2006 Dodge Dakota

Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

2006 Dodge Dakota: common problems and reliability

· 3rd generation

One of the weaker Dakota years.

285 owner complaints, most about air bags. 6 recalls.

Should I buy a 2006 Dakota?

The 2006 Dodge Dakota has 285 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and steering. Owners most often flag fuel pump failure causing intermittent no-start: multiple owners describe no-start conditions traced to the fuel pump, including one who diagnosed it by purging the fuel rail and another who replaced the pump and still chased pressure issues.

Safety record for the 2006 model year

285
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
23
Crash reports
7
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2006 Dodge Dakota vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other Dakota years only. How we score it

Is 2006 a good year for the Dakota?

Across the 16 Dakota model years we track, complaint volume runs from 18 (2009) to 842 (2000). With 285 complaints, the 2006 Dakota sits about the same as the model's median of 296.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

air bags
126
steering
47
power train
36
electrical system
30
service brakes
25

Recalls affecting the 2006 Dakota

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 15V313000

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.

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 16V352000

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.

electrical system:ignition:switch

Campaign 14V795000

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.

exterior lighting

Campaign 09E012000

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Show 2 more recalls

visibility:windshield wiper/washer:switch/wiring

Campaign 06V039000

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.

service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

Campaign 06V038000

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.

What owners report on the 3rd generation Dakota

Owner sentiment on the 2005-2011 Dakota is mixed but leans practical-positive among actual owners, who describe it as a capable, simple, cheap-to-maintain truck that "punches above its weight class" with a usable bed and good towing for its size.

  • RecurrentTransmission failure or replacement

    Owners report a transmission blowing at 70k miles on a 2005 Quad Cab Laramie, an ad noting the transmission was already replaced, and general warnings to have the transmission checked and flushed on this generation.

  • RecurrentFuel pump failure causing intermittent no-start

    Multiple owners describe no-start conditions traced to the fuel pump, including one who diagnosed it by purging the fuel rail and another who replaced the pump and still chased pressure issues.

  • RecurrentRust and frame rot, especially in northern climates

    Owners repeatedly warn that most examples "up North" are rotted out and advise inspecting for rust before buying.

  • Recurrent3.7L V6 sensitivity to neglect and overheating

    Owners note the 3.7/4.7 get a bad name from neglect and are sensitive to overheating, with one describing a water pump bearing failure at 173k miles that threw the serpentine belt, overheated the engine, and required a head gasket job.

  • IsolatedTicking noise

    One owner reports a ticking noise on a 2009 Dakota, with discussion of a possible noisy lifter and a claim that third-gen Dodges are prone to it.

Owner insights for the 3rd generation Dakota. Read the full 3rd generation owner report.

Typical used price

Used Dakota listings typically run $5,995–$12,109 across 1993 to 2010 model years.

Other Dakota model years

Compare every Dakota year side by side to see how 2006 ranks against the rest.

2011 Dakota2010 Dakota2009 Dakota2008 Dakota2007 Dakota2005 Dakota2004 Dakota2003 Dakota2002 Dakota2001 Dakota2000 Dakota1999 Dakota1998 Dakota1997 Dakota1996 Dakota

Compare the Dakota against its rivals

Dakota vs Ford RangerDakota vs GMC SonomaDakota vs Mitsubishi RaiderDakota vs Nissan Pathfinder

Looking at a specific car?

We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.

One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Full Dodge Dakota owner reportCompare against another car