GEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The transfer case needs to be positioned in AWD/2WD position to properly assemble gear motor to T-Case. Please reference Star Online publication S2121000003 for further details. Do not have the transfer case in in another position other than AWD/2WD and rotate the motor to align the bolt holes as this could result in damage to the gear motor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Dodge Dakota engine problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 10 engine complaints filed for the 2006 Dodge Dakota, 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
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 18 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
GEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The transfer case needs to be positioned in AWD/2WD position to properly assemble gear motor to T-Case. Please reference Star Online publication S2121000003 for further details. Do not have the transfer case in in another position other than AWD/2WD and rotate the motor to align the bolt holes as this could result in damage to the gear motor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. Installation: 1. Clean the oil pan T-joints.~ 2. Fill the T-joint between the pan rail/gear housing and pan rail/rear seal retainer with sealant. Use Mopar® Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant or equivalent. 3. Apply a 2-mm [0.063-in] bead of Mopar Engine Sealant RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive, to the oil pan flange.~ 4. The four piece gasket will need to be assembled to make a complete oil pan gasket. 5. Lay the oil pan gasket(s) onto the oil pan flange.~ 6. Ensure the oil pan gask
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NAG1 (5A580) Valve Body As per Warranty Bulletin D-13-22, please use R2108213A$ valve body for all Warranty (W), Mopar (M) and Mopar Vehicle Protection (F) claims.~ Assembly also includes Filter (52108325AA) and Gasket (52108332AA).~
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Stalling is the biggest headache. Multiple owners say their Dakotas shut off when approaching stops or driving at highway speeds—one nearly rolled backward into traffic on a hill. The catch: no diagnostic codes appear, so dealers shrug and blame gas quality or claim they cannot duplicate the problem. One dealer even said Chrysler acknowledged the issue exists across multiple same-year Dakotas but has no fix.
Exhaust manifold bolts are a serial offender on the 4.7-liter engine. Bolt heads snap off around 50,000–60,000 miles, causing oil leaks. Owners argue the repair should be covered under the 80,000-mile emissions warranty, but dealers deny it.
Internal engine defects have forced complete engine replacements as early as 40,000 miles, and one owner discovered their truck had a hidden prior engine replacement. A serpentine tensioner spring failed at 37,000 miles, locking the steering wheel; the manufacturer refused warranty coverage because the owner went to an independent shop.
Lesser issues include a flickering oil pressure warning light (possible sensor fault) and radiator support bracket rust that could let the radiator detach during driving. One owner reported head gasket cover bolts breaking repeatedly.
Same Dodge Dakota engine reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Stalling at stops/while driving
Engine stalls unexpectedly when approaching stop signs, red lights, or at any speed while driving. No diagnostic codes appear in the computer, making dealer diagnosis difficult. Multiple owners report the problem cannot be duplicated by dealers, yet manufacturer acknowledges other same-year Dakotas have the identical issue.
When: 4,000 miles and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off when approaching stop or red light; Vehicle stalls while driving at any speed; No warning indicators before stalling; Engine may roll backward on hills when stalling; No diagnostic trouble codes present
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer acknowledged problem exists in other vehicles of same year/make/model but has not identified a remedy
Exhaust manifold bolt failure
Bolts holding the exhaust manifold break and detach, causing oil leaks. Occurs on 4.7-liter engines. Heads snap off the bolts at 50,000–60,000 miles. Owner believes bolts are defective by design and should be covered under emissions warranty (80,000 miles), but dealers deny coverage.
When: 50,000–60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Exhaust manifold bolts break and detach; Oil leaking from manifold; Bolt heads snap off
Repairs/costs cited: Manifold bolts require replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repairs denied coverage under emissions warranty despite owner assertion they should qualify
Internal engine defect requiring engine replacement
Oil leak traced to internal engine defect requiring complete engine replacement. Dealer initially blamed oil filter before identifying internal defect. Owner could not afford replacement and vehicle remained in shop.
When: 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from engine
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler advised owner to submit oil change receipts; no mention of warranty coverage or assistance provided
Serpentine tensioner spring failure
Spring inside serpentine tensioner breaks, causing belt to slip out of position and steering wheel to lock when starting. Repaired at independent shop for $161. Manufacturer denied warranty coverage because repair was not performed at authorized dealer.
When: 37,027 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel will not turn when ignition started; Serpentine belt slips out of position
Repairs/costs cited: $161 repair at independent mechanic; manufacturer denied warranty coverage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty claim denied because repair was not done at authorized dealer
Oil pressure warning light malfunction
Oil pressure warning light illuminates when starting and may or may not turn off after cranking. Owner suspects faulty oil pressure sensor or oil pressure switch.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil light comes on when cranking truck; Light sometimes turns off after restarting, sometimes remains on
Head gasket cover bolts breaking
Bolts holding head gasket covers break at an alarming rate. Limited detail provided in complaint.
Symptoms owners cite: Bolts on head gasket covers breaking
Engine replacement after undisclosed prior replacement
Vehicle sold as new with undisclosed prior engine replacement. Owner experienced continued transmission issues, exhaust leaks, and multiple noises. Dealer claims recurring issues are normal and refuses to work on vehicle except at technician's convenience. Dealer lied about engine being subject to recall when no engine recalls existed.
When: 8,800 miles (transmission replacement)
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission problems continuing after replacement at 8,800 miles; Vehicle shut off while driving on freeway; Multiple exhaust leaks; Unexplained noises from engine
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replaced at 8,800 miles; hub fan replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed repeated problems are normal and lied about engine recall to justify undisclosed engine replacement
Radiator support bracket rust-through
Radiator support bracket rusted away, creating risk of radiator detachment during vehicle operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Radiator support bracket rusted away; Risk of radiator detachment while in motion
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Dodge dakota. In september of 2007, the contact noticed that the vehicle was leaking oil. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the oil filter. She was then informed that there was a defect in the internal engine and the entire engine needed to be replaced. Chrysler advised her to fax all the oil change receipts. The contact cannot afford to pay for…
Had engine trouble with your 2006 Dodge Dakota?
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 engine problem on the 2006 Dodge Dakota?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 6,191 and 60,000 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,191; a quarter make it past 60,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/Dakota.
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.