Total Complaints
384 filings
DODGE DAKOTA · model year
384 NHTSA complaints, 29 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2006DODGEDAKOTA carries 384 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 29 crashes, 9 fires, 21 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 DAKOTA is air bags with 121 filings, followed by steering (44) and electrical system (29). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2006 DAKOTA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
384 filings
Crashes Reported
29 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 121 |
| STEERING | 44 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29 |
| POWER TRAIN | 26 |
| SUSPENSION | 15 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 8 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 8 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 8 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 7 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 7 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 7 |
| ENGINE | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, 2005-2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, 2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
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
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint.
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 fire. The contact stated that the driver attempted to exit the vehicle, but the doors remained locked and the vehicle failed to shift to park(P) for two minutes. The driver was able to shift to neutral(N). The driver broke the front passenger's side window glass and exited the vehicle. A sheriff deputy parked his vehicle behind the driver's vehicle to prevent the vehicle from moving. The contact stated that the air bag fire burned the entire steering wheel and the steering column, the windshield and the front driver's side seat. The fire was extinguished with four extinguishers and with the assistance of the fire department. A fire departmen
Mileage: 221,000
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 fire. The contact stated that the driver attempted to exit the vehicle, but the doors remained locked and the vehicle failed to shift to park(P) for two minutes. The driver was able to shift to neutral(N). The driver broke the front passenger's side window glass and exited the vehicle. A sheriff deputy parked his vehicle behind the driver's vehicle to prevent the vehicle from moving. The contact stated that the air bag fire burned the entire steering wheel and the steering column, the windshield and the front driver's side seat. The fire was extinguished with four extinguishers and with the assistance of the fire department. A fire departmen
Mileage: 221,000
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 in neutral while the truck is on. You have to keep the truck off and then put it into neutral to roll it.
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 in neutral while the truck is on. You have to keep the truck off and then put it into neutral to roll it.
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 company. The local police and paramedics were at the scene. No police reports were filed, however, the report number was unavailable. The contact was transported to the local hospital. The contact sustained injuries included a facial fracture, traumatic brain injury, broken right eye socket, crushed bladder, injury to both feet (toes), and impaired speech. The contact stated that this was the two-year anniversary of the crash. In addition, the contact was continuing to receive physical and speech therapy. In addition, the contact referenced an unknown recall in which the air bags were replaced in the vehicle four months prior to the cra
Mileage: 117,858
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 flashers would usually blink once or twice left, then switch to right only. While stopped, I verified that the right front and rear turn signals were actually blinking as indicated on the dash. The next day however the problem was gone. I drove the car on the interstate again for several hours, without any issues.
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 flashers would usually blink once or twice left, then switch to right only. While stopped, I verified that the right front and rear turn signals were actually blinking as indicated on the dash. The next day however the problem was gone. I drove the car on the interstate again for several hours, without any issues.
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 received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact stated the vehicle was under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V352000 (Air Bags) and 15V313000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.
Mileage: 108,000
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 passengerâs side air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
Mileage: 177,000
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 INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,000.
Mileage: 169,000
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 INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,000.
Mileage: 169,000
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I WAS ONLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD
IT IS CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING THROWING OFF MORE CODES. PASSAGER AIRBAG ALSO KEEP TURNING OFF. ALSO WELL DRIVING THE CAR JERKS BACK?
IT IS CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING THROWING OFF MORE CODES. PASSAGER AIRBAG ALSO KEEP TURNING OFF. ALSO WELL DRIVING THE CAR JERKS BACK?
IT IS CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING THROWING OFF MORE CODES. PASSAGER AIRBAG ALSO KEEP TURNING OFF. ALSO WELL DRIVING THE CAR JERKS BACK?
MY 2006 DAKOTA FILLER TUBE SPITS THE GAS BACK OUT ONTO THE PAVEMENT WHEN TRYING TO REFUEL. IT TAKES A VERY LONG TIME TO REFUEL AND I UNDERSTAND MANY CHRSYLER PRODUCTS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2005 DURANGO C OR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FOR THE DAKOTAS?
Mileage: 64,000
PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS TURNED ON BUT DIDN'T DEPLOY, DID NOT HAVE SEATBELT ON BECAUSE IT BROKE BUT ALL OTHERS IN THE ACCIDENT HAD THEIRS ON. DRIVER WAS DRIVING NORMAL AND A TRUCK COMING OPPOSITE WAY HIT A TRUCK THREE TRUCK LENGTH AHEAD SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT OUR VEHICLE HEAD ON.*DT CONSUMER HAS STATED SHE HAS HEAD TRAUMA.*JB*JB *DT*DT*JB *DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*DT*DT*DT*JB*AS*DT *TR
Mileage: 116,000
PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS TURNED ON BUT DIDN'T DEPLOY, DID NOT HAVE SEATBELT ON BECAUSE IT BROKE BUT ALL OTHERS IN THE ACCIDENT HAD THEIRS ON. DRIVER WAS DRIVING NORMAL AND A TRUCK COMING OPPOSITE WAY HIT A TRUCK THREE TRUCK LENGTH AHEAD SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT OUR VEHICLE HEAD ON.*DT CONSUMER HAS STATED SHE HAS HEAD TRAUMA.*JB*JB *DT*DT*JB *DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*DT*DT*DT*JB*AS*DT *TR
Mileage: 116,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.