Model year guide

2006 Dodge Dakota

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2006 Dodge Dakota is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 149 on record.

2006 Dodge Dakota — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2006 Dodge Dakota at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints284
Combined16 mpg
Typical price$6,936

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2006 Dodge Dakota recalls 6

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #15V313000 · 27/05/2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage drive…

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for C…

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #16V352000 · 24/05/2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 200…

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on…

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #14V795000 · 16/12/2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Dakota, and 2006 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles manufactured July 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006 with manual transmissions. The return springs in the clutch ignition interlock switch may break.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P80.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

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. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring NHTSA Campaign #06V039000 · 09/02/2006

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL RE-FLASH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module NHTSA Campaign #06V038000 · 09/02/2006

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF FRONT TO REAR BRAKE BALANCE, AND THE REAR BRAKES COULD LOCK UP PREMATURELY DURING CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE WEEK OF JULY 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2006 Dodge Dakota common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 284 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2006 Dodge Dakota MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,975

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2006 Dodge Dakota worth?

Low
$3,400
Typical price
$6,936
High
$11,000

From 149 comparable 2006 Dodge Dakota listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2006 Dodge Dakota costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,875
Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,100
Total$23,975
Per mile$0.32

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($6,936) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,833), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2006 Dodge Dakota trims & engines on record

Trims
SLT · ST · Laramie
Engines
4.7L 8-cyl · 3.7L 6-cyl

2006 Dodge Dakota vehicles on record

2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT1D7HW42N66S589981 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota Laramie1D7HW58N86S589249 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT1D7HW42N96S534070 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota ST1D7HE22K36S611724 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT1D7HE48N26S671362 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota ST1D7HE22K36S664553 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota ST1D7HE22K06S620655 2006 Dodge Dakota ST1D7HE22KX6S504007 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT1D7HE42K36S547311 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota ST1D7HE22K16S687121 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT1D7HW48N56S606034 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT1D7HE48K26S545542 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT1D7HE48N16S640717 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota ST1D7HE28K86S514638 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota ST1D7HW22N16S716009 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT1D7HW48K56S665073 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT1D7HE42KX6S614504 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT1D7HW48NX6S651406 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota ST1D7HE28K36S698287 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota Laramie1D7HE58N26S539692 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT1D7HE48K96S573564 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT1D7HW48N26S689938 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT1D7HW48NX6S590025 2006 Dodge Dakota 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT1D7HE42K26S694638

Other Dodge Dakota model years

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1987

2006 Dodge Dakota — frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Dodge Dakota have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2006 Dodge Dakota. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Dodge Dakota?

Based on 284 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, electrical system, power train.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Dodge Dakota get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2006 Dodge Dakota at about 16 mpg combined (14 city / 19 highway).

How much is a 2006 Dodge Dakota worth?

Comparable 2006 Dodge Dakota listings run roughly $3,400–$11,000, typically around $6,936 (from 149 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.