2006 Dodge Dakota Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  3
• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  414%
• 25k–50k
  518%
• 50k–75k
  518%
• 75k–100k
  414%
• 100k–150k
  621%
• 150k+
  414%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owned a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a no-fault head-on collision. The vehicle was damaged to the front of the vehicle and the driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The local police and paramedics were at the scene. No police reports were filed, however, the report number was unavailable. The contact was transported to the local hospital. The contact sustained injuries included a facial fracture, traumatic brain injury, broken right eye socket, crushed bladder, injury to both feet (toes), and impaired speech. The contact stated that this was the two-year anniversary of the crash. In addition, the contact was continuing to receive physical and speech therapy. …

The contact owned a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the brakes failed causing the contact to strike a curb and flatten the front passenger side tire, and damage the rim. No air bags deploy. The contact suffered injuries to the back, neck and suffered a concussion. The contact was transferred to the hospital where she received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact stated the vehicle was under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V352000 (Air Bags) and 15V313000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while her son was at a complete stop at the red traffic light, the driver's side air bag deployed unexpectedly, and the driver noticed that there was white smoke and dark smoke coming from the air bag. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the air bag caught on fire. The contact stated that the driver attempted to exit the vehicle, but the doors remained locked and the vehicle failed to shift to park(P) for two minutes. The driver was able to shift to neutral(N). The driver broke the front passenger's side window glass and exited the vehicle. A sheriff deputy parked his vehicle behind the driver's vehicle to prevent the vehicle from moving. The contact stated that the air bag fire burned the entire steering wheel and the steering column, the windshield and the front driver's side seat. …

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, two weeks after the repair, the passenger's side air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

My daughter was driving to school on the morning of May 8, 2019. My vehicle (which she drives on a daily basis), 2006 Dodge Dakota, was struck forward of the front wheels on the driver's side by a Chevy tahoe while making a right turn from a side street onto a busy, 4 lane divided highway. The collision tore the front bumper off of my/her Dakota and caused major front end damage. Her and a friend were both wearing seatbelts and were not seriously injured. The airbags did not deploy. The driver's side airbag was replaced under federal recall on April 25, 2016 at a Dodge dealership in denton, tx. The passenger airbag was replaced under similar recall on March 14, 2019 at a Dodge dealership in mckinney, tx.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. In the past, the air bag light illuminated sporadically. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was driven away from the scene. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 09/14/15 updated 10/26/2017

Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Dodge Dakota. While driving at approximately 35 MPH and making a right turn, the contact veered to the left and crashed into a rock column filled with concrete. The air bags did not deploy. There was a police report filed. The contact sustained injuries to the lower back and neck that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Passenger airbag was turned on but didn't deploy, did not have seatbelt on because it broke but all others in the accident had theirs on. Driver was driving normal and a truck coming opposite way hit a truck three truck length ahead spun out of control and hit our vehicle head on. Consumer has stated she has head trauma.

Had front collision and airbag didnt deploy,dont know speed,but fast enough to collapse whole front to shift and tear the frame... airbag recall replacement done in February

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while turning left at approximately 65 MPH, another vehicle crashed into him at approximately 45 MPH. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt did not restrain the contact. The contact suffered injuries to his knees and chest as a result. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop here it was being repaired for the body damages. The failure was not diagnosed. The failure and current mileages were 49,000. Updated 09/30/11 the consumer stated after being struck by vehicle # 2. Vehicle #3 was lifted up and turned sideways and rolled into vehicle# 3. The collision forced the consumer down and forward in the seat causing both of his legs to come up and off the floor, striking the dashboard. The movement is what made the consumer believe the seat belt did not lock into place. …

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Dakota years