The Lemon Index2006 Dodge Durango.
The 2006 Dodge Durango is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 126 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 214, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about fuel system, gasoline, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 12 to 16 mpg combined. The best Dodge Durango year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 852 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Dodge Durango 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 43K to 90K miles on the car (713 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- fuel system, gasoline complaints mostly came at 40K–75K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 51K–107K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 42K–122K miles
Recalls 10
- 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.
- lights 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.
Show all 10 recalls
- electrical 2007
ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT CONTROLS INTERIOR LIGHTING MAY OVERHEAT.
- suspension 2006
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION WATTS LINK MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY AND COULD FAIL.
- visibility 2006
ON CERTAIN VANS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ARMATURE SHAFT MAY BREAK.
- airbags 2006
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE WRONG OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER (ORC) WAS INSTALLED ON THESE VEHIC…
- visibility 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 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), THE ABS CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE PROGRAM MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP DURING CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS.
- 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 71 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- No engine crank - loss of communications with front control module
- UConnect Hands Free Module Fails To Respond Due To Module Lock Up This bulletin involves…
- Rapid response transmittal service action test and replace battery as necessary
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
- OpenSteering wheel and steering shaft bolts2006
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
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 $4000–5350 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
At the end of refueling my 2006 Durango gasoline just comes pouring out. It goes out all over my Durango and me. Every single time. The dealer wants to charge me about $800 to replace the tank.
2006 Dodge Durango owner · NHTSA complaint 10259356
More owner reports
At the end of filling the gas tank, frequently when pumps shut off, gasoline is ejected from the gas tank filler opening. This occurs at different gas stations indicating that it is not specific to a pump or station.
NHTSA complaint 10268696
When fueling 2006 Dodge Durango, like one quart of fuel erupts out of fuel tank filler when tank fills completely this happens to me every time.
NHTSA complaint 10260665
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Dodge Durango reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 214; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Durango year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2006 Dodge Durango problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (45%), electrical (21%) and brakes (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Dodge Durango have?
10 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 Durango get?
12 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Dodge Durango problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 43,500 and 90,000 miles. The middle report was at 64,000 miles, from 713 complaints.
Does the 2006 Dodge Durango have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Dodge Durango cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $5350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Dodge Durango have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Durango year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2022 and 2019.
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