VehicleVerdict

2006 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan sits mid-pack among Grand Caravan years: 378 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 363, with 4 recalls and 5 closed investigations. Complainants reported 29 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across steering (61), airbags (55), and electrical system (40), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

378

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

5

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

29

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Grand Caravan years?

See all Grand Caravan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering6116%
Airbags5515%
Electrical System4011%
Body & Structure3610%
Engine318%
Fuel System318%
Lighting298%
Latches & Locks226%
Brakes164%
Visibility & Wipers154%
Transmission123%
Other92%
Speed Control62%
Suspension51%
Tires & Wheels51%
Seat Belts31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Seats10%

Does the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?

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

10V338000SeatsJuly 27, 2010 · 2 units

Defect

DRIVING SPECIALTIES LTD IS RECALLING 2 MODEL YEAR 2006 AND 2007 CONVERSION VANS EQUIPPED WITH VMI/RICON 6-WAY POWER SEAT BASES. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF A DEFECTIVE WELD AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE PIVOTING PLATE AND THE PIVOTING PLATE PIN.

Consequence

THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY BE INJURED IF THE SEAT BASE PIN WERE TO BREAK.

Remedy

DRIVING SPECIALTIES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DRIVING SPECIALTIES AT 1-707-553-1515.

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.

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.

POWER STEERING ON VEHICLE ALWAYS MAKES A WHINNING NOISE. MY NEIGHBOR HAS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND HE SAYS THAT THE DEALER SAID THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR IS UNDERSIZED FOR THIS VEHICLE. IS ANYONE ELSE HAVING THIS COMPLAINT ABOUT THE POWER STEERING HAVING NOISE AND HARD TO TURN? I BOUGHT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 20, 2009

12-13-06 FRONT CAR COLLUSION WITH NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. APPROXIMATE SPEED OF VEHICLE LESS THAN 40 MPH. APPROXIMATELY 24 INCH INTRUSION INTO MIDDLE OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR BY PASSENGER SIDE FENDER AREA OF CAR THAT CAUSED COLLUSION. DAMAGE TO CAR WILL REQUIRE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF EXISTING AIR BAG…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 13, 2006 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE, SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS WAS ON FIRE AND SPREAD TO THE CENTRAL COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE WHEEL WELLS. THE MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE AND CONCLUDED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 9, 2014 · fire

MY SLIDING DOOR QUIT WORKING HALF WAY THRU CYCLE. MY POWER WENT DEAD IN DOORS AND LOCKS I TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALER THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM SAID IT WAS EITHER THE ECM OR THE BCM BUT NOT SURE. THEY DID NOT WANT TO REPLACE AS THEY WOULD JUST BURN OUT AGAIN IF THIS WAS THE PROBLEM AND STILL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 9, 2014 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM HIP PAIN. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CLEANED THE THROTTLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 15, 2014 · crash

2006 Dodge Grand Caravan — common questions

Is the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?

It is close to typical for the Grand Caravan: 378 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 5 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2006 Grand Caravan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (61 complaints), airbags (55 complaints), electrical system (40 complaints).

Does the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Dodge Grand 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 Grand Caravan under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Dodge Grand Caravan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Caravan years to avoid are 2008, 1996, 2005, 2010, 2016, 1997, 2011, 2012, 2009, 1998, 2013, 1999, 2000, 1993, 1991. The cleanest record among Grand Caravan years belongs to 1986.

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.