2006 Dodge Dakota Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2006 Dodge Dakota.

20052007
Complaints
384
Crashes
29
Fires
9
Injuries
21
Fatalities
1
Recalls
3

Worst 2006 Dodge Dakota Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1121 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:93,836 mi
Crash-related:14
Fires:3
#244 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:58,397 mi
Crash-related:1
#329 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:79,862 mi
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2006 Dodge Dakota.

Airbags
121
complaints
Crashes
14
Fires
3
Avg Miles
93,836
Steering Defects
44
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
58,397
Electrical Faults
29
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
79,862
Transmission / Drivetrain
26
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
74,091
Suspension Failures
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
64,456
Automatic Transmission
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
24,467
Brakes
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
97,462
Hydraulic Brakes
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
3
Avg Miles
54,600
Body Structure
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
63,649
Wipers & Visibility
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
58,323
Headlight/Taillight Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
62,200
Suspension:Front
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
33,050
Engine Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
103,561
Electronic Stability Control
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Door
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering:Column
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2006 Dodge Dakota. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2006 Dodge Dakota

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~8,779,603 vehicles.

16V352000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~4,648,270 affected

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 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

15V313000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~4,077,169 affected

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. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

14V795000Electrical System:ignition:switch
~54,164 affected

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Dakota, and 2006 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles manufactured July 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006 with manual transmissions. The return springs in the clutch ignition interlock switch may break.

Other Dodge Dakota Years

2006 Dodge Dakota — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2006 Dodge Dakota reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2006 Dodge Dakota has 384 NHTSA complaints, 29 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 121 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2006 Dodge Dakota?
Top reported problems: Airbags (121 complaints, avg 93,836 mi); Steering Defects (44 complaints, avg 58,397 mi); Electrical Faults (29 complaints, avg 79,862 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2006 Dodge Dakota?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 76,856 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2006 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA complaints for the 2006 Dodge Dakota include 29 crash-related reports, 9 fire reports, 21 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2006 Dodge Dakota have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 8,779,603 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2006 Dodge Dakota?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Dodge Dakota reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2006 Dodge Dakota

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