Car stalls and dies when attempting to accelerate. Has occurred multiple times, and each incident happens right after filling the tank with gasoline. *tr
2006 Dodge Charger cruise control problems
moderate 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 26 cruise control complaints filed for the 2006 Dodge Charger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 10 model years of Dodge Charger we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 26.
Owners have filed 26 cruise control 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant problem is post-refuel stalling: owners fill the tank and within 1–2 miles, the engine dies—sometimes repeatedly over a 10–15 minute drive before stabilizing. This happens consistently after refueling, even when owners don't top off completely. Stalling occurs while accelerating, braking, or sitting at red lights. When the engine cuts out, owners lose power steering and brakes, a hazardous situation in heavy traffic. The issue has persisted across multiple model-year examples, often starting around 40,000 miles and recurring at six-figure mileage.
A second cluster involves unintended acceleration: vehicles accelerate on their own while parked or creeping forward, brakes and ABS struggling to stop them. The accelerator pedal itself sometimes mechanically fails—snapping off or breaking at the mounting bracket during normal driving on the highway. Owners have had to reach down and operate a broken pedal by hand.
Electronic throttle control warnings illuminate during stalls, along with check engine and oil lights. Dealerships struggle to diagnose the root cause; some recommend full fuel tank replacement at significant cost, yet stalling recurs. Speed sensor failures and RPM surge issues have appeared post-repair. Refueling itself can become tedious—pump nozzles click off repeatedly, forcing 10-minute fill sessions and manual resets.
Same Dodge Charger cruise control reports on nearby years: 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Post-refuel stalling
Engine stalls within minutes of refueling, occurring intermittently or repeatedly during the drive home, sometimes requiring multiple restart attempts. Stalling happens at various speeds—while accelerating, braking, turning, or idling at lights. Owners report this happens consistently after filling the tank, sometimes even when not topping off completely.
When: Within 1-2 miles of refueling; happens repeatedly over years (first reported around 40k miles, recurring at 100k+ miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls and dies while driving or at traffic lights; Difficulty restarting; takes multiple attempts or 30+ seconds; Stalling while braking or accelerating; Loss of power steering and braking when engine dies; Rough idle after refuel; idle speed increases then drops
Codes mentioned: P0016, U0100, U1120, U0121, U0103
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships recommend full fuel tank replacement ($$$); some owners had throttle body and PCM replaced without resolving the issue. One owner was told the fuel gauge cannot be replaced separately.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge acknowledged fuel tank recall for some models; owners report dealer diagnostics sometimes cannot duplicate problem. Manufacturer stated no recall available for continued stalling after tank replacement in at least one case.
Unintended acceleration or failed speed control
Vehicle accelerates on its own while parked or moving slowly, independent of pedal input. In some cases the car will not maintain steady speed—it either surges forward or loses power unexpectedly. Braking may struggle to overcome the acceleration.
When: Occurs while in park, backing out, rolling at low speed, or after pulling away from light
Symptoms owners cite: Car accelerates without foot on accelerator pedal; Acceleration against brake pedal; ABS struggles to slow vehicle; RPMs jump and do not match acceleration; Vehicle surges forward or revs in neutral at 4000 RPM without input; Loss of power when trying to accelerate at highway speeds
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had pedal assembly replaced by dealership, which duplicated the problem during repair.
Accelerator pedal mechanical failure
Accelerator pedal breaks, snaps off, or loses structural integrity at the mounting bracket or pivot point. Pedal either becomes non-functional, travels to the floorboard, or detaches completely. Owner reports this vehicle was equipped with law enforcement pursuit package.
When: Upon depression during normal driving (freeway lane changes, acceleration from stops); one instance during seat adjustment
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal snaps or breaks off; Pedal travels to floorboard; Plastic mounting bracket fails; Pedal assembly moves when seat is adjusted (seat position linked to pedal travel)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner ordered and installed replacement accelerator assembly out-of-pocket; another had pedal assembly replaced at dealership. Dodge declined to reimburse one owner for repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler/Dodge declined to pay for parts and labor in at least one case. Dealer advised not to drive vehicle and had it towed for diagnosis.
Fuel tank filler neck / refueling malfunction
Fuel pump nozzle continuously clicks off while refueling, making it extremely slow and tedious to fill the tank. Takes 10+ minutes to add just $20 worth of fuel. Pump must be reset repeatedly. This issue often precedes or coexists with post-refuel stalling.
When: Occurs at every or nearly every refueling event; problem worsens over time
Symptoms owners cite: Pump nozzle clicks off repeatedly during refueling; Extremely slow fuel intake; takes 10+ minutes for partial fill; Nozzle must be manually reset multiple times per fill-up; Problem is ongoing and worsening
Repairs/costs cited: No repair solutions mentioned by owners. Issue forces owners to avoid filling tank completely, which reduces driving convenience.
Electronic throttle control and check engine warnings
Engine stalls with electronic throttle control warning lamp illuminated. Check engine light and oil warning light may also illuminate. Stalls occur repeatedly, sometimes seven or more separate occasions. Dealer diagnostics may not find the fault.
When: At low to moderate speeds (25-50 MPH); recurring episodes
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic throttle control warning lamp illuminates; Check engine light comes on; Oil warning light flashes; Engine stalls after warning lights activate; RPMs jump up and down
Codes mentioned: Electronic Throttle Control warning
Repairs/costs cited: One mechanic diagnosed throttle body and PCM failure requiring replacement; issue recurred after repair. Other dealers unable to duplicate problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware in at least one case; stated no recall available.
Speed sensor failure / loss of acceleration at highway speed
Vehicle loses acceleration power suddenly while driving at steady speed, forcing owner to move to shoulder. After fuel tank replacement, vehicle slows to 35 MPH when reaching higher speeds, with RPMs rising without matching acceleration increase.
When: At 50+ MPH on freeway; one case at 94,900 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of acceleration power on freeway; Vehicle slows to much lower speed without driver action; RPMs increase without corresponding acceleration; Occurs after fuel tank replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed failed speed sensor and repaired it. Post-repair issue (RPM surge without acceleration) recurred in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; prior to repair, dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control 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 cruise control problem on the 2006 Dodge Charger?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 26 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 80,454 and 111,000 miles, with the median around 94,900. A quarter of owners report trouble before 80,454; a quarter make it past 111,000. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.