DecodedCars2006 Dodge Dakota Pickup
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.
- Class
- Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Engines
- 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 17 combined · 15 city / 20 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2006 Dodge Dakota Pickup is a standard pickup truck offered with 2 engines (3.7L 6-cyl and 4.7L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 20 highway), 2% better than the 2006 standard pickup truck average of 16.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2006
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 Dakota Pickup — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 Dakota Pickup →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Pickup 2WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | +2% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 16 | +3% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | -10% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 2WD | 4.7L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 15 | -10% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | -3% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 15 | -3% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Dakota Pickup 4WD | 4.7L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -3% | $4,450 | 592 |
Spend $7,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
16.7 MPG2006 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Dodge Dakota Pickup under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2006 standard pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Dodge Dakota Pickup (this car) | 17 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2006 Ford F-150 | 16 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Chevrolet Silverado | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2006 Toyota Tacoma | 21 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2006 Toyota Tundra | 18 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2006 Chevrolet Colorado | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 GMC Canyon | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (3)
Safety advisory: 2 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 24, 2016 Do not drive
NHTSA campaign 16V352000 · 4,648,270 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
- Risk
- These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · May 26, 2015 Do not drive
NHTSA campaign 15V313000 · 4,077,169 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch · Dec 16, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V795000 · 54,164 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Broken springs can result in a no-start condition, or cause unintended movement when the ignition is cranked, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Fix
- 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is P80.
Not every 2006 Dodge Dakota Pickup is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
167Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
8Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
6Injuries reported
90,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 Dodge Dakota Pickup buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
- Air Bags — 113 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 17 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 15 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 90,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Dodge Dakota Pickup. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Dakota Pickup years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Dakota Pickup | 17 | – | Not rated | 6 | 29 |
| 2010 Dakota Pickup | 17 | – | Not rated | 7 | 24 |
| 2009 Dakota Pickup | 18 | – | Not rated | 5 | 8 |
| 2008 Dakota Pickup | 18 | – | Not rated | 2 | 51 |
| 2007 Dakota Pickup | 17 | – | Not rated | 3 | 76 |
| 2005 Dakota Pickup | 17 | – | Not rated | 4 | 223 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Dodge. How we calculate this →