NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
644 reports44,900 miles · Jul 13, 2005
Power Train
DT: CONSUMER STATES HIS 1994 DODGE CARAVAN THAT HE PURCHASED USED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IMMEDIATELY. THE TRANSMISSION WILL POP OUT OF GEAR WHEN IT IS HOT. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE SHUT OFF AND THEN IT WILL START AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, SEPTEMBER 2004, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND WA…
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DT: CONSUMER STATES HIS 1994 DODGE CARAVAN THAT HE PURCHASED USED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IMMEDIATELY. THE TRANSMISSION WILL POP OUT OF GEAR WHEN IT IS HOT. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE SHUT OFF AND THEN IT WILL START AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, SEPTEMBER 2004, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT 30 DAYS AGO AND HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10128573
17,000 miles · Mar 7, 2005
SeatsCrashInjury
WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO STRIKE THE VEHICLE IN THE FRONT OF HIM. BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS COLLAPSED. THE DRIVER SEAT FELL ONTO THE CHILD PASSENGER, BREAKING SEVERAL BONES IN HIS FACE AND HAD TO UNDERGO SURGERY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10113531
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2005
Structure
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V213000, THE BOLT TO THE HATCH BROKE, CAUSING THE PISTON TO BREAK IN HALF. A STICK MUST BE USED TO HOLD THE HATCH UP. CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10113289
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
THE SERPENTINE BELT CONTINUOUSLY SLIPS OFF WHICH CAUSES THE STEERING TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10112852
200,000 miles · Jan 31, 2005
Structure
THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF THE HINGES. IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO OPEN/CLOSE DOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10109270
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2004
Power Train
HAVE A 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. ALREADY REPLACED ONE TRANSMISSION AND I AM LOOKING AT REPLACING ANOTHER. TOLD BY TRANSMISSION MECHANICS AND OTHERS THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR FAILURE AND THAT THE COMPANY KNOWINGLY INSTALL SUCH EQUIPMENT AT THE CONSUMER'S ULTIMATE EXPENSE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10056378
99,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Unknown Or Other
THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ROOF OF THE VAN (THE ROOF IS NOW ALMOST BARE, A YEAR LATER) AND NOW HAS BEGUN TO PEEL OFF THE HOOD, AS WELL. WE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED BY ANY SORT OF WARRANTY OR LEMON LAW AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPAINT THE VAN. OTHER THAN THE PAINT PROBLEM.…
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THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ROOF OF THE VAN (THE ROOF IS NOW ALMOST BARE, A YEAR LATER) AND NOW HAS BEGUN TO PEEL OFF THE HOOD, AS WELL. WE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED BY ANY SORT OF WARRANTY OR LEMON LAW AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPAINT THE VAN. OTHER THAN THE PAINT PROBLEM... THE VAN IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT SOON IT WILL NO LONGER HAVE ANY PAINT. IT IS A DARK BLUE COLOR, AND WE HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER DODGE GRAND CARAVANS FROM THAT SAME YEAR WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. OTHERS HAVE SOLD THEIR VANS RATHER THAN PAY TO REPAINT AN AGING, HIGH-MILEAGE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10071071
110,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Unknown Or Other
I HAVE NOT ACTUALLY TRIED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED BECAUSE I HEARD THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR DEFECT, AND I AM SIMPLY TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THAT IS TRUE. MY PROBLEM IS WE HAVE A LIGHT BLUE DODGE CARAVAN AND THE PAINT IS PEELING BADLY!!!! I HAVE SEEN OTHER LIGHT BLUE DODGE CARAVANS THE SA…
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I HAVE NOT ACTUALLY TRIED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED BECAUSE I HEARD THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR DEFECT, AND I AM SIMPLY TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THAT IS TRUE. MY PROBLEM IS WE HAVE A LIGHT BLUE DODGE CARAVAN AND THE PAINT IS PEELING BADLY!!!! I HAVE SEEN OTHER LIGHT BLUE DODGE CARAVANS THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL THAT ARE ALSO PEELING BADLY. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET IT REPAIRED?
NHTSA ODI #10070752
90,000 miles · Nov 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
NHTSA ODI #10048840
157,000 miles · Oct 20, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE ON OUR WAY HOME, AT NIGHT, THEN IT JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON A CORNER. WE PUSHED IT SOMEWHAT OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED ON THE HAZARDS. THEN I PROCEEDED TO HAUL MY FIVE KIDS OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND DOWN THE ROAD TO TRY TO PHONE FOR HELP. WALKING AT NIGHT WITH 5 Y…
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TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE ON OUR WAY HOME, AT NIGHT, THEN IT JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON A CORNER. WE PUSHED IT SOMEWHAT OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED ON THE HAZARDS. THEN I PROCEEDED TO HAUL MY FIVE KIDS OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND DOWN THE ROAD TO TRY TO PHONE FOR HELP. WALKING AT NIGHT WITH 5 YOUNG CHILDREN ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD IS DANGEROUS. I TRIED TO GET IT REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT IT WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY $3,000.00 TO FIX AND THEN IT COULD TURN AROUND AND HAPPEN AGAIN. NO INDICATOR LIGHT EVER CAME ON. THE DEALER TOLD ME THESE WERE GOOD VANS AND VERY DEPENDABLE TOO. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BY BEING HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC BEFORE SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING? THESE TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD BE DECLARED LEMONS, RECALLED AND MADE GOOD ON. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043256
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
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.
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
8DP03002 · 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.
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