The 2006 Dodge Charger is about as good a muscle car as you’re going to find for its model year. The long-awaited relaunch of the iconic nameplate was met with the usual round of rave reviews from fans, and jeers from those more concerned with fuel economy than zero-to-sixty. In other words, it’s everything you ever wanted from a Charger.
Is the 2006 Dodge Charger a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – It’s a Dodge Charger. For what it is, it’s perfect. The question is whether you need a high-maintenance, fuel-sucking V8 sedan parked in your driveway.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – The Charger can’t compete with SUVs and family cars for interior space but it’s surprisingly comfy for a dedicated sports car.
- Reliability 7/10 – The transmission and engine might just reach 300,000 miles. It’s all the other repairs you’ve got to worry about.
- Safety 8/10 – Surprisingly decent crash test scores and standard traction control make the Charger one of the safer cars in its category.
- Gas Mileage 5/10 – Even the Base model sucks fuel like a mid-size pickup at 19/27 miles to the gallon.
- Value 7/10 – It’s the best deal you’re going to find on a devoted 2006 muscle car. In other words, a waste of money. But a very, very fun waste of money.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2006 Dodge Charger?
Consumer Reports found the 2006 Dodge Charger to be more sizzle than steak, with a body design sacrificing visibility and practicality for rugged style and bulky edges. They also report poor fuel economy and “overly light” steering.
Kelley Blue Book users give the 2006 Dodge Charger a very strong 93% recommendation, with plenty of praise for the car’s reliable powertrain, fun driving feel, stylish interior, and classic all-American feel. But, even the most diehard muscle car fanatics confess that it guzzles gas like a full-size pickup.
Edmunds praise the Charger’s striking visual design, hefty Hemi V8, firm handling, roomy interior, and reasonable pricing for a muscle car. Some low-grade interior plastics and outsized curb weight earned the car a few dings from the website.
What Common Problems Does the 2006 Dodge Charger Have?
The 2006 Charger has 1,267 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of these, nearly one in three are for engine problems. Among these complaints drivers report engine stall after refueling, with some reporting that the problem persists even after repeated repairs.
A recall was issued in 2006 for faulty rear brake tubes in the hydraulic brake system. This can lead to weak braking and even engine compartment fire. Unfortunately, drivers were reporting parts shortages as late as 2016. Check the VIN before you buy and make sure the repairs have already been administered.
There are 88 steering complaints on file with drivers reporting the steering wheel rattling violently at various speeds. Many of these complaints were reported at a very high mileage, with one at 300,000 miles. This may be a matter of simple wear and tear in some cases.
The 2006 Charger has just 5 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which is a fairly low number for a 2006 sedan. But, with more than a thousand complaint having been registered and two recalls open as of the time of this writing, it may be that a few more recalls are in order.
How Long Will the 2006 Dodge Charger Last?
With adequate care, a 2006 Dodge Charger can easily last anywhere from 250,000 to 300,000 miles on the original engine and transmission. That is, if it’s been receiving adequate care its whole life. If the previous owner was driving it like they stole it, 200,000 might be asking a lot. In short: Test drive and kick the tires.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $652, with the most expensive common repairs being new head gaskets starting at around $1,742, and new airbag control modules at $586.
None that I know of. It is definitely not a winter car, as it has a lot of power when trying to drive that reduced speed. Also being low profile is a issue in the snow drifts. Would need new tires replaced before winter, possibly every 2 years.
Yea there has not been any problems for me. I have 270,000 miles on it and it is still working very good.
My car only had problems from the accident and normal wear and tear but other than that no. Plus like I said the parts are not expensive also with the base I can get parts from an 06 to like an 09 maybe an 2010 if I tried.
It's reliable but I wouldn't go far with it. Likes to eat oil. Does not get around in snow. Goes through brakes and rotors a lot.
It is reliable for the most part, it has not left me stranded, it has continuously worked for the last 5 years or so, I did not use it for a month due to some repairs that it needed.
Yes, I just have a little problem of the tire but everything so far is fine and good as brand new. So what are you waiting for ?
Yes. It is very reliable. I have had a few issues with the struts, as well as the exhaust. But then again the exhaust isn't factory so that is just from a third party not knowing what they were doing. Oh yeah... there is a new wiring/electrical issue I don't know why it has happened.
It is, the only problems are just the tires and the AC but its old so it would at least have a problem or two.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2006 Charger is adequate, but basic. You’ve got CD players and radios as standard issue equipment, and that’s about as fancy as it gets.
Safety features onboard the 2006 Charger earn a solid B+, with anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and traction control as standard features.
Is the 2006 Dodge Charger a Good Value?
An entry-level or mid-range 2006 Dodge Charger is a good value if you’re looking for a muscle car at an accessible price point. The Base sedan typically lists at just $4,884, but the SRT8 goes up to around $10,793, at which point you might want to consider fixing up a classic instead of settling for a 2006 model.
The 2006 Charger is a high-maintenance gas guzzler that will have you in and out of the garage on a pretty regular basis, but, that can be said for almost any muscle car. As long as you know what you’re getting yourself into the 2006 Charger is one of the most accessibly priced cars in its class.
What are the Different Models of the 2006 Dodge Charger?
The 2006 Dodge Charger is offered in three basic trim levels, not counting the Fleet and Police Cruiser models sold to businesses and law enforcement. The commercially available trims range from the standard Base to the high-end SRT8.
With the entry-level Base you’re getting:
- Cloth seating
- Manual air conditioning
- CD player
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
- Remote keyless entry
The mid-range R/T adds:
- Fog lights
- Heated mirrors
- Leather seating
- 8-way power driver seat
Finally, the top-of-the-line SRT8 features:
- Suede and leather seating
- Boston Acoustics speakers
- 6.1L V8 engine
What Engines Come In the 2006 Dodge Charger?
- The Base 2006 Charger comes equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine delivering 250 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in rear wheel drive, it averages 19/27 miles to the gallon, and it goes zero to sixty in 7.3 seconds.
- In the R/T you’ll find a 5.7L Hemi V8 delivering 350 horsepower and 375 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in rear wheel drive, it averaves 17/25 miles to the gallon, and it can hit zero to sixty in 6.1 seconds.
- At the very tip top you’ve got the 6.1L Hemi V8 in the SRT8 edition. This engine delivers an incredible 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. Paired to a 5-speed automatic in rear wheel drive, the 6.1L averages 14/20 miles to the gallon, and it can go zero to sixty in just 5.4 seconds.
What Colors Does the 2006 Dodge Charger Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2006 Dodge Charger?
The 2006 Dodge Charger is one of the more comfortable sports cars in this price range. The front bucket seats are nice and firm and the car has a full-size vibe overall. The suspension is nicely tuned and has held up well over the years, and you’ve got 55.5 inches of hip room in the back.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2006 Dodge Charger Have?
The 2006 Charger offers 16 cubic feet of storage space in the trunk. That’ll pack five or six medium-sized suitcases, plus a carry-on or two. Inside the cabin you’ve got plenty of cup holders, pockets, and slots so that you won’t have to stack your phone, book, wallet, and coffee on your lap.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2006 Dodge Charger was the first new entry for the nameplate in twenty years, kicking off the 6th Generation after the long hiatus.
2006: The all-new Charger featured a modernized design without sacrificing the muscly appeal of earlier models, a trio of powerful new engines, and a platform derived from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class.
2007: All wheel drive options were new for 2007.
2008: The interior got a top-to-bottom refresh for 2008 with softer upholstery and a redesigned instrument panel among the changes.
2009: The mid-range 5.7L Hemi was all new for 2009, delivering 368 horsepower.
2010: No major changes for 2010, as they were already preparing the 7th Generation launch at this point, following the success of the 6th Generation.
How Does the 2006 Dodge Charger Compare to the Competition?
Muscle cars were relatively slim pickin’s in the mid-00’s, but there were a few solid contenders to stand alongside the relaunched Charger. The closest competition, if you want an affordable roadster with an all-American feel, would be the 2006 Ford Mustang.
You could also go with a Pontiac GTO or a Corvette, both fine cars, and both costing around three to four times as much as a comparable Charger.
The Mustang, on the other hand, typically lists at around $7,000 to $8,000 at the entry level, and it delivers similar performance to the Charger, although the high-end GT models come up about 125 horsepower short of the Charger’s SRT8.
If the subject were compact cars or minivans, it would be easy to recommend one of these based on the numbers alone. Practicality is a secondary concern with a muscle car, it’s all about having fun. So, while the Charger may be a bit cheaper at the entry level, and more powerful at the high end, it really comes down to preference.
Do Owners Recommend the 2006 Dodge Charger?
Yes. I love how it handles and its roomy. Has a v6 and drives like it has a v8. Smooth over roads and acceleration is easy as well. Very low to the ground. Comes in many colors. Seats recline back and are comfortable for long or short travels. Trunk is wide and fits storage perfectly. Plenty of legroom in back seat for the kids.
Yes it's a good car. It gets good gas mileage for the power it has. I think it is a good balance between the two. It has a big interior with lots of room for road trips the trunk size is also good.
Yes it is a good vehicle it is very reliable even though I got into a wreck with over 150000 miles it is still going strong. I also love that my parts are cheap after my accident I found all my parts for under 600 dollars with most cars it would have cost way more.
No it has red and with snowy roads you can't get nowhere. It always has issues with rotors and brakes. Seems like we always are replacing. Plus it like oil. Always seem to have to give oil and we don't drive it much. It does not have a leak either we had it checked.
It is somewhat a good vehicle, I have had it for 5 years now and has not stopped working however I have had some issues with it recently regarding water pump and it is transmission possibly radiator.
Yes, super cool. It may look simple but it was fast and stable. I had it for a long time already and now it's still fine as if new.
Yes it is very reliable thus far. It has had its fair share of trials and tributes. But I can still walk out there on any day and fire it right up and get going where I need to go. And not worry at all.
Yes, I've had no issues. I love my car! It is extremely enjoyable to drive. I love having a 'muscle' car!
