2006 Dodge Caravan Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  4
• Frontal
  2
• Knee bolster
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  419%
• 25k–50k
  314%
• 50k–75k
  524%
• 75k–100k
  210%
• 100k–150k
  419%
• 150k+
  314%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Dodge Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the horn was inoperable, and the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the related undisclosed recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Caravan. Another vehicle crossed the contact's path and crashed into the contact's vehicle. The contact fainted. The driver sustained hand, wrist, and neck pains. The front passenger sustained neck and spinal injuries. Medical attention was required. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and was not inspected or diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and indicated that there was no recall. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Caravan. While the vehicle was at a stop light, a second vehicle crashed into the passenger side. The contact's vehicle was pushed into a third vehicle. During the crash, the front end was severely damaged but the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained a fractured cervical spine that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The cause of the failure was undetermined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Caravan. While driving at 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained shoulder, wrist, and foot injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,300.

Tl 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 updated 12/12/07

Passenger side air bag exploded. Luckily no injury. Vehicle was not moving. I didn't even know it could do that! I'd like this fixed. Also, two leaks in engine. Oil leak/transmission leak. Is this normal? Leaks are ongoing. Another thing: noticing headlights getting slightly dimmer, then brighter, at night as if some sort of electrical problem? This happens during driving and not driving.

When I start engine everything is OK but air bag light stay on dashboard all the time and I hear 2 or 3 sounds after that no sound but airbag light is on all the time when engine is running. I see that 2006 Dodge Caravan have recall on air bag module, I did not receive any mail from Chrysler regarding this recall .

I bought a 2006 Dodge Caravan in 2009. It had 20,000 at that time. Shortly after purchase we drove the van approximately 100 miles. It began making roaring noises so I pulled over and stopped. After sitting for about 20 minutes, I started the car again and there was no noise. Every time I traveled for over 45 minutes, this would happen. I took the car to be looked at several times but no one could find a problem. Finally in January of this year the car started making this noise all of the time and my son-in-law, who is a mechanic, said that it needed power steering fluid. That fixed the problem for awhile. In March, I took my car in and was told that the rack and pinion needs to be replaced! Very expensive! The car is now only making noise when I go through standing water. Also, the airbag warning light illuminates at intervals. …

Air bag lighting on and leaking steering rack air bag sensors right and left plus wiring harness had to be replaced because of road salt winter environment had recall on 2005 Dodge caravans but not covered on 2006 Dodge caravans Dodge dealer know about problems with leaking steering rack but won't stand behind there product I just spent 1493.61 having steering rack replaced both left and right impact sensor and harness and EVAP leak detection pump and hoses along with purge solenoid cause by steering rack and pinion leaking on to pump.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge grand Caravan. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated on the warning panel. The dealer advised the contact that the air bags sensor had failed and would need to be replaced. The dealer also stated that if the vehicle was involved in a crash, the air bags would not deploy upon impact as long as the light remained illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000 and the current mileage was 44,209. Updated 5/3/10 updated 05/10/10

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Caravan years