PASSENGER AIR BAG DEACTIVATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Dodge Magnum airbags problems
critical 46 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
46
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
7crashes
8injuries
1fatality
What stands out
Owners have filed 46 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.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 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 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 Magnum airbag problems center on Takata inflators and a massive recall-parts shortage that left owners in an unsafe position for years. Owners reported two failure modes: explosive inflator ruptures that spray metal fragments into the cabin (one fatal case documented), and complete airbag non-deployment during crashes at 30+ mph where occupants sustained serious head, neck, back, and facial injuries. Several owners received NHTSA recall notifications starting in 2014–2015 but were told repeatedly that replacement inflators were unavailable—waits stretched to months or years with no firm repair date given. One owner waited 3 years and still had no repair; another was quoted January 2018 availability in mid-2017. Dealers compounded the problem by refusing timely service or imposing punitive terms: one demanded a 7–10 day vehicle drop-off in the lot with no loaner despite offering same-day appointments for other work; another required inconvenient evening drop-off and next-day pickup without transportation help. An owner whose airbag deployed unintentionally during normal driving (totaling the vehicle) found the manufacturer's only response was "investigation" after years of ignored recall notices. An airbag warning light issue appeared on multiple vehicles but was never formally recalled, despite one owner's research showing it was a known problem in 2005–2006 Magnums.
Same Dodge Magnum airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Takata airbag inflator rupture/uncontrolled deployment
Inflators pressurize excessively and fragment, ejecting metal shrapnel into the cabin. One narrative documents a fatal deployment from humidity; another reports unintended passenger-side deployment during normal driving that totaled the vehicle. These are Takata-manufactured inflators subject to multiple recall campaigns.
When: Various, including 49,896 miles; occurs during crashes and spontaneously depending on humidity exposure
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed with excessive force; Metal fragments projected into cabin; Unintended deployment without collision; Driver and passenger injuries or fatalities from shrapnel
Codes mentioned: 15V313000, 16V352000, 16V340000, 14V817000, 14V354000
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement inflators required; no repair parts available for extended periods (up to 3+ years in some cases). Multiple narratives cite delayed availability through 2017 and beyond.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaigns 15V313000, 16V352000, 16V340000, 14V817000, 14V354000 issued for Takata inflator replacement. Dealers informed customers parts unavailable for months or years. No accommodations offered for transportation or inconvenience during extended waits.
Airbag failure to deploy in frontal collision
Front airbags did not deploy when vehicles were struck head-on or in high-impact frontal crashes. Multiple narratives document occupants sustaining head, face, neck, back, and limb injuries that could have been prevented by proper airbag deployment. One crash at 30+ mph produced no deployment; another head-on at 30-35 mph also saw no airbag activation.
When: During frontal collisions at 30+ mph; mileage 97,119–170,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No front airbag deployment on impact; Occupant facial, head, neck, back, and limb injuries; Visible sensor components post-crash; Defective sensors requiring replacement
Codes mentioned: 15V313000, Sensor defects noted but no specific code cited
Repairs/costs cited: Sensors had to be replaced post-crash in one case; repairs made at collision center and dealer. No pre-crash diagnosis or prevention documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall notifications issued (15V313000, 16V352000); however, multiple owners received notifications after failures had already occurred. No proactive communication or loaner programs documented.
Airbag warning light illumination (intermittent or persistent)
Airbag warning light appeared on the instrument cluster, either intermittently or persistently. In one narrative, the light cycles off when reset but returns immediately. Owners reported this is a known issue in 2005–2006 Magnums but was never formally recalled despite the safety implication that airbags will not deploy if the warning light is on.
When: Mileage 168,553 miles; timing not specified for other cases
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated on dashboard; Light cycles off after reset then reappears; No actual system failure experienced by owner but light indicates potential non-deployment
Codes mentioned: Not specified by owners
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. One owner researched online and found this is a common issue in 2005 Magnums; suggested it should have been recalled.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented. No recall issued for this warning-light issue, despite owner testimony that it was a known problem.
Recall parts availability delays (endemic supply chain failure)
The dominant complaint across 30+ narratives: Dodge issued NHTSA recall notifications but supplied no replacement inflators to dealers for extended periods—often months to years after notification. Owners could not get repairs scheduled or completed. One dealer quoted January 2018 availability in mid-2017; another owner waited 3+ years without resolution. Manufacturer acknowledged delays in some cases but offered no remedies, loaner vehicles, or revised timelines.
When: Recall issued 2014–2015; parts delays extended through 2017–2018 and beyond. Some cases remain unresolved at time of complaint filing.
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received but parts not in stock; Dealer cannot provide appointment date; Repeated calls to dealer and manufacturer with no resolution; Manufacturer states fix not yet developed (in 2015 case); Vehicle must remain in service with known defect indefinitely
Codes mentioned: 15V313000, 16V352000, 16V340000, 14V817000, 14V354000, 06V149000
Repairs/costs cited: No repair parts available. Owners cited waits of 5+ months, 2+ years, and 3+ years in individual cases. One case notes VIN tool confirmed parts not available; another states manufacturer had not developed a fix as of June 2015.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaigns issued but Chrysler/Dodge failed to secure parts supply. Dealer service advisors offered gift cards instead of repairs (one narrative) or insisted on indefinite drop-offs without loaner vehicles or accommodation. One dealership required evening drop-off and next-day pickup with no transportation assistance despite the owner waiting a year already.
Dealer service refusal or bad-faith repair scheduling
Dealers refused to schedule timely repairs even after parts became available, or demanded unreasonable accommodation terms. One dealer insisted the owner drop off the vehicle for 7–10 days in the lot before even inspecting it, despite offering same-day or next-day appointments for other services—owner characterized this as punitive. Another dealer offered a gift card instead of a repair. A third required evening drop-off with next-day pickup and no loaner after the owner had already waited a year.
When: During recall service periods 2015–2017
Symptoms owners cite: Dealer refuses appointment scheduling; Demands 7–10 day vehicle drop-off with no loaner or compensation; Offers gift card instead of repair; Requires inconvenient evening/next-day pickup without transportation assistance
Repairs/costs cited: No parts replaced due to dealer refusal or unreasonable terms. Owner at Ontario Dodge (Ontario, CA) did not complete recall repair; owner at Armory Garage (Albany, NY) reported difficulty; owner with Prestige Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (Longmont, CO) and others unable to schedule.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge dealers failed to honor NHTSA recall agreement or provide customer accommodation. Dealers cited parts unavailability but also imposed scheduling barriers independent of parts. Manufacturer (Chrysler) did not override dealer behavior or provide direct repair options.
Synthesized from 46 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Dodge magnum. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v352000 (air bags) however the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Part distribution disconnect. Updated…
With all of the takata airbag recalls for these vehicles for front airbags, what about the side curtain airbags that some models like mine were equipped with as a factory option? Are those airbag inflators also need to be replaced?
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Dodge magnum. The contact received notification of an air bag recall. The dealer was unable to supply the part for several months. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. While driving in traffic, another vehicle at a high rate of speed crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The driver…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge magnum. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v354000 (air bags). The contact stated that the part was not available. The dealer did not give a specific date when the part would become available. The manufacturer was notified of the delay. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge magnum. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not…
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Dodge Magnum?
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 Magnum?
It's a serious issue. 46 complaints have been filed, including 7 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?
Based on the 46 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 102,368 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/Magnum.
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.