<PAGE>
================================================================================


                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549


                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


       Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): FEBRUARY 9, 2006


                          DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)





           DELAWARE                     000-21139              38-3185711
(State or other jurisdiction of        (Commission            (IRS Employer
        incorporation)                 File Number)         Identification No.)




              2791 RESEARCH DRIVE, ROCHESTER HILLS, MICHIGAN 48309
          (Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)




                                 (248) 299-7500
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)




                                 NOT APPLICABLE
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

/ / Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)

/ / Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)

/ / Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

/ / Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)


================================================================================


<PAGE>



ITEM 8.01  OTHER EVENTS

         On February 9, 2006, DURA Automotive Systems, Inc. issued the press
release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 announcing it is evaluating strategic
alternatives involving manufacturing operations located in Lage, Lippstadt and
Rotenburg, Germany. The information contained in the press release filed as
Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by
reference.






SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                 DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.


Date:  February 14, 2006         By /s/ Keith R. Marchiando
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Keith R. Marchiando
                                    Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
                                    (principal accounting and financial officer)


<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


EXHIBIT NO.                DESCRIPTION

   99.1                    Press release dated February 9, 2006 containing
                           announcement of DURA Automotive Systems, Inc. is
                           evaluating strategic alternatives involving
                           manufacturing operations located in Lage, Lippstadt
                           and Rotenburg, Germany.