Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 851 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Dodge Durango, and it carries 10 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 387 | 45% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 130 | 15% |
| Air bags | 64 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 31 | 4% |
| Engine | 25 | 3% |
| Power train | 23 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 2% |
| Steering | 10 | 1% |
| Power train | 9 | 1% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Vehicle: 2006 Dodge Durango VIN: [XXX] Issue Type: Fuel System / Safety Hazard Description: During refueling, the vehicle repeatedly shuts the pump off and then sprays gasoline back out of the filler neck, creating a fi
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
Fuel spills out when you fill it up. I read there were safety recalls due to this issue for 2006 Dodge Durango's but a recall isn't appearing for my vehicle. When filling it fills fine until almost a full tank. Once it
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle abruptly merged into his lane in front of him, prompting him to rapidly decrease speeds. However, the
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Every time filling full of gas, once full it SPRAYS gas into the air for 2 to 3 seconds. It's evident this is a manufacturing defect as multiple self reported incidents can be found online throught the years. This is vre
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
Several repairs for sensor Labor: Check and advise the check engine light is on and the vehicle wants to stall when accelerating. Vehicle loses engine power but has not stalled completely (low/reverse solenoid circuit.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Fuel erupts from fuel filler neck EVERY TIME the fuel tank is filled, even when filling very slowly. A half-gallon or more of fuel ends up violently spitting out of the filler neck onto people in the vicinity, onto the s
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
design issue on rack and pinion assembly. Basically metal transfer pipes on side of assembly rust out. This is my second Durango 2006 model to have this problem. Complete loss of steering assist occurs because of loss o
NHTSA complaint: Steering
In the winter of 2020 i had to use my 4wd lock in my durango. It never come out of 4wd lock. As a former ase technician and auto center manager I have to say dodge has a mess on their hands. 1st off its ridiculous to sto
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2006 Dodge Durango. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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, 2
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 rup
Fix: 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.
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, 2005-2
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
Fix: 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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION WATTS LINK MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY AND COULD FAIL.
Risk: A FAILED WATTS LINK COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION WATTS LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
| Reliability raw | 57 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 65 | good |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 74 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 851 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 387 of them (45%). There are 10 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 57/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 65/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 60/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.