10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,310 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Dodge Dakota drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2006 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #25

Aug 152019

Dakota

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Tyler, TX, USA

problem #24

Aug 012016

Dakota

  • 127,643 miles
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.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #23

Feb 262019

Dakota

  • 102 miles
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

- Crossett, AR, USA

problem #22

Jun 012017

Dakota

  • 135,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 35 mph, a warning chime was heard coming from the instrument panel and the service four wheel drive warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled into a parking space and, while in reverse, the vehicle independently shifted into four wheel low. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact wanted the manufacturer to authorize the dealer to service the vehicle. The manufacturer informed the contact that they would forward the request to the marketing department. The approximate failure mileage was 135,500.

- St Petersburgh, FL, USA

problem #21

May 312017

Dakota

  • miles
This truck is a bad problem since I have been done along with the the years I'm tired of drivetrain wheel hubs and front suspension replaces every month.

- Fordcity, PA, USA

problem #20

Jul 272016

Dakota

  • miles
"takata recall" the four wheel drive actuator tries shifting into 4 wheel drive even when I don't have the truck running. Also the stock stereo system will once in awhile turn on but now it won't and the acc will not work. My truck also tries to shift into 4 wheel drive while turning into my driveway or a parking space

- Carson City, NV, USA

problem #19

Oct 152014

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a crash and was repaired; however, the repairs were not completed correctly. After driving the vehicle home the following day the vehicle was unable to shift into drive. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission damage. The transmission was replaced. Also, while driving various speeds, the vehicle would veer to the left or right inadvertently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with several different issues, such as a damaged front cross member, a fractured front passenger side stabilizer link, a worn passenger side upper control bushing, and other issues. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. Updated 03/02/17***updated 05/09/17

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #18

Oct 202016

Dakota

  • miles
My 2006 Dodge Dakota, 4.7 transfercase is shifting on its own. Even with no key in the ignition. Also when driving shifts in and out of 4X4.

- Alpena, MI, USA

problem #17

Mar 162016

Dakota

  • miles
I bought my truck at auto advantage in hendersonville N.C. in March 2016 to days later transmission went in limp mode they replaced computer three times, then a week an half later happen again this time they rebuilt transmission. Then wipers want stop at times in park when cutoff. Steering has a popping when turning. Now the truck thru 4 codes check everything next day check codes has 3 codes checked again went to work codes still on that evening started home no light or codes thrown its like it fixed its self need help to solve problems. Can not afford anymore fixes. I owe two loans both on truck auto advantage would not help on transmission repairs. Never buy from them again worst buy I ever had. Can you help me with my problems?

- Weaverville, NC, USA

problem #16

Apr 082016

Dakota

  • miles
4X4 keeps activating by itself, even when off or in the highway

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #15

Nov 152010

Dakota 4-cyl

  • 72,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. While driving at approximately 55 mph, the vehicle went into low gear and the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.......updated 04/01/16

- Boones Mill, VA, USA

problem #14

Apr 152015

Dakota

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. While parked, the vehicle switched from two wheel high gear into four wheel low gear. The service four wheel warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 130,000....updated 02/04/16 the consumer stated the passenger side airbag light blinks on and off. The fuse for the 4 wheel switch was pulled. The consumer was unable to switch in low range and no longer had 4 wheel drive.

- Bath, PA, USA

problem #13

Jul 272015

Dakota

  • 90,000 miles
Truck has an AWD 5 speed 545rfe automatic transmission. The "service 4WD" check light started randomly coming on and blinking while the vehicle was in motion and the transfer control case at times felt like it was attempting to and at times did shift into 4hi or 4lo. This happens without any touching of the control switch on the dash. Dealer disclaims any knowledge of the problem and there are no service bulletins or recalls. A search of the internet reveals that there are hundreds if not thousands of Dodge Dakota, durango and Jeep owners over various model years having this problem, some of whom have spent thousands of dollars replacing the transfer case and control modules without fixing the problem. Those few who have reported fixing the problem have indicated that this dangerous condition where the transmission might shift into low range at highway speed and explode is caused by corroded wiring on the circuit including the transfer case, tcu and air conditioning. At this time the electrical connector at the transfer case is disconnected, effectively locking the transmission in AWD status and making all low ranges unavailable. This problem is very dangerous.

- Lake Waynoka, OH, USA

problem #12

Dec 292014

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

  • 93,867 miles
1. 4WD transfer case changes mode by itself (uncommanded transfer case mode change). 2. at highway speeds, console / cluster will indicate one or more of the following intermittently and randomly: Service 4WD, 4 lo, 4 hi. I haven't determined if there is correlation to these indicators illuminating and the actual transfer case mode. 3. vehicle will shift into 4hi by itself when moving, making U-turns on dry pavement difficult and dangerous. There is no indicator on the dashboard of transfer case mode when this happens. 4. vehicle's transfer case shift motor will activate with truck parked (engine off, key out of ignition, parking brake set, in park) and seems repeatable by opening or closing any of the doors. Transfer case motor sound is the same sequence (truck is normally in 2 hi) every time. 5. manually activating transfer case using dash-mounted 4WD selector knob, while truck is running and moving (4 hi) or in neutral (4 lo) appears to function correctly.

- Easton, MD, USA

problem #11

Feb 012012

Dakota

  • 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle began to vibrate intermittently. The vehicle was taken to both an authorized dealer and an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The drive shaft was replaced by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.

- Mahwah, NJ, USA

problem #10

Mar 092014

Dakota 8-cyl

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, he heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the pinion nut on the rear differential needed to be replaced with a newly manufacturer pinion nut. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.

- Fairfield, CT, USA

problem #9

Feb 252014

Dakota

  • 67,632 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the front end alignment would shift from left to right and was unstable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where a technician repaired a leak in the transmission line and also replaced a fog light, but did not repair the alignment. An independent mechanic inspected and diagnosed that there was a leak in the pinion seal and the front shocks needed to be replaced. The dealer refused to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67632.

- Dudley, MA, USA

problem #8

Jan 312013

Dakota 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the vehicle made a loud noise and the drive shaft fractured and dropped without warning. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a pole. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed but no injuries were reported. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 50,000. Updated 4/4/14

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #7

Nov 182013

Dakota 6-cyl

  • 36,140 miles
1)pulled out of a food lion parking lot and hit a pot hole and broke the main spline in the transmission. 2) the truck now shuts off as you're going 70 mph and when you crank it back up. The engine light stays on but the rev limiter is kicking in at 2000 rpms until you stop again and shut the motor off, wait 10 seconds and crank it back up. Some times its fine, most of the time it's not. Now the paint is flaking off the top of the truck for no reasons. I've never abused this truck and the only "off roading" it's done was driving in my yard. Please help.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

problem #6

Apr 122013

Dakota 8-cyl

  • 155,284 miles
). I am writing to inform you of safety concerns I have with my 2006 Dodge Dakota laramie (4X4 quad cab). My issues are with the transfer case / transmission of my truck. 1.my truck has shifted into four low on its own at low speeds in both reverse and at low speeds moving forward. 2.when I am not in the vehicle my Dodge Dakota will try and shift into four wheel drive on its own (like I said, no one is in the vehicle). 3.when I hit my unlock button, my truck will try and go into four wheel drive. 4.while I am driving both at high and low speeds the 4 low will flash and periodically the svc four wheel drive light will illuminate for a few seconds and then go out. 5.when the vehicle switches into four wheel drive (intermittently) the tires feel to be skidding or locking up.

- Newnan , GA, USA

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