The truck is very straightforward in design so it's easy to work on.

These trucks are in a sweet spot right now where they've depreciated enough that you could buy one and use it for a few years and sell it for what you bought it for. The trick is to find one that has been maintained and doesn't have any rust.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th February, 2016

2006 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 ST 4.7

Summary:

Meh...

Faults:

Too many things to list. I spent $10,000 in repairs between 2010 and 2012, including a new engine and PCM (the truck was severely neglected by the previous owners). Since then it has not needed anything major.

The fan stopped blowing air at 185,000. The hinges on the little door that opens and closes for cabin/outside return air broke and fell flat against the return hole for the blower. It's a fairly common problem with the 2006 model. Options were to replace the entire HVAC return duct system with an updated one, or smash the little door and pull it out piece by piece, and let the truck pull both in and outside air all the time. That brittle plastic door crumbled in my hands and fell right out of there.

The passenger side low beam went out at 192,000. It's another common issue with these trucks. You can either spend $1000 on a new computer, or just splice the wire in with the driver's side low beam. Again, I took the cheaper route.

Also replaced the CV axles at 192,000 They cost ~$50 and literally take 10 minutes to install.

General Comments:

This is a 4 door long bed 4x4 model. Big heavy truck with a tiny engine wasn't the best design in my opinion.

I've towed a dual axle trailer with ~5500lbs on it and the truck pulled it pretty easy, but on the highway my speed maxes out at about 65 mph. on flat stretches.

I use the truck off road a lot and it can take a beating; the suspension is holding up well.

It steers like a cruise ship. Every low speed turn you can hear the front tires squeal and cry.

Not a speck of rust on the frame or anywhere underneath, which is surprising since the truck's from New York.

It's not the worst vehicle I've ever owned, but it's certainly close. You can't expect too much from a high mileage vehicle like this, so I'm not really complaining.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 29th January, 2014

2006 Dodge Ram Pickup Laramie 4x4 Quad cab 5.7L Hemi

Summary:

Good truck, but without warranty, it doesn't look quite as appealing

Faults:

Front wheel hub bearing at 30,000 (got the cheat sheet from the dealer about services from the previous owner); warranty replaced.

Sunroof water leak (same cheat sheet); warranty fixed also.

75000kms - 4x4 transfer case started making a bad grinding noise when engaged. Found to be defective, and complete case replaced by the dealer under warranty.

75000kms - Front passenger axle seal replaced by dealer during transfer case repair under warranty (I noticed the leak in the snow just before the 4x4 case started acting up).

80000kms - Rattling noise in the engine compartment at idle. I finally narrowed it down to the engine fan. Vertical and lateral movement of the fan shaft into the water pump. Dealer replaced the water pump under warranty.

87000kms - Truck had a shake at the wheel for a little while, and I had it checked out. Needs a passenger upper control arm and a driver's outer tie rod. Got the parts, and I will throw them on myself.

Ongoing problem, which I haven't been able to figure out, is the dual climate controls. If you switch from hot to cold, or vice versa, the hot or cool air will mix in the vents. Like hot in driver A/C vents, passenger floor, and defrost, cool in defrost and floor and A/C vents on the driver's side!

Yes, very odd, and it's not a broken vent door, as the problem is fixed by fooling with the controls for sometimes several minutes.

Driver's side rear door power lock doesn't respond to the remote lock button.

General Comments:

The truck has quick, tight steering, but with the stiff suspension on the 1500, it is a rough ride on bumpy roads, and it dances around in the back on stutter bumps.

I have the 20" rims, which are nice, but add to the rough ride.

High beams seems dimmer than low beam, as they are aimed quite high, and only seem to effectively illuminate road signs that are far away.

The leather interior is classy, but the seat foam is too thin, and while it is adequate now, I am skeptical as to how it will hold up in the long run.

The Hemi engine (345 HP) is very quick, but the truck is 2700kgs (5900lbs), and no it's not a 1969 Dodge Hemi replica engine, but in a quad cab it's respectable. I've driven a 2010 short box reg. cab Hemi Dodge, and it is scary fast. Sport vs function.

MPG: About 15 HWY, maybe a little less in the city, but tramping on the gas in the city is gonna cost you. About average for a big truck.

It's common knowledge that the Dodge trucks have a lower resale value than some other brands, but like all advertising, people believe what they hear about a product, good or bad. All brands have issues, but with Dodge they left a bad taste for most with their other products. You can get a nice loaded pickup for about the same as a lightly optioned "other big 3" truck.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 8th December, 2011