RoadVitals

2006 Dodge Dakota Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
15
Latest Apr 2, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 284 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Dodge Dakota submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
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
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
Engine
Filed Nov 23, 2015

THE BOLTS ON THE HOLD THE HEAD CASKET COVERS ARE BREAKING AT AN ALARMING RATE

NHTSA ID
10806337
Incident
Oct 21, 2015
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 27, 2015

01/26/2015 @ 1545 +- HOURS PST. DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL WHEN I CAME TO A 3 WAY STOP. TAPPED BRAKE TO COME OFF CRUISE. CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEHIND 4/5 VEHICLES. ADVANCED AT IDLE RPM (750). I WAS THE 2ND VEHICLE IN LINE WHEN MY ENGINE RPM'S STARTED INCREASING. APPLIED HARD BRAKE, RPM CONTINUED TO INCREASE, ENOUGH TO OVER RIDE THE REAR WHEEL BRAKES CAUSING/ALLOWING THE TIRES TO SPIN. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, SHIFTED TO PARK, RE-STARTED THE ENGINE. AFTER RESTART EVERY THING PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10679131
Incident
Jan 26, 2015
Mileage
141,582 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jun 18, 2014

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN HWY I-5 IN SEATTLE WASHINGTON. MY HUSBANDS KNEE BUMPED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10604264
Incident
Jun 14, 2014
Body & structureEngine
Filed May 28, 2014

RADIATOR SUPPORT BRACKET RUSTED AWAY. RADIATOR COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10594519
Incident
May 21, 2014
Mileage
80,300 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 30, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD DETACHED, CAUSING A MANIFOLD TO LEAK OIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND DEALER STATED THE MANIFOLD BOLTS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPLACE THE MANIFOLD BOLTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,900.

NHTSA ID
10428057
Incident
Sep 30, 2011
Mileage
56,900 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 31, 2011

CONTINUED FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON DODGE 4.7 LITER ENGINES. I BELIEVE ALL REPAIRS SHOULD BE DONE UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY UP TO 80,000 MILES BUT THAT IS NOT HAPPENING. HEADS ON THE BOLTS ARE BREAKING AT 50,00 AND 60,00 MILES. THE BOLTS BEING USED ARE CLEARLY OF BAD DESIGN OR DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY..FIRST THE BOLTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED AND NOW THE BOLTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAVE FAILED. INTERNET IS FULL OF FORUMS TALKING ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE HAVING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WHICH HAS TO BE A VIOLATION OF THE VEHICLES EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10422837
Incident
Jun 15, 2011
Mileage
60,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 19, 2010

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SPRING INSIDE OF THE SERPENTINE TENSIONER BROKE CAUSING THE BELT TO SLIP OUT OF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $161. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHICH THEY INFORMED THAT THE SERVICE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE OWNER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,027.

NHTSA ID
10326421
Incident
Apr 14, 2010
Mileage
37,027 mi
AirbagsEngineTransmission
Filed Jan 3, 2008

ENGINE WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO PURCHASE TRUCK WAS SOLD AS NEW ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS NOT DISCLOSED, CONTINUING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, REPLACED TRANSMISSION AT 8800 MILES, VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION ON FREEWAY, MULTIPLE EXHAUST LEAKS, HUB FAN REPLACED. WHEN A PROBLEM REPEATS ITSELF THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS IT TO BE "NORMAL". DEALER PRINCIPLE UNWILLING TO ADDRESS ISSUES. I CONTINUE TO HEAR NOISES AND HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT DO ANY WORK ON THE VEHICLE UNLESS I GO WHEN ITS CONVIENT FOR THE "TECHNICIAN" TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. DEALERSHIP LIED ABOUT ENGINE BEING RECALLED AS AN EXPLANATION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE WHEN IN FACT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATING TO THE ENGINE. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS ALL REPAIRS ARE NORMAL WHEN IN THE MANUEL IT ONLY STATES MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED AT HIGH MILEAGE NOT REPLACEMENT BEFORE 10K.*CN

NHTSA ID
10213641
Incident
Jan 15, 2007
Mileage
4,500 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 29, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE OIL FILTER. SHE WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE INTERNAL ENGINE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CHRYSLER ADVISED HER TO FAX ALL THE OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. THE CONTACT CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

NHTSA ID
10210287
Incident
Sep 19, 2007
Mileage
40,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Jun 11, 2007

WE PURCHASED A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA CLUB 4X4 TRUCK INTENDED FOR OUR BUSINESS USE AND PERSONAL USE, IN SEPTEMBER 2006 WITH 15 MILES ON IT FROM NEBRASKA, WE LIVE IN IOWA. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AND REPAIRED JANUARY 2007, (EXACT DATES UNAVAILABLE AT THIS WRITING DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP). THE BRAKES WOULD GRAB INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DESCENDING A HILL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHIMMER AND SHAKE VICIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN AND REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE FREE. TOTAL DAYS LOST 2. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON MAY 30, 2007. WE WERE ON VACATION IN WI AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'TSTART. WE WERE MADE TO WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK THAT HAD TO DRIVE AN HOUR AWAY TO BE ABLE TO TOW US LESS THAN 15 MILES. WE HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE (CAR) THAT I WAS UNABLE TO USE FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES, TO RETURN HOME FOR MY SPOUSE TO BE ABLE TO GET TO WORK. THIS MEANT WE HAD TO DRIVE BACK WITH THE RENTAL TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. IT WAS 4 DAYS WITH THE RENTAL. THE DIAGNOSIS COULD NOT BE MADE WITH THE TOOL UNTIL THE MASTER COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. AFTER THIS WAS DONE, NOTHING WRONG. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS USED AFTER OUR RETURN HOME, I DROVE LESS THAN 15 MILES AND IT DID THE SAME THING, WOULDN'T START. THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. AGAIN, NO WARNING LIGHTS. I CALLED THE TOWING SERVICE PROVIDED BY DAIMLER, I WAITED AN HOUR AND 45 MINUTES. I DECIDED TO TRY IT AGAIN JUST SECONDS BEFORE THE TOW GUY ARRIVED AND IT STARTED. I DECIDED TO NOT HAVE IT TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR, THE MANAGER OF THE TOW SERVICE REASSURED ME, I PANICKED AND IT WAS A VAPOR LOCK. OH YEAH THIS WAS ON JUNE 8, 2007 JUST 4 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING OUR VEHICLE BACK. I BELIEVED HIM. I WENT MAYBE 5 BLOCKS, CROSSED OVER A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN THE WHOLE TRUCK SHOOK (FELT LIKE THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO FALL OUT) AND STALLED, COASTED OVER THE HILL TO SAFETY. WE WERE NOTIFIED THE NEXT DAY AND HE SAID, AFTER DRIVING IT 5 MILES, NOTHING HAPPENED, TRIED IT AGAIN STILL BEING SERVICED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10192915
Incident
Jun 8, 2007
Mileage
18,600 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 25, 2006

MY RELATIVELY NEW (4000K) 2006 QUAD CAB DODGE DAKOTA KEEPS STALLING WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. DURING ONE OF THESE EVENTS, I WAS ON A HILL AND APPROACHED A STOP SIGN WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. IT WAS THEN IT STARTED TO ROLL BACK AND ALMOST IMPACT THE CAR BEHIND ME. THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL MORE TIMES IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND WHERE SEVERAL CARS BEHIND ME STARTED TO MOVE IN ANTICIPATION OF MY VEHICLE MOVING AND ALMOST HIT MY CAR. NOT RISKING A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP. THE SHOP STATED IT WAS THE GAS QUALITY AND NO CODES WERE PRESENT IN THE COMPUTER. IT WAS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT I SHOULD TRY A DIFFERENT GAS! I THEN DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE (BECAUSE I KNEW IT WAS NOT THE GAS) AND IT WAS REVEALED TOO ME THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN DODGE TRUCKS. THE RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP IS ALSO COMMON, WITH THIS PROBLEM (AND IT HAPPENED TO ME) THAT NO CODES CAME UP IN THE COMPUTER, THEREFORE CANNOT BE FIXED. THIS IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10169228
Incident
Aug 29, 2006
Mileage
2,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 18, 2006

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE STALLING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES WHO INDICATED THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT A REMEDY TO THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME STALLING PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10162729
Incident
Jul 17, 2006
Mileage
6,191 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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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .