2006 Dodge Dakota Consumer Reviews

never again

Written by: ihatemydodge on 08/20/2009

Vehicle

2006 Dodge Dakota ST 4dr Club Cab SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I have owned this truck for nearly 4 years. Belt tensioner went out under warranty. After warranty expired, water pump replaced TWICE, trans rebuilt at 79k miles, trans control module replaced 2 months later, engine replaced at 86k (leakage on three cylinders...very rough idle), terrible gas mileage, "clunking" sound coming from driveshaft when taking off or stopping (Dealer says common problem and cannot be fixed). Changing the oil is easy, but messy (oil hits cross member and splatters everywhere). Engine is sluggish, and tranny shifts at entirely the wrong time. I hate this truck with a passion and will never buy another Chrysler product. I can see why they went bankrupt.

Favorite Features

size, ride height, good for hauling but not everyday driving. Looks pretty good, but so does a gold-plated turd.

Suggested Improvements

Redesign and re-engineer from the ground up. This truck is just awful. Give it better gas mileage & more power (japan can do it, why can't we?). At least make it last long enough to pay it off. Maybe Fiat can make a better truck :/

0 out 3 people found this review helpful

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OK

Written by: CC on 07/11/2009

Vehicle

2006 Dodge Dakota SLT 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I bought my truck new. I must say at first I loved it, but 3 months after having it, it was in the dealership 3 times on warrenty. Then about a year later in the shop again. First 2 things were with the gaskets for exhaust manafold, 3rd thing was air conditioning, 4th thing Camshaft Position Sensor wnet out at 36,000 miles, 5th thing sensor went out again at 49,000. No warrenty, thank god my husband is a wrench otherwise it would cost me $500. Truck is a piece. Think about giving it back and take my loses.

Favorite Features

Towing

Suggested Improvements

A lot

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Best small truck for the money

Written by: doublee2005 on 06/24/2009

Vehicle

2006 Dodge Dakota ST 4dr Club Cab SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M)

Review

For the money you cannot buy a better small truck. When you compare that you get a v6 with good towing and full truck size for the same money as a single cab tacoma, ranger, colorado, or frontier that only come stock with 4 cylinders, there is no comparison. I bought a full size truck in my eyes for the price of a compact truck. Also the manual transmission is INCREDIBLE. In 6th gear I can run 85 at 2600 rpm which is unheard of with modern cars. So if you want a full size truck for half size money get one, if you want a small truck with fuel economy go buy a tacoma or ranger.

Favorite Features

Price, standard extended cab, looks, 6th gear, solid v6, solid steering, great manual transmission, mp3 jack standard feature, good seats, large bed, good power, boxed frame, great towing and payload for half size truck

Suggested Improvements

the fuel mileage is terrible but hey its a truck can't expect much. 15 city 18 or so highway

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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The jury's still out...

Written by: Jay on 06/14/2009

Vehicle

2006 Dodge Dakota SLT 4dr Quad Cab SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I bought a used '06 in '08. I wanted a V-6 for milage (traded in a Jeep Wrangler) but the V-6 is a dog. It won't get out of it's own way. The rear end is super light and on rain slicked roads you really need to watch the break away factor. That could also be because of the crappy Good Year tires the truck came with. I'll be upgrading the tires to Michelins very soon. Suspension is extremely soft and bouncy, almost like driving a '70's era Cadillac. The bed could be a few inches longer but it works for what I need. I can put my Suzuki RM in the back straight on with the gate down. The mpg is decent, not great, not bad. So far, I haven't had any mechanical issues.

Favorite Features

Exterior looks, size. Small tucks are too small and full size are too big. This one is just right. Rear seating is good for adults. Rear doors open wide. Ample storage.

Suggested Improvements

Stiffer suspension. Better tires. More power out of the 6.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Not a bad truck...

Written by: tim927 on 06/08/2009

Vehicle

2006 Dodge Dakota ST 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M)

Review

This truck wasn't bad. The v6 was great until pulling. The ford 4.2 v6 seems a bit more powerfull. I put 26k on without a problem and went on a couple road trips and stayed comfortable. I only traded it because I needed more room for a growing family, back to Ford!

Favorite Features

6spd manual tranny, fun to drive! Easy clutch, nice deep bed. Heavy duty closed frame.

Suggested Improvements

The 08 nose is much better looking! The paint chipped ealisy and the seats were harder to clean than my previous fords.

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Great Truck, Quad w/ V8

Written by: Bill on 06/04/2009

Vehicle

2006 Dodge Dakota SLT 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Bought used, came off a lease, w/ 19000 miles. Preformance Dodge in Omaha went over the vehicle completely before it went off warranty and replaced some things that were going bad - they really treated me well - they take care of our Jeep Patriot too - great service dept. I really like the Dakota and it gets 16-18 mpg around town depending how much I use the a/c. The only thing you must do is get rid of the OEM shocks and replace w/ Rancho 5000's - they really settle it down - OEM are just to soft and cause some bounce, that I have seen others complain about. I've owned a lot of Jeeps (and if they made a truck I would have got that)my first Dodge - It's a keeper.

Favorite Features

Roomy, good handling, good ride (after Rancho shocks), 4X4 works great, great Dodge look, good mpg for a V8, power when needed.

Suggested Improvements

Not a big deal I just like a 4x4 lever instead of a knob - it's all good.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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BUY A V8 !

Written by: FULLER on 04/24/2009

Vehicle

2006 Dodge Dakota SLT 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M)

Review

If you bought a V6 don't complian about power . You bought a v6 duh. The V8 screams and the only problem i have is getting traction to break inertia,

Favorite Features

Quad comfort, body style,V8. SOTF 4X4

Suggested Improvements

Window's freeze shut in winter power window has not enough power to open it. Also power steering lines need to be steel braided just keep breaking all winter long. a few minor warranty issues.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Good old all American work truck.

Written by: Steven on 03/12/2009

Vehicle

2006 Dodge Dakota SLT 4dr Quad Cab SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M)

Review

At 50k I replaced: tires the brake pads I’ve installed K&N air filter and Bosch Platinum 4 spark plugs. About a month ago the cam shaft and the crank shaft sensors vent bad 400$, #2ingnition coil replacement was 35$. Belt replacement coming too. Paint is very sensitive. Body dents very easy. Factory speakers sounds like you have a bucket on them later upgraded with Infinity speakers now the whole door panel rattles.I have broken the parking brake release 18$ and once I have slammed the glove compartment door and the opening mechanism broke inside 50$. Idles a little rough. And the tranny are slow.I may going to have some problems with my differential. Highway I do 20mpg city about 15-16mpg.

Favorite Features

Truly impressive towing. Pretty spacious inside also the rear door opens wide. Easy access of the engine compartment as you will going to spend lots of time on it. I don't care much for mpg if you want more by a Prius. It's not that bed of a truck but it's got some issues.

Suggested Improvements

My conclusion is the engine could produce more power but the tranny are too slow. If somehow the shift timing could be reprogrammed the mpg would be better and it would produce a quicker vehicle. The single most annoying element is the all around plastic inside. The bed could be bigger a few inches.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Irmas Dakota

Written by: Bob Kay on 03/08/2009

Vehicle

2006 Dodge Dakota SLT 4dr Quad Cab SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M)

Review

3 years old, only the plastic parking brake pull inside clip broke. glued on a metal L, drilled hole to match and good to go. ZERO problems. Running syntheic oil, getting 18-24 mpg from around town to 70-75 on open road. 3.7 OK, not same power as my 318 Ram Van but does well vs milage improvement. Love the truck, especially around town. Would get another in a minute. Wife will not let it go, loves 17" wheels for traffic and trailer towing package and posi-tracking make a big difference. Corners flat without a lean. Spend the little more then just standard, worth it. Dynamite sound system. Three part folding back cover is recommended for mpg and the Dodge heavy duty bed mat keeps back quiet

Favorite Features

17"wheels, cruise, HD suspension, sound system, split front seat to allow six, style, posi-tracking in rain and off road, lumbar support and power seat

Suggested Improvements

at least 2 additional power outlets, one that stays on, oil pressure light, spoiled from other chryslers, more tie down areas in back bed.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Overall great vehicle

Written by: John on 01/10/2009

Vehicle

2006 Dodge Dakota SLT 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (3.7L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Have had my Dakota since new. The V8 is good but could have more power. 3xs back to the dealer for turn signle problems. Could use better suspension. Tires are terrible. Dodge, put a truck tire on a truck please. Surprisingly not as a cheaply built as I would think from a domestic vehicle. I prefer buying Deomestic but quality is going to drive that decision for people, including myself in the future. I love my Dakota. Thinking about adding some aftermarket improvement as I have no plans on getting rid of it. First vehicle I have had in a long time, domestic made, that I am really really happy with.

Favorite Features

Exterior looks. Solid feel with comfortable drive. A lot of room in the quad cab.

Suggested Improvements

Get some real truck tires, stock equipment that came with mine are terrible. Stronger suspension. Better position of 4wd controls, improve quality of interior (the competition offers a lot more at less cost, especially an import). Focus on the quality and what people want.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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