FaultScore

2006 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems

12 of the 378 complaints about the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan are about the transmission — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 66,500 miles.

C

12

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Automatic Transmission 7 58.3%
Power Train 5 41.7%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Dodge Grand Caravan year

1989 11 0.7%
1990 27 1.6%
1991 17 1.0%
1992 39 2.4%
1993 52 3.1%
1994 59 3.6%
1995 25 1.5%
1996 236 14.2%
1997 85 5.1%
1998 85 5.1%
1999 78 4.7%
2000 102 6.2%
2001 29 1.8%
2002 44 2.7%
2003 29 1.8%
2005 24 1.4%
2006 12 0.7%
2007 23 1.4%
2008 68 4.1%
2009 22 1.3%
2010 40 2.4%
2011 43 2.6%
2012 48 2.9%
2013 36 2.2%
2014 18 1.1%
2015 77 4.6%
2016 219 13.2%
2017 37 2.2%
2018 23 1.4%
2019 49 3.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 130,000 miles Raleigh, NC

POWER TRAIN

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 failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11661014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Clearwater, FL

POWER TRAIN

WHEN IT RAINS OR THE STREET IS WET THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT. THE HAPPENS WHEN TURNING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, TURNING A CURVE OR GETTING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE ROAD A FEW TIMES, BUT USUALLY HAPPENS JUST AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND BEGINNING TO MOVE. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT HAS BEEN RAINING OR I GO OVER A LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSISTENT FOR ABOUT A YEAR. I HAVE DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VAN, CARMAX. THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT DID REPLACE AN UNDERCARRIAGE SHIELD. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AFTER THE SHIELD REPLACEMENT. CARMAX THEN DIRECTED ME TO THIS WEBSITE.

NHTSA complaint #10670863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,102 miles SAN Bernardino, CA

POWER TRAIN

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2011 AND ABOUT THREE MONTHS LATER I TOOK INTO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY SAID I NEED TO CHANGE OUT MY RACK/PINION/STEERING SINCE IT HAD A SMALL LEAK. NOW I HAVE A LARGER LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VAN WHEREVER I PARK. I CHECKED MYSELF TO SEE THAT THE SMALL PLASTIC CLAMPS HAVE COME LOOSE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT. THAT DID NOT FIX IT SINCE IT IS NOW LEAKING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO I HAVE A SUNROOF THAT LEAKS WHEN WE WASH THE VAN AND WHEN IT RAINS, I HAVE CLEANED OUT THE DRAINS BUT THE SEAL IS WORN DOWN AND I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT $500 FOR THE PART DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR? I AM HAPPY WITH THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN THE LEMON PART OF THE AXLE GOING BAD.

NHTSA complaint #10472893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,000 miles ST. Petersburg, FL

POWER TRAIN

THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE SIX MONTHS SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE. ANY TIME IT RAINS, ESPECIALLY IF MY VEHICLE GOES THROUGH A PUDDLE, THE POWER STEERING IS GREATLY AFFECTED. THE MOST RECENT TIME, THE POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY LOST AND I HAD TO USE ALL OF MY STRENGTH TO MANEUVER THE CAR INTO A SAFE LOCATION, OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. THE BELT SQUEALED AND THEN EVERYTHING RESUMED... UNTIL I HIT ANOTHER PUDDLE. IN THE TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, IT WAS NOT NEARLY AS LONG OF A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, NOR DID THE BATTERY LIGHT COME ON; THE BELTS SQUEALING ALWAYS SIGNALS THAT THE STEERING HAS RESUMED. MY MECHANIC IS BAFFLED AND WE ARE SCARED TO DRIVE OUR VEHICLE, SPECIFICALLY IN THE RAIN. FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA complaint #10455832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Fort Myers, FL Crash

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKED AND THE BRAKES LOCKED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH BUT THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,000.

NHTSA complaint #10441760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Bradenton, FL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT PRESSED HARDER BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES SINCE OCTOBER 2010. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA complaint #10379665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murfreesboro, TN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A DODGE DEALERSHIP THAT THE FOLLOWING IS WRONG WITH MY CAR AND I NEED THE FOLLOWING: - ERG VALVE - WATER PUMP - POWER STEERING RACK - RACK & PINION EVEN THOUGH THE CAR RUNS FINE AND DOES NOT SHAKES OR ANYTHING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND AT A WEBSITE, WWW.EDMUNDS.COM, REVIEWS FROM MANY OTHER OWNERS OF ALSO A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TO BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING. SOME OF THEM HAVE LOW MILEAGE ON THEIR CARS AND OTHERS HAVE HIGH MILEAGE. IT IS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THEIR 2006 G. CARAVAN. SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 LINE AND IF THIS IS THE CASE IS SOMETHING DODGE NEEDS TO FIX AND COVER THE REPAIR COSTS AND NOT THE OWNERS. ALSO THE REPAIRS TOTAL COST ARE TOO MUCH MONEY AT THIS MOMENT TO AFFORD.

NHTSA complaint #10319316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,000 miles Monroeville, PA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHINING NOISE WHEN VAN STARTS IN COLD WEATHER, GETS LOUDER AS YOU ACCELERATE.

NHTSA complaint #10267061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Vancleave, MS

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

BRAKES APPEARED TO BE GOING OUT IN VEHICLE. HAD SERVICE TECHNICIAN CHECK AND BELIEVE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. FOUND OUT SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THIS VEHICLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSIONS BETWEEN 60,000 AND 80,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10249324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,409 miles Prague, OK 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I OWN AND DRIVE A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. ON MAY 19, 2007, I DROVE TO MY USUAL PARKING SPOT AND PUT THE VAN IN 'PARK'. I EXITED THE CAR AND LOOKED TO THE REAR OF THE VAN TO SEE HOW CLOSE I WAS TO THE SIDEWALK. I REACHED INTO THE CAR TO PULL OUT MY KEY, ACCIDENTALLY TURNING IT TO 'ACCESSORY' FOR A BRIEF SECOND BEFORE TURNING IT TO THE 'OFF' POSITION AND REMOVING THE KEY. WHILE STANDING NEXT TO THE CAR, WITH THE DRIVER'S DOOR STILL OPEN, THE VAN BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS! I WAS IN SHOCK FOR A BIT BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS PUSHING ME FROM BEHIND, AND I HAD TO WALK FORWARD TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM KNOCKING ME DOWN. I TRIED TO REACH THE BRAKE WITH MY LEFT HAND OR JUMP INTO THE VEHICLE SO I COULD BRAKE. BEING PUSHED BY THE DOOR PREVENTED THIS. THE REAR WHEELS ROLLED OVER THE CURB FOLLOWED BY THE FRONT TIRES. I DESPERATELY TRIED TO PREVENT THE VAN FROM ROLLING INTO THE STREET BY GRABBING THE STEERING WHEEL AND TURNING IT A LITTLE. THE SLIGHT UPSLOPE OF THE ROAD SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN ENOUGH FOR ME TO JUMP IN. I PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, STARTED THE VEHICLE AS QUICKLY AS I COULD AND PUT IT IN DRIVE. I MOVED FORWARD SLIGHTLY, HITTING THE CURB, PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND DROVE BACK A BIT TO CLEAR THE CURB, PUT IT BACK INTO DRIVE AND DROVE BACK UP ONTO THE PARKING AREA. I IMMEDIATELY FELT PAIN IN BOTH KNEES, BACK, BOTH HIPS, RIGHT LEG AND RIGHT ANKLE, LEFT UPPER AREA UNDER MY ARM AND INTO THE RIBCAGE. LATER I ALSO BEGAN HAVING STIFFNESS IN MY NECK, AND EXPERIENCED OCCASIONAL NUMBNESS IN BOTH ARMS, DEPENDING ON THE POSITION I HAD THEM IN. I TRIED TO CONTACT DAIMLER CHRYSLER ONLINE SINCE IT WAS A SATURDAY. EVEN AFTER CHOOSING THE LINK "CONTACT US" I WAS NEVER GIVEN A PHONE NUMBER OR E-MAIL ADDRESS! ON MONDAY, MAY 21, 2007, I CONTACTED THE DODGE DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ONE YEAR AGO. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VAN CHECKED OVER AND REPAIRED THIS FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2007.

NHTSA complaint #10191641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frisco City, AL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

POPPING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN. WHILE TRAVELING AT LEAST 50 MILES A LOUD WINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, -POSSIBLY TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER. ALL FLUIDS HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND VEHICLE WAS SERVICED REGULARLY.

NHTSA complaint #10190689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,000 miles Nadervinne, IL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR IT FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS MAKING CONTACT WITH SOMETHING HARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE, AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION OIL WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. ALSO, THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPEEDING SENSOR TO MAKE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT NORMALLY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED, INCLUDING PAYING THE REPAIR COST FOR A FAILURE THAT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10188175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

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