The 2006 Dodge Caravan wasn’t the best minivan released in its model year, but it’s held up well over the years, it’s spacious and comfortable, and it’s usually priced at around half the cost of a comparable Toyota Sienna.
Is the 2006 Dodge Caravan a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The 2006 Caravan is, objectively speaking, kind of a C+. But the low pricing and reliable powertrain earn it an extra point.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – Where the Caravan really competes with the Sienna and the Odyssey is in the interior, where you’ve got more space than you’re ever going to need.
- Reliability 8/10 – If you can find a 2006 Caravan in good condition, there’s no reason it can’t make 250,000 miles on the original engine and transmission.
- Safety 7/10 – Decent crash test scores and skimpy safety equipment make the Caravan kind of mediocre in the safety department.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – 19/26 miles to the gallon, city/highway, isn’t terrible for a 2006 minivan.
- Value 8/10 – The Toyota Sienna is easily the best minivan released in 2006, but the Caravan is better than you expect to get for half the price of the Toyota.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2006 Dodge Caravan?
Consumer Reports, reviewing the larger Grand Caravan model, praised the vehicle’s interior flexibility, with fold-flat seating bringing the vehicle into the low end of full-size moving vans, but ultimately determined that it fell behind class leaders like the Toyota Sienna.
Kelley Blue Book users give the 2006 Caravan a decent 85% recommendation, praising the interior space, the reliable powertrain, and the practical, intuitive layout. Some drivers report that it’s a bit of a nail-biter to drive in rough weather, as the top-heavy design will have the Caravan leaning to and fro in the wind.
Edmunds found the 2006 Dodge Caravan to be “surprisingly agile,” with the V6 riding nice and quiet and the minivan being priced to move. On the other hand, you can tell how they brought the price down when you see the cheap-feeling interior trim, and safety features are a bit skimpy.
What Common Problems Does the 2006 Dodge Caravan Have?
The 2006 Dodge Caravan has 170 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with electrical issues being the most common, at 29 reports. A key issue here sees sliding doors popping open while the vehicle is in motion, or getting stuck in the closed position and never unlocking.
There are 26 airbag complaints on file, with drivers reporting the airbags failing to deploy or even exploding. A sensor failure recall was issued in 2010, but reports have continued to roll in as late as 2021.
Engine and powertrain complaints are few and far between, but there are a few reports of faulty crank shafts leading to premature wear on various components. In a worst case scenario this could result in a busted oil pump and burning oil.
The 2006 Dodge Caravan has just 6 recalls on file with the NHTSA in total, which is well below average for a vehicle of this age.
How Long Will the 2006 Dodge Caravan Last?
The 2006 Dodge Caravan will typically last around 250,000 miles with adequate care. The Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey are both likely to last a bit longer, but it all comes down to how well the vehicle has been maintained.
RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of just $430 for the Dodge Caravan, with the most expensive common repairs being new power sliding door mechanisms starting at around $666, and air conditioning expansion valve replacements at $382.
Very reliable comfortable vehicle always gets us where we need to go with no breakdowns. Only complaint is rust!
My 2006 Dodge Caravan-C-V is very reliable. The only problem it has is that the brake light is always on.
I've owned my grand caravan for several years now and the only problems have been normal upkeep maintenance
Yes it has been very reliable had to change the tires of course but not had a lot of Maintenance work done
The Caravan has been a reliable vehicle for the most part. Are having small problems with a leaking radiator, the volume button on the radio and the speed button for the fan.
I have had minor repairs. Axel had issues, ran over a screw, needed to replace the battery. But otherwise has so many features that help you find issues on the dashboard
Have no issues. Best thing I have owned in a long time. Plus good on gas and fits my family. I think this is a best thing I could have had
It has several problems. It overheats really fast and has a problem with the transmission. I have to buy transmission fluid all the time and keep putting coolant in it.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2006 Caravan is adequate for the model year. CD players are included as a standard feature and you might be able to find one with a DVD player in the back. Just remember that this was a few years before Bluetooth and phone connectivity were common features.
Safety features are good for a 2006 minivan, with anti-lock brakes being included in the Base model and advanced airbags with occupant classification as a standard feature.
Is the 2006 Dodge Caravan a Good Value?
The 2006 Dodge Caravan is one of the more affordable minivans for its model year. An SE passenger model typically lists at around $3,624. For a cargo model, the fair purchase range starts at just $1,705, making the Caravan an easy choice if you’re looking for a delivery van.
When you add the low sticker price to the low cost of ownership, you’ve got one of the better deals on the market today.
What are the Different Models of the 2006 Dodge Caravan?
The 2006 Dodge Caravan is offered in three trim levels, including a base SE, a high-end SXT, and a CV cargo van.
The entry-level SE features:
- Cloth seating
- Full bench third row seating
- Manual air conditioning
- CD player
The top-of-the-line SXT adds:
- Remote keyless entry
- Dual zone automatic air conditioning
- Heated mirrors
- 6 speakers
The CV or Cargo Van model is the same as the SXT in terms of performance and mechanical specs, but the interior features are stripped down and basic, more in line with the SE.
What Engines Come In the 2006 Dodge Caravan?
- In the entry-level SE model Caravan you’ll find a 2.4L inline-four engine delivering 150 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive and averages 20/26 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- The Cargo Van and SXT models pack a 3.3L V6 engine delivering 180 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive and averages 19/26 miles to the gallon, with a carrying capacity of up to 1,682 pounds, and 1,800 pounds of towing power.
What Colors Does the 2006 Dodge Caravan Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2006 Dodge Caravan?
The 2006 Dodge Caravan is very comfortable. Some of the interior trim materials may feel a bit cheap with vinyl flooring and so on, but the actual seating is nice and firm, the suspension rides smooth, and there’s a massive 68 inches of hip room in the back. This is a living room on wheels.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2006 Dodge Caravan Have?
The 2006 Dodge Caravan has 15 cubic feet of storage space in the passenger van, and you can expand that up to 146 cubic feet with the seats down. The Cargo Van model packs an incredible 168 cubic feet of cargo. Whichever model you’re going with, you’ll have no trouble carrying anything you want to carry with it.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2006 was the sixth model year for the Dodge Caravan’s 4th Generation, which ran from 2001 to 2007.
2002: New for 2002 was an optional backseat DVD player. Adjustable pedals and tire-pressure monitoring were new, as well.
2003: An optional power sunroof was added for 2003.
2004: A new keyfob and 17″ Titan Chrome wheels were the most notable of a number of minor changes for 2004.
2005: No big changes for 2005.
2006: No big changes in 2006, either.
2007: By 2007 Dodge were gearing up the Caravan’s replacement, the Dodge Minivan, so this was another “no big changes” year.
How Does the 2006 Dodge Caravan Compare to the Competition?
The 2006 Dodge Caravan is outclassed in more ways than not by the competition, especially the Toyota Sienna. Where the Caravan comes out ahead is in pricing. The Sienna starts out with a typical listing price of around $6,000 and the 2006 Honda Odyssey at around $5,500, both nearly twice the cost of the Caravan.
We’ve explored the extensive issues plaguing the 2006 Odyssey on this website, but the Sienna is very much worth the extra money, if it’s in your budget. The base Sienna has 35 horsepower over the Caravan with no real loss of fuel efficiency, and it’s available in all wheel drive.
The Toyota Sienna is widely regarded as the leading minivan of the mid-2000s, but the Caravan is, by a margin of a few thousand dollars, the best minivan you’re going to find for the price.
Do Owners Recommend the 2006 Dodge Caravan?
Yes, works great have a had very few problems with it. All I do is routine maintenance on it. The problem is rust.
Yes, the 2006 Dodge Caravan-C-V is a good vehicle. I like it very much. I have it in my favorite color.
Yes it drives smoothly and lots of space. The grand caravan has extra storage compartments. It's a Very dependable vehicle for long trips.
Very good not had a lot of problem with it took it on a few road trips done very well great gas mileage
Yes it has been a good vehicle, enjoy the room and storage space. It is also a comfortable vehicle. Gets good gas mileage on longer road trips.
Yes! It has been a reliable vehicle for us. I do a lot of dog shows and it fits so much in there! Highly recommend it!
Yes I love it had one before and got into an accident so I got another one because I know its safe and hooks up.
It's ok. But has issues because it's old and I'm looking for a new used car. It's been reliable until it started overheating. It's just old and I need something new that doesn't have so many issues.