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2001 Dodge Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge Caravan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

135 reports with mileage · 122 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 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports3 fire reports12 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

43 reports
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42,500 miles · Mar 6, 2007
Air BagsSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CLOCK SPRING HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES ON JUNE 27 2002, SEPTEMBER 2003 , AND JANUARY 3, 2007. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CLOCK SPRING HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES ON JUNE 27 2002, SEPTEMBER 2003 , AND JANUARY 3, 2007. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT LINKAGE ON THE FRONT SWAY BAR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A NOISE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NOT A FACTOR. THE DEALER STATED THERE HAS BEEN A MODIFICATION TO THE LINKAGE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,500. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10184325

93,600 miles · Jan 26, 2007
Air Bags

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY UNDER THE SAFETY RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE SAFETY RECALL WAS ON THE CLOCK SPRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING IS EXACTLY WHAT HAS FAILED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG INDICATO…

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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY UNDER THE SAFETY RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE SAFETY RECALL WAS ON THE CLOCK SPRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING IS EXACTLY WHAT HAS FAILED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. NEITHER SPEED NOR WEATHER WERE FACTORS IN THE CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10180814

47,000 miles · Nov 20, 2006
Air BagsSeat Belts

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE PULLED OUT AT ALL. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT PROBLEM. WHE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE PULLED OUT AT ALL. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT PROBLEM. WHEN THE AIR BAG WAS TESTED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A CODE WHICH ONLY THE DEALER COULD DECIPHER.

NHTSA ODI #10173837

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2006
Air BagsElectrical System

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHILE DRIVING. MAINLY OCCURS DURING RIGHT TURNING EVENTS. LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE (AIR BAG) DURING A RIGHT TURN EVENT. WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN STRAIGHT AHEAD, THE LIGHT WILL RESET. THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES DURING MY OWNERSHIP, AND DOES NOT SEEM TO BE WEATHER RELATED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10155427

19,900 miles · Jan 24, 2006
Air BagsElectrical System

DRIVER'S AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE HORN WILL NOT OPERATE. THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES GOES AWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK ALSO, THE HORN MAY NOT WORK WHEN NEEDED I.E. IF A CHILD RUNS OUT IN FRONT OF MY VAN. THIS IS A…

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DRIVER'S AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE HORN WILL NOT OPERATE. THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES GOES AWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK ALSO, THE HORN MAY NOT WORK WHEN NEEDED I.E. IF A CHILD RUNS OUT IN FRONT OF MY VAN. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI #10148484

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2005
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON, SOMETIMES GOES OFF AFTER TURNING THE WHEEL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10143071

28,435 miles · Nov 16, 2005
Air Bags

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SRS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE AIRBAG CONNECTOR AND ON AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR LINE. THEY CLEANED OFF THE CORROSION BOTH TIMES. THE AIRBAG WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10142845

87,000 miles · Jul 20, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE RECALL OF EARLIER MODELS OF THE SAME CAR WHERE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD. THE STEERING WAS NOT AFFECTED .THIS CAUSED THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL TO MALFUNCTION. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACT CALLED DODGE AND TOLD THEM.HE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR TH…

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DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE RECALL OF EARLIER MODELS OF THE SAME CAR WHERE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD. THE STEERING WAS NOT AFFECTED .THIS CAUSED THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL TO MALFUNCTION. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACT CALLED DODGE AND TOLD THEM.HE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST WEEK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10129479

46,000 miles · Apr 6, 2005
Air Bags

THE HORN AND THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. THE CLOCK SPRING IS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER IS MAKING THE REPAIR. *NM THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON SINCE PURCHASE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A SHORT. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10113023

60,000 miles · Apr 5, 2005
Air Bags

AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING HAS FAILED 3 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10116425

Official recalls

3

04V531000 · Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

Nov 2, 2004

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, CONDENSATION FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS MAY DROP THROUGH VENT HOLES IN THE TOP OF THE RADIO AND RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT SUBSEQUENTLY SENDS DIRECT CURRENT TO THE REAR SPEAKERS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A SPEAKER FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A SPECIAL TAPE TO THE TOP OF THE RADIO TO PREVENT THE POTENTIAL OF WATER INTRUSION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

03V094000 · Structure

Mar 7, 2003

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. 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 SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

01V152000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

May 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM PIVOT BOLT COULD FRACTURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BOLT FRACTURES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CROSSMEMBER, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLTS AND NUTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 30, 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.

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

2

EA05009 · Headlight Malfunction

Opened Jun 1, 2005 · Closed May 2, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

OWNER REPORTS INDICATE ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER HEADLIGHT OPERATION OF ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS.SOME REPORT INTERMITTENT OUTAGE OR DIMMING.MANY REPORT THAT THE CONDITION IS RANDOM; IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT REPEAT AND LASTS FOR A VERY SHORT DURATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System

OWNER REPORTS INDICATE ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER HEADLIGHT OPERATION OF ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS.SOME REPORT INTERMITTENT OUTAGE OR DIMMING.MANY REPORT THAT THE CONDITION IS RANDOM; IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT REPEAT AND LASTS FOR A VERY SHORT DURATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Exterior Lighting:headlights

OWNER REPORTS INDICATE ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER HEADLIGHT OPERATION OF ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS.SOME REPORT INTERMITTENT OUTAGE OR DIMMING.MANY REPORT THAT THE CONDITION IS RANDOM; IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT REPEAT AND LASTS FOR A VERY SHORT DURATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

OWNER REPORTS INDICATE ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER HEADLIGHT OPERATION OF ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS.SOME REPORT INTERMITTENT OUTAGE OR DIMMING.MANY REPORT THAT THE CONDITION IS RANDOM; IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT REPEAT AND LASTS FOR A VERY SHORT DURATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

PE05004 · Headlight Malfunction

Opened Feb 2, 2005 · Closed Jun 1, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT THEIR HEADLIGHTS WOULD MALFUNCTION IN VARIOUS WAYS FROM FLICKERING TO COMPLETE NON-ILLUMINATION.HEADLIGHT OPERATION IS MONITORED BY THE VEHICLE'S BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND FRONT CONTROL MODULE (FCM).ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-009) TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE ISSUE.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT THEIR HEADLIGHTS WOULD MALFUNCTION IN VARIOUS WAYS FROM FLICKERING TO COMPLETE NON-ILLUMINATION.HEADLIGHT OPERATION IS MONITORED BY THE VEHICLE'S BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND FRONT CONTROL MODULE (FCM).ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-009) TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE ISSUE.

Exterior Lighting:headlights

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT THEIR HEADLIGHTS WOULD MALFUNCTION IN VARIOUS WAYS FROM FLICKERING TO COMPLETE NON-ILLUMINATION.HEADLIGHT OPERATION IS MONITORED BY THE VEHICLE'S BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND FRONT CONTROL MODULE (FCM).ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-009) TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE ISSUE.

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT THEIR HEADLIGHTS WOULD MALFUNCTION IN VARIOUS WAYS FROM FLICKERING TO COMPLETE NON-ILLUMINATION.HEADLIGHT OPERATION IS MONITORED BY THE VEHICLE'S BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND FRONT CONTROL MODULE (FCM).ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-009) TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE ISSUE.