Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Dodge Dakota owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
After driving on the interstate highway for a couple hours from Phoenix, Arizona I noticed that the left turn signal started malfunctioning, and the right signal flashed instead. After several hours of driving, noticed that sometimes the right signal only flashed 3 or 4 times when turning on the right indicator. I also noticed that the emergency flashers would usually blink once or twice left, then switch to right only. While stopped, I verified that the right front and rear turn signals were actually blinking as indicated on the dash. The next day however the problem was gone. I drove the car on the interstate again for several hours, without any issues.
ABS light wont even flash or give warning and truck slid a bit. No accidents to report, yet. This has happened multiple times after braking when the needle dips below 20 miles per hour. Thats why I give plenty of space between cars when approaching a light just in case the truck slides. I have complained but Dodge keeps telling me my VIN number has no recall for my ABS ECU. There is a recall for ABS ECU but not on my VIN number but I am having the same issue for the ABS recall. So they will not replace it. You can feel the brakes lock up when it does it. Im also having a probem with my ignition swith. At times it will do a no start. That is also on the recall list but I was told again my VIN number wasn't on the list but I have these same problem for the recall. …
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. …
Back on 1/14/2015 I brought my 2006 Dodge Dakota to a dealership for replacement of rusted brake lines. About two months later, at 45K mi., my driver side seat belt indicator light started to flicker on start-up. Shortly thereafter it would remain lit after start-up. I waited to request re-servicing my vehicle, only to find out the air bags were on recall. Therefore, I waited until I was given the call to bring my vehicle in for air bag replacement. The date for servicing was 10/30/2015. Upon completion of the ai bag replacement I was told my new air bags would not deploy nor does the horn work. This would require an additional $600.00. The cause of this safety failure was due to a defective clockspring unit. My question is at under 50kmi. Is it normal for this safety component to fail and is this a constant in other vehicles? …
Tl* 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.
The steering gets hard to turn like it is going to lock up. I spray it with wd40. This happens every few days. The electrical has been screwed up forever. I turn the left turn signal on the the right one blinks and vise versa. Some times they both blink back and forth. I have talked to the local Dodge garage and all they say is that there is no recall. I wasnt notified by Dodge about the driver side airbag either. Looked up the VIN number after seeing a report on tv. That was 2 months ago and the Dodge garage just fixed the air bag on July 21 after I called them for the second time to see if the part was in. Updated 10/07/15 updated 12/08/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. When the contact placed the key in the ignition and started the engine, the key would come out and the steering wheel seized. The contact had to use excessive strength to turn the vehicle and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to rick hendricks Dodge (1468 savannah hwy, charleston, sc 29407, [phone]) and the mechanics were unsure if a new steering column and/or new ignition switch was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Tl* 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.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact experienced a failure with the vehicle starting. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V795000 (electrical system) and 15V313000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 2/4/16
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
On December 16, 2104, Chrysler Group LLC submitted a Safety Recall Report to NHTSA describing a defect in the clutch ignition interlock switches in approximately 66,819 model year (MY) 2006 through early-2007 Dodge Ram Trucks, Dodge Dakota, and Mitsubishi Raider vehicles equipped with manual transmissions and built between July 1, 2005 and July 31, 2006 (NHTSA Recall No. 14V-795, Chrysler Recall No.
Electrical complaints in other Dakota years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Dodge Dakota?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Dodge Dakota, 11% of the model year's 285 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Dodge Dakota electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-795 (switch, Dec 16, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Dodge Dakota electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.