CarBrief

NHTSA has 173 owner complaints for the 2006 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan, and the biggest groups are electrical, steering, air bags and engine[1][2][3][4][5]. Two recalls cover the model year, so check both before you buy or keep one[6][7][8].

173owner complaints[1]
2recalls[6]
18–20MPG combined (EPA)[9]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 173 complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 12 mention a crash and 2 a fire, and the reports total 18 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries Median miles at failure
Electrical System[2] 30 0 2 0 74,000
Steering[3] 27 0 0 0 60,000
Air Bags[4] 27 8 0 9 62,500
Engine[5] 27 1 2 0 60,000

Smaller groups are exterior lighting with 16 complaints[10], latches/locks/linkages with 16[11], power train with 13[12] and fuel/propulsion with 13[13]. The latches group has the lowest median mileage at failure, 46,400[11]. The fuel group has the highest, 105,000[13].

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for the top four groups. It is a sample, so it shows what owners describe, not how often a problem happens.

Air bags stand out for severity. The group has 8 crashes and 9 injuries, more than any other group in the table[4].

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year[6].

Fuel economy

EPA lists three engines for the 2WD version[9][14][15]. All are front-wheel drive with an Automatic 4-spd[9][14][15].

Engine City / Highway / Combined MPG Fuel Estimated annual fuel cost
2.4L 4-cyl[9] 17 / 24 / 20 Regular $3,350
3.3L 6-cyl[15] 17 / 24 / 20 Gasoline or E85 $3,350
3.8L 6-cyl[14] 16 / 23 / 18 Regular $3,700

The EPA annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the van was new. The 3.8L costs $350 more per year than the other two by this estimate[9][14][15].

Safety ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings list this model year (4 DR FWD) as not rated[16]. That means there is no star score to compare. It does not say the van is safe or unsafe.

Engine and size

EPA lists 2.4L 4-cylinder, 3.3L 6-cylinder and 3.8L 6-cylinder engines for this model year[9][15][14]. Our data has no horsepower figures for them.

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US vans[17][18][19].

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Caravan FWD BASE/SXT[17] 189 in 79 in 69 in 113 in 3,922 lb
Grand Caravan[18] 200 in 79 in 69 in 119 in 3,840 lb
Grand Caravan SXT[19] 200 in 79 in 69 in 119 in 4,325 lb

How 2006 compares with other years

1995: 489 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 1,403 complaints, 9 recalls19961997: 714 complaints, 7 recalls19971998: 629 complaints, 5 recalls19981999: 555 complaints, 5 recalls19992000: 470 complaints, 4 recalls20002001: 257 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 245 complaints, 4 recalls20022003: 195 complaints, 3 recalls20032004: 65 complaints, 1 recalls20042005: 537 complaints, 4 recalls20052006: 173 complaints, 2 recalls17320062007: 81 complaints, 0 recalls20072008: 302 complaints, 2 recalls20082009: 118 complaints, 2 recalls2009
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Caravan/Grand Caravan model year. The 2006 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19954891
19961,4039
19977147
19986295
19995555
20004704
20012573
20022454
20031953
2004651
20055374
20061732
2007810
20083022
20091182

NHTSA lists complaints and recalls for 15 model years of the Caravan/Grand Caravan, 1995 through 2009[6]. The 2006 year has 173 complaints and 2 recalls[6].

Only three years have fewer complaints: 2004 with 65, 2007 with 81 and 2009 with 118[6]. The other eleven years have more, including 2005 with 537 and 2008 with 302[6]. On recalls, 2007 has none, 1995 and 2004 have 1 each, and 2008 and 2009 have 2 like 2006[6].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold, so treat the ranking as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2006 Caravan?

The complaint count for 2006 is lower than 11 of the other 14 years of this model, but it is still 173 reports[1][6]. The most serious reports involve air bags, with 8 crashes and 9 injuries in that group[4]. Before buying, check that the air bag warning light works normally and ask whether recall 10V008 applies to that van[7]. Also ask whether the wiper motor recall was done[8].

In the steering complaints we read, owners describe power steering fluid leaks and rack and pinion replacement, so look under the van and ask about service records[3]. Our data cannot tell you how reliable a particular van is, so a pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Dodge Caravan?
The largest complaint groups are electrical with 30, steering with 27, air bags with 27 and engine with 27[2][3][4][5]. In the samples we read, owners describe steering fluid leaks, air bag warning lights, turn signal faults and oil leaks[3][4][2][5].
Are there recalls on the 2006 Dodge Caravan?
Yes, two. One is for front air bag sensors (10V008) and one is for the windshield wiper motor (06V067)[7][8].
What gas mileage does a 2006 Dodge Caravan get?
EPA lists 20 combined MPG for the 2.4L and 3.3L engines and 18 combined MPG for the 3.8L[9][15][14].
Is the 2006 Dodge Caravan a good year?
It has 173 complaints, fewer than 11 of the other 14 model years listed[6]. It also has 2 recalls[6]. See the problems and recalls sections before you decide[1].
Did the 2006 Dodge Caravan get a NHTSA safety rating?
NHTSA lists it as not rated in the 5-Star program[16].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 173 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan (12 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 18 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 30 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 27 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 27 complaints name the air bags component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 27 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 10V008, filed January 11, 2010: Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor / Control Module-Inactive . NHTSA recall database
  8. Recall 06V067, filed March 8, 2006: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
  9. EPA rating for Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  10. 16 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,250). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 16 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 13 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,632). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 13 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CARAVAN FWD BASE/SXT: length 189 in, width 79 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,922 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND CARAVAN: length 200 in, width 79 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 3,840 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND CARAVAN SXT: length 200 in, width 79 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,325 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.