PASSENGER AIR BAG DEACTIVATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Dodge Charger airbags problems
critical 92 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
92
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
12crashes
16injuries
1fatality
What stands out
Of the 16 model years of Dodge Charger we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 92.
Owners have filed 92 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERING A PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATION WIRING PACKAGE. TO INCLUDE 2006 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY AND 300/TOURING.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Dodge Charger airbag system shows a pattern of catastrophic failures across multiple failure modes. The most serious: Takata inflators rupture and deploy unintentionally—at low speeds in parking lots, while reversing, or while parked—sometimes rendering occupants unconscious or causing multi-vehicle accidents. The flip side is equally dangerous: bags fail to deploy in actual collisions at highway speeds and low-speed impacts, leaving occupants with head injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, and at least one fatal outcome. Between 2015 and 2017, NHTSA issued two major recall campaigns (15V313000 for driver side, 16V352000 for passenger side), but replacement inflators remained unavailable at dealers for months or years, leaving owners driving unsafe vehicles with no timeline for repair. One dealer performed a recall procedure with only 2 of 4 fastening screws, leaving the airbag module under-secured. Another case shows brake lock-up and electrical gremlins appearing immediately after recall work. A systemic flaw: the occupant classification system's required disable indicator light is either missing or non-functional, so drivers cannot confirm whether the system has suppressed the passenger bag for a small child—a federal safety violation.
Same Dodge Charger airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Takata airbag inflator rupture (driver/passenger side)
Airbag inflator prone to rupture and deploy metal fragments during deployment due to defective Takata inflator design. NHTSA campaigns 15V313000 (driver side) and 16V352000 (passenger side) address this hazard. Multiple narratives document inadvertent deployment at low speeds without impact, causing injury or vehicle destruction.
When: Occurs across mileage range; most documented between 20,000–150,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deploys unintentionally at low speeds or while parked; Airbag fails to deploy in actual collisions; Airbag warning light illuminates on dashboard
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 15V313000 (driver side inflator), NHTSA 16V352000 (passenger side inflator)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement inflator/airbag assembly required under recall. However, majority of owners report parts unavailable for extended periods (months to years) after recall notice issued. Some dealers advised 6+ months wait; others unable to confirm availability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaigns 15V313000 and 16V352000 issued. Chrysler/FCA acknowledged parts distribution disconnect. Some owners received notices but no timeline for parts availability. Dealers unable to complete repairs due to parts shortage. Manufacturer offered limited assistance when contacted directly.
Airbag non-deployment in collision
Airbag system fails to deploy during frontal, rear, or multi-vehicle collisions, leaving occupants unprotected and sustaining head, neck, chest, and spinal injuries or fatalities.
When: At impact; mileage ranges 73,762–155,000 documented
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment in multi-vehicle crash at highway or city speeds; No airbag deployment in rear-impact collision; No passenger airbag deployment in frontal collision despite driver bag deploying
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 15V313000, NHTSA 16V352000
Repairs/costs cited: One case involved airbag replacement per recall in April 2016; bag still failed to deploy in subsequent accident. No systematic repair documented for non-deployment failures; vehicles typically totaled at accident scene or towed to police/salvage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One case assigned a case number and failed to respond for four weeks despite multiple owner follow-ups. Manufacturer offered no technical diagnosis. One fatality case (ODI 11062044 referenced) involved fatal head injury when passenger airbag failed to deploy in direct frontal impact.
Passenger airbag disable indicator missing or non-functional
Advanced occupant classification system designed to suppress airbags for small passengers (infants, toddlers) lacks required indicator light. NHTSA requires 'Passenger Air Bag Off' light when system suppresses bag; cars manufactured after 12/23/2005 (without side bags) or 01/05/2006 (with side bags) have plastic placeholder where light should be. Light is non-functional even when present.
When: Present in vehicles manufactured after 12/23/2005 (no side bags) and 01/05/2006 (with side bags)
Symptoms owners cite: No passenger airbag disable indicator light on dashboard; Plastic placeholder installed where light should be; Light present but non-functional and will not illuminate
Codes mentioned: NHTSA requirement (no specific campaign number cited)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented. Dealer memo found citing Chrysler directive disabling functionality fleet-wide as of cited dates. Owners unable to confirm airbag suppression status for small passengers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler memo referenced instructing removal of functional indicator light. Manufacturer (Chrysler) did not respond to owner inquiries despite multiple attempts. NHTSA regulation violation alleged by owner.
Airbag clock spring failure
Airbag warning light remains illuminated; dealer diagnosis indicates clock spring (electrical coil in steering column allowing electrical continuity through rotating wheel) requires replacement. After repair, failure recurs within months, suggesting systemic issue or incomplete diagnosis.
When: First failure at approximately 20,300 miles; recurrence 3 months after initial repair
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light continuously illuminated for years; Warning light recurs 3 months after clock spring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring replaced. After recurrence, dealer advised replacing clock spring again plus ABS module. Repair not completed. Parts cost and labor not specified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Contacted by owner; offered no assistance. No further action documented.
Recall repair procedure performed incorrectly (fastener omission)
Passenger-side airbag module secured with only 2 screws instead of 4 by technician after ZD1-00000 recall procedure, discovered by owner when investigating rattling blower noise. Airbag under-secured and potentially unstable.
When: Discovered after recall procedure completion; vehicle previously serviced for another recall
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling noise from blower/dashboard area; Passenger airbag has only 2 of 4 fastening screws in place
Codes mentioned: ZD1-00000 (recall procedure performed)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner discovered missing screws internally by opening glovebox. No dealer repair documented. Owner declined returning to same dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA US LLC (Dodge Contact Center) declined responsibility for recall procedure quality, directed owner back to performing dealer (Joe Cooper Dodge, Shawnee OK), and refused free inspection at another dealer, offering to fix issue only for additional fee in violation of Safety Act.
Inadvertent airbag deployment at low speed
Airbag deploys without collision or impact while vehicle is parked or moving at low speeds, suggesting sensor malfunction or electrical fault.
When: While reversing in parking lot (~5 mph); while parked; no collision involved
Symptoms owners cite: All airbags or single bag deploy without impact; Deployment during parking maneuver at walking speed; Deployment while vehicle is stationary
Codes mentioned: P0420 (reported in one case; catalyst system efficiency code), NHTSA 15V313000, NHTSA 16V352000
Repairs/costs cited: One case: Vehicle backed in Publix parking lot when driver airbag deployed; minor hand injury, passenger reported ringing ears. CDR (crash data recorder) download attempted but reported 'not retrievable.' Airbags had been replaced per Takata recall 2017/2018. Another case: All bags deployed while in reverse at low speed; driver knocked unconscious, sustained chest injuries, vehicle destroyed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented for low-speed deployment cases.
Brake and electrical issues following airbag recall repair
Brake lock-up symptoms and airbag warning light illuminated immediately after vehicle returned home from recall repair service, suggesting technician-induced damage or improper diagnostic procedure.
When: Same day vehicle returned from recall repair appointment
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes appeared to lock up; Airbag warning light on and beeping after recall service; Issues started immediately after recall repair
Repairs/costs cited: Owner paid for new brakes out of pocket. Dealer refused to address warning light and beeping without owner paying for additional diagnostics ($100+).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer refused warranty coverage; required owner to pay for diagnostics despite obvious temporal connection to recall work.
Excessive delay in parts availability for recall repairs
Widespread and systemic delay in parts availability across multiple dealer locations and over extended timeframes (months to years) following issuance of NHTSA campaigns 15V313000 and 16V352000. Owners unable to schedule recall appointments because airbag inflator replacement parts not in stock. Dealers and manufacturer unable to provide estimated delivery dates.
When: June 2015 onwards through 2017 for 15V313000; August 2016 through 2017 for 16V352000
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received; parts unavailable when owner contacts dealer; Multiple dealer calls over months with no appointment scheduled; Dealer and manufacturer unable to provide delivery timeline; Airbag warning light on while waiting for recall repair; Only one side airbag available (driver or passenger) but not both
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 15V313000, NHTSA 16V352000
Repairs/costs cited: One owner advised 6-month minimum wait (narrative #17). Another reports dealer Puente Hill Chrysler promised to order parts and call back after initial contact 8/19/2015 but never called (narrative #24). Multiple dealers across Florida, Hawaii, Ohio, West Virginia, Georgia reported no parts in stock and no availability timeline. VIN Tool confirmed parts not available for numerous VINs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler/FCA issued recall notices but could not supply inflator parts to dealers. Manufacturer stated they would order parts directly and send to dealers in some cases but failed to deliver. Official documentation noted 'Parts Distribution Disconnect' affecting multiple vehicle VINs. No public expedited parts production announced; no timeline provided to owners.
Synthesized from 92 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Dodge charger. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Dodge Charger?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 Dodge Charger?
It's a serious issue. 92 complaints have been filed, including 12 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 73,762 and 150,000 miles, with the median around 100,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 73,762; a quarter make it past 150,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Dodge/Charger.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.