IllustrationENGINE RACES, THE TRANSMISSION WHINES AND CHANGES GEARS WHILE IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONSUMER ALSO COMPLAINED OF ANOTHER VEHICLE SHE OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. THE KEY LOCK WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES AND IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. *JB
1999 Dodge Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Caravan years
Owner complaints for the 1999 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
140–25K
2825–50K
5650–75K
5075–100K
58100–150K
24150K+
230 reports with mileage · 325 unknown
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 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
46 crash reports14 fire reports28 injury reports
Power Train complaints
96 reportsWHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A PIN IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS COMING A LOOSE, AND HAD BLOWN A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION. PH SCC
1999 DODGE CARAVAN HAS TWO BASEBALL SIZE HOLES IN CASING OF TRANSMISSION AFTER BRINGING DOWN TO ? SOUND OF TRANSMISSION AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE BY DEALERS , I FEEL AS THOUGH THIS IS A DEFECT IN TRANSMISSION. I WOULD LIKE A TRANSMISSON REPLACED DUE TO ONLY HAVING FOR 11/2 YRS AND OWE 10.000.00 STILL ON LOAN.
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR TRANSMISSION SEAL CRACKED CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK.*JB
I NOTIFIED THE FIRST INCIDENT TO THE DEALER ABOUT ITS SPEED SENSOR, OVER THE PHONE, WHICH BLEW AWAY JUST AFTER THE TWO WEEKS OF BUYING THIS CAR FROM HIS SHOWROOM. LAST MONTH, THE BREAK WENT BAD AND WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, I HAD TO END UP REPLACING THE ROTOR AND COMPLETE BRAKE SET, PAYING AROUND $300 FROM MY POCKE…
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I NOTIFIED THE FIRST INCIDENT TO THE DEALER ABOUT ITS SPEED SENSOR, OVER THE PHONE, WHICH BLEW AWAY JUST AFTER THE TWO WEEKS OF BUYING THIS CAR FROM HIS SHOWROOM. LAST MONTH, THE BREAK WENT BAD AND WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, I HAD TO END UP REPLACING THE ROTOR AND COMPLETE BRAKE SET, PAYING AROUND $300 FROM MY POCKET, FROM A MIDAS IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE THIRD INCIDENT WAS MOST DANGEROUS, AND DON'T KNOW HOW I SAVED THE LIFE OF MY TWO LITTLE KIDS INCLUDING THE ONE WITH 11MONTHS INFANT BABY, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BLEW AWAY WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY AND LOST CONTROL ON THE DOWNHILL, IN THE CITY OF NORRISTOWN, SINCE ITS BREAK AND THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WENT OFF DUE TO THE FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND I EVENTUALLY TOOK A GREAT RISK OF PULLING THE CAR ALL BE MYSELF ON THE SIDEWALK AND SOMEHOW PROTECTED EACH OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS. THIS CAR IS PROVEN TO BE VERY UNSAFE AND DOES NOT WORTH THE LIFE OF MY KIDS AND MY FAMILY. I SINCERELY REQUEST TO HELP ME HAVE MY MONEY BACK AT THE EARLIEST. THE DEALER IS VERY RUDE AND ROUGH OVER THE PHONE AND DOES NOT LET ME SPEAK AT ALL. IT TOOK ME SEVERAL YEARS TO SAVE THIS MONEY TO BUY THIS CAR BUT THE DEALER HAS REALLY DECEIVED ME BY GIVING A FAULTY CAR. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS CAR DID NOT UNDERGO FOR ANY KIND OF SAFETY INSPECTION AS LONG AS IT WAS SITTING IN HIS SHOWROOM AND I AM VERY AFRAID OF DRIVING NOW. *TR
VEHICLES TRANSMISSION LINE KEEPS DISCONNECTING FOR THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THIS RESULTS IN A FUEL LEAK, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO THE FACT IF A VEHICLE IS BEHIND WHEN THE FUEL LEAKS THEY CAN SLIDE INTO THE BACK OF CONSUMER. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE PARTS BUT THE PROBLEM RECURS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS…
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VEHICLES TRANSMISSION LINE KEEPS DISCONNECTING FOR THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THIS RESULTS IN A FUEL LEAK, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO THE FACT IF A VEHICLE IS BEHIND WHEN THE FUEL LEAKS THEY CAN SLIDE INTO THE BACK OF CONSUMER. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE PARTS BUT THE PROBLEM RECURS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
VEHICLES TRANSMISSION LINE KEEPS DISCONNECTING FOR THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THIS RESULTS IN A FUEL LEAK, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO THE FACT IF A VEHICLE IS BEHIND WHEN THE FUEL LEAKS THEY CAN SLIDE INTO THE BACK OF THE CONSUMER. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE PARTS BUT THE PROBLEM RECURS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH …
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VEHICLES TRANSMISSION LINE KEEPS DISCONNECTING FOR THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THIS RESULTS IN A FUEL LEAK, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO THE FACT IF A VEHICLE IS BEHIND WHEN THE FUEL LEAKS THEY CAN SLIDE INTO THE BACK OF THE CONSUMER. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE PARTS BUT THE PROBLEM RECURS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
THIS IS THE THIRD DODGE I'VE OWNED THAT THE TRANSMISSON HAS FAILED. I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN PROBLEM BUT I THOUGHT IT HAD BEEN CORRECTED BUT I GUESS IT HASN'T. I'M HAVING IT REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE AND WOULD LIKE FOR DODGE TO PAY FOR IT. DT
CONSUMER'S 3 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR IN GEAR WITHOUT PUTTING ON THE BRAKE.*AK
CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN THERE WAS A BIG NOISE. LATER FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN TRANSMISSION. THERE WAS NO KIND OF WARNING. NO INJURIES.*AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL PIN BROKE. **SLC
Official recalls
504V480000 · Air Bags
Oct 6, 2004
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY BECOME DISABLED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE HUB OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
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 COVERED VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. FOR THOSE VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 70,000 MILES, DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL OFFER AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY UNDER WHICH IT WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING AT NO CHARGE IF IT FAILS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
02V076000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Mar 8, 2002
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.
01V119000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor
Apr 11, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. 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.
00V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
Sep 13, 2000
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.
99V116000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
May 6, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT FOR FLEET SALES ONLY. THE HEADLAMP MODULE DOES NOT IDENTIFY THE PARK LAMP AS "DRL" AS REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.
Remedy: ALL FLEET OWNERS/OPERATORS WILL BE MAILED NON-REMOVABLE DECALS WITH THE REQUIRED "DRL" LETTERS.
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
6EA04013 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure
Opened Jun 4, 2004 · Closed May 25, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
THE DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING CAN DEVELOP AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CONDITION RESULTING IN NONFUNCTIONAL DRIVER-SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED), AND/OR STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).IN ITS OCTOBER 5, 2004 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL AND REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL MY 1998.5-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER MINIVANS, BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1998 AND AUGUST 2000, WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS.IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THIS COMPONENT ON MY 1998.5-2000 MINIVANS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE.THE DETAILS OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION ARE DESCRIBED IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S LETTER (SEE RECALL NO. 04V-480).THE AGENCY BELIEVES THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE VEHICLES COVERED ONLY BY THE LIFETIME WARRANTY.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE PAGE 2 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
RQ04001 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure
Opened Jan 28, 2004 · Closed Jun 4, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
COMPLAINTS REPORT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES, AND THIS MAY BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING HORN AND/OR CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).THIS IS INDICATIVE OF AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CLOCKSPRING FAILURE (RESULTS IN NON-FUNCTIONING DRIVER'S AIR BAG), SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE CONDITION THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S RECALL OF MODEL YEAR 1996-1998.5 MINIVANS (RECALL NO. 02V-293).THIS RECALL QUERY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-013).
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