Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2006 Dodge Dakota
NHTSA data on file today
The 2006 Dodge Dakota has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 285 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 #14V795000 Clutch Ignition Interlock Switch NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06V039000 ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE EVENT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06V038000 ABS ECU NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 126 complaints
- Steering 47 complaints
- Power Train 36 complaints
- Electrical System 30 complaints
- Suspension 25 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 15 complaints
Of the 285 complaints on file, 23 report a crash and 7 a fire; across all 285 complaints, owners report 17 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2006 Dodge Dakota shows a below-average reliability profile, with 285 owner complaints and six recalls. Most complaints concern the airbags, steering, and powertrain systems, indicating potential reliability issues in these areas. However, the recall data does provide some reassurance, suggesting corrective actions have been taken. Still, the complaint frequency, particularly for critical systems, suggests caution. Detailed failure data is limited, adding to uncertainty.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 80,000–120,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | common |
| Steering system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $400–$1,200 | common |
| Powertrain | 90,000–130,000 miles | $1,000–$3,000 | occasional |
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 and filter changes
- Brake pad and rotor replacement
- Coolant flush and refill
- Transmission fluid change
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Drive belt inspection and replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Airbag warning light
- Steering wheel vibration
- Transmission slipping
- Brake pedal pulsation
- Electrical system faults
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2006 Dodge Dakota at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.