IllustrationOWNED A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH BOARD IN THE CENTER. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AS WELL AS MY OTHER CAR AND GARAGE DOOR. *JB
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 →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
250–25K
3425–50K
3150–75K
1875–100K
14100–150K
13150K+
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
What owners actually said
257 reportsWHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OUR 2001 DODGE CARAVAN'S TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE OR SHIFT. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VAN'S TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION INSTALLED AT A COST OF $2000-$3000. THE …
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OUR 2001 DODGE CARAVAN'S TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE OR SHIFT. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VAN'S TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION INSTALLED AT A COST OF $2000-$3000. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VAN HAD 47,000 MILES. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36,000. RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRANSMISSION, THE MANUFACTURER EXTENDED THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY THE NEXT MODEL YEAR TO 7 YEAR/70,000 MILES. *LA
WAS IN MEMPHIS WHEN MY CARAVAN BROKE DOWN, SO MY HUSBAND IN WV WENT TO BUCHANNON AUTO MALL TO GET A NEW SAFER CAR FOR TRIPS TO MEMPHIS FOR OUR DAUGHTERS CANCER TREATMENTS. I GOT HOME THE CAR WAS HERE ABOUT 3 DAYS WE USED IT AND IT STARTED JUMPING WHEN IT SHIFTED (AUTOMATIC).TOOK IT TO SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS FINE DROVE CAR TO NEXT…
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WAS IN MEMPHIS WHEN MY CARAVAN BROKE DOWN, SO MY HUSBAND IN WV WENT TO BUCHANNON AUTO MALL TO GET A NEW SAFER CAR FOR TRIPS TO MEMPHIS FOR OUR DAUGHTERS CANCER TREATMENTS. I GOT HOME THE CAR WAS HERE ABOUT 3 DAYS WE USED IT AND IT STARTED JUMPING WHEN IT SHIFTED (AUTOMATIC).TOOK IT TO SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS FINE DROVE CAR TO NEXT TOWN AND IT TOTALLY STOPPED OPENED HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HOSE WASNT ON SO WITH 200 MILES ON CAR IT COULDNT BE USED! WAS TOLD BY AUTO MALL IT WOULD BE FIXED AND IT WAS BUT NOW I AM AFRAID OF THE CAR, TOLD THEM I DIDNT WANT IT AND WAS TOLD I WOULD ONLY GET 11000 TRADE IN! AN INSULT SO I KEPT IT IN 2002 I TOLD THEM THEY FIXED TIEROD WENT OUT AND THEY REPLACED IT(LESS THAN 20000 MILES) IN 2004 MOTOR WENT OUT OF DRIVER WINDOW CARPET IS NOW A MESS FIXED WINDOW BUT HAVE NOT OFFERED TO REPLACE CARPET! NOW AT 36700 MILES BOTH FRONT TIE RODS ARE NEEDING REPLACED GETTING IT FIXED TODAY I FEEL THAT SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THIS CAR AND IT ISNT SAFE.*MR
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE NOISE STOPPED. WHILE ACCELERATING THE NOISE CONTINUED. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER, BOTH REAR CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CRACKS. PLE…
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WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE NOISE STOPPED. WHILE ACCELERATING THE NOISE CONTINUED. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER, BOTH REAR CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CRACKS. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
SEAT BACK ON THE CAPTAINS CHAIR LOCATED ON REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE, RESULTING IN CHILD BEING INJURED. CHILD SUSTAINED A BLACKENED EYE FROM HITTING THE DRIVER'S SEAT. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT REAR SEAT DIDN'T LATCHED PROPERLY CAUSING THE SEAT TO PIVOT FORWARD. BROUGHT SEAT TO THE DEALER AND FOUND THAT TH…
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SEAT BACK ON THE CAPTAINS CHAIR LOCATED ON REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE, RESULTING IN CHILD BEING INJURED. CHILD SUSTAINED A BLACKENED EYE FROM HITTING THE DRIVER'S SEAT. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT REAR SEAT DIDN'T LATCHED PROPERLY CAUSING THE SEAT TO PIVOT FORWARD. BROUGHT SEAT TO THE DEALER AND FOUND THAT THE MECHANISM THAT LOCKS CHAIR WAS FROZEN. *LA
THE CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO WANDERS WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CONSIDER AT SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEM IN HIS VEHICLE. *NM
THE STEERING RACK AND PINION CRACKED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER STEERING, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE PART TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IS ON BACKORDER. *NM *NM
OVER THE PAST 15 MONTHS, OUR 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT HAS BLOWN 4 HYDRAULIC HOSES. 3 TIMES ON THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINES AND 1 TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE.*AK
THE PASSENER SIDE TAIL LIGHT JUST FELL OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTEE. I FOUND OUT LATER THAT THEY ARE GLUED ON! THERE IS NO REASON FOR IT. NO ACCIDENT/ NO UNUSUAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. AFTER THE LIGHT COVER FELL OFF THE LIGHT FIXTURE WAS HANG OUT BY THE CONNECTING WIRE. THE PLASTIC BOLTS THAT …
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THE PASSENER SIDE TAIL LIGHT JUST FELL OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTEE. I FOUND OUT LATER THAT THEY ARE GLUED ON! THERE IS NO REASON FOR IT. NO ACCIDENT/ NO UNUSUAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. AFTER THE LIGHT COVER FELL OFF THE LIGHT FIXTURE WAS HANG OUT BY THE CONNECTING WIRE. THE PLASTIC BOLTS THAT HELD THE LIGHT FIXTURE GAVE WAY AS WELL.
THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT ALL OF THE SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE TOLD THE COMPRESSOR WAS OUT AND SOMETHING ABOUT THE AIR CONDITIONER CLUTCH. THE COST WAS 1100.00 THE BRAKES HAVE GONE OUT TWICE IN AN MATTER OF 6 MONTHS.
Official recalls
304V531000 · 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
2EA05009 · 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.