Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2006 Dodge Dakota, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags126
- Steering47
- Power train36
- Electrical system30
- Suspension25
- Service brakes, hydraulic15
- Structure12
- Service brakes9
- Engine and engine cooling9
- Exterior lighting8
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 17 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 48 2006 Dakota vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 29 people died inside them, and 14 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2006 Dodge Dakota failed the safety check 3.14% of the time — 34% more often than the average 2006 passenger car (2.34%). Median odometer at inspection: 128,937 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
1 2006 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 10 variants: combined 13.7–15.5 L/100 km (about 15–17 mpg US), CO₂ 315–357 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.3 | 11.7 | 13.7 |
| Dakota · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.1 | 11.5 | 14.0 |
| Dakota 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.2 | 12.6 | 14.6 |
| Dakota 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.3 | 12.6 | 15.2 |
| Dakota 4X4 # · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.3 | 12.6 | 15.2 |
| Dakota · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.3 | 12.8 | 15.3 |
| Dakota # · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.3 | 12.8 | 15.3 |
| Dakota · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.7 | 12.7 | 15.4 |
| Dakota 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.2 | 13.3 | 15.4 |
| Dakota 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.8 | 12.8 | 15.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 2006 Dodge Dakota.
| 2016265 27 May 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propella… |
| 2015228 27 May 2015 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inf… |
| 2015093 3 Mar 2015 | Airbag Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Program involving Takata driver and/or passenger airbag inflators installed … |
| 2015003 6 Jan 2015 | Airbag Chrysler Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Campaign concerning the driver's airbag inflator on certain vehicles equipped with Takata airbags. … |
| 2014583 19 Dec 2014 | Powertrain On certain vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, a defect in the clutch interlock switch could allow the starter to engage without depressing the clutch … |
| 2006038 10 Feb 2006 | Brakes On certain pickup trucks, the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) electronic control unit may cause a loss of electronic brake distribution allowing the rear brakes to… |
| 2006037 10 Feb 2006 | Electrical On certain vehicles, an electrostatic discharge event between the operator and the vehicle can result in a loss of turn signal functionality and headlamp or win… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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 PREMATURELY DURING CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS.
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 WARNING.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 2006 Dodge Dakota: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010205 | Plate - Planetary |
| 10229256 | KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty. |
| 10229181 | Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine. |
| 10228093 | KEY BLANK WITH TRANSMITTER The key with an integrated FOB P/N 05183348AA is temporarily unavailable. The supplier is currently working on a functional replacement. Currently, for customer satisfaction, the immobilizer blade key (no integrated FOB) P/N 05018689AA can be offered to the customer as an alternative option. For any details please contact FCA Engineering: Cell (248) 408-9068 Boris Prishkolnik |
| 10223854 | Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. Installation: 1. Clean the oil pan T-joints.~ 2. Fill the T-joint between the pan rail/gear housing and pan rail/rear seal retainer with sealant. Use Mopar Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant or equivalent. 3. Apply a 2-mm [0.063-in] bead of Mopar Engine Sealant RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive, to the oil pan flange.~ 4. The four piece gasket will need to be assembled to make |
| 10223602 | Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine. |
| 10223599 | Part Description: Valve Body Assembly Issue Description: Valve body design was changed between 2010MY and 2011MY applications. To prevent mix matching valve bodies and solenoid packs the connectors are color coded.~ Valve bodies with a white connector can be used on 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Valve bodies with a gray connector can only be used on 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years.~ Solenoid packs with a white connector are used with 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Solenoid packs with a gray connector are used with 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years. |
| 10221686 | KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty. |
| 10221097 | Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repair |
| 10220994 | Part Description: Insulator in Lever Assembly - Valve Body - Trans Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and an instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator requires replacement please order 68253099AA. Note: Insulator color is not relevant for service |
| 10220868 | Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines. |
| 10220837 | GEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The transfer case needs to be positioned in AWD/2WD position to properly assemble gear motor to T-Case. Please reference Star Online publication S2121000003 for further details. Do not have the transfer case in in another position other than AWD/2WD and rotate the motor to align the bolt holes as this could result in damage to the gear motor. |
| 10220471 | Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio. |
| 10220101 | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. |
| 10220099 | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts. |
| 10220097 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
| 10217514 | Key Blank With Transmitter The key with an integrated FOB P/N 05183348AA is temporarily unavailable. The supplier is currently working on a functional replacement. Currently, for customer satisfaction, the blade key (no immobilizer & no transmitter) P/N 05018689AA can be offered to the customer as an alternative option. (This applies to vehicles with the sale code GXR only). ~Before 3rd quarter -2017. For the vehicles with the sales code GXX the Blade Key (immobilizer only & no transmitter) P/N 05134937AA can be offered to the customer as an alternative option. |
| 10191460 | Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling. |
| 10191442 | Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio. |
| 10190615 | Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines. |
| 10190584 | GEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The transfer case needs to be positioned in AWD/2WD position to properly assemble gear motor to T-Case. Please reference Star Online publication S2121000003 for further details. Do not have the transfer case in in another position other than AWD/2WD and rotate the motor to align the bolt holes as this could result in damage to the gear motor. |
| 10181451 | KEY BLANK WITH TRANSMITTER The key with an integrated FOB P/N 05183348AA is temporarily unavailable. The supplier is currently working on a functional replacement. Currently, for customer satisfaction, the immobilizer blade key (no integrated FOB) P/N 05018689AA can be offered to the customer as an alternative option. For any details please contact FCA Engineering: Cell (248) 408-9068 Boris Prishkolnik |
| 10175743 | Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19 |
| 10175735 | Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary. |
| 10169249 | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING SHAFT BOLTS
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation