The Lemon Index2006 Dodge Charger.
The 2006 Dodge Charger is worse than average by owner complaints: 160 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 145, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 15 to 21 mpg combined. The best Dodge Charger year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,294 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Dodge Charger year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 50K to 108K miles on the car (1,079 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 72K–120K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 63K–110K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 50K–100K miles
Recalls 5
- airbags 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
- airbags 2015
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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 20,283 MY 2006-2009 CHARGER AND MAGNUM VEHICLES BUILT WITH THE POLICE PACKAGE AND EQUIPPED WITH A COLUMN SHIFTER.
Show all 5 recalls
- brakes 2006
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7 LITER ENGINES AND MK25E BRAKING SYSTEMS MAY EXHIBIT INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TUBE.
- transmission & drivetrain 2005
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 42RLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE CUP PLUG THAT RETAINS THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT MAY BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 62 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Nag1 (w5a580) transmission - shudder when torque converter clutch engages
- Shift hesitation during wide open throttle
- 1 - 2 upshift shudder or rough shift
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
- ClosedEngine stall2013–2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–5300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.1L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
On the freeway, had to brake suddenly and now there is a constant vibration at all speeds when brakes are supplied and take longer to react...squeak.
2006 Dodge Charger owner · NHTSA complaint 10189607
More owner reports
Police package vehicle. The brakes have been squealing since the car had approximately 200 miles on the odometer. Current odometer reading is 2200.
NHTSA complaint 10171455
Me myself had problems out of my front rotors I had a lot of vibration in my steering wheel when I went to brake and had to switch to high performance drilled slotted rotors.
NHTSA complaint 10185137
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Dodge Charger reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 145; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Charger year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2006 Dodge Charger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (70%), transmission & drivetrain (13%) and engine (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Dodge Charger have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Dodge Charger get?
15 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Dodge Charger problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 50,000 and 108,000 miles. The middle report was at 80,500 miles, from 1,079 complaints.
Does the 2006 Dodge Charger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Dodge Charger cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $5300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Dodge Charger have?
2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.1L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Charger year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2020 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works