Three problems related to transfer case have been reported for the 2006 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Truck has an awd 5 speed 545rfe automatic transmission. The "service 4wd" check light started randomly coming on and blinking while the vehicle was in motion and the transfer control case at times felt like it was attempting to and at times did shift into 4hi or 4lo. This happens without any touching of the control switch on the dash. Dealer disclaims any knowledge of the problem and there are no service bulletins or recalls. A search of the internet reveals that there are hundreds if not thousands of Dodge Dakota, durango and Jeep owners over various model years having this problem, some of whom have spent thousands of dollars replacing the transfer case and control modules without fixing the problem. Those few who have reported fixing the problem have indicated that this dangerous condition where the transmission might shift into low range at highway speed and explode is caused by corroded wiring on the circuit including the transfer case, tcu and air conditioning. At this time the electrical connector at the transfer case is disconnected, effectively locking the transmission in awd status and making all low ranges unavailable. This problem is very dangerous.
1. 4wd transfer case changes mode by itself (uncommanded transfer case mode change). 2. At highway speeds, console / cluster will indicate one or more of the following intermittently and randomly: service 4wd, 4 lo, 4 hi. I haven't determined if there is correlation to these indicators illuminating and the actual transfer case mode. 3. Vehicle will shift into 4hi by itself when moving, making u-turns on dry pavement difficult and dangerous. There is no indicator on the dashboard of transfer case mode when this happens. 4. Vehicle's transfer case shift motor will activate with truck parked (engine off, key out of ignition, parking brake set, in park) and seems repeatable by opening or closing any of the doors. Transfer case motor sound is the same sequence (truck is normally in 2 hi) every time. 5. Manually activating transfer case using dash-mounted 4wd selector knob, while truck is running and moving (4 hi) or in neutral (4 lo) appears to function correctly.
). I am writing to inform you of safety concerns I have with my 2006 Dodge Dakota laramie (4x4 quad cab). My issues are with the transfer case / transmission of my truck. 1. My truck has shifted into four low on its own at low speeds in both reverse and at low speeds moving forward. 2. When I am not in the vehicle my Dodge Dakota will try and shift into four wheel drive on its own (like I said, no one is in the vehicle). 3. When I hit my unlock button, my truck will try and go into four wheel drive. 4. While I am driving both at high and low speeds the 4 low will flash and periodically the svc four wheel drive light will illuminate for a few seconds and then go out. 5. When the vehicle switches into four wheel drive (intermittently) the tires feel to be skidding or locking up.