VehicleVerdict

2006 Dodge Caravan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2006 Dodge Caravan sits mid-pack among Caravan years: 231 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 231, with 6 recalls and 5 closed investigations. Complainants reported 21 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (31), airbags (28), and steering (28), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

231

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

5

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

21

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Caravan years?

See all Caravan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Dodge Caravan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3113%
Airbags2812%
Steering2812%
Engine2712%
Lighting177%
Latches & Locks167%
Fuel System156%
Transmission146%
Visibility & Wipers136%
Brakes125%
Body & Structure83%
Other63%
Speed Control63%
Suspension31%
Seat Belts31%
Seats21%
Tires & Wheels10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2006 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10E034000OtherAugust 10, 2010 · 6,686 units

Defect

CURT MFG IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS 3 RECEIVER HITCHES, P/N 13347, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON 1997-2007 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VANS, 1996-2007 DODGE CARAVANS, AND 1996-2004 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VANS. WHEN THE HITCH IS LOADED TO THE MAXIMUM RATING, THE HITCH MAY FRACTURE OR BREAK AT THE BEND LOCATION WHERE THE MAIN BODY OF THE HITCH MEETS THE HITCH MUFFLER STRAP.

Consequence

IF THE AREA IN QUESTION FRACTURES OR BREAKS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN UNSTABLE DRIVING CONDITION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

CURT MFG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE THE HITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MFG AT 1-715-831-8713.

10V008000AirbagsJanuary 11, 2010 · 308,950 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 DODGE CARAVAN, GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, ALASKA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT CRASH SENSORS MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND ALLOW WATER TO ENTER INTO THE SENSOR. THIS CAN CAUSE THE SENSOR TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT. THESE SENSORS WERE ADDED TO ENHANCE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN CERTAIN FRONTAL CRASHES.

Consequence

IF THE FRONT CRASH SENSORS BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER IS IMMEDIATELY ALERTED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE PROMPTLY SERVICED. UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS REPAIRED, THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT PROVIDE THE ENHANCED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS WITH A NEW DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN DURING JUNE 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

08E048000LightingAugust 8, 2008 · 11,534 units

Defect

EAGLE EYES IS RECALLING 11,534 HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. CS090-B001L AND CS090-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE LOWER BEAM PHOTOMETRY REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.

08E039000LightingJune 10, 2008 · 2,520 units

Defect

MAXZONE IS RECALLING 2,520 HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 3341103L-AS AND 334-1103R-AS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 2001-2007 DODGE CARAVAN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: 1-888-286-1188 (WA, OR, CA, ID, NV, AZ, MT, WY, UT, CO, KS, NM, OK, TX, AR, LA, AK, HI) 1-877-253-8930 (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, MD, DE, WV, VA) 1-800-859-4755 (NC, SC, GA, FL, TN, AL, MS) 1-866-783-6858 (ND, SD, NE, MN, IA, MO, WI, IL, MI, IN, OH, KY).

07E104000Visibility & WipersDecember 11, 2007 · 1,657 units

Defect

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

Remedy

SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

06V067000Visibility & WipersMarch 8, 2006 · 268,800 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VANS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ARMATURE SHAFT MAY BREAK.

Consequence

DURING CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY COULD OCCUR, AND THE DRIVER'S VISION COULD BE OBSCURED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2006, TO DODGE DURANGO OWNERS. MINIVAN OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

3 YRS AGO, FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. COULD NOT OPEN DOORS WINDOWS OR ENGINE HOOD. I DID HAVE WINDOW DOWN WHEN THIS OCCURRED. JUST LAST WEEK A WOMAN IN A CAR (TYPE NOT KNOWN-) IN SPOKANE WAS TRAPPED AND HAD TO BE RESCUED WHEN HER CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND SHE COULDN'T OPEN DOOR OR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 16, 2017 · fire

MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH HER 2006 GRAND CARAVAN AND NEITHER OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WE THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT UNTIL READING THESE OTHER COMPLAINTS. NOW WE ARE WONDERING IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN HER VAN. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 18, 2007 · crash

I HAVE 2006 DODGE CARAVAN WITH ABOUT 70000 KMS. JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE'S LEAK IN RACK O PINION WHICH LEAKS OUT THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND ITS GOING TO COST ABOUT $900 TO FIX IT. DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE'S BEEN NO RECALL YET EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 1, 2011

EXITING THE FREEWAY A GOING 70 MY VAN TURNED OFF, STRUGGLED WITH THE POWER STEERING, THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON AS THE ENGINE DIED, I GOT REAR ENDED , WHILE WE WAITED TO BE TOWED THE VAN SIZZLED AND ALL THE HAZARDS AND POWER WENT OUT, DARK OUT. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 31, 2009 · crash

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT HEADLAMPS SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING TURN OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. USUALLY JIGGLING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WILL TURN THEM BACK ON AGAIN. HAVE ALSO NOTICED RECENTLY THAT THE PARKING LIGHTS WILL SUDDENLY COME ON THEN GO OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 25, 2013

2006 Dodge Caravan — common questions

Is the 2006 Dodge Caravan reliable?

It is close to typical for the Caravan: 231 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 5 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2006 Caravan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (31 complaints), airbags (28 complaints), steering (28 complaints).

Does the 2006 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Dodge Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Dodge Caravan under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Caravan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Caravan years to avoid are 1996, 1993, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1994, 1991, 1999, 2005, 1995, 2000, 2008. The cleanest record among Caravan years belongs to 2019.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.