RoadVitals

2006 Dodge Dakota Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
284
Latest Jul 13, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
29
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
2
Reports on file since Apr 20, 2006

What this page shows

Our database holds 284 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Dodge Dakota. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 284 · page 1 of 12

Body & structure
Filed Jul 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted and the rear spring holder had fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,500.

NHTSA ID
11749982
Incident
Jul 11, 2026
Mileage
55,500 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Feb 18, 2026
1 injury reported

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID
11718869
Incident
Dec 10, 2025
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Apr 30, 2025
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while her son was at a complete stop at the red traffic light, the driver's side air bag deployed unexpectedly, and the driver noticed that there was white smoke and dark smoke coming from the air bag. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the air bag caught on fire. The contact stated that the driver attempted to exit the vehicle, but the doors remained locked and the vehicle failed to shift to park(P) for two minutes. The driver was able to shift to neutral(N). The driver broke the front passenger's side window glass and exited the vehicle. A sheriff deputy parked his vehicle behind the driver's vehicle to prevent the vehicle from moving. The contact stated that the air bag fire burned the entire steering wheel and the steering column, the windshield and the front driver's side seat. The fire was extinguished with four extinguishers and with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. A police report was filed but the contact did not have the police report information available. The contact's son sustained intrusion of metal shards in his right leg and bruises on the stomach, arm, and chest. The contact's son also sustained migraine, insomnia, panic attacks, and PTSD. The contact's son did not receive medical assistance. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer then towed the vehicle to their location and took pictures of the failure. The dealer then towed the vehicle back to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and denied assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 221,000.

NHTSA ID
11657825
Incident
Apr 16, 2025
Mileage
221,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 13, 2025

I was going to work and the transmission started slipping when I had cruise control on, and then when I got to a stop light my truck started revving and wouldn't move. When i put it in neutral it wouldn't roll either. It just kept on revving and screeching. So i out back into drive and it jerks. Also my trucks rear end locked up and wouldn't roll in neutral while the truck is on. You have to keep the truck off and then put it into neutral to roll it.

NHTSA ID
11642655
Incident
Nov 24, 2024
Airbags
Filed Nov 8, 2024
Crash reported1 injury reported

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 towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The local police and paramedics were at the scene. No police reports were filed, however, the report number was unavailable. The contact was transported to the local hospital. The contact sustained injuries included a facial fracture, traumatic brain injury, broken right eye socket, crushed bladder, injury to both feet (toes), and impaired speech. The contact stated that this was the two-year anniversary of the crash. In addition, the contact was continuing to receive physical and speech therapy. In addition, the contact referenced an unknown recall in which the air bags were replaced in the vehicle four months prior to the crash. The contact was concerned that the air bag repair was not performed correctly, since the air bags did not deploy. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,858.

NHTSA ID
11624219
Incident
Oct 31, 2022
Mileage
117,858 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Mar 13, 2024

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 when turning on the right indicator. I also noticed that the emergency flashers would usually blink once or twice left, then switch to right only. While stopped, I verified that the right front and rear turn signals were actually blinking as indicated on the dash. The next day however the problem was gone. I drove the car on the interstate again for several hours, without any issues.

NHTSA ID
11577090
Incident
Mar 3, 2024
Airbags
Filed Jul 7, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owned a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the brakes failed causing the contact to strike a curb and flatten the front passenger side tire, and damage the rim. No air bags deploy. The contact suffered injuries to the back, neck and suffered a concussion. The contact was transferred to the hospital where she received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact stated the vehicle was under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V352000 (Air Bags) and 15V313000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.

NHTSA ID
11530976
Incident
May 29, 2023
Mileage
108,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 6, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, two weeks after the repair, the passenger’s side air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

NHTSA ID
11515824
Incident
Dec 6, 2022
Mileage
177,000 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed Apr 2, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,000.

NHTSA ID
11406104
Incident
Mar 22, 2021
Mileage
169,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 25, 2021

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I WAS ONLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD

NHTSA ID
11397860
Incident
Feb 25, 2021
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 9, 2021

IT IS CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING THROWING OFF MORE CODES. PASSAGER AIRBAG ALSO KEEP TURNING OFF. ALSO WELL DRIVING THE CAR JERKS BACK?

NHTSA ID
11387299
Incident
Sep 19, 2020
Fuel system
Filed Sep 11, 2020

MY 2006 DAKOTA FILLER TUBE SPITS THE GAS BACK OUT ONTO THE PAVEMENT WHEN TRYING TO REFUEL. IT TAKES A VERY LONG TIME TO REFUEL AND I UNDERSTAND MANY CHRSYLER PRODUCTS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2005 DURANGO C OR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FOR THE DAKOTAS?

NHTSA ID
11354426
Incident
Jul 2, 2020
Mileage
64,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Dec 27, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported

PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS TURNED ON BUT DIDN'T DEPLOY, DID NOT HAVE SEATBELT ON BECAUSE IT BROKE BUT ALL OTHERS IN THE ACCIDENT HAD THEIRS ON. DRIVER WAS DRIVING NORMAL AND A TRUCK COMING OPPOSITE WAY HIT A TRUCK THREE TRUCK LENGTH AHEAD SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT OUR VEHICLE HEAD ON.*DT CONSUMER HAS STATED SHE HAS HEAD TRAUMA.*JB*JB *DT*DT*JB *DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*DT*DT*DT*JB*AS*DT *TR

NHTSA ID
11291458
Incident
Nov 30, 2019
Mileage
116,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 17, 2019

THIS ONE SIMPLE PART EFFECTS SO MUCH AND IT IS UNSAFE THAT THIS PART AFFECTS SO MUCH. YOU GUYS OFFER IT BUT ITS CLOSE TO 1400$. WHY IS IT SO MUCH? THIS WOULD BE VEHICLE NUMBER 2 WITHIN A YEAR OF EACH OTHER HAVING SOMETHING BAD GO WRONG IT MAKES IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT EFFECTS MY FUEL MILEAGE, BRAKES, SPEDO AND TACH GO CRAZY, HEADLIGHTS FLASH, PROBLEMS WITH COMMUNICATING WITH TRANSMISSION, AND IT KEADS TO THE FRONT CONTROLE MODULE. MY CRUISE STOPPED WORKING AND IT WORKED BEFORE. MY KEY FOB HAS ISSUES UNLOCKING AND LOCKING TAKES LIKE 10 BUTTON PRESSES TO WORK. I LIKE YOUR TRUCKS BUT THIS MAKES IT UNSAFE I CANT EVEN LET MY KID RIDE IN MY TRUCK WITH ME

NHTSA ID
11289679
Incident
Jul 11, 2019
Mileage
134,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 22, 2019

THE TRUCK HAS VERY LITTLE POWER PROVIDED DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION AFTER COMING TO A STOP. THIS ONLY HAPPENS DURING WARM WEATHER. DURING THE COLDER MONTHS OF WINTER THE TRANSMISSION OPERATES NORMALLY. WITHOUT PROPER ACCELERATION IT POSES A SAFETY PROBLEM GETTING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST YEAR DURING THE LATE SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL MONTHS.

NHTSA ID
11270201
Incident
Aug 15, 2019
Mileage
90,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 15, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V795000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS ENGAGED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CLUTCH FAILED TO ENGAGE INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHILE WAS TAKEN TO DOLAN DODGE RAM (700 KIETZKE LN, RENO, NV 89502, (775) 786-1211) WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED PER THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,643.

NHTSA ID
11244177
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Mileage
127,643 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 10, 2019

TOOK TRUCK IN FOR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG RECALL, WHEN CHANGE OUT , TOLD ME I NEED A NEW ORC MODULE. THE PROBLEM IS MY AIRBAG LIGHT NEVER CAME ON UNTIL THEY CHANGE MY AIRBAG. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, IT WOULD BE MY COST.

NHTSA ID
11218969
Incident
Apr 13, 2017
Mileage
36,680 mi
Airbags
Filed May 10, 2019
Crash reported

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL ON THE MORNING OF MAY 8, 2019. MY VEHICLE (WHICH SHE DRIVES ON A DAILY BASIS), 2006 DODGE DAKOTA, WAS STRUCK FORWARD OF THE FRONT WHEELS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A CHEVY TAHOE WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A SIDE STREET ONTO A BUSY, 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY. THE COLLISION TORE THE FRONT BUMPER OFF OF MY/HER DAKOTA AND CAUSED MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE. HER AND A FRIEND WERE BOTH WEARING SEATBELTS AND WERE NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG WAS REPLACED UNDER FEDERAL RECALL ON APRIL 25, 2016 AT A DODGE DEALERSHIP IN DENTON, TX. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS REPLACED UNDER SIMILAR RECALL ON MARCH 14, 2019 AT A DODGE DEALERSHIP IN MCKINNEY, TX.

NHTSA ID
11206907
Incident
May 8, 2019
Mileage
133,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 7, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER'S DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCH AND CABLE ASSEMBLIES FOR EACH DOOR WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON 5/7/19. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. *BF 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ID
11205966
Incident
May 1, 2019
Mileage
53,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 7, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCH ASSEMBLY AND CABLE WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED BOTH DOORS FAILED. RIGHT REAR DOOR FAILED ON VIN XXXX TRUCK AND VIN XXXX. REFERENCE NUMBER XXXX AND XXXX. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ID
11205952
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Mileage
53,312 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Apr 29, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND STARTED THE ENGINE, THE KEY WOULD COME OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE STRENGTH TO TURN THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK HENDRICKS DODGE (1468 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SC 29407, (843) 352-6931) AND THE MECHANICS WERE UNSURE IF A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND/OR NEW IGNITION SWITCH WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ID
11204488
Incident
Apr 11, 2019
Mileage
103,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 4, 2019

MY OIL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN YOU CRANK THE TRUCK AND SOMETIMES IT WILL TURN OFF ONCE YOU CRANK THE TRUCK AGAIN. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE SEEN LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE SAID IT'S EITHER THE SENSOR OR THE OIL PRESSURE DESCENDING UNIT. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS IF SO I NEED TO GET THIS FIXED. WE HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING ELSE SO THIS SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM Y'ALL NEED TO LOOK INTO HIS AND GET THIS FIXED.

NHTSA ID
11183927
Incident
Feb 28, 2019
Mileage
102 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 4, 2019

I THINK IT'S A RECALL BUT KINDA ACTS UP AT UP 35/45 MPH AND THEN IT STRAIGHTENS OUT. HAS 103K MILES ON IT PLEASE HELP ME EVERYTHING HAS BEEN MAINTAINED

NHTSA ID
11183865
Incident
Feb 26, 2019
Mileage
102 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 25, 2019

HAS DEVELOPED LOOSE STEERING. PROBLEM EXIST WHETHER MOVING OR NOT. THOUGH AN ACCIDENT HAS NOT HAPPENED YET, BELIEVE THERE IS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR IT TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID
11172206
Incident
Jun 16, 2016
Mileage
61,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 22, 2018

WHILE EMERGENCY BRAKING GOING DOWN ST.HWY THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND THE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR LOSING BRAKING AND I THEN PUSHED ON PARKING BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN AND MOVED TO SHOULDER. I THEN FOUND THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING AROUND LINE BY THE MASTER CYLINDER @ FIRE WALL. FLUID CONTINUED TO LEAK AND WAS ABLE TO GET TO SERVICE THAT WILL START REPAIRS ON 11/23 AND TO DETERMINE POSSIBLE CAUSE

NHTSA ID
11153236
Incident
Nov 21, 2018
Mileage
88,300 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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