2006 Dodge Grand Caravan

Tested vehicle: 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport
Rating applies to 2002-07 models

The Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country were redesigned for the 2001 model year.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of the Grand Caravan in three 40 mph moderate overlap frontal crash tests into deformable barriers. After the first test, Chrysler indicated the results were different from tests the company had conducted and requested a retest.

Results of the second test were more consistent with company test results for structural performance, but the amount and pattern of intrusion were similar. More significantly, a fuel leak occurred, revealing a weakness in the design of a circular fitting where the fuel lines exit the fuel tank. Further examination of the fitting in the van tested first showed stress fractures in the same area as the leak in the second van.

A third test was conducted after Chrysler made a design change to fix the fuel tank fitting and retrofitted a 2001 model with the redesign (all 2002 and later models include the modification). Examination of the redesigned fitting after the third test indicated no damage.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF0102	CEF0111	CF00028
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	7	9	10
Left (cm)	14	19	24
Center (cm)	21	24	26
Right (cm)	20	22	26
Brake pedal (cm)	14	17	23
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0	1	4
Right (cm)	1	2	4
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	11	9	8
Rearward (cm)	-5	-2	0
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	1	2	2

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF0102	CEF0111	CF00028
Head
HIC-15	602	456	587
Peak gs at hard contact	81	no contact	71
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.0	1.9	1.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	30	19	18
Maximum Nij	0.43	0.41	0.38
Chest maximum compression (mm)	34	41	51
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	5.2	7.7	7.2
Femur force - right (kN)	1.9	1.6	2.1
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1	0	0
Knee displacement - right (mm)	3	2	2
Maximum tibia index - left	0.60	0.48	0.68
Maximum tibia index - right	1.70	1.27	1.06
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	1.8	1.2	0.9
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	9.3	6.6	7.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	63	59	71
Right	142	134	273

About the original moderate overlap front test

Tested vehicle: 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT with head curtain airbags for all three rows of seats
Rating applies to 2006-07 models built after December 2005

The Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country were redesigned for the 2001 model year. A modification was made beginning with 2002 models to fix a fuel tank fitting that contributed to a fuel leak in one of the Institute's frontal offset tests of a 2001 model.

Beginning with 2006 models manufactured after December 2005, further changes including additional B-pillar reinforcements, a modified roof structure, side curtain airbag updates, and modified door trim panels were made to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door).

Two tests of the Grand Caravan were conducted, one with an optional side airbag for the driver and rear passenger, and one without. These vehicles are rated separately, except that the structural ratings for both vehicles are based on both tests. The tested vans were manufactured after all modifications had been made.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID	CES0610	CES0611
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-9.5	-12.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES0610
Head HIC-15	273
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.3
Compression (kN)	0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	33
Lateral force (kN)	2.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	54
Average deflection (mm)	37
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.12
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	1.17
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	2.7
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.3
Combined force (kN)	4.9
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.3
L-M moment (Nm)	51
A-P moment (Nm)	-15

Passenger injury measures

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES0610
Head HIC-15	100
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.4
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	29
Lateral force (kN)	0.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	36
Average deflection (mm)	22
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	5.23
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.89
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.1
Acetabulum force (kN)	3.4
Combined force (kN)	3.5
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.6
L-M moment (Nm)	97
A-P moment (Nm)	16

About the original side crash test

Tested vehicle: 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SE without optional side airbags
Rating applies to 2006-07 models built after December 2005

The Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country were redesigned for the 2001 model year. A modification was made beginning with 2002 models to fix a fuel tank fitting that contributed to a fuel leak in one of the Institute's frontal offset tests of a 2001 model.

Beginning with 2006 models manufactured after December 2005, further changes including additional B-pillar reinforcements, a modified roof structure, side curtain airbag updates, and modified door trim panels were made to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door).

Two tests of the Grand Caravan were conducted, one with an optional side airbag for the driver and rear passenger, and one without. These vehicles are rated separately, except that the structural ratings for both vehicles are based on both tests. The tested vans were manufactured after all modifications had been made.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID	CES0610	CES0611
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-9.5	-12.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES0611
Head HIC-15	383
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.5
Compression (kN)	0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	34
Lateral force (kN)	2.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	57
Average deflection (mm)	43
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	5.58
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	1.30
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.2
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.8
Combined force (kN)	3.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.4
L-M moment (Nm)	48
A-P moment (Nm)	14

Passenger injury measures

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES0611
Head HIC-15	102
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.4
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	28
Lateral force (kN)	1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	35
Average deflection (mm)	24
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	6.15
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.87
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.2
Acetabulum force (kN)	0.0
Combined force (kN)	0.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.3
L-M moment (Nm)	70
A-P moment (Nm)	18

About the original side crash test

Seat type: Seats with adjustable lumbar

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Seats with adjustable lumbar
Geometry
Backset (mm)	72
Distance below top of head (mm)	78
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Fail
Max T1 acceleration (g)	9.6
Head contact time (ms)	117
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	87
Max neck tension (N)	635

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Seat type: Seats without adjustable lumbar

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Seats without adjustable lumbar
Geometry
Backset (mm)	82
Distance below top of head (mm)	75
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Fail
Max T1 acceleration (g)	12.2
Head contact time (ms)	101
Force rating	3
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	231
Max neck tension (N)	900

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.