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: 113 of 714 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.
Air Bags. Review the 152 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 133 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
43 crash reports36 fire reports39 injury reports
What owners actually said
714 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2000
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
SLIDING DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILS--DOOR REMAINS LOCKED AND DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, OR DOOR IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK. JUST BEFORE FAILURE DOOR HAS PROBLEM LATCHING SUCCESSFULLY. AUTO DOOR LOCK MAKES BUZZING NOISE WHEN LOCKING IS ATTEMPTED. AFTER SECOND FAILURE, DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT IS COMMON TO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT…
Read full complaint
SLIDING DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILS--DOOR REMAINS LOCKED AND DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, OR DOOR IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK. JUST BEFORE FAILURE DOOR HAS PROBLEM LATCHING SUCCESSFULLY. AUTO DOOR LOCK MAKES BUZZING NOISE WHEN LOCKING IS ATTEMPTED. AFTER SECOND FAILURE, DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT IS COMMON TO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF ROCKWELL ACTUATOR PART FOR THESE VEHICLES. WE'VE HAD 3 FAILURES OF DRIVERS SIDE AND 5 ON PASSENGER SIDE. LATEST WAS TODAY, 10/11/00. VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT THE FAILURES KEEP HAPPENING.
NHTSA ODI #734098
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2000
Child Seat
CONSUMER HAD TO CUT THE STRAP ON THE INTEGRATED SEAT IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE CHILD, THE SEAT WAS UNDER RECALL 98V-0185 BUT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. NLM
NHTSA ODI #556059
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2000
Power Train
WHEN PUTTING CAR IN PARK IT MADE A FUNNY NOISE, CONSUMER PUT IT IN REVERSE ,AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. CONSUMER HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS TRANSMISSION, AND BITS OF PIECES OF METAL WAS EVERYWHERE, LIKE IT HAD EXPLODED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #872459
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
GASKET FAILED CAUSING OIL LEAK.*ET
NHTSA ODI #784924
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2000
Fuel System, GasolineFire
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER COULD SMELL GASOLINE, CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE, CLAIM 13-7076-635. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #6900629
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2000
Power Train
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON STREET. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY WARRANTY BECAUSE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING GRINDING NOISE, AND GEARS WOULD JERK WHEN PUT IN PLACE. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, AND THERE WAS NO POWER IN ANY OF THE GEARS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #870924
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 53-C624-851. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #6900631
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE WAS TAKING TO MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE. UPON INSPECTION OF VEHICLE, DEALER NOTICED OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MECHANIC STATED HEAD GASKET WAS GOING BAD, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE AUTO SHOPS THAT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WAS TAKING TO MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE. UPON INSPECTION OF VEHICLE, DEALER NOTICED OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MECHANIC STATED HEAD GASKET WAS GOING BAD, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE AUTO SHOPS THAT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS. *YH
NHTSA ODI #870294
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
Unknown Or Other
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #731168
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2000
Visibility
I'VE HAD MY WINDSHIELD CHIPPED TWICE WHILE DRIVING BEHIND A DODGE CARAVAN. I'VE NOTICED THAT ON NEWER VANS PROBABLY '96 AND UP THE SIDE OF THE REAR WHEELS ARE EXPOSED AND NEED REAR MUD FLAPS
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRIM WITH FOAM BLOCKERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL 3RD ROW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT ON THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT CAN BECOME DIFFICULT TO EXTRACT WHEN THE SAFETY BELT LATCH PLATE BECOMES CONTAMINATED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING A CHILD FROM THE RESTRAINT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE LATCH MECHANISM. AN EXTENDER WILL BE ADDED TO THE EMERGENCY RELEASE ANCHOR FOR THE CHILD SEAT SAFETY BELTS SO THAT THE RELEASE CLIPS ARE MORE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE OPERATOR IN THE EVENT THAT THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED. IN ADDITION, AN INSTRUCTIONAL OWNER'S MANUAL SUPPLEMENT CARD WILL BE PROVIDED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH P215/65R15 GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRES MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEEL. THE TIRES CAN EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN AIR PRESSURE LOSS WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRES THAT WERE MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEELS.
THE MASTER CYLINDER REAR SEAL, BETWEEN THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND THE VACUUM RESERVOIR, MAY NOT SEAL ADEQUATELY ALLOWING HYDRAULIC FLUID TO BE DRAWN INTO THE POWER ASSIST VACUUM RESERVOIR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AS THE HYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR DECREASES, THE LEVEL SENSOR WILL DETECT THE LOSS OF FLUID AND ILLUMINATE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE WARNING LAMP. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. ADDENDUM (4-14-97): VEHICLES INSPECTED PER CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 707 AND FOUND TO BE OUTSIDE THE LISTED SUSPECT MASTER CYLINDER DATE CODE RANGE, MUST NOW HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER PRIMARY PISTON REPLACED (CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 714).
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
7
PE02004 · Rear Seat Belt Malfunction
Opened Jan 16, 2002 · Closed Mar 11, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:rear/other
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED JANUARY 16, 2002, BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS ALLEGING THE THIRD ROW SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAILED ON CERTAIN 1997 AND 1998 MODEL YEAR CARAVAN AND VOYAGER VEHICLES.THE REPORTS INDICATED A TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE ENTERED THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM, THUS CAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO JAM OR BIND.IN THIS CONDITION THE SEAT BELT IS RENDERED INOPERABLE, AS THE WEBBING CANNOT RETRACT OR BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE RETRACTORS FOR USE.RECALL SCOPE:THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE 1997 THROUGH 1999 DODGE CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER, AND CHRYSLER TOWN & CONTRY BUILT ON A SHORT WHEEL BASE CHASSIS.THE INCLUSIVE DATES OF PRODUCTION ARE JUNE 1996 THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 1999.RECALL REMEDY: DAIMLERCHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MASTIC SOUND BARRIER PATCHES WITH FOAM BLOCKERS, AS WELL AS, INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL THIRD ROW REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES CONTAMINATED BY THE MASTIC PATCH.
EA01007 · Air Bag Clockspring
Opened Feb 21, 2001 · Closed Nov 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
RQ00008 · Dc Minivan Fuel Injector Rail Leak
Opened Mar 9, 2000 · Closed Mar 18, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA99013 · Post Collision Fuel System
Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
No summary supplied.
PE99010 · POST-COLLISION Fuel System Integrity
Opened Feb 3, 1999 · Closed Jun 11, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
There is no summary currently available
EA97003 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup
Opened Jan 31, 1997 · Closed Aug 19, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
ODI CONTINUES TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LATCHING/RETRACTOR MECHANISM PROBLEMS.CHRYSLER'S ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM INDICATES THAT OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES ARE NOT ADHERING TO THE CLEANING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SEAT.THE SEAT APPEARS TO MALFUNCTION IF CRUMBS OF FOOD OR BEVERAGE RESIDUE ACCUMULATES ON THE LATCHING TONGUE IN THEWELL LOCATED BETWEEN THE CHILD'S LEGS.ODI HAS 19 COMPLAINTS OF RETRACT LOCKUP.SEVEN OF THESE COMPLAINTS REPORT CUTTING THE STRAPS TO REMOVE THE CHILD.TWO OF THE SEVEN CONSUMERS ALLEGE THE CHILD WAS CHOKING.CHRYSLER REPORTS 60 OWNER/FIELD REPORTS WHICH INDICATED 19 HARNESSES WERE CUT TO REMOVE THE CHILDREN.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AND TO EVALUATE THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION'S RATIONAL FOR NOT CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN.
1997 Dodge Caravan Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year