Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH down hill the brakes were depressed and smoke emitted from the brakes and smelled as if they were on fire. The contact was forced to drive onto the emergency lane. The check engine and air bag lights began to illuminate intermittently. The contact was concerned that there was no air bag in the vehicle. The brakes were currently making a grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer repeatedly where they continued to turn the warning lights off; however, the manufacturer was not notified. The dealer took the vehicle to another dealership for diagnostic testing and advised the contact that the catalytic converter failed and she would be responsible for half of the repair cost. The failures occurred immediately after she purchased the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. …
On 6/14/2015 I was about to back my trailer into my yard, when my gear shift column selector locked in park. I depressed the brake pedal and it would not budge. Additionally, my brake lights are no longer working. Prior to all of these problems I had to replace my ignition for it was locking and would not turn to the on position or accessories position. It cost me $400 dollars for a new ignition to be installed by the dealer and now I have worse problems than before. So I began researching and here is my findings: 1) safetyrecall g28 -ignition/park shift interlock in 2001 and 2002 models for many vehicles which included the Durango. 2) the brake transmission shift interlock connector has malfunctioned will not allow the shifter to move. So if the dealer knows about these recalls why didn't they fix them free of charge.
While driving my Durango will just shut off (it doesn't run rough or sputter, it just shuts off) leaving me with no power steering or braking. I will coast to the side of the road, put it in park, then try to start it again. Most times it will start right up and other times it May take 2 - 5 minutes. This will happen about once or twice a month for the past couple of years. Otherwise it runs fine before and after it shuts off on me. One oddity that I notice is that all the gauges seem to work fine except the speedometer drops to 0 even through I am still coasting along. The engine light does not come on during this. This is very dangerous as I have almost hit other cars before since I loose my steering and braking abilities.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH in snow, the brake pedal was depressed and an abnormal sound was heard. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle loss braking functionality for a short while however, the functionality returned and the vehicle was driven to his destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 05V554000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the rear brakes locked. After, the engine was turned off and restarted the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred intermittently. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 05V554000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The Durango goes into 4 wheel lock for no apparent reason. The four wheel lock light keeps going on and off and clicking. The auto won't go anywhere untill I shift it back and forth - reverse - forward - when I first try to back it up there is a noice under the hood that sounds like a chain rattling. This has happened several times and I have had to the dealership at least 5 times. They can't seem to find anything wrong with it.
My wife was driving the vehicle on a country road about 35 MPH when the engine died and she had no power steering or brakes and had to drift to the side of the road. When she tried to restart the car the dash lights would light but the starter would not crank the engine. Shop says the computer has failed.
Approximately during summer of 2013, upon starting engine, the ignition would "stick" when key was turned forward. Durango would have to be turned off and key taken out of ignition switch to try it again. Then, upon shifting into reverse and backing up, the vehicle would come to an abrupt halt and be immovable for a time, usually until putting into park and re-starting vehicle. This is when the malfunction indicator light came on. We had to have vehicle towed at which time the wheels were locked in place, causing black skid marks from its point of tow to tow truck. The auto shop replaced the emergency brake which was "stuck or locked in position". Malfunction indicator light went off temporarily. It came back on again in August, 2014. Took to auto shop to diagnose. After 677.74 dollars in repairs, light still remains on.
2006 Dodge Durango had rear brake failure. The consumer stated he heard a rubbing sound that he recognized as a sign that the rear brake pads were in need of replacement. The consumer was informed that the piston in the rear brake caliper was frozen which resulted in a metal on metal condition when the brakes were applied. The condition had completely destroyed the rear brake rotor. The consumer found there was recall on the anti-lock control unit/module. The consumer went to the dealer, but was told the recall was for specific vehicle identification numbers and his was not included. The dealer also stated the recall was for a software download and had no relationship to the brake failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while activating the turn signals, the hazard lights would activate instead. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact also mentioned that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly stall. In addition, while attempting to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal, the brakes had malfunctioned increasing the stopping distant needed to stop the vehicle. Also, when the vehicle was in park, the vehicle would roll away. The dealer repaired the brakes but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
On certain sport utility vehicles with anti-lock brake system (ABS), the ABS control module software program May cause the rear brakes to lock up during certain braking conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ABS control module. The recall is expected to begin on December 12, 2005. Owners May contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Brake complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Dodge Durango, 3% of the model year's 852 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Dodge Durango brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-554 (control unit/module, Dec 8, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Dodge Durango brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to brakes 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.