Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving 5-10 MPH and pulling out of the parking lot, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast into a gas station. The contact stated that the engine was running, but the vehicle failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving near the residence. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle responded as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that the sliding doors had failed to close and lock automatically and sometimes opened while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that one of the windows failed to roll down. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The rear power lift gate on my 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan does not stay open when loading or unloading items but keeps continually closing hard automatically when needing to have it stay open to allow for loading or unloading. This happen whether one tries to open the door using the handle manually or automatically with the key fob. This has happened over the last 3 or 4 years especially during winter but not confined to winter only. My grandson and myself almost got caught more than once and injured in its unexpected downward free-fall. This is very dangerous to anyone trying to access the back portion of the van as the heavy lift gates closes on them trapping them and causing potential serious injury. This happens when vehicle is stationary and in the garage or stationary in a shopping parking lot when loading groceries or other purchases. …
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 a short somewhere it was safe to drive. I drove it home and next day went to start it and the main wiring harness under the battery and above the drivers side wheel well burst into flames burning the entire main electrical harness and ECM and fuse box up. Took it by tow truck to Dodge dealer again they said looks like wiring harness was worn through where it was fastened to the frame at the assembly plant. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving at an unknown speed, both rear sliding doors opened independently. The contact stopped the vehicle and manually closed the doors. While parked, the rear sliding doors closed independently and had to be forced open. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and diagnosed the cause of failure as electrical. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Ma 08/11/15 the consumer stated the failure causes physical pain and anxiety to occupants. The doors would lock children inside the vehicle. The interior lights and radio would not operate. The vehicle would also shake violently. …
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 a short somewhere it was safe to drive. I drove it home and next day went to start it and the main wiring harness under the battery and above the drivers side wheel well burst into flames burning the entire main electrical harness and ECM and fuse box up. Took it by tow truck to Dodge dealer again they said looks like wiring harness was worn through where it was fastened to the frame at the assembly plant. …
Takata recall 1. The key fob, automatically controlled rear door hatch does not stay open when using the key fob or manually opening the hatch door. It has closed nearly upon myself - the owner, and others - without warning when stopped, motor off and loading or unloading items. There is no way to assess what caused this as it gets below normal wear. Single party use, no kids. This incidence started 12/12/2016 2. The front brakes make a scraping noise and wobbling of steering wheel upon coming to a stop. This was mentioned to the dealer earlier this year and brakes, pads and rotors were checked at dealer, and it was stated that nothing was wrong. New brake pads were installed in 2013. The car mileage is 85241 miles. The wheels have been rotated, aligned. The car has regular, routine maintainance, the brakes still scrapes and wobbles the steering wheel. …
This vehicle has a stalk on the steering column that controls the windshield washer, wiper, as well as the vehicle bright lights, and the turning signals. Around May. 2014 the washer began working intermittently. Sometimes it would work, sometimes not. Wiggling the stalk would sometimes make it work. By pulling the stalk toward the driver, the bright lights are suppose to come on temporarily, until released. They stopped working, also about May, 2014. It is still working intermittently, but now the turning signals are also affected, working intermittently, or even putting on the left turn signal, when the switch is turned for a right turn, or right for left. I am afraid that this switch is defective, and can cause an accident if it does not work reliably.
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 that the wiring harness failure was not caused by a manufacturing defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 162,000. Updated 3/31/14 the consumer stated as of feb 27th, the insurance company totaled the vehicle, due to the extensive repairs of $6,800. The main wiring harness and all the computers were damaged, along with the fuse block. Updated 04/01/14 ..updated 04-22-14 updated 04/23/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. While trying to restart the vehicle, the contact noticed that the key fell out of the ignition. The contact replaced the key and was able to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that it took several attempts to start the ignition. The failure has occurred for a month. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system). The part was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 66,114.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of headlight illumination
The subject vehicle (SV) population includes MY 2005-2006 vehicles built between March 2004 and December 2005 manufactured with a TRW supplied headlight switch assembly (HSA).The HSA was the primary focus of the investigation; earlier and later vehicles utilized different HSAs.Consumers complain that the headlights in the subject vehicles do not illuminate when the HSA is turned on, or that the headlights extinguish…
Electrical complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan, 13% of the model year's 286 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.