IllustrationWHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *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
What owners actually said
555 reportsINTERMITTENTLY AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND VEHICLE MADE A CHIMING NOISE WHEN STARTING. THE LIGHTS AND THE CHIMING CONTINUED FOR 5 TO 15 MINUTES. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
REQUESTED INFORMATION ON ANY RECALL ON 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. *PH *MR *NM
THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY THAT IS HOUSED IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAS FAILED DUE TO A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. THE ASSEMBLY CONTROLS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE HORN. AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE, I HAVE AN AIRBAG NOTIFICATION LIGHT THAT STAYS ON AND BOTH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN DO NOT FUNCTIO…
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THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY THAT IS HOUSED IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAS FAILED DUE TO A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. THE ASSEMBLY CONTROLS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE HORN. AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE, I HAVE AN AIRBAG NOTIFICATION LIGHT THAT STAYS ON AND BOTH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN DO NOT FUNCTION. THIS SPECIFIC ITEM IS THE SUBJECT OF A RECENT RECALL, HOWEVER, MY VIN# DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE LIST OF VEHICLES THE MANUFACTURER HAS DETERMINED PRONE TO FAILURE. AS A RESULT, I AM LIABLE FOR IDENTICAL REPAIRS WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF REDRESS.
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FELL OFF THE CAR. THE THERMOSTAT FAILED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FELL APART. THE STEERING BELT FELL OFF. THE SPEED SENSOR WENT. THE STEERING BELT AND ALTERNATER BELT AND PULLEY SYSTEM FELL OFF DOING 70MPH. THE BACK BREAKS HAD RUST BUILD UP. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS I'VE OWNED THE CAR.
I HAVE A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND MY HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING. I AM AWARE OF A INVESTIGATION OF DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS IN 1996-2000 MODEL YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE, BUT THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS NOT A RECALL FOR MY MODEL YEAR. A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY HAS A 1997 MODEL, AND IT IS A RECALL FOR THEIR VEHICLE. *CB
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, AND WITHIN SECONDS, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN BECAME INOPERATIVE. RECALL 02V293000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO JIFFY LUBE TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRONT STRUT TOWERS WERE RUSTED. *AK DODGE INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN CANADA AND THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH IT. THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE NOW HOLDS A TITLE IN THE US. *SC …
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THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO JIFFY LUBE TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRONT STRUT TOWERS WERE RUSTED. *AK DODGE INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN CANADA AND THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH IT. THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE NOW HOLDS A TITLE IN THE US. *SC *JB
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A LIGHT RAIN/SLUSH MIXTURE THE CAR LOST POWER STEERING, ETC. CONSUMER IDENTFIED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD CAME OFF. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH LATE 90'S DODGE CARAVAN'S. I HAVE A RELATIVE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM 2 WEEKS EARLIER. DODGE DOES HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN RELATED TO THIS, BUT …
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WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A LIGHT RAIN/SLUSH MIXTURE THE CAR LOST POWER STEERING, ETC. CONSUMER IDENTFIED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD CAME OFF. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH LATE 90'S DODGE CARAVAN'S. I HAVE A RELATIVE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM 2 WEEKS EARLIER. DODGE DOES HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN RELATED TO THIS, BUT IT DOES SEEM TO BE SOME TYPE OF DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED SINCE IT RELATES TO THE POWER STEERING, AND NEARLY EVERY OTHER VITAL SYSTEM.*AK
I RECENTLY TOOK MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE OF AN ANTI-FREEZE LEAK. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND SUGGESTED THAT THE TIMING BELT BE DONE AT THE SAME TIME, SINCE IT WAS DUE TO BE REPLACED. I AGREED TO HAVE THE TIMING BELT DONE. IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE TIMING BELT THE MEC…
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I RECENTLY TOOK MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE OF AN ANTI-FREEZE LEAK. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND SUGGESTED THAT THE TIMING BELT BE DONE AT THE SAME TIME, SINCE IT WAS DUE TO BE REPLACED. I AGREED TO HAVE THE TIMING BELT DONE. IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE TIMING BELT THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE BELT TENSIONER WAS FAULTY. HE TRIED ORDERING A REPLACEMENT PART AND DISCOVERED THAT THE EXISTING BELT TENSIONER WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND THAT IT WAS REPLACED BY AN UPGRADED BELT TENSIONER KIT. MY COMPLAINT IS IF DODGE FOUND THE NEED TO CHANGE THE DESIGN OF THIS PART WHY WAS IT NOT MADE A RECALL? THIS PROBLEM ENDED UP COSTING ME AN ADDITIONAL $245.00 IN PARTS AND LABOR TO HAVE THIS NEW BELT TENSIONER KIT INSTALL, NOT TO MENTION A WEEK WITHOUT THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE PART AVAILABILITY. *AK
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