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Body and structurePart report

2006 Dodge Dakota Body and structure Problems

Complaints
12about this part
Share
4%of 285 total for the year
Median mileage
53,156miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the body and structure of the 2006 Dodge Dakota, 4% of the 285 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,156 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Rear doors wont open when using handles on club cab. Cables wont release mechanism and may be safety hazard in such cases of an accident or vehicle fire trapping person or persons in the rear cab area.”

NHTSA complaint #10689731, filed 2015-02, 37,611 miles

“2006 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4x4...power door lock actuators have failed and had to be replaced a total of six times since 11/2008 (all four doors once and the rear doors twice). Problems started at 35,000 miles with front driver side actuator, then proceeded to front passenger several months later, then rear driver side, rear passenger side, front driver side, rear driver side. Mileage at last failure: 82,000. Vehicle not subjected to extreme conditions. City/highway driving only (no off road).”

NHTSA complaint #10436016, filed 2011-11, 35,000 miles

“Have had to replace upper and lower ball joints both sides of vehicle prior to 65k miles. Lower front clip/frame, frame mounts and lower radiator support rusting away (under the paint). First noticed problem around 36k miles with surface rust appearing thru paint. Steel has deteriorated to point where chunks are falling off (paint still attached), and some of the steel has turned to flakes/powder beneath the paint. To this date this is the only area of truck frame affected by this problem. Brake lines are showing excessive rusting and will be replaced soon due to concern of rupturing. …”

NHTSA complaint #10684328, filed 2015-02, 36,000 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.”

NHTSA complaint #10993696, filed 2017-06

“The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted and the rear spring holder had fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,500.”

NHTSA complaint #11749982, filed 2026-07, 55,500 miles

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201112%
200844%
200732%
2006124%
200592%
200473%
200383%
2002183%
2001112%
200081%
1999112%
1998193%
1997143%
19961810%
19952010%
199474%
1993118%
1992136%
199154%
199046%
198946%
198835%
1987315%

Other parts of the 2006 Dodge Dakota

Air bags
126 complaints
Steering
47 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
36 complaints
Electrical system
30 complaints
Suspension
25 complaints
Brakes
24 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaints
Engine cooling
9 complaints
Fuel system
9 complaints
Exterior lighting
8 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Engine
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2006 Dodge Dakota

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology