Safety ratings
1994 Dodge Caravan
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
Crash test #1NHTSA test 2091
Full test report (PDF) ↗Recalls (5)
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCKCampaign 95I001005 · 27/03/1995
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITH REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
Risk: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING DECEMBER 1995.
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCKCampaign 95I001001 · 27/03/1995
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITHOUT REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
Risk: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1995.
- STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BARCampaign 00V305000 · 12/10/2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH 2-SPOKE LUXURY WHEELS MANUFACTURED JULY 1992 THROUGH JUNE 1993; OR EQUIPPED WITH 4-SPOKE SPORT WHEELS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1992 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1993. THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Risk: IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR CRACKS AND ANY WHEELS WITH CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.
- AIR BAGSCampaign 99V113000 · 06/05/1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE WIRING THAT INITIATES THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD ELECTRICALLY SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. A SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND THAT EXISTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "ON" OR "START" POSITION CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG(S) TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
Risk: INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN INJURE A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ANY SHORT CIRCUITS IDENTIFIED IN EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INITIATOR WIRE CIRCUIT WILL BE REPAIRED.
- STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTSCampaign 99V213000 · 02/09/1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.
Risk: PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- POWER TRAIN76
- AIR BAGS75
- STRUCTURE60
- SERVICE BRAKES46
- HYDRAULIC44
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING43
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES38
- STEERING30
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/29/2000· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1. VEHICLE IS INTERMITTENLY STALLING WHICH OCCURS AT ANYTIME AND WIHTOUT WARNING. 2. INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS ARE PREMATURLY WEARING OUT AND ARE IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF. *AK
- 12/29/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF TBHIS PART. FIRST FAILURE WAS AT 61590 MILES. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER V-6 ENGINES AND ONE WHICH, IF IT OCCURS AT SPEED, CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WITH TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER AND ADVISING ME OF YOUR FINDINGS. *AK
- 12/28/1995· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE TURNING WHEELS LEFT OR RIGHT, SERPENTINE BELT WOULD SLIP OFF; REPLACED BY DEALER. TT
- 12/26/1995· STRUCTURE
THE SLIDING DOOR COMES OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
- 12/22/1999· AIR BAGS
CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL REPAIRS ON THE AIRBAG MODULE. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE WIRING TO THE AIRBAG. AS OF TODAY THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
- 12/21/2000· TIRES
WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH FELT VIBRATION AT SEVERAL SPEEDS. DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING OR OVER ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. CHANGED THE FIRESTONE AFFINITY TIRE AND TREAD BALOONED OUT. DEFECTIVE TIRE EXPLODED IN VEHICLE AFTER BEING CHANGED. TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES VN0A1B406, 205/70R15. *AK CONSUMER REPLACED ALL TIRES. *SLC
- 12/21/1998· VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS
REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR SHORTED OUT. ALSO, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HEWOULD DISENGAGE THE AIR BAG TO PREVENT IT FROM DEPLOYING. *AK
- 12/21/1995· CHILD SEAT
CSS BUILT IN THE VEHICLE PLASTIC HARNESS RETAINER CLIP IS VERY LOOSE AND PULLS APART, WILL HOLD BELTS. TT
- 12/19/1994· TIRES
GOODYEAR INVICTA TIRE BLEW OUT AT SIDEWALL. *AW
- 12/18/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CALIPERS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. *SLC
- 12/17/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN MAKING A STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST WENT TO THE FLOOR, RIGHT BEFORE THIS, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TAKEN TO A BRAKE CENTER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK
- 12/16/1999· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD TURNED THE CORNER, BRAKED JUST A LITTLE, AND IT DIDN'T TURN IN THE DIRECTION DRIVER WANTED TO GO. GOING UP HILL WITH A/C ON, GOT BEHIND A BIG TRUCK, WHICH CAUSED DRIVER TO SLOW DOWN, AND VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. *AK
- 12/16/1999· VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS
RECALL # 99V113000 DAIMLER/CHRYSLER/AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT; DEALER DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO CORRECT RECALL. OWNER HAS CONTACTED DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES SINCE RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 1994. DEALER STATED THAT PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. ALSO, REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING PRIOR TO RECALL. *AK
- 12/16/1996· STRUCTURE
DRIVER HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER AT 4 TO 6 MPH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, COLLISION WAS NOT FRONTAL, BUT THE LOWER H-FRAME WAS BENT, CONSUMER WILL ADD REPAIR INFORMATION. *AK
- 12/15/1999· EQUIPMENT
A/C EVAPORATOR FAILED AFTER ONLY 2.5 YEARS, $800 TO REPAIR, CHRYSLER AGREED TO PAY HALF, MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. IN MY OPINION, IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT. *AK
- 12/15/1997· POWER TRAIN
UPON BRAKING CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD. ALSO NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 40 TO 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CHANGING GEARS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
- 12/15/1994· VISIBILITY
REAR LEFT WINDOW SHATTERED, SPREADING GLASS INTO PASSENGER AREA OF VEHICLE. *SKD
- 12/14/1995· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
PURCHASE CAR NEW THE REAR HATCH LATCH MAKES NOISE WATER GETS IN THE CAR REAR DOOR DOESN'T CLOSE RIGHT . TT
- 12/13/2000· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PLASTIC COVERING OVER HEADLIGHTS HAVE CHANGED COLOR FROM CLEAR TO A YELLOWISH COLOR OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. HOWEVER, COVER ON LIGHTS TO SIDE OF VEHICLE REMAINED THEIR ORIGINAL COLOR, CONSUMER CAN HARDLY SEE WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE, AND FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE. *AK *SLC
- 12/12/2001· STRUCTURE
VAN SLIDING DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK. AS A RESULT PASSENGERS WERE TRAPPED INSIDE OF VEHICLE . DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
- 12/12/1995· STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILURE DUE TO COPPER TUBING FRACTURING DUE TO OVERHEATING. TT
- 12/11/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED.
- 12/11/1994· EQUIPMENT
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *SKD
- 12/10/2002· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CAR PERIODICALLY STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING (USUALLY WHEN TURNING OR STOPPED AT INTERSECTIONS), REQUIRING THROTTLE BODY CLEANING ABOUT EVERY 15,000 MILES. IT IS DANGEROUS TO STALL OUT WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND/OR TURNING AND SHOULD NOT (AS DODGE ASSERTS) BE COMPARED TO ROUTINE MAINTENACE LIKE OIL CHANGES. DT
- 12/10/2000· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION STARTED LEAKING.AFTER DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD IT WAS "HARD SEALS" DUE TO TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS OR WEAR AND TEAR. OUR CLIMATE DOES NOT CHANGE DRASTICALLY AND HOW CAN A MAJOR PART LIKE THIS FAIL AFTER ONLY 43,000 MILES? WE HAVE DONE THE ROUTINE MAINTANENCE ON THIS VAN EVERY 3,000 MILES.IS THIS A NORMAL PROBLEM? *AK
- 12/10/1999· STRUCTURE
THE SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR BASICALLY FELL OFF. THE DOOR WAS NOT ABUSED, JUST NORMAL WEAR. MY WIFE WENT TO SHUT THE DOOR AND IT FELL OFF. (ONLY THING KEEPING IT OFF THE GROUND WAS ONE BENT HINGE. I TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT. THE DEALER WOULD NOT ADMIT TO MANUFACTURE FAULT. HOWEVER, I WAS ABLE TO GET THEM TO LOWER THE BILL TO FIX THE DOOR FROM $303 TO $133. I STILL BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, CAUSED BY A STRUCTURAL DESIGN FLAW IN THE SLIDING DOOR. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IN THE NHTSA DATABASE CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM. DODGE, CHRYSLER, AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THE COSTS.
- 12/09/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INTERMITTENT STALLING RESULTED IN A COLLISION DUE TO A LACK OF CONTROL.
- 12/08/1998· SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO FASTEN PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK
- 12/08/1998· AIR BAGS
AIRBAG SENOR LIGHT CAME ON. NOTIFIED THE DEALER,AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART MOST LIKEY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST TO CONSUMER. *AK
- 12/07/1994· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SPEED SENSOR FAILED.
- 12/06/1996· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
REAR HATCH OPENED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT.
- 12/06/1995· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESCrash
THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR RIGHT QUARTER PANEL AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAME OPEN. PLEASE DESCIRBE. TT
- 12/03/1999· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION'S 2ND & 4TH GEARS WENT OUT, VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND SLOWED TO A CRAWL. PRESSED ACCELERATOR & NO RESPONSE. HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE BEFORE LOSS OF POWER. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED BY MECHANIC THE 4TH GEAR WAS INOPERATIVE. *AK
- 12/03/1996· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFire
WHEN REFUELING VEHICLE AT THE FUEL FILLER PIPE NECK, A SPARK OCCURRED, CAUSING A FIRE, IN FOR REPAIR. *AK DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS, CONSUMER REFUSES TO PUT HIS FAMILY IN DANGER BY RIDING IN THIS VEHICLE. *SLC
- 12/03/1996· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER THEN MADE A STOP AND THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. *AK
- 12/02/1999· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CHRYSLER WILL NOT PROVIDE FREE RELAY
- 12/02/1998· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE. VEHICLE GOT STUCK IN GEAR. DEALER/MFR. WER ENOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK
- 12/02/1997· STRUCTURE
THE SLIDING DOOR DISENGAGED FROM THE TRACKS CAUSING THE DOOR TO FALL COMPLETELY OFF, CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
- 12/02/1994· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON . *AK
- 11/30/1998· STRUCTURE
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH SLIDING DOORS. WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR, IT FELL OFF. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
- 11/30/1998· EQUIPMENT
AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED.
- 11/29/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS ARE FOGGING OVER MAKING NIGHT DRIVINGA CHORE. SO FAR I;VE HAD TO ADD ACCESORY LIGHTING AND BRIGHTER BULBS IN HOPE OF JUST STAYING EVEN.*AK
- 11/29/1999· EQUIPMENT
SEVERAL TIMES I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO ARRIGO BUT THEY COULD NEVER FIND A PROBLEM. THEN THE AIR CONDITIONING WENT OUT AND THEY SAID TOO BAD, NOT THERE PROBLEM. I HAVE RECORDS OF EVERY TIME I WAS THERE FOR SERVICE TELLING THEM THAT THE SQUEALING NOISE SOUNDED LIKE A COMPRESSOR LEAK. I'M JUST VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS ONCE THE VEHICLE IS PURCHASED.
- 11/29/1994· SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT EXTEND FAR ENOUGH TO BE BUCKLED. *SKD
- 11/28/1997· EQUIPMENT
WHENEVER 134A IS USED IN AIR CONDITIONER, IT WOULD EAT/LEAK THROUGH IT, CAUSING IT NOT TO WORK PROPERLY. HAD AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE OF 134A. TALKED TO MANUFACTURER & INFORMED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR USE OF 134A IN VEHICLES. *AK
- 11/28/1994· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROLLER FAILED. *SKD
- 11/27/1996· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESCrash
RECALL RELATED, REAR HATCHBACK LATCH FAILED AFTER HITTING A WALL, THE LATCH OPENED, LOW IMPACT, SPEED 45MPH. *AK
- 11/27/1996· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCrash
UPON REAREND COLLISION THE DRIVER'S AND OTHER OCCUPANTS SEAT BELTS UNLATCHED. ALSO NON DEPLOYMENT OF DUAL AIR BAGS. *AK
- 11/27/1995· PARKING BRAKECrash
PARKING BRAKES FAILED AFTER AUTO DOOR WAS SLAMMED CLOSED-AUTO ROLLED INTO A TRAILER PUSHING IT INTO A GARAGE-NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. TT
- 11/27/1995· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. TT