DodgeCaravan20063.8L V6/dodge/caravan/2006/3-8l-v6/
RS platform

2006 Dodge Caravan — 3.8L V6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Caravan 3.8L V6.

Body VANEngine 3.8L V6Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2006 Dodge Caravan is a VAN built on the RS platform, powered by a 3.8L V6 mated to an Automatic 4-spd transmission and EPA-rated at 16/23/18 mpg, while routine oil changes call for 5 quarts with filter of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API oil. Against the 1990–2017 Caravan complaint record, the 2006 model's 173 owner complaints and 6 recalls sit well below the 1996 high-water mark of 1,647 reports but far above the 2017 low of a single complaint. That positioning makes the 2006 Caravan a comparatively moderate year in the model's reliability history, with Air Bags representing the most frequently reported concern.

Model year200720062005200320022001200019991998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 500 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-70R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB alt 04105409AE
Engine air filter04861480AA
Spark plugSP303917AC
Battery05144502AA alt 05082205AA
Front wiper blades05096134AC
Serpentine belt04593684AA alt 04892444AA
Thermostat68210217AA alt 04573560AE
Cabin air filter82205905

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase113.4 in
Curb weight3922 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.0-5.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts40 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 8.8 ft-lbs; Lower: 16.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.6 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug Gap0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Optional BCI Group Number34
Optional BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-198 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12
Engine Compression100
Engine Oil Pressure25-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH TEVES / WITH TRW
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Brake ApplicationWITH TEVES / WITH TRW
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0003 in / 0.0004 in / 0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0039 in / 0.003 in / 0.0055 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.098 in / 1.097 in / 0.482 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 21 ft. lbs., Step 3: 905 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Use new bolts. Lubricate bolts with clean engine oil. · M8 Bolts:

125.0 ft. lbs.; M11 Bolts:25 ft. lbs
145.0 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
265.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
365.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
490 degrees Do not use a torque wrench for this step.90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 60,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 60,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miTie Rod (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record shows that complaints for the Dodge Caravan rose through the mid‑1990s, peaking at 1,647 in 1996, then began a general decline through the early 2000s. After a temporary increase to 537 complaints in 2005, the 2006 model year recorded 173 complaints, 6 recalls, 5 investigations and 42 TSBs—markedly lower than both the prior and subsequent years. The following year, 2007, continued the downward trend with 82 complaints, 4 recalls, 1 investigation and 37 TSBs. Thus, 2006 sits at a low point in the complaint/recall arc that followed the 2005 uptick, indicating fewer reported issues than the surrounding years. Based solely on these numbers, the 2006 Dodge Caravan appears to be a comparatively favorable year to consider for purchase.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
42
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
173
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 173 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags20
Steering18
Latches/Locks/Linkages12
Fuel/Propulsion System10
Electrical System7
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting7
Engine & Engine Cooling7
Structure6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E048000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 08/08/2008

EAGLE EYES IS RECALLING 11,534 HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. CS090-B001L AND CS090-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE LOWER BEAM… Remedy: EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.

07E104000Visibility:Glass, Side/RearReported 11/12/2007

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT… Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 42 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90040092021-04-07Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Caravan. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Caravan 3.8L V6 take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API OR 5W-30 API REFER TO OIL CAP, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Caravan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.8L V6 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.