2006 Dodge Dakota Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Dodge Dakota has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Uncommanded shift into four-wheel drive.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Dodge Dakota.

Reported to NHTSA

Uncommanded shift into four-wheel drive

POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 NHTSA complaints · 2013-05 → 2017-06

“TRUCK HAS AN AWD 5 SPEED 545RFE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE "SERVICE 4WD" CHECK LIGHT STARTED RANDOMLY COMING ON AND BLINKING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND THE TRANSFER CONTROL CASE AT TIMES FELT LIKE IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO AND AT TIMES DID SHIFT INTO 4HI OR 4LO. THIS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10743823
“I AM WRITING TO INFORM YOU OF SAFETY CONCERNS I HAVE WITH MY 2006 DODGE DAKOTA LARAMIE (4X4 QUAD CAB). MY ISSUES ARE WITH THE TRANSFER CASE / TRANSMISSION OF MY TRUCK. 1.MY TRUCK HAS SHIFTED INTO FOUR LOW ON ITS OWN AT LOW SPEEDS IN BOTH REVERSE AND AT LOW SPEEDS MOVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10511825
“1. 4WD TRANSFER CASE CHANGES MODE BY ITSELF (UNCOMMANDED TRANSFER CASE MODE CHANGE). 2. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CONSOLE / CLUSTER WILL INDICATE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING INTERMITTENTLY AND RANDOMLY: SERVICE 4WD, 4 LO, 4 HI. I HAVEN'T DETERMINED IF THERE IS CORRELATION TO THESE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10669865

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front suspension ball joint and control arm wear

SUSPENSION

13 NHTSA complaints · 2012-11 → 2021-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10655030
“I NOTICED IN NOVEMBER 2012 THAT THE STEERING ON MY 2006 DODAGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB SEEMED STIFF AND HARD TO TURN, ALMOST AS IF IT WASN'T GETTING ENOUGH POWER STEERING FLUID - CHECKED IT AND IT WAS OK. SEEMED AT FIRST TO BE STIFFER WHEN IT WAS COLD SO ATTRIBUTED IT TO WINTER COLD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10509004
“TRUCK NEEDS STRUTS AND PARTS HAVE BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR OVER 6 MONTHS, THERE IS A BOLT AND NUT THAT CANNOT BE REMOVED WITHOUT CUTTING IT OFF BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN. THE REPLACEMENT PART FOR THE NUT AND BOLT ARE NOT AVAILABLE .... STRUTS ARE AVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10928830

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Turn signal indicator activating on opposite side

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER

5 NHTSA complaints · 2012-11 → 2024-03

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11577090
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN INDICATORS FAILED. WHEN HE WOULD ENGAGE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE RIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10484904
“MY 2006 DODGE DAKOTA IS HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE TURN SIGNAL AND WIPER. WHILE DRIVING, REGARDLESS OF SPEED, MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL FLASHES WHEN I'M TURNING LEFT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT WILL CONFUSE OTHER DRIVERS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10903355

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata air bag recall part unavailable

AIR BAGS

78 NHTSA complaints · 2015-04 → 2017-12

“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER (CROWN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM GREENSBORO, 3710 W WENDOVER AVE, GREENSBORO, NC 27407, (336) 790-9850) FAILED TO REMEDY BOTH RECALLS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. ONCE THE PART BECAME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11054701
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER (PROGRESSIVE DODGE LOCATED ON 7966 HILLS AND DALES RD NW, MASSILLON, OH 44646) AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10995093
“TAKATA RECALL REPLACEMENT PARTS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. I CANNOT USE MY TRUCK WITH ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10929933

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in frontal crash

AIR BAGS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2012-10 → 2026-08

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11624219
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO A ROCK COLUMN FILLED WITH CONCRETE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10746125
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE FOR TREATMENT OF A CONCUSSION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10566878

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss and rack-and-pinion failure

STEERING

26 NHTSA complaints · 2013-02 → 2019-04

“POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. AT THE TIME I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH IN TOWN. HAD POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK IN THE PAST WHICH WAS FIXED BUT ISSUE STILL OCCURS. TODAY IT HAPPENED THEE TIMES WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10812004
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO LOSE STEERING POWER AND SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINON FAILED AND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10865826
“SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING, REQUIRING SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED MANHANDLING OF STEERING WHEEL TO STRAIGHTEN WHEELS. INSPECTION OF POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL, POST-INCIDENT, SHOWED SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID BUT NO FLUID LEAKAGE UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10515115

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

120 crashes 1990–2024

How the 120 occupant deaths break down

93

driver deaths

25

passenger deaths

2

not recorded by seat

120

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

23

complaints mentioning a crash

7

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2006 Dodge Dakota reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.