DodgeRAM 1500 Pickup20063.7L V6/dodge/ram-1500-pickup/2006/3-7l-v6/
DR platform

2006 Dodge RAM 1500 Pickup — 3.7L V6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 RAM 1500 Pickup 3.7L V6.

Body TRUCKEngine 3.7L V6Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2006 Dodge RAM 1500 is a mid‑size pickup built on the DR platform, powered by a 3.7‑liter V6 that runs on a 5.0‑quart, 10W‑30 API oil and delivers EPA‑rated 14/19/16 mpg behind its four‑speed automatic transmission; it earned 817 owner complaints, with air‑bag issues leading the list and 16 recalls documented for that model year, placing it in the mid‑range of the RAM’s reliability history and signaling a need for attentive maintenance.

Model year2009200720062005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque135 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/19/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05037836AB. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-70R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05037836AB alt 04781452BF
Engine air filter68441763AA alt 05029703AA
Spark plugSPZFR6F11G
BatteryBB65F121AA alt NAS65750EX
Front wiper blades55077100AE
Serpentine belt53032132AL alt 05037206AE
Thermostat52028898AJ alt 68174083AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length218.9 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase131.1 in
Curb weight4295 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 19 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil, Synthetic · 75W-140 · GL-5 · 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 135 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.5
Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · 75W-140 · GL-5 · 75W-90

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8.3 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)110.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts135 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0-40.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque20 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityDiesel engines, 1.87; gasoline engines, 1.60. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityDiesel engines, 7.00; gasoline engines, 6.00. oz
RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56.0-60.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12+-0.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100
Engine Compression100
Engine Oil Pressure25-110 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle130 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle145 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Install the bedplate retaining bolts, making sure to place the stud bolts in the correct location, Torque the bolts in the sequence shown.

1Hand tighten bolts 1D, 1G and 1F until the bedplate contacts the block.
2Tighten bolts 1A - 1J to 40 ft. lbs.40 ft. lbs
3Tighten bolts 1 - 8 to 5 ft. lbs.5 ft. lbs
4Turn bolts 1 - 8 an additional 90 degrees.90 degrees
5Tighten bolts A - E 20 to 20 ft. lbs.20 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant at 102,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 102,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 miPower Steering System (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 102,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2006 Dodge RAM 1500 Pickup lead in one area — the air bags, 160 of 817 reports (20%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recalls 16V-352 and 15V-313 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming they were actually performed. 44 of the reports describe a crash and 9 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

16
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
76
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
817
Owner complaints
44 involved a crash · 9 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 817 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags160
Power Train71
Suspension61
Exterior Lighting61
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting51
Steering40
Electrical System39
Visibility30

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V352000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 24/05/2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM… Remedy: 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…

15V313000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/05/2015

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 76 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1037742025-05-01Electrical SystemLAMP - DOME
1012322024-10-29Power TrainPlate - Planetary
90040092021-04-07Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
90043502021-03-10Engine And Engine CoolingGEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The…
90043502021-03-10Engine And Engine CoolingGEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAM 1500 Pickup. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 RAM 1500 Pickup 3.7L V6 take?

5.0 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 RAM 1500 Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.7L V6 get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.