2006 Dodge Dakota problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (109) · Steering (35) · Power Train (16)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Dakota model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
161 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2016-05-24 · campaign 16V352000 · 4,648,270 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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, 2006-201
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants
Fix: 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. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2015-05-26 · campaign 15V313000 · 4,077,169 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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,
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-782
Electrical System:ignition:switch 2014-12-16 · campaign 14V795000 · 54,164 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Broken springs can result in a no-start condition, or cause unintended movement when the ignition is cranked, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is P80.
Service bulletins (54)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2024-10-30 · 101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
plate - planetary
Power Train 2021-04-07 · 9004009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 p
Power Train 2021-03-10 · 9004350 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 ano
Engine And Engine Cooling 2021-03-10 · 9004350 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 ano
Power Train 2021-03-04 · S2121000003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
transfer case gear motor/actuator installation guidelines.
Power Train 2021-03-04 · S2121000003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
transfer case gear motor/actuator installation guidelines.
Showing the 6 most recent of 54 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-31 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“ 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 february …”
2026-07-13 · Structure:frame And Members · 55,500 mi“the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. the contact stated that the subframe was rusted and the rear spring holder had fractured. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 55,500.…”
2026-02-18 · Power Train:automatic Transmission“see attached document for complaint.…”
2025-04-30 · Electrical System · 221,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. the contact stated that while her son was at a complete stop at the red traffic light, the driver's side air bag deployed unexpectedly, and the driver noticed that there was white smoke and dark smoke coming from the air bag. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact stated that the air bag caught on …”
2025-02-13 · Unknown Or Other“i was going to work and the transmission started slipping when i had cruise control on, and then when i got to a stop light my truck started revving and wouldn't move. when i put it in neutral it wouldn't roll either. it just kept on revving and screeching. so i out back into drive and it jerks. also my trucks rear end locked up and wouldn't roll …”
2024-11-08 · Air Bags · 117,858 mi · 💥 crash“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. the air bags did not deploy. the vehicle was towed to a tow yard. the vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance…”
2024-03-13 · Visibility/Wiper“after driving on the interstate highway for a couple hours from phoenix, arizona i noticed that the left turn signal started malfunctioning, and the right signal flashed instead. after several hours of driving, noticed that sometimes the right signal only flashed 3 or 4 times when turning on the right indicator. i also noticed that the emergency …”
2023-07-07 · Air Bags · 108,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owned a 2006 dodge dakota. the contact stated while driving at 50 mph, the brakes failed causing the contact to strike a curb and flatten the front passenger side tire, and damage the rim. no air bags deploy. the contact suffered injuries to the back, neck and suffered a concussion. the contact was transferred to the hospital where she…”
2023-04-06 · Air Bags · 177,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v352000 (air bags) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, two weeks after the repair, the passenger’s side air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was i…”
2021-04-02 · Suspension · 169,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. the contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle started vibrating abnormally. the contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was not taken to the local dealer. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. the manufacturer was informed of the failure. the contact was …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.