The Lemon IndexAll cars · Dodge Grand Caravan
2006 Dodge Grand Caravan.
The 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan is about average by owner complaints: 131 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 89, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 18 to 20 mpg combined. The best Dodge Grand Caravan year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 457 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Dodge Grand Caravan year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 39K to 90K miles on the car (401 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 39K–80K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 37K–93K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 57K–112K miles
Recalls 7
- equipment 2010
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.
- seats 2010
DRIVING SPECIALTIES LTD IS RECALLING 2 MODEL YEAR 2006 AND 2007 CONVERSION VANS EQUIPPED WITH VMI/RICON 6-WAY POWER SEAT BASES.
- airbags 2010
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, INDI…
Show all 7 recalls
- lights 2008
EAGLE EYES IS RECALLING 11,534 HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS.
- lights 2008
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.
- visibility 2007
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 BRE…
- visibility 2006
ON CERTAIN VANS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ARMATURE SHAFT MAY BREAK.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 46 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rattle sound from steering wheel area
- Dodge/chrysler: supplemental front airbag sensors on about 310,000 certain vehicles may crack…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine stall after refueling2014–2015
- ClosedLoss of headlight illumination2011–2012
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
- ClosedFront air bag crash sensor failure2009–2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
While returning from a trip, my drivers side air bag light on the gauge cluster on my 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan sxt illuminated with out warning.
2006 Dodge Grand Caravan owner · NHTSA complaint 10156671
More owner reports
The airbag sensor in my 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan sxt continues to remain on.
NHTSA complaint 10233338
Vehicle power steering makes loud resonating hum when turning. Dealership cannot find the location of the noise. Rack & pinion and power steering pump have both been replaced, and the noise still persists.
NHTSA complaint 10194693
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 89; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Grand Caravan year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (27%), airbags (18%) and doors, locks & latches (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
7 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 39,800 and 90,600 miles. The middle report was at 60,000 miles, from 401 complaints.
Does the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Grand Caravan year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2015 and 2019.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works