IllustrationWHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO A LOWER GEAR. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
1992 Dodge Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Caravan years
Owner complaints for the 1992 Dodge Caravan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Caravan years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 27 of 913 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 261 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 175 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
48 crash reports13 fire reports31 injury reports
Power Train complaints
110 reportsTRANSMISSION DOESN'T GO FROM 3RD GEAR TO DRIVE . THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBELM WHEN GOING UP HILLS. DEALER SAYS IT'S A CONTROLER INSIDE TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISION WA REBUILT AT CONSUMERS COST.*AK
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON SOMETIMES. DEALER SAID WHEN LIGHT IS ON IT'S AN INDICATION THAT AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY.*AK DEALER SAYS IT IS DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE SPRING IN THE STREEING COLUMN. THE DRIVER DID NOT WANT SPRING REPAIR, BUT SAY LIGHT GOES OFF WHEN SEAT BELT IS TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE ALSO DEVELOPED SHUDDER AS IT SHIFTS…
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AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON SOMETIMES. DEALER SAID WHEN LIGHT IS ON IT'S AN INDICATION THAT AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY.*AK DEALER SAYS IT IS DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE SPRING IN THE STREEING COLUMN. THE DRIVER DID NOT WANT SPRING REPAIR, BUT SAY LIGHT GOES OFF WHEN SEAT BELT IS TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE ALSO DEVELOPED SHUDDER AS IT SHIFTS THE FORWARD GEARS, PARTICULARLY BETWEEN SPEED OF 44 AND 50 MPH. WITH LIGHT ACCELERATION. *YH
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAIL AND HAD TO BE OVERHAULED TWICE. NLM
THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT TRANSMISSION TOTALLY WENT OUT WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. DEALER INSISTED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. BUT, MANUFACTURER SAID THEY DIDN'T SEE A PROBLEM. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILLURE CAUSED GEAR TO DISENGAGE SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. YH
IN FEBRUARY, 1999, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED THROUGH THE INSTALLATION OF A KIT. IN JULY, VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN PARK. WHEN ON AN INCLIDED IT WOULD BOUNCE TO THE GROUND. WHILE IN DECEMBER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. CONSUME RTHINGS PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE ORIGINAL, AND THAT THE W…
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IN FEBRUARY, 1999, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED THROUGH THE INSTALLATION OF A KIT. IN JULY, VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN PARK. WHEN ON AN INCLIDED IT WOULD BOUNCE TO THE GROUND. WHILE IN DECEMBER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. CONSUME RTHINGS PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE ORIGINAL, AND THAT THE WORK WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY. WHILE VEHICLE WA SFIXED, CONSUMER HOPES IT WOULD OUTLAST THE WARRANTY. *AK
THE SPIDER GEAR PIN IN THE TRANSMISSION BROKE, CAME OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND HIT THE FLOORBOARD. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THIS IS ACOMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 604 TRANSMISSION. *AK
Official recalls
999V189000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
Jul 16, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LEFT HAND WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT DRIVE ARM WAS NOT MECHANICALLY STAKED TO THE PIVOT SHAFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE DRIVE ARM TO DISENGAGE FROM THE SHAFT LEADING TO A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT HAND SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT ASSEMBLY.
97V148000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Sep 9, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. COVERS ON THE SOLID STALK MOUNTED SEAT BELT BUCKLES CAN BECOME DISLODGED CAUSING THE RELEASE BUTTON TO STICK INSIDE THE COVER. THE BUCKLE WOULD THEN BE ONLY PARTIALLY LATCHED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COVER RETAINING CLIP TO THE STALK MOUNTED BUCKLE COVER TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF THE BUCKLE COVER.
97V149000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Sep 9, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. THE CENTER REAR SEAT, RIGHT OUTBOARD SIDE, SAFETY BELT ANCHOR HOOK CAN BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE BODY ANCHOR POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ANCHOR HOOK RETAINING CLIP WITH A REVISED PROFILE CLIP AND A COVER PLATE.
97V079000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut
May 16, 1997
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.
Remedy: 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.
96V229000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
Nov 18, 1996
THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ARMATURE CRACKS IN THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT AREA. ANY STEERING WHEELS SHOWING CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.
96V099000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Jun 13, 1996
THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION COULD BE LOST AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. ALSO THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL ALSO BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.
92V147000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Oct 14, 1992
FUEL TANK FLANGES WERE NOT BENT AS REQUIRED TO ALLOW THE SPECIFIED CLEARANCE FOR THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAPS AND FUEL LINES AT THE TANK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE UNBENT FLANGES TO THE FUEL TANK WILL DAMAGE THEMOUNTING STRAPS AND/OR FUEL LINES. THE DAMAGED MOUNTING STRAPS MAY BREAK CAUSINGTHE TANK TO DROP AND THE DAMAGED FUEL LINE WILL LEAK FUEL. IN EITHER CASE A FIRECOULD RESULT IF THE SPILLED FUEL IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy: REPAIR THE FLANGE BY BENDING TO THE CORRECT ANGLE; REPLACE DAMAGED FUEL LINES AND MOUNTING STRAPS.
92V015000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
Feb 14, 1992
THE ZINC PLATING OPERATION PERFORMED ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLING BOLT CAUSED HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT AND BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FRACTURES OF THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLINGBOLT RESULT IN A LACK OF COUPLING LOAD ON THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL.
Remedy: REPLACE THE ZINC PLATED BOLT WITH A PHOSPHATE PLATED BOLT.
91V170000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
Oct 4, 1991
THE BRAKE PEDAL PAD ATTACHMENT TO THE PEDAL ARM MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE STRENGTH DUE TO MISLOCATION OF WELDS, AND COULD BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FAILURE OF THE PEDAL PAD TO PEDAL ARM ATTACHMENT RESULTSIN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE INADEQUATE BRAKE PEDALS WITH PROPERLY MANUFACTURED PEDALS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
14EA97020 · Front Windshield Wiper
Opened Sep 30, 1997 · Closed Jul 27, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ALLEGED FAILURES OF WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS
EA97005 · Safety Belt Anchorage Failures
Opened Apr 10, 1997 · Closed Dec 23, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
There is no summary currently available
PE97013 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened Apr 2, 1997 · Closed Sep 30, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ALLEGED WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL WHILE IN USE
DP97001 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened Mar 12, 1997 · Closed Apr 2, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT A DEFECT INVESTIGATION ON WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE ON 1989 AND LATER CHRYSLER MODELS WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SPIRIT/ACCLAIM: DYNASTY/NEW YORKER/LANDAU; LANCE/LEBARON; SHADOW/SUNDANCE; CARAVAN/VOYAGER.HOWEVER, BASED ON ODI'S COMPLAINT RECORDS, ONLY CERTAIN MINIVANS WILL BE INVESTIGATED
EA96027 · Alleged Rear Liftgate Support Failure
Opened Oct 31, 1996 · Closed May 16, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
THE RETAINER BOLT OF THE REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT CYLINDERS MAY SHEAR RESULTING IN SUDDEN COLLAPSE OF THE REAR HATCH DOOR.
PE96035 · Alleged Rear Liftgate Support Failure
Opened May 6, 1996 · Closed Oct 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
THE RETAINER BOLT OF THE REAR LIFT GATE SUPPORT CYLINDERS MAY SHEER RESULTING IN THE SUDDEN COLLAPSE OF THE REAR HATCH DOOR.
PE96008 · Safety Blt Latch Operation
Opened Jan 25, 1996 · Closed Jun 28, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
EA95029 · Steering Wheel Separation
Opened Sep 26, 1995 · Closed Nov 13, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
AFTER AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS, CHRYSLER HAS IDENTIFIED THE DEFECT AS A FATIGUE FAILURE, ORIGINATION IN THE HEAT AFFECTED REGION OF THE PROJECTION WELDS OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB TO STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE ATTACHMENT.THE HUB IS THE PORTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY THAT CONNECTS IT TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND IS ATTACHED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY BY 4 WELDS.IF CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE HEAT AFFECTED REGION OF THE WELDS AND PROPAGATE THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE TO EACH OF THE WELDS, THE STEERING WHEEL CAN SEPARATE FROM THE HUB.THIS IS A SLOW PROGRESSIVE FAILURE WHICH NORMALLY OCCURS AT HIGH MILEAGE.IN SOME CASES COMPLAINANTS HAVE REPORTED A LOOSENESS OR WOBBLING OF THE STEERING WHEEL PRIOR TO SEPARATION.TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT, CHRYSLER WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEELS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES FOR CRACKS IN THE HUB AREA.IF ANY CRACKS ARE FOUND, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BE REPLACED.ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE REINFORCING PLATES INSTALLED WHICH WOULD PREVENT A STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION SHOULD CRACKING OCCUR.
EA94028 · Abs Braking System Fails
Opened Jul 29, 1994 · Closed Jun 24, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE94024 · Abs Braking System Fails
Opened Mar 7, 1994 · Closed Jul 29, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
EA94005 · Liftgate Latches
Opened Jan 31, 1994 · Closed Oct 25, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
LIFTGATE LATCHES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE FAILED IN LOW AND MODERATE SPEED IMPACTS RESULTING IN OCCUPANT EJECTIONS, INJURIES, AND FATALITIES.THERE ARE TWO FAILURE MODES ASSOCIATED WITH LATCH FAILURE: FORK BOLT-DETENT LEVER BYPASS, AND INERTIAL UNLATCHING.NHTSA ANALYSES OF CHRYSLER AND PEER MINIVANS TOOK THE FORM OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC CRASH TESTING, ENGINEERING EVALUATIONS, COMPLAINT AND FIELD ANALYSES, AND REAL WORLD DATA ANALYSES.A TECHNICAL REPORT DISCUSSING THESE ANALYSES CAN BE FOUND IN THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TECHNICAL REPORT IN THE PUBLIC VIEWING FILE.CHRYSLER HAS ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LATCHES ON ALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE CHRYSLER CAMPAIGN WILL CONSIST OF NOTIFICATION LETTERS TO ALL OWNERS; FREE REPLACEMENT OF ALL LATCHES WITH STRONGER, SAFER LATCHES REGARDLESS OF THE AGE OF THE MINIVANS; NATIONAL ADVERTISING TO PROMOTE CUSTOMER AWARENESS OF THE CAMPAIGN; QUARTERLY REPORTS REGARDING CAMPAIGN COMPLETION RATES; AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO ENSURE A HIGH COMPLETION RATE, ABOVE AND BEYOND THE ACTIONS THAT NORMALLY WOULD BE TAKEN IN A FORMAL SAFETY RECALL.THESE INCLUDE FOLLOW UP WRITTEN AND TELEPHONIC NOTIFICATIONS TO OWNERS WHO DO NOT BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION.NHTSA FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT THE CRASH PERFORMANCE OF THE LATCHES ON THESE MINIVANS RAISES SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS, AND THAT THE CAMPAIGN ADDRESSES THESE CONCERNS.THE CHRYSLER CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL INCREASE THE STRENGTH OF THE LIFTGATE LATCHES AND DECREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INERTIAL UNLATCHING, THEREBY REDUCING THE RISK OF CRASH-RELATED OPENINGS OF THE LIFTGATE AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT EJECTION THROUGH THE LIFTGATE OPENING.OWNERS OF CHRYSLER MINIVANS WILL GET A STRONGER, SAFER LATCH FREE OF CHARGE AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE TIME, WITHOUT THE NEED FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AND COMPLEX AND TIME-CONSUMING LITIGATION WITH AN UNCERTAIN OUTCOME.BASED ON THE ABOVE, ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION.
PE93084 · Rear Hatch Latch Failure
Opened Sep 30, 1993 · Closed Jan 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
EA92033 · Rear Window Shattering
Opened Oct 9, 1992 · Closed Apr 29, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
There is no summary currently available
PE92053 · Window Shattering
Opened Jun 8, 1992 · Closed Oct 9, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
There is no summary currently available