YearToAvoid

2006 Dodge Durango Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2006 Dodge Durango has 852 NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls, with a complaint index of 68, ranking 7th worst among 20 model years. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by fuel system complaints (65% of all complaints).

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
68/100
#7 of 20 Durango years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
852
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
9
2 Do Not Drive
Crashes
16
reported in complaints
Fires
9
Injuries
19
Top issue
Fuel System
Best nearby year
2023
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
14
13 city / 17 hwy
Injuries / deaths
19 / 0

Top 2006 Dodge Durango problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System552 (65%)
  2. Electrical System92 (11%)
  3. Airbags76 (9%)
  4. Engine75 (9%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain55 (6%)
  6. Brakes34 (4%)
  7. Steering23 (3%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers21 (2%)
  9. Structure & Body20 (2%)
  10. Other18 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report instrument cluster overheating leading to smoke or fire, sometimes starting near the driver side of the vehicle.
  • Some describe an alternator ground burning, with a melted terminal and cable insulation and noticeable heat.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during moderate-speed collisions, including a 20 mph impact and a 45 mph crash into a wall.
  • Owners describe the vehicle shifting out of gear without a key in the ignition, allowing it to roll unexpectedly.
  • Some report brakes smoking and smelling like fire while descending a hill, along with intermittent warning lights.
  • A few describe dashboard lights flashing and the vehicle losing power along with smoke from the vents.
2006 Dodge Durango complaints: complaints filed per quarter572006 Q12008 Q22010 Q32012 Q42015 Q12017 Q22019 Q32022 Q1
852 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2010 Q1 (57).

2006 Dodge Durango recalls

9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V352000May 24, 2016Airbags4,648,270 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 15V313000May 26, 2015Airbags4,077,169 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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.

    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.

    Remedy: 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. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.

  3. NHTSA 07V092000Mar 9, 2007Electrical System328,424 vehicles

    Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

    On some sport utility vehicles, under certain operating conditions, an integrated circuit in the instrument cluster that controls interior lighting may overheat.

    Risk: This could potentially cause an instrument panel fire.

    Remedy: 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.

See all 9 recalls for the 2006 Dodge Durango →

2006 Dodge Durango fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13 MPG
Highway
17 MPG
Combined
14 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2006 compared with other Durango years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid1001,5678 !14
2006Caution688529 !14
2007Caution421914 !15
2008Caution21972 !15

All Dodge Durango years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Dodge Durango reliable?
NHTSA lists 852 complaints and 9 recalls for the 2006 Durango, giving it a complaint index of 68 and a Caution verdict relative to other Durango years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Dodge Durango?
Fuel System complaints make up 65% of all reported issues (552 of 852 complaints), with a median mileage at failure of 60,000 miles.
Does the 2006 Dodge Durango have any do-not-drive recalls?
Yes, two of its nine recalls are do-not-drive airbag recalls, both related to occupant restraint control issues shared across several Chrysler models.
How does the 2006 Durango compare to other model years?
It ranks 7th worst out of 20 model years with a complaint index of 68, better than 2005 (100, Avoid) but worse than 2008 (21, Caution).
What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Dodge Durango?
EPA rates it at 14 mpg combined (13 city / 17 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,650.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.