KnownCarProblems2006 Dodge Durango Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 852 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Dodge Durango, most often about the fuel system (65% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is 4th of 26 Durango model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2006 Dodge Durango problems
Fuel system
551 complaints · 65%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
At the end of filling the gas tank, frequently when pumps shut off, gasoline is ejected from the gas tank filler opening. This occurs at different gas stations indicating that it is not specific to a pump or station.
I own a 2006 Dodge Durango 4 x 4 with 5.7 liter engine. Over the past couple months every time I fill up the gas tank gas shoots out of the filler tube as the pump shuts off. For some reason it doesn't trigger the automatic gas shutoff of the filler nozzle and about a pint to a quart shoots out - on the person…
Electrical
84 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, ignition, wiring.
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the lights in the instrument panel and the radio failed to operate sporadically. The contact stated that once the failure occured, the seat belt warning light illuminated and did not shut off until the vehicle was turned off. The failure recurred on…
While driving at night I tried to use my brights, but the windshield wipers would keep coming on instead. When the brights did come on then they wouldn't turn off. There are also times when I use the left turn signal that the right signal would come on and the two signals would flicker back and forth.
Air bags
76 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 95,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated continuously. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags); however, the part was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a…
There was a recall for the air bags, it was send to the dealer to be fixed, replaced ...but in april the first I had and accident and the air bags did not deploy.
Engine
68 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at 65mph the vehicle stalled and jerk. The contact mentioned that the engine light illuminated after the failure occurred. The failure was experienced numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the…
My Dodge Durango has been having this problem for awhile. I finally did some online reading of posts and found other drivers having the same issue. Almost every day when I start my SUV the RPM's rev up and down. It also does this when I am sitting at a drive-thu line, stop sign, or in traffic. It also has died on me…
Transmission
55 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 109,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), driveline.
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted as normal. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle jerked intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a…
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. While turning at approximately 5 MPH, the all wheel drive failed and the wheels seized. The service all wheel drive warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000. The VIN was…
Brakes
28 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
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…
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…
Visibility and wipers
23 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 46,500 miles. Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield, rear window wiper/washer.
Turn signal switch malfunctions when it is cold and wet out. Will indicate right turn when turning left and vise versa, high beam also malfunctions and will sometimes turn on washer fluid, wiper function also not working right when others fail. Seems to be when it is wet and below freezing temperatures. Similar…
The interior and exterior lights will flash on and off when driving leaving US temporally blind in the dark, and also the wipers work erratically, they will either come by them selves for a few seconds and then turn off, or during rain storms they will work erratically. They will wipe fast for a few seconds, and then…
Steering
23 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles. Parts named most often: column, rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist.
I own a 2006 Durango with 66,000 miles. It requires repair to an inner tie rod. Chrysler does not carry the part and forces you to change the entire rack and pinion steering system at a cost of 1000$. The failure of this part can cause a severe accident . How many drivers cannot afford 1000$ and are driving as I am…
We were driving our 2006 Dodge Durango for about 5 minutes when all of a sudden the dash board lights started flashing. My husband was able to veer off the road on a side street and coast down into a parking lot. By this point the car was completely unresponsive. Smoke started to come out of the vehicle vents on the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Dodge Durango recalls
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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 r
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: instrument cluster/panel
Risk: This could potentially cause an instrument panel fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the cluster for damage and replace it free of charge. The recall began on april 2, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-140.
Full defect summary
On some sport utility vehicles, under certain operating conditions, an integrated circuit in the instrument cluster that controls interior lighting may overheat.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A failed watts link could adversely affect vehicle handling and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left rear suspension watts link free of charge. The recall began on july 19, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, the left rear suspension watts link may have been damaged during vehicle assembly and could fail.
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: During certain operating conditions, loss of front windshield wiping capability could occur, and the driver's vision could be obscured which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield wiper motor free of charge. The recall began on june 19, 2006, to dodge durango owners. Minivan owners will be notified during july 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain vans and sport utility vehicles, the front windshield wiper motor armature shaft may break.
Air bags
Risk: This can cause increased risk of injury to the driver under certain crash conditions.
Fix: Dealers will replace the occupant restraint control module. The recall began on february 27, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the wrong occupant restraint controller (orc) was installed on these vehicles.
Visibility and wipers: switch/wiring
Risk: This can impair the driver's vision and result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will re-flash the instrument cluster. The recall began on march 6, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, a static electricity spark between the operator and the vehicle can cause the turn signal, headlamps or windshield wipers to malfunction without warning.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: This could result in a loss of vehicle control and a crash could occur without warning.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: If this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on november 28, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft may be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle may not be able to achieve 'park' position.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit
Summary
On november 18, 2010, NHTSA's recall management division (rmd) opened an audit query (aq10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.it was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.rmd queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (ford, chrysler, and general motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.the rental
Side curtain air bag failure
Summary
Odi's investigation identified no issues in the design, manufacturing process, or quality control process of the side curtain air bags used in the dodge durango vehicles.there have been no reported field incidents of side curtain air bag failures similar to the failures that occurred during the NHTSA research testing of the durango air bags.additional NHTSA testing conducted during this investigation resulted in no diffuser tube failures.a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-
Side curtain air bag failure
Summary
Odi has upgraded this investigation to an engineering analysis (ea07-003) to continue its investigation of the subject issue.
Steering wheel and steering shaft bolts
Summary
On march 9, 2006 odi upgraded preliminatry evaluation pe05-056 to engineerning analysis ea06-004 to investigate allegations of loose or missing steering shaft coupling bolts and steering column retaining bolts in model year (my) 2004 through 2006 dodge durango sport utility vehicles and my 2005 through 2006 dodge dakota pickup trucks.either condition could result in a loss of steering control.although odi identified some quality issues in the manufacturing processes for the dakota and durango vehicles, the data do not indicate that a safety defect trend is present in either population.the failure rates are low for each condition and trend analyses indicate that problems with the subject bolt
Questions about the 2006 Dodge Durango
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Dodge Durango?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (551 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); electrical (84 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); air bags (76 complaints, typically around 95,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Dodge Durango have?
- 9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 24, 2016 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Dodge Durango?
- It is 4th of 26 Durango model years by number of complaints, with 852 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.