2006 Dodge CARAVAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
173 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
58,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 147 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 173 complaints (14.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 32 | 18.5% |
| Braking behavior | 21 | 12.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 9.2% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 6.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 6.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 25 |
| Air Bags | 21 |
| Steering | 21 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 15 |
| Engine | 14 |
| Exterior Lighting | 14 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 |
Electrical System: 25; Air Bags: 21; Steering: 21; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 15; Engine: 14; Exterior Lighting: 14; Fuel/Propulsion System: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 37 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 42 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 22 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 37; 50,000 to 74,999: 42; 75,000 to 99,999: 22; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 10
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (42). 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 14 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 24 |
| 2010 | 30 |
| 2011 | 20 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2006: 5; 2007: 14; 2008: 14; 2009: 24; 2010: 30; 2011: 20; 2012: 10; 2013: 9; 2014: 13; 2015: 6; 2016: 7; 2017: 5; 2018: 5; 2019: 4; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2023: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10158674 · 2006-05-31 (May 31, 2006)
I PURCHASED A 4 CYL 2006 DODGE CARAVAN ON APRIL 28TH, 2006. ON MAY 22ND THE POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE MY WIFE AND FAMILY WERE OUT SHOPPING. THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL LEAK OF RED FLUID THAT HAD SPAYED THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. (AFTERWARDS I REALIZED HOW FORTUNATE WE WERE THAT THERE WASN'T A FIRE) WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THAT A HOSE WASN'T PROPERLY "TORQUED" AT THE FACTORY AND HAD COME OFF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I VOICED MY CONCERN THAT ALL THE HOSES, BELTS AND WIRING HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 532 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158674 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206767 · 2007-10-24 (October 24, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACTS WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE AIR BAGS IN THE STEERING COLUMN DEPLOYED PROPERLY; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS UNDERNEATH THE STEERING COLUMN WERE OBSTRUCTED BY A PIECE OF SOLID METAL THAT FELL ON HER LEGS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES TO HER LEGS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 9,300. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206767 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10188522 · 2007-04-22 (April 22, 2007)
1 YEAR OLD, 2006 DODGE CARAVAN, TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, AT 65 MPH, THE REAR RIGHT BRAKE LOCKED ON. SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE AXLE/WHEEL AREA, AND ONCE STOPPED, THE CAR HAD TROUBLE MOVING. DEALER REPAIRED SAID THEY WERE ADJUSTED TO TIGHT, BUT NO WORK HAD BEEN DONE, SINCE REGULAR MAINTENANCE 10 DAYS AND COUPLE HUNDRED MILES PREVIOUS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,028 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10188820 · 2007-04-25 (April 25, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING AN EMPLOYER'S 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES SQUEAKED , AND THE VEHICLE HA SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. ALSO, THE BATTERY OVERHEATED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,000. *AK UPDATED 06/06/07.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218487 · 2008-02-19 (February 19, 2008)
I OWN A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 42,000 MILES ON IT. THE RACK-IN-PINION POWER STEERING SYSTEM IS FAILING AND LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, WHICH IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. ACCORDING TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER THAT IS DOING THE REPAIR, CHRYSLER REPAIRED 10,000 OF THESE IN FEBRUARY ALONE. THEY ADMIT THERE IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN THE 2005-2006 MODELS OF THE CARAVAN. CHRYSLER IS TOYING WITH THE IDEA OF PROVIDING ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR, WHICH WILL COST ME ABOUT $800.00. (BECAUSE I AM 5,000 MILES PAST…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218487 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10254839 · 2009-01-13 (January 13, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE BELTS IN THE VEHICLE BECOME WET WHEN DRIVING THROUGH AN INCH OR MORE OF WATER. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE REDUCED POWER, A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, AND THE ALTERNATOR WILL REDUCE ITS CONDUCTIVITY. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO MAKE ANY TURNS DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. HE HAS TO WAIT UNTIL THE BELTS DRY BEFORE THE POWER STEERING CAN BECOME OPERABLE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER AND NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10254839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10615810 · 2014-07-23 (July 23, 2014)
WHEN I FILL THE GAS TANK UP, THE VAN STALLS AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF DRIVING. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT THAT I HAD GOTTEN SOME GAS WITH WATER IN IT AT THE GAS STATION. BUT THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THEN I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH TOPPING THE TANK OFF. SO, I DON'T TOP IT OFF ANYMORE, BUT I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME STALLING PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10662593 · 2014-12-06 (December 6, 2014)
THE 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CANNOT BE REFUELED AT THE GAS STATION BECAUSE OF VAPOR NOT RELEASING IN THE GAS TANK. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 144,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10662593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10281811 · 2009-08-26 (August 26, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE. SHE STARTED THE IGNITION THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY THERE WAS AN UNINTENDED SURGE WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A WALL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE NECK. THE VEHICLE HAD MODERATE DAMAGES. THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A NEARBY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CON…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,093 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10432352 · 2011-10-21 (October 21, 2011)
THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAME INSTALLED IN THE 2006 DODGE CARAVAN. I AM HAVING A PROBLEM ACCELERATING AS LOW AS 10MPH ON UP TO 65MP. IT IS NOT QUICK TO ACCELERATE. AT TIMES I FEEL AS THOUGH THERE MAY BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. I FEEL AS THOUGH THE CAR MAY HAVE A HARD TIME ACCELERATING OR LIKE IT MAY STOP RUNNING OR LIKE IT MAY EXPLODE. IT IS A HAZARD TO MY HEALTH AND ALARMING TO MY KIDS AS I USE IT TO TRANSPORT THEM TO SCHOOL. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIPS' ATTENTION. I HAVE LOOKED ON THE INTERNET ONLY TO FI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10432352 at NHTSA ↗