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2006 Dodge Magnum Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Dodge Magnum has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Dropped valve seat and piston damage in HEMI engine.” 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 Magnum.

Reported to NHTSA

Dropped valve seat and piston damage in HEMI engine

ENGINE

9 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2019-06

“WITHOUT WARNING VALVE RING SEAT BROKE OFF FELL INTO CYLINDER PUNCHING HOLE IN PISTON. BOUGHT A REBUILT MOTOR FOR $7,000 AND 70K MILES LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENS. BOTH INSTANCES THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11096953
“DROPPED VALVE SEAT: AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 800 MILES FROM MASSACHUSETTS TO NORTH CAROLINA, WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM, I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND I STOPPED AT A MCDONALDS TO USE MY CELL PHONE AND I TURNED OFF THE CAR, AFTER ABOUT 5 MINS. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR AND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11021846
“I HAVE A 2006 DODGE MAGNUM R / T V8 5.7LTS. ON JULY 24, 2015 I WAS USING MY CAR AS USUAL, I WENT TO THE BANK, I WENT TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE MAIL WHEN I RETURN TO MY CAR I'LL LIGHTS ON AND THE ENGINE FAILING WITH AN INTERNAL NOISE. I TURN OFF THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY, I CALL MY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10885178

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission gear shift interlock stuck in park

POWER TRAIN

7 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2023-01

“MY SHIFTER WILL NOT GO OUT OF PARK. IM STRANDED. TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK LEVER. IVE BEEN ON LINE MOST OF THE DAY AND BEYOND COMPLAINTS ON THIS ONE. I AM A 55 YEAR OLD WOMAN AND CAN NOT RIG IT TO DRIVE LIKE ALL THE MEN IN VIDEOS. IT IS A PINK PLASTIC PART THAT WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11122435
“TO START THIS COMPLAINT I WANTED TO FIRST SAY THAT MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED (NOT IN MOTION) WHEN THIS SAFETY ISSUE TOOK PLACE. THE ISSUE IN QUESTION IS IN REGARDS TO RECALL K39. THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT LEVER INTERLOCK RETURN SPRING HOOK ON MY VEHICLE BROKE. THIS BROKEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10817032
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE MAGNUM. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SAM'S TRANSMISSION CENTER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPRING RETAINER BRACKETS FAILED AND THE FLOOR SHIFTER ASSEMBLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11002496

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

TIPM dashboard gauge dropout and lighting flicker

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 NHTSA complaints · 2014-05 → 2018-10

“(TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE TIPM) ONE MORNING I TRIED TO START MY CAR. THE CAR ACTED IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, SO I JUMPED THE CAR. AFTER I JUMPED THE CAR I NOTICED THAT MY ESP/BAS LIGHT WAS ON. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO GET TO WORK. AS I LEFT MY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10653737
“SEVERAL TIMES WHEN DRIVING OR PARKED ALL GAUGES ON DASHBOARD DROP TO ZERO AND IDIOT LIGHTS COME ON - SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS ONLY ONCE AND SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE RETURNING BACK TO NORMAL. HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES - EVEN HAD TO PAY THEM $269 TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10650513
“WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH, MY HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS FLICKERED OFF FOR 3 TO 5 SECONDS A FEW TIMES AND THEN BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AS I DRIVE, AND NOW I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10945455

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel tank vent valve stall after refueling

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

112 NHTSA complaints · 2013-11 → 2025-01

“AFTER FUELING CAR TO NEAR THE FULL MARK I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE TRAFFIC FLOW ON INTERSTATE 75 AT OCALA. THE CAR LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE DIED ( NO POWER BRAKES OR STEERING) ATTEMPTED TO RESTART CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF CAR. TRAFFIC WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10664322
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE MAGNUM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT A HALF TANK THE FAILURE WAS NOT EXPERIENCED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11402492
“CAR STALLS AFTER FUELING RENDERING ALL POWER ASSISTED FEATURES USELESS..IE: POWER STEERING & POWER BRAKES. WIFE AND KIDS ALMOST REAR ENDED IN NORMAL TRAFFIC AND T-BONED WHEN TURNING LEFT IN INTERSECTION!!!!!!! PLEASE HELP!!!!!!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10668696

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata air bag recall replacement part delay

AIR BAGS

41 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2022-12

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE MAGNUM. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11042285
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE MAGNUM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V313000(AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JUNE 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10765002
“TAKATA RECALL, I WAS CONTACTED AS TO THE REPAIR OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT I NEED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE REPAIR EITHER LATE IN THE EVENING AND IT WOULD BE RETURNED THE NEXT DAY. WHEN ASKED WHAT ACCOMMODATION WOULD I RECEIVE WILL THEY HAD CAR FOR REPAIRS I WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10838739

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment and inflator rupture in crashes

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-06 → 2025-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE MAGNUM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO THE HUMIDITY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HIGHWAY PATROL INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES DUE TO METAL FRAGMENTS THAT WERE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10731205
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE MAGNUM. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE KNEES, LEGS, AND BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10838981
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE MAGNUM. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT A RED LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. ALL THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY, BACK INJURY, AND THE RIGHT THUMB WAS FRACTURED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11046970

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

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)

36 crashes 1990–2024

How the 36 occupant deaths break down

24

driver deaths

12

passenger deaths

36

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.

16

complaints mentioning a crash

2

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 Magnum 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.

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