MYRModel Year Report

2006 Dodge Dakota

◆ Worse than typical
2006 Dodge Dakota
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
285
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2006

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

44% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 1 complaint 1987: 20 complaints 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 64 complaints 1989 1990: 65 complaints 1991: 128 complaints 1992: 219 complaints 1993: 134 complaints 1993 1994: 184 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: 296 complaints 2004: 206 complaints 2005: 470 complaints 2006: 285 complaints 2006 285 2007: 145 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2009: 18 complaints 2010: 35 complaints 2011: 44 complaints
1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 1 complaint 1987: 20 complaints 1987 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 64 complaints 1989 1990: 65 complaints 1991: 128 complaints 1991 1992: 219 complaints 1993: 134 complaints 1993 1994: 184 complaints 1995: 208 complaints 1995 1996: 189 complaints 1997: 446 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 641 complaints 1999 2000: 806 complaints 2001: 678 complaints 2001 2002: 678 complaints 2003: 296 complaints 2003 2004: 206 complaints 2005: 470 complaints 2006: 285 complaints 2006 285 2007: 145 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2009: 18 complaints 2009 2010: 35 complaints 2011: 44 complaints 2011
1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 1 complaint 1987: 20 complaints 1987 1988: 55 complaints 1989: 64 complaints 1989 1990: 65 complaints 1991: 128 complaints 1991 1992: 219 complaints 1993: 134 complaints 1993 1994: 184 complaints 1995: 208 complaints 1995 1996: 189 complaints 1997: 446 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 641 complaints 1999 2000: 806 complaints 2001: 678 complaints 2001 2002: 678 complaints 2003: 296 complaints 2003 2004: 206 complaints 2005: 470 complaints 2005 2006: 285 complaints 2006 285 2007: 145 complaints 2007 2008: 91 complaints 2009: 18 complaints 2009 2010: 35 complaints 2011: 44 complaints 2011

2006: 285 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19852
19861
198720
198855
198964
199065
1991128
1992219
1993134
1994184
1995208
1996189
1997446
1998545
1999641
2000806
2001678
2002678
2003296
2004206
2005470
2006285
2007145
200891
200918
201035
201144

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

44% · 126 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Had front collision and airbag didnt deploy,dont know speed,but fast enough to collapse whole front to shift and tear the frame... airbag recall replacement done in…

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-31

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-04-30

Also filed under Electrical system

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, 2024-11-08

Steering

16% · 47 reports

Most commonly citing column and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASH

Power train

14% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2014-02-18

Tl* - the contact said that he was driving about 45 MPH when he noticed smoke coming from his truck. Then contact pulled over at which time he noticed that transmission fluid was leaking which created the smoke.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-12-19

Electrical system

11% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing switch.

FIRE

Suspension

9% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing front and rear.

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2006Complaint volume 285 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2006-03-06Visibility06V039000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will re-flash the instrument cluster. The recall began on March 6, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2006-03-09Engineering analysisOpen Steering wheel and steering shaft bolts
  4. R
    2006-07-17Service brakes, hydraulic06V038000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2014-05-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-12-23 Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
  7. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  8. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  9. R
    2015-03-27Electrical system14V795000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2015-06-08Air bags15V313000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2017-03-27Air bags16V352000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2006 Dodge Dakota — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 126 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 47 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 40 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06V039000 · Visibility
  • Recall 06V038000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14V795000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 15V313000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V352000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Dodge Dakota have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.