Is the 2006 Dodge Magnum a bad year?
321 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 104.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2006 Dodge Magnum were filed between 58k and 100k miles. You're at 83,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Magnum owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 83,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 112 (35%) | 63k–105k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 103 (32%) | 59k–100k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 67 (21%) | 57k–100k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 48 (15%) | 42k–138k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 31 (10%) | 48k–96k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 21 (7%) | 3k–85k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Brakes | 11 (3%) | 27k–120k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed control | 6 (2%) | 25k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 10 (3%) | 1k–46k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 5 (2%) | 16k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 83,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 321 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 12 report an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jan 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
After refueling my 2006 Dodge magnum stalled repeatedly. Restarting the car was very difficult. Most of the stalling episodes occurred when the car was at a standstill or moving at 5 MPH or less.
Over the course of the past six months, my engine has missed and stalled after refueling. This occurs after each refueling and is a safety concern as there is no warning then the stall may occur.
Sudden engine stall few miles after fuel charge. These problems happened several months ago, and becoming more frequent almost every fuel charge.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 83,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Dodge Magnum: 5
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. 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.
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. 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.
The gearshift cable may become disengaged from the steering column mounting bracket and cause an incorrect transmission gearshift position display. This could allow the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction startling the driver, and cause a crash without warning.
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.7 liter engines and MK25E braking systems may exhibit inadequate clearance between the rear brake tubes and the exhaust gas recirculation tube. This can result in a decrease of braking force and the potential for an engine compartment fire.
On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42RLE automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft may be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle may not be able to achieve 'park' position. If this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without warning.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 16
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Dodge Magnum. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
When fuel tank fill-up, the engine stalls immediately
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Engine Stall
Neighbouring years
2005 Magnum: 638 complaints, keep it · 2007 Magnum: 110 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Dodge Magnum year
2003 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · All Magnum years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Dodge Magnum a bad year?
321 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 104. At 83,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2006 Dodge Magnum were filed between 58k and 100k miles. You're at 83,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Dodge Magnum?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (112), engine (103), transmission and drivetrain (67), air bags (48), electrical system (31). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 58k–100k miles.
How many recalls does the 2006 Dodge Magnum have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 16V-352), Air bags (NHTSA 15V-313), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 08V-583), Brakes (NHTSA 06V-149) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.