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2006 Dodge Dakota Pickup: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 285 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Dodge Dakota Pickup[1]. The air bags group is the biggest, with 126 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints under several parts of the truck, and these are the groups from biggest to smallest.
- Air Bags. 126 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe crashes where the air bags did not inflate when they expected them to. Some of those stories include injuries.
- Steering. 47 complaints[5]. Owners describe a steering column that would not adjust, power steering that acts up on a cold start, and worn front end parts that needed repeat repairs.
- Power Train. 36 complaints[6]. Owners describe transmission fluid leaks, an automatic that does not shift up on the highway, and a rear drive line that failed.
- Electrical System. 30 complaints[7]. In the stories we read, owners describe power window switches and door lock actuators that kept failing, plus odd behavior from the wipers, dash lights and turn signals.
- Suspension. 25 complaints[8].
- Brakes. 24 complaints[9].
- Engine. 15 complaints[10].
- Structure. 12 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2006 Dakota Pickup is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V352), May 2016. About 4,648,270 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (15V313), May 2015. About 4,077,169 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Electrical System › Ignition › Switch (14V795), December 2014. About 54,164 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Switch/Wiring (06V039), February 2006. About 79,701 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.[15]
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (06V038), February 2006. About 39,274 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.[16]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[4] | 15 / 20 / 17 | $3,950 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[17] | 14 / 20 / 16 | $4,200 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[18] | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[19] | 13 / 19 / 15 | $4,450 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[20] | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[21] | 15 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[22] | 14 / 19 / 15 | $4,450 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[23] | 13 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 |
Safety ratings
How 2006 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 208 | 0 |
| 1996 | 189 | 1 |
| 1997 | 446 | 5 |
| 1998 | 545 | 5 |
| 1999 | 641 | 4 |
| 2000 | 806 | 5 |
| 2001 | 678 | 7 |
| 2002 | 678 | 5 |
| 2003 | 296 | 4 |
| 2004 | 206 | 1 |
| 2005 | 470 | 6 |
| 2006 | 285 | 5 |
| 2007 | 145 | 4 |
| 2008 | 91 | 2 |
| 2009 | 18 | 5 |
| 2010 | 35 | 7 |
| 2011 | 44 | 6 |
NHTSA's counts for the Dakota Pickup show 285 complaints and 5 recalls for 2006[3]. Among the 17 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2006 and 8 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2009 (18) and the most are for 2000 (806)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2006 Dakota Pickup?
These are unverified owner reports, so they show what people raised and not how often a part fails. The air bags group stands out at 126 complaints, and 18 of those mention a crash[2]. Steering follows with 47 complaints[5], then the power train with 36[6]. This model year also has recalls on file, and the by-year facts count 5[3]. If you are shopping for one, check the recall list above and have a mechanic look closely at the air bag, steering and transmission areas.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Dodge Dakota?
- Air bags lead the complaints with 126[2], followed by steering with 47[5] and the power train with 36[6]. The total on file is 285[1].
- Does the 2006 Dodge Dakota have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts count 5 recalls for this model year[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists each one.
- How many complaints mention a crash or fire?
- Of the 285 complaints[1], 23 mention a crash and 7 mention a fire[1]. The air bags group has the most crash reports, at 18[2].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2006 Dodge Dakota?
- See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
- Is the 2006 Dodge Dakota reliable?
- The complaint breakdown above shows where owners reported trouble[1]. For crash ratings and a comparison with other years, see the safety and by-year sections on this page.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Dodge Dakota Pickup
Compare all model years of the Dodge Dakota Pickup
Other Dodge models from 2006
Similar cars from 2006: pickup trucks
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 285 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Dodge Dakota Pickup (23 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 17 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 126 complaints name the air bags component group (18 crashes, 3 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,161). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Dakota Pickup model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 47 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 36 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,889). NHTSA vehicle records
- 30 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 25 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 24 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 15 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,513). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,156). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 16V352, filed May 24, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V313, filed May 26, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V795, filed December 16, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition › Switch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 06V039, filed February 9, 2006: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Switch / Wiring. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 06V038, filed February 9, 2006: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Dakota Pickup 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records