MYRModel Year Report

2006 Dodge Dakota

◆ Worse than typical
2006 Dodge Dakota
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Dakota Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2006 highlighted. 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 1 complaints 1987: 20 complaints 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 63 complaints 1989 1990: 63 complaints 1991: 128 complaints 1992: 216 complaints 1993: 134 complaints 1993 1994: 166 complaints 1995: 208 complaints 1996: 189 complaints 1997: 446 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 641 complaints 2000: 806 complaints 2001: 678 complaints 2001 2002: 678 complaints 2003: 295 complaints 2004: 206 complaints 2005: 470 complaints 2005 2006: 283 complaints 2006 2007: 144 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2009: 18 complaints 2009 2010: 35 complaints 2011: 44 complaints 2011
2006: 283 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19852
19861
198720
198855
198963
199063
1991128
1992216
1993134
1994166
1995208
1996189
1997446
1998545
1999641
2000806
2001678
2002678
2003295
2004206
2005470
2006283
2007144
200891
200918
201035
201144

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 43%

43% of complaints: air bags — 121 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250430

The contact owned a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a no-fault head-on collision. The vehicle was damaged to the front of the vehicle and the driver's side of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241108

PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS TURNED ON BUT DIDN'T DEPLOY, DID NOT HAVE SEATBELT ON BECAUSE IT BROKE BUT ALL OTHERS IN THE ACCIDENT HAD THEIRS ON.

NHTSA ODI report, 20191227

STEERING 16%

16% of complaints: steering — 44 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 29 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250430

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 26 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE DRIVE SHAFT FRACTURED AND DROPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A POLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140218

SUSPENSION 5%

5% of complaints: suspension — 15 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2006 — complaint volume: 283
R 20060306 — visibility

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A STATIC ELECTRICITY SPARK BETWEEN THE OPERATOR AND THE VEHICLE CAN CAUSE THE TURN SIGNAL, HEADLAMPS OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO MALFUNCTION WITHOUT WA

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-FLASH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 06V039000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20060309 — EA (open)

STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING SHAFT BOLTS

R 20060717 — service brakes, hydraulic

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF FRONT TO REAR BRAKE BALANCE, AND THE REAR BRAKES COULD LOCK UP

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE WEEK OF JULY 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 06V038000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140519 — PE (closed 20141223)

Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150327 — electrical system

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.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 14V795000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150608 — air bags

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...

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 affected Raider owners.

Campaign 15V313000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170327 — air bags

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.

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 notified by their company.

Campaign 16V352000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2006 Dodge Dakota — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (121 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06V039000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V038000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V795000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V313000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V352000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2011 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 2000 ■ 2002 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2006 Dodge Dakota reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Dodge Dakota is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Dodge Dakota?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2006 Dodge Dakota have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.