The Lemon Index
200520073rd generation
About average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Fewest complaints of its generation (3rd generation).
44 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Toyota Tacoma 1232006 Chevrolet Colorado 902006 Ford Ranger 34
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2006 Dodge Dakota
- Ball joint / control arm15 complaintsmostly at 37,000–75,000 miles (60,000–121,000 km)
- Struts / shocks10 complaintsmostly at 14,000–53,000 miles (22,000–85,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 285 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Dodge Dakota (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,500 and 38,000 miles (7,200–61,000 km) (the middle half of the 39 complaints, of all 44 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V352000 (airbags), 15V313000 (airbags) and 14V795000 (electrical) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Dodge sent dealers 54 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Rear brake vibration on vehicles equipped with 8 1/4 rear axles”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 44 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
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.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 38K miles (7K to 61K km) on the car (39 of all 44 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at any speed or stopped with the brake pedal applied it goes to the floor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined it was designed that way.
2006 Dodge Dakota owner · NHTSA complaint 10158568
More owner reports
2006 Dodge Dakota quad cab. Loud clunk or bang from rear end of vehicle while in reverse. It happened twice in the first 3 weeks of owning the truck. Took it in,was told nothing wrong. It has not recurred.
NHTSA complaint 10240513
When traveling on the highway/expressway the automatic transmission does not seem to shift to the next gear. The vehicle begins to shake and vibrate very roughly and will not accelerate to the desired speed.
NHTSA complaint 10215547
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 5.4M views · 2005–2011 Dodge Dakota
- Steering & suspension310K views
Replacement of Front Complete Strut Assemblies on a 2006 Dodge Dakota I SENSEN Shocks & StrutsSENSEN Shocks & Struts · 56K views · 9 videos - Cooling system193K views
How to Replace Coolant Thermostat 2005-2010 Dodge DakotaTRQ · 44K views · 7 videos - Transmission & shifter136K views
How to Replace Transmission Valve Body 2005-2010 Dodge DakotaTRQ · 57K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical122K views
How to Replace Starter 2005-2010 Dodge DakotaTRQ · 50K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Brakes & ABS122K views
How to Replace Rear Brakes 2005-2010 Dodge DakotaTRQ · 60K views · 4 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors94K views
How to Replace Speed Sensor 2005-2010 Dodge DakotaTRQ · 42K views · 4 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils91K views
Change 2005 Dodge Dakota Spark Plugs (V-6)Jon Ernstberger · 65K views · 3 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank90K views
How to Replace Fuel Injector 2005-2010 Dodge Dakota 4.7L V8TRQ · 56K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Dodge Dakota Pickup 2005-2010 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 147K views
2006 Dodge Dakota Common Problems. Should you buy it?MaxTheCarGuy · 32K views
Dodge Dakota 2008 problems.Solomon Sgt Justin L · 14K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2006 is the same generation.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 54 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rear brake vibration on vehicles equipped with 8 1/4 rear axles
- Steering column intermediate shaft - pop, click, or clunk-like sound when turning
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
- Airbags · recall issued 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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
The return springs in the clutch ignition interlock switch may break.
Show all 6 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 2009
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.
- Visibility · recall issued 2006
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.
- Brakes · recall issued 2006
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 …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- OpenSteering wheel and steering shaft bolts2006
- ClosedClutch interlock switch malfunction2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$4,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
Every Dodge Dakota year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 3 older years (1997–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 13 Dodge Dakota years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-dakota/?y=2006" title="Dodge Dakota reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-dakota/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Dodge Dakota reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Dodge Dakota reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 92; 100 is average, lower is better). 2006 is one of the better years of a model that draws 2.1× the average car's complaints.
What are the most common 2006 Dodge Dakota problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (25%), brakes (23%) and steering (23%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Dodge Dakota have?
6 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 Dakota get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Dodge Dakota problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,500 and 38,000 miles (7,200–61,000 km) (the middle half of the 39 complaints, of all 44 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2006 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2006 Dodge Dakota have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 25% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Dodge Dakota cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Dodge Dakota have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Dodge Dakota year than the 2006?
Not nearby: the 2006 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Dodge Dakota years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner 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 years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works