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1994 Dodge Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Caravan years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Dodge Caravan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 22 of 644 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 94 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

91 crash reports6 fire reports61 injury reports

Visibility complaints

43 reports
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176,380 miles · Jan 1, 2008
Visibility

REAR WINDOW ON LIFT GATE SHATTERED IN A THOUSAND PIECES FOR NO REASON WHILE PARKED (GLASS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE). OUTSIDE TEMP WAS ABOUT 20 F AND CLOUDY. GLASS TYPE IS A PRIVACY TINTED WITH WINDOW DEFROSTER. IT APPEARS GLASS WAS NOT REQUIRED TO BE A SAFETY GLASS TYPE AS COMPARED TO A WINDSHIELD WITH A "PLASTIC SANDWICH IN-BETWEEN. …

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REAR WINDOW ON LIFT GATE SHATTERED IN A THOUSAND PIECES FOR NO REASON WHILE PARKED (GLASS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE). OUTSIDE TEMP WAS ABOUT 20 F AND CLOUDY. GLASS TYPE IS A PRIVACY TINTED WITH WINDOW DEFROSTER. IT APPEARS GLASS WAS NOT REQUIRED TO BE A SAFETY GLASS TYPE AS COMPARED TO A WINDSHIELD WITH A "PLASTIC SANDWICH IN-BETWEEN. ABOUT 10 HOURS OF CLEAN UP REQUIRED. MANY SMALL GLASS FRAGMENTS AND "GLASS DUST" TRAVELED AS FAR AS THE FRONT DASHBOARD. OWNER WILL BE REPLACING GLASS. COST ESTIMATED TO BE BETWEEN $300 TO $400 PARTS AND LABOR. I HAVE PICTURES AVAILABLE IF NEEDED .*CN

NHTSA ODI #10213365

180,000 miles · Oct 8, 2003
Visibility

REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND TURNED ON. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF WINDOW PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10042534

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2003
Visibility

WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR GLASS BROKE FROM THE INSIDE OUT. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019714

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2000
Air BagsVisibility

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR AIRBAG LIGHT. AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON WHEN SHE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER. TOOK TO DEALER FOR RECALL, DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM, THEN 2 MONTHS LATER, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF WHEN HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD. REAR WINDOW, RUBBER SEAL THAT GOES AROUND THE WINDOW IS MELTING WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE, …

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CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR AIRBAG LIGHT. AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON WHEN SHE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER. TOOK TO DEALER FOR RECALL, DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM, THEN 2 MONTHS LATER, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF WHEN HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD. REAR WINDOW, RUBBER SEAL THAT GOES AROUND THE WINDOW IS MELTING WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE, AND RUNNING DOWN OUTSIDE OF CAR. CONSUMER IS CONSTANTLY CLEANING AROUND WINDOW TO AVOID DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #871400

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2000
Fuel System, GasolineVisibility

THE SEALS/MOLDING AROUND THE WINDOWS AND GAS TANK ARE MELTING AND CAUSING THE RUBBER TO MELT. I THINK THE STUFF THATS MELTING IS GETTING IN THE GAS BECAUSE THE CAR ACTS LIKE THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE GAS. THE MOLDING AROUND THE WIDOWS MELTS AND THE BLACK MELTS ALL OVER THE PAINT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #723944

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2000
Visibility

IT WAS RAINING AND WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED WORKING, AFFECTING DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. THIS DEFECT IS RECALLED ON THE 91-93 CARAVANS, BUT NOT ON THIS 94 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #860136

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2000
Visibility

REAR TRUNK WINDOW MOLDING IS MELTING, WINDOW AND MOLDING MUST BE REPLACED TOGETHER. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #9000891

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2000
Electrical SystemEquipmentVisibility

HORN/CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND THE BOOSTER IN THE RADIO DO NOT WORK. ALSO, WHEN TURNING HEATER FAN SWITCH ON HIGH, LIFTGATE OPENS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN. NONE OF THE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN CORRRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURHTER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #856477

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2000
Latches/locks/linkagesVisibility

WINDSHIELD MOTOR (REAR) WAS RECALLED, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. CONNSUMER SAT AT DEALER ALMOST 2 HOURS BEFORE BEING TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN, SIDE DOOR OF VAN- WHEN HITTING A BUMP THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF LIKE STROBE LIGHTS AND THE DOOR LATCH IS NOT LATCHING PROPERLY, THEREFORE THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT BLIN…

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WINDSHIELD MOTOR (REAR) WAS RECALLED, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. CONNSUMER SAT AT DEALER ALMOST 2 HOURS BEFORE BEING TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN, SIDE DOOR OF VAN- WHEN HITTING A BUMP THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF LIKE STROBE LIGHTS AND THE DOOR LATCH IS NOT LATCHING PROPERLY, THEREFORE THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF AND A BEEPING SIGNAL IN HEARD CONSTANTLY.. *AK

NHTSA ODI #856281

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2000
Air BagsPower TrainStructure

THE LIFTGATE FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #784472

Official recalls

3

00V305000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Oct 12, 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.

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 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.

99V213000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments

Sep 2, 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.

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.

99V113000 · Air Bags

May 6, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN INJURE A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: 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.

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

8

DP03002 · Steering Column Separation

Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column

MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.

RQ00011 · Steering Wheel Separation

Opened May 1, 2000 · Closed Apr 1, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering

There is no summary currently available

Steering

There is no summary currently available

EA98006 · Inadvertent Air Bag Deployments

Opened Feb 27, 1998 · Closed May 24, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAG (S) DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY--IN MOST CASES WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE.

PE97049 · Air Bag Circuit/windshield Wiper Motor

Opened Nov 18, 1997 · Closed Mar 17, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility

There is no summary currently available

PE97046 · Inadvertent Air Bag Deployments

Opened Oct 24, 1997 · Closed Feb 27, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY (IN MOST CASES WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE).

DP96014 · Defective Air Bag Crash Sensor

Opened Nov 14, 1996 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICLES] HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS.

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

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.