2006 Dodge Dakota: harsh or hard shifting

6 of the 285 complaints about the 2006 Dodge Dakota describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 62,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 15 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

2008
1
2006
6
2005
4
2004
9
2003
7
2002
21
2001
15
2000
23
1999
7
1998
10
1997
5
1995
3

What owners say

Filed Nov 18, 2013 · Airbags, Brakes · 52,400 miles · CA

1.drivers airbag light comes on when driver. 2.when making a u-turn I hear a loud clunking noise around the tire area. 3.the emergency release brake cable snapped off the release handle. 4.the federal safety agency just sent me an email regarding a recall on my 2006 dodge dakota quad "left tire rod assembly". ( this could be the cause of my #2.loud clunking noise making a u-turn).

Filed Apr 21, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 80,000 miles · IA

I noticed in november 2012 that the steering on my 2006 dodage dakota quad cab seemed stiff and hard to turn, almost as if it wasn't getting enough power steering fluid - checked it and it was ok. Seemed at first to be stiffer when it was cold so attributed it to winter cold. Then at the end of march 2013, I was turning and heard a clunk as if I had hit a pothole. I heard it again on the same day and then heard a squeak as if the springs needed oiling. I stopped at my local repair shop. The mechanic oiled something - drove it and didn't hear a clunk. Three days later I took it to him and said it is clunking regularly and the steering still seems stiff. He replaced upper and lower ball joints that had gone bad, control arms, and tie rods that had play in them. This at 82,000 miles. These repairs are ridiculous for 82,000 miles. After spending $1400 I am still having tight steering. I don't know about dodge executives, but I can't afford repairs like this. The most complaints listed for this model and year are for steering and I've heard from the dealer that the ball joints go out early - as mine did. This vehicle should be recalled for steering and ball joints! My 1993 dakota is still going without these problems and it has 204,000 miles. If they can't make them the way they used to I'm not buying dodge again. P.s. My sister's 2009 dakota had a broken tie rod, ball joint, and steering issues. They can't find anything wrong with the steering. She is dumping it - won't drive it again.

Filed Nov 21, 2012 · Suspension · 40,000 miles · MN

Loud clunking noises from front end of truck. Took truck to repair shop and was informed that the sway bars and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. Front tie rods were replaced in july 2012.

Filed Sep 23, 2010 · Steering, Suspension · 68,952 miles · KS

Dealership suggested stabilizer bar links need replacement. Replaced both links twice without correcting front suspension "clunking". Possible of lower ball joints failing.

Filed Dec 7, 2009 · Steering · 62,000 miles · TN

Intermediate steering shaft needs replacing, clunk sound. Oem has now been upgraded to a beefier shaft because oem was not holding up. This should be a recall issue.

Filed Sep 1, 2008 · Transmission · 600 miles · MN

2006 dodge dakota quad cab. Loud clunk or bang from rear end of vehicle while in reverse. It happened twice in the first 3 weeks of owning the truck. Took it in,was told nothing wrong. It has not recurred.