Blue Book Value for 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan

2006 Dodge Grand Caravan Review: Reliable Year For The Popular Minivan

The 2006 Grand Caravan can last up to 250,000 miles with only some power steering and oil consumption issues. At $3,734 - $6,923, it's a bargain for long-lasting engines.

The cabin is very spacious, V6 engines are quick for a van and the steering is responsive.

Interior materials are low quality, the technology is outdated and depreciation is faster than average.

Is the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan a Good Used Van?

Yes, 2006 is a good year. Owners like the powerful V6 engines, smooth suspension, and high ride height.
Reliability ratings are average. Models from 2006 and 2007 are good, with a spike in complaints on the 2008 model.
Performance is poor from the 4-cylinder, but both V6 engines offer good power.
The Grand Caravan is reasonably safe, earning an Acceptable rating from the IIHS.
Fuel economy is good at up to 20 MPG combined.

Positive Owner Reviews

It's automatic.It is higher up and spacious.

I like the size and that it is higher up. I do not like that you have to take the seats out. I like the color and its automatic.

Rides smooth, lots of power, seats 7.

My 2006 Grand Caravan is by far one of my favorites! It has a strong 3. 8 lt 6 cal motor. Great gas mileage and very roomy with enough room for 7 people. It has a front and rear a/c and a flat screen TV to watch movies on. It has a 6 disc CD changer. All power. Doors and windows. Passenger seat also all power. Very comfortable.

It is a mom van so not very cool looking but it is very convenient.

The size and how it fits my whole family. How the seats fold into the floor for storage. It has had to have a few repairs that keep happening.

The minivan is spacious!

It is a mini van. It has enough space for my three children. It. Has a built in DVD player as well!

It is efficient, hales lots and is made for larger people and larger families.

Its roomy, pretty good gas mileage hales a lot of everything I need. Reliable and has everything I could ever want.

Great spacious, soft ride.

I love the soft ride. The minivan is very spacious and I can haul many things (even drywall and a washing machine). I am a Boy Scout leader and it has been perfect to carry scouts in.

It is important to us as it gets us back and forth to many medical trips for my child.

I like that it has stow and go seating, room for my whole family, and room for plenty of luggage/cargo. I do wish the middle row had bucket seats and could stow rather than having to pull the whole bench out to haul big items. It has had some annoying issues, like gas sensor light staying on, key fob not operating one of the locks, and one window not going down for quite some time.

Good Value for the money.

Everything good. Really like the van. Good gas mileage, etc

Negative Owner Reviews

I'll never buy a Dodge again.

Everything has fallen apart! The roof rack leaks inside my vehicle when it rains, the electrical system is shot and my radio and DVD players do not work, my rear lights go out every other month and need fixed, my front light receptacles have both need replaced, the rust is out of control all underneath, the year windshield wiper broke, the ceiling inside is hanging, the radiator is leaking, I can go on.

Christina G

It's about to die on me any day now and then I will need a new car.

I do like the amount of room it has, but I don't like vans and It's too old

It is a very reliable vehicle.

I like that it is very dependable and it can hold up. I don't like the look and style. The interior is falling apart inside.

Very Reliable transportation

Runs well. Window motor went out. Turn signal problems. Only major repair fuel pump. Spare tire hard to get too.

My old Dodge grand caravan is the worst.

Its an old car, we bought it used. It's currently in the shop because it broke down on us. We've put thousands of dollars into but sadly it's the only thing we can afford right now. Its spacious and fits our family and all the items we put into it but it's just not dependable.

It has a very large turning radius and maneuverability is low.

Too big and uses too much gas. The electrical system is messed up so my headlights don't work all the time and my alternator has gone out twice in two years.

Do NOT by a Dodge Grand Caravan 2006. The Electrical system for all of those out there are faulty.

The electrical system is failing quickly, and it should not be doing so.

I love the flexible seating configurations in being able to carry people of freight.

Roomy and good for hauling stuff. Handles well in snow and slick conditions. Not very pleased with poor mileage though.

What Do Critics Say About the Grand Caravan?

Consumer Reports likes the storage space, but has below average owner satisfaction scores.
Edmunds rates the Grand Caravan 4.0/5, liking the ride quality, but disliking the low resale value.
Kelley Blue Book users give the Grand Caravan a 4.0/5 and enjoy the air conditioning system, but don't like the high maintenance costs.

What Common Problems Does the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan Have?

Problems with the 2006 Grand Caravan include power steering system leaks, broken door locks, and engines burning oil.

Power steering system leaks are the most common complaint from owners showing up at around 80,000 miles. The rack and pinion seals fail as the van ages, and replacing the rack and pinon costs about $1,100.

Malfunctioning door locks happen to many vans in their first 60,000 miles. The door lock actuators are the source of the problem, costing about $120 per actuator.

Excessive oil consumption and burning is a problem that happens at around 75,000 miles. The PCV valve is the most common source of the problem, which is about $350 to replace.

There are 4 fairly minor recalls including glass, air bags, and the power seat base. None of the recalls affected any of the mechanical parts of the van.

How Long Will the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan Last?

A properly maintained 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan can last up to 250,000 miles, only 50,000 miles shorter than top competitors like the Toyota Sienna. Regular annual maintenance costs are a bit higher than rivals at $420 per year, according to Repair Pal.

Most Grand Caravans will have over 100,000 miles, so buyers should be prepared to replace the A/C condenser for $600, exhaust manifold costing $650, and the vehicle speed sensor which costs $100.

We had some issues with the power doors and windows but we bought ours used. They were easily resolved and unrelated to the drivability of our van.

It is very reliable. It hasn't had many issues and I have had it for 3 years. It is a good family van, used for traveling even across the country!

Its reliable for sure. Haven't had any major issues for it being the age that it is. Just keep your routine maintenance up on it so it continues to run great.

Very reliable. I have had no problems with it. It's never been a very quiet vehicle though as far as outside noise.

I have only had issues when mechanics have done things wrong. No issues other than human error. It is reliable.

It does not, only you spend a lot of gas. You need to keep the maintenance on time, oil change, service.

Yes very reliable and is very good for long distances. The car is quiet and there are no problems at this time.

Yes, it is absolutely reliable. We've never had any issues with it, despite ours being a used vehicle before we got it.

How Much Is the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan Worth?

Blue book values range from $3,734 - $6,923, making Grand Caravan about $1,500 cheaper than rivals including the Honda Odyssey or Kia Sedona. When new, the price range was $20,815 to $27,300. Depreciation is worse than average, losing 12% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Grand Caravan?

There are three models of the Grand Caravan available. Technology is very outdated with a complete redesign on the 2008 model which adds a new infotainment system.

Cargo Van is a commercial version with:

16-Inch Steel Wheels
Cloth Seating
Front Air Conditioning
AM/FM Radio System
No Rear Seats Or Windows

SE is the entry-level consumer model and has:

15-Inch Steel Wheels
Premium Cloth Seating
Anti-Lock Brakes
Cruise Control
Split Folding Third Row Seating

SXT is the flagship model and comes with:

16-Inch Alloy Wheels
Leather Seating
Keyless Entry
Stow 'n Go Folding Seating
Power Sliding Doors
6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System

What Engines Come In the Grand Caravan?

The base engine is a very weak 2.4L 4-cylinder with only 150 horsepower, which gets up to 20 MPG combined.
A step up is the more powerful 3.3L V6 which has 180 horsepower and gets up to 20 MPG combined as well.
The most powerful engine is the 3.8L V6 with 205 horsepower, which gets 18 MPG combined. Performance is average for a van, taking 10.3 seconds to go 0-60 MPH.

What Colors Does the Grand Caravan Come In?

How Big Is the Grand Caravan?

The 2006 Grand Caravan is an average sized minivan similar to the Nissan Quest or Toyota Sienna. Passenger space is great throughout the cabin, easily fitting adults in all three rows.

Cargo space is excellent at 17.6 cubic feet of room behind the third row, and up to 167.9 cubic feet with the two rear rows folded flat.

How Does the Grand Caravan Compare to the Competition?

The Chrysler Town & Country is a popular competitor in the same price range. Both of the vans share the same frame and V6 engines, but the Town & Country has a more luxurious interior. We recommend the Town & Country since you get a fancier van for the same price.

The Honda Odyssey is another rival costing about $1,500 more. Where the Odyssey stands out is with more technology, but the reliability is better in the Grand Caravan. We recommend the Grand Caravan for the 2006 model year, but the competition is closer in other years.

Ranks #5 Minivans by Owners

Do Owners Recommend the Dodge Grand Caravan?

Yes. It is very reliable. It is comfortable. The stow and go seating is easy to use. It is versatile and can be used to haul groceries, furniture, some hardware or lumber. Up to 7 people can travel comfortably and we have even camped in our van.

Yes. I love how affordable this van is, even with all the extras added to it. DVD player, weather reader, automatic sliding door and extra storage.

Yes. I like all the space it has to haul around all the kids I have to haul. Also, I like the kids have their own air vents they can turn off and on. I like the seats fold down like they do providing more space to haul things.

Yes. I have had my van 13 years and with routine maintenance I have had no issues with it. For a van it gets good gas mileage.

Yes, it is sturdy and well made. Cheap to fix when things go wrong. Just take care of it and you will enjoy it.

Yes, it is excellent. Engine and transmission are very good. Not too much gas saver. It is a comfortable vehicle.

Yes, I feel like it is a good vehicle and very good when you have a lot of passengers. There is a lot of room in the trunk so you can always put things in there. The seats come right off if you need them to and is very easy. It is very quiet and very easy to use.

Yes, I absolutely love it. The back seats fold down, which was absolutely necessary for our needs. It also fits enough people that we can take family and friends with us when we wish, although if it had another seat or two it would be even better (a lot of people go with us). It is comfortable for the most part, reliable, although I do think that if the back seats had a higher headrest it would be much better for the teens that typically sit there.

Owner Reviews

Write a Review

jamie s on April 30, 2021

Mini van nice and comfortable drives good good on gas

The van is good and reliable lots of room and seats

Jill M on April 4, 2021

It is important to us as it gets us back and forth to many medical trips for my child.

Shane C on April 1, 2021

The minivan is spacious!

It is a mini van. It has enough space for my three children. It. Has a built in DVD player as well!

DEBORAH B on March 26, 2021

It's been very dependable so far.

I like the way it rides and handles and I also like that my whole family can ride together and all the room it has. No dislikes.

Linda F on March 21, 2021

The Dodge Grand Caravan is a 2003. I bought it when it had 17 miles on it. It has given me great service. It now has over 210,000 miles on it . It has a dual ac system, tinted windows. The van has given me great performance. I've made numerous long trips without any problems.

It is still running after 16 years. Performance is wonderful.

Ralph D on March 21, 2021

Rides great (comfortable). Very nice for taking trips. Roomy.

It was relative low mileage used. Has AM/FM/CD with a dvd and drop down screen. The store and go seat are great although it takes some effort to lower the center seats.

Liane G on March 19, 2021

A great family vehicle that stands the test of time.

I have loved this van since we bought it in 2006. We bought it new and have had no problems other than routine maintenance with it. I love the space it has given our family to go anywhere we want to go. The rear seats fold down completely allowing for a large area of space for carrying anything. I have been able to travel with my kids and their friends without a problem due to the 6 passenger capacity. I have enjoyed driving this van as well. We chose the v6 engine so it has some get up and go. It does cost a bit to fill the gas tank but that is normal for a bigger vehicle. There are multiple cup holders. All seats are covered. I will definitely think of buying another Dodge Grand Caravan in the future.

Heidi S on March 17, 2021

2006 Dodge Grand Caravan, a great family vehicle.

I don't have any complaints, my minivan has been extremely reliable. The flip and folded seating is easy to use and very helpful when you need extra cargo space. I've been driving my minivan for almost 14 years and it still runs as good as when I bought it.

Kim L on March 16, 2021

I like that the back seats are bucket seats and recline fully. I don't like that it doesn't have built in navigation.

I don't think it drives well in the rain and it needs bigger brakes.

Elizabeth S on March 12, 2021

Runs forever. Definitely worth the money. Great value. Best vehicle I have ever owned.

Excellent vehicle has over 250,000 miles and still going. Gets good gas mileage. Can haul almost anything not just people.

Phillip W on March 8, 2021

The stow and go feature is very practical.

I like vans for their Versatility. Plenty of passenger space, and cargo space when needed. My van has stow and go seating, where seats fold into the floor.

John H on March 2, 2021

Reliable and good capacity

Great hauling capacity. Reliable, relatively low parts cost. Rust is a problem.

Barbara P on February 26, 2021

It is a very reliable vehicle.

Very reliable. Seats seven comfortably. Excellent for long trips or driving around town and running errands. Great gas mileage. Lots of storage room and fold down seats.

Nicolasa M on February 25, 2021

Car overheats a lot been working on that for awhile now

Love car whole family fits in it. Don't like that when you push to lock the doors that all the doors aren't in sink and i don't have a clicker for it.

Brenda M on February 21, 2021

It's a family car and it's economic with gas on traveling

It has a lot of room for my family of 5. The only thing I don't like is that only fronts Windows and two smaller ones in the back sit open.

Jennifer K on February 17, 2021

Great spacious family car with lots of storage space!

It is a comfortable ride, seats are very comfortable, rides smoothly, there's a lot of room for everyone to fit and be comfortable. Good gas mileage, stereo and CD player are good, no real problems other than normal wear and tear. Air and heat work great, stays nice and warm in the winter and cool in the summer, love the dual side doors and the automatic lock feature.

Anjila S on February 15, 2021

I love how easy removing/storing the seats is if I need the space to haul something big. There is a enough storage space for all our gear when all 6 of us go camping.

I love the stow and go seating. I wish we'd gotten automatic doors, but now that my kids are older and can open and close the doors themselves, I'm fine without them.

Thomas M on February 15, 2021

The Dodge Grand Caravan was built to last.

I enjoy the quality of manufacture. I have had no major wear issues. I just wish it was designed to allow eight passengers.

Rick S on February 11, 2021

It's a minivan that's pretty awesome.

It's a great minivan that's awesome for a family of a small or even large size. I highly recommend it to anyone.

Phillip C on February 7, 2021

The most intriguing aspect of the Dodge grand caravan is the stow and go seating.

I like the Dodge grand caravan because of the cargo and passenger space. It has the stow and go seating for instant hauling space or passenger space. I have had several other vans and have always had to completely remove the seating to haul, and then you needed to find a place to store the seats.

Lewis C on February 6, 2021

Convenience of fold away seats.

I bought the car new. In 12 years I have had two major repairs, a/c compressor and transmission replacements. The car has been reliable, and the fold away seats are a great feature. I would buy another.

sierra B on February 5, 2021

If you have enough to sits to haul all of your nieces and nephews, don't buy it.

I bought it used. It's stained and old. It drives solid though, so that's great. It's silver.

Ellen J on February 2, 2021

Very reliable vehicle, nearly 200,000 miles and still runs well with minimal repairs..and nothing major at all needed.

Our vehicle is getting very old--it is actually a 2005, but you don't include that on your list...but it still runs well even though it is rusting apart

Richard R on February 1, 2021

Very dependable vehicle with low maintenance costs.

For It's age, it has been a very dependable vehicle. The gas mileage could be better but not bad for a large vehicle. I use it for business and the storage space is great.

Susan O on January 31, 2021

Good family vehicle and has lots of space for hauling things.

It has standard everything, would love power windows and locks. It has the right amount of space I need to do my everyday stuff. Would like to upgrade to something newer, but maybe same kind. Possibly even a suburban of some kind. Also current vehicle is starting to need many repairs.

Theodore J on January 26, 2021

Has a wheel chair lift in it and still rides really nice.

Gets decent gas mileage. Rides really well. The air conditioning could work better. Has enough cargo room for a wheelchair lift.

JESSIE H on January 25, 2021

IT STILL RUNS. IT GETS ME FROM POINT A TO POINT B.

I LIKE THAT MY VAN HAS A SMOOTH RIDE. I REALLY WISH IT WAS NEWER AND HAD FEWER ISSUES. IT IS NOT RELIABLE TO TAKE VERY FAR FROM HOME.

Sharon Lei H on January 25, 2021

It is a very safe vehicle.

My car sits higher than sedans so I feel safer. It has plenty of room for many girl scouts and cargo space for their gear on trips. It rides very comfortably and have had no service problems.

Karen O on January 25, 2021

It was a gift from God through the kindness and generosity of some very special friends.

I just got it about a month ago and I have found that it is reliable and meets my needs. It's a 2004 but the survey only went as far as 2006. There is rust and corrosion on the sides in front of both back tires and I noticed that this seems to be the case of other vehicles - same make, model and year - that I see on the road. There is also a slightly musty smell inside the vehicle, one of the side doors doesn't open automatically anymore, and the rear AC doesn't work either. None of this is a major issue to me. She has over 196,000 miles on her, so as long as she keeps running to get us around town, I'm happy.

Dawn H on January 23, 2021

Mom's love the Grand Caravan

My oil light likes to come on for no apparent reason. The gas gage appears to go out on these vehicles. Otherwise I really like my van. It's spacious, lots of cup holders for all my kids drinks, DVD player to keep them occupied and the stock sound system is surprisingly very good. The stow and go seats are probably one of my favorite features.

Debora C on January 17, 2021

It is wheels to get from point a to point b.

I like the size. However, the vehicle does have rust. It is also loud.

Liliana S on January 13, 2021

Grand caravan reliability 10/10.

One huge benefit of this car is the reliability, and the strength and storage space. There is plenty of space, and overall a sturdy well-rounded car. Only problem would be the insane amount of gas wasted, as the car seems to run through it quickly, and the inconvenience of no aux outlet.

Elm W on January 13, 2021

Love the hidden compartments behind the driver and passenger seats for storage.

The dodge grand caravan may look like a soccer mom van... But it's actually a great indoor truck! It's very reliable, even for as old as it is. Lots of room if you pull out the seats for hauling furniture, paintings, building materials, etc. With the seats put back in, it's great for hauling family and friends around. I really like my dodge grand caravan!

marie G on January 12, 2021

That It's nice inside even though the outside is rusted.

I like the features and the way it rides. I do not like that it has rusted out and needed brake work all the time. Nice car but needs some help.

Daisy M on January 9, 2021

Although it is 10 years old, it is still reliable.

The vehicle has been very reliable. I try to keep up with recommended oil changes, etc. I have sciatica and a herniated disc, but I do not have to "fold up" my body to get into and out of the vehicle. I can take my dog with me, and have room for her to have access to a bowl of water.

Jake I on January 6, 2021

There are not any interesting details.

This van has plenty of space, especially how all the seats fold nicely into the floor of the car. Only problem had ever is with gas per mile.

Dee-dee T on December 24, 2020

It is a good vehicle, which has served me well. I was lucky to find it.

It has been reliable, and is comfortable. Features are pretty much like other Dodge's except the following: I use a wheelchair and the vehicle was modified (including a ramp at the doorway on the right-side entrance. ) Because I can use my right foot, it was not necessary to add modifications to accommodate many changes. It is an attractive vehicle, which works beautifully for me. It has served me well.

Dakoda M on December 22, 2020

It will be a reliable vehicle that can last you years and still run great

Very sturdy and reliable. Lasts forever. Only complaint is not very good gas mileage

Harald b on December 20, 2020

The Seating , sto & go seating a must. Leg room is okay for big people.

Like seating . Dislike rusting issue on hood. Preforms okay. Need new car.

Gabriel Guerrero G on December 16, 2020

It is a grey van 8 seats a lot of space.

There is no problem with my van is just I want a better car then a van I want a 2 seater and a newest model the can works good it has no problems and it is good for a family trip we took it to Mexico and there was no problem while we were driving it the van has a lot of space in the back and front.

Dawn J on December 14, 2020

Power Driver side sliding door, cargo room

The biggest trouble I have had with the van is the wires broke on the back driver's side door. So I have to manually open and lock the door. Otherwise I love the space and the folding seats to give loads more room for going on trips and hauling stuff.

Michael W on December 10, 2020

Good minivan for all purposes.

It's a nice family vehicle, plenty of room for 7 passengers. The seats come out and in easily which make it nice to haul cargo for situations. It's been pretty reliable as far as mechanical goes. All in all a good Van

Heather C on December 10, 2020

Dodge grand caravan lots of space.

I love that it has lots of space. Love that the seats fold in the floor and that I can recline all the seats. I haven't had any problems with the vehicle until now which is 12 years later and it's fallen apart. It is able to fit my huge family and we can tow my camper.

Susan D on December 8, 2020

Automatic doors! They seriously are a game changer when you have a screaming child in your arms!

It makes life easier when you have two children and one on the way. The automatic doors are a game changer and it has all the bells and whistles that were available at the time it was made. I do wish it was a newer version but beggars can't be choosers.

Katie M on December 2, 2020

2006 Grand Caravan with over 250k miles

The van overall has been pretty good. We did have issues with one of the automatic sliding doors and had to replace the inner wiring/track. The other issue we had was with the DVD player. The 6 disc changer stopped working and would no longer load movies. It actually trapped a few discs inside. As a family of 6, one of the best features of the van is the stow-n-go! And also the fact that the back seats can fold down flush to the floor! Our 2006 Grand Caravan has over 205k miles on it and it's still running great!

karen h on December 1, 2020

Great cold air conditioner

My van has been a good one for over 9 months now. One time the van cut off at a stop sign and wouldn't restart. It ended up being the shut off fuse.

Claire G on November 26, 2020

Ten years and it still runs fine.

When my father first go the car, it ran well. We have had this car for about 10 years. We've had to replace the entire engine, as well as several batteries, and it still misfires sometimes. The passenger-side window does not roll down and the side doors will not work when the key is in the ignition.

Samantha L on November 9, 2020

Grand caravan with lost of space!

Struts are known to go bad and sliding doors rust very fast. Otherwise comfortable with great space and ease of use is great for children!

Mildred S on November 8, 2020

Its old and the check engine sensor is coming on.

My car is over 10 years old and I know that I t is going to cost me money for repairs. I wish I had funds to buy a new one but my income is limited.

susan n on November 5, 2020

It drives good and get reasonably good gas mileage in the city or highway. It holds 7 people .

Vehicle is good to drive, but sometimes when i hit the brakes i have to pump them or I do not have any. Sometimes the door won't open when the button is pushed you have to open it manually.

Alex Showalter

Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they're built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it's a better value in the used market.

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Source: https://www.vehiclehistory.com/report/dodge/grand-caravan/2006