Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2006 Dodge Charger
NHTSA data on file today
The 2006 Dodge Charger has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,294 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #16V352000 Do Not Drive - Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V313000 Do Not Drive - Driver Side Frontal Air Bag May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V583000 POLICE PACKAGE GEARSHIFT CABLE STEERING COLUMN NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06V149000 REAR BRAKE TUBES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V460000 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CUP PLUG NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 388 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 305 complaints
- Power Train 218 complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 215 complaints
- Electrical System 145 complaints
- Air Bags 103 complaints
Of the 1,294 complaints on file, 21 report a crash and 12 a fire; across all 1,294 complaints, owners report 28 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2006 Dodge Charger struggles with reliability, grappling with numerous recalls, particularly those related to airbags, transmission linkages, and braking systems. The high number of complaints, largely focused on the engine and fuel systems, further diminishes its rating. Prospective buyers should brace for potential costly repairs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 70,000–100,000 miles | $1,500–$4,000 | very common |
| fuel system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $600–$1,500 | common |
| power train | 65,000–90,000 miles | $1,000–$3,000 | common |
| braking system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $300–$800 | occasional |
| airbags | N/A | $500–$1,500 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 6,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement biennially
- Transmission fluid change at 60,000 miles
- Suspension inspection every 30,000 miles
- Cooling system service every 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual engine noises
- Transmission slipping
- Fuel smell inside vehicle
- Delayed braking response
- Airbag warning light on
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2006 Dodge Charger at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.