IllustrationWHILE DRIVING WE EXPERENCED A LOUD EXPLOSIVE SOUND WHICH WAS THE FAILURE OF THE BOLT HOLDING THE RIGHT GATE LIFT STRUT ON THE GATE AND BLOWING THE STRUT OFF. THE GATE WAS CLOSED BUT HAD IT BEEN OPEN IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY TO THE PERSON UNDER IT.
1994 Dodge Grand Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 284.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand 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
Limited mileage data: 15 of 199 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.
- Power Train. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports5 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
199 reportsBELT TENSIONER: PULLEY SHEARED OFF WHILE PARKING, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING, ETC. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. *AK
CONSUMER'S SEATBELT BROKE. SHE NOTIFIED THE DEALER. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILED IN MAY 1998. TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED ONCE AND THEN RETURNED 2 WEEKS LATER FOR FURTHER REPAIRS FOR SAME PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION OPERATED WELL UNTIL JULY 1999 WHEN IT FAILED WHILE DRIVING WHICH RESULTED IN TOWING OF VEHICLE. WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME TRANSMISSION REPAIR SERVICE. HE DIDN'T UNDERSTA…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED IN MAY 1998. TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED ONCE AND THEN RETURNED 2 WEEKS LATER FOR FURTHER REPAIRS FOR SAME PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION OPERATED WELL UNTIL JULY 1999 WHEN IT FAILED WHILE DRIVING WHICH RESULTED IN TOWING OF VEHICLE. WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME TRANSMISSION REPAIR SERVICE. HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WENT WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HE AGREED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION ONCE AGAIN, CHARGING US OVER $800 (BUT NO LABOR CHARGE). HE FURTHER STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO WARRANTY ON THIS WORK. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE VEHICLES???? WE PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1988 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WHICH ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.... CAUSING US TO REPLACE IT. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.... BUT THE DODGE DEALER KEEPS TELLING US THERE IS NO RECALL... ONLY LOTS OF COMPLAINTS.
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL BECAME STIFF AND VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. ALSO, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER HAD TO CLEAR ALL THE CODES OUT OF THE ABS SYSTEM. PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. *AK
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE, IT SITS STILL FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE TAKING OFF. IT'S ALSO HARD TO SHIFT GEARS. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
THE LIFTGATE BOLT BROKE IN HALF WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES. *AK
FRONTAL SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO POSITION ,CAUSING A LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK
PROBLEM WITH CAR SHAKING (SWAYING, WOBBLE) LEFT AND RIGHT AT 40 MPH. HAVE CHANGED FRONT STRUTS, REAR SHOCKS, RACK AND PINION, LUG NUTS, AND HAD TWO MECHANICS TRY TO FIND PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. IF THERE IS ANY INFORMATION AS TO A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES I WOULD APRRECIATE KNOWING ABOUT IT AND WHAT THE CURE IS. THANK YOU JA …
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PROBLEM WITH CAR SHAKING (SWAYING, WOBBLE) LEFT AND RIGHT AT 40 MPH. HAVE CHANGED FRONT STRUTS, REAR SHOCKS, RACK AND PINION, LUG NUTS, AND HAD TWO MECHANICS TRY TO FIND PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. IF THERE IS ANY INFORMATION AS TO A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES I WOULD APRRECIATE KNOWING ABOUT IT AND WHAT THE CURE IS. THANK YOU JA CULLEN
FAILURE OF BOLT ATTACHING THE RIGHT LIFTGATE STRUT ROD TO VEHICLE. THE BOLT BROKE OFF WHEN LIFTING THE LIFTGATE. THIS CAUSED THE LIFT ROD (HYDRAULICALLY PRESSURIZED) TO EXTEND, PUNCHING A HOLE IN THE HEADLINER OF THE MINIVAN. THERE IS NO SECONDARY 'CATCHER' MECHANISM TO RESTRAIN THE STRUT ROD IF THIS BOLT BREAKS. ALSO, THE L…
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FAILURE OF BOLT ATTACHING THE RIGHT LIFTGATE STRUT ROD TO VEHICLE. THE BOLT BROKE OFF WHEN LIFTING THE LIFTGATE. THIS CAUSED THE LIFT ROD (HYDRAULICALLY PRESSURIZED) TO EXTEND, PUNCHING A HOLE IN THE HEADLINER OF THE MINIVAN. THERE IS NO SECONDARY 'CATCHER' MECHANISM TO RESTRAIN THE STRUT ROD IF THIS BOLT BREAKS. ALSO, THE LIFTGATE IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE OTHER LIFTGATE TO SUPPORT IT ALONE, OR TO SLOWLY LET THE LIFTGATE DOWN. THEREFORE, IF THE BOLT FAILURE HAD OCCURED WHEN THE LIFTGATE WAS RAISED UP, THE LIFTGATE WOULD HAVE SLAMMED DOWN UNCONTROLLABLY. HAD I BEEN UNDER THE LIFTGATE, I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. HAD MY TODDLER BEEN THERE, HE COULD HAVE BEEN FATALLY INJURED. IT IS AMAZING TO ME THAT THIS DESIGN IS ALLOWED SINCE ONE FAILURE OF ONE BOLT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURIES.
Official recalls
400V305000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
Oct 12, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH 2-SPOKE LUXURY WHEELS MANUFACTURED JULY 1992 THROUGH JUNE 1993; OR EQUIPPED WITH 4-SPOKE SPORT WHEELS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1992 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1993. THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR CRACKS AND ANY WHEELS WITH CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.
99V213000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments
Sep 2, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.
99V113000 · Air Bags
May 6, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE WIRING THAT INITIATES THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD ELECTRICALLY SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. A SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND THAT EXISTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "ON" OR "START" POSITION CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG(S) TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN INJURE A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ANY SHORT CIRCUITS IDENTIFIED IN EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INITIATOR WIRE CIRCUIT WILL BE REPAIRED.
93V215000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Dec 14, 1993
WHEELS WITH MISFORMED LUG NUT SEATS WERE INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES. THIS CAUSES REDUCED NUT TO WHEEL CONTACT AREA AND LIMITS THE WHEEL SELF-CENTERING CAPABILITY DURING INSTALLATION. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE RETENTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF LUG NUT TORQUE RETENTION MAY LEAD TO WHEEL LUGFAILURE WHICH MAY CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSPECT THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY PLANT CODE; REPLACE WHEELS KNOWN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM AND INSTALL NEW LUG NUTS.
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
5DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
RQ00011 · Steering Wheel Separation
Opened May 1, 2000 · Closed Apr 1, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
There is no summary currently available
Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE97049 · Air Bag Circuit/windshield Wiper Motor
Opened Nov 18, 1997 · Closed Mar 17, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
There is no summary currently available
PE96008 · Safety Blt Latch Operation
Opened Jan 25, 1996 · Closed Jun 28, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
EA94005 · Liftgate Latches
Opened Jan 31, 1994 · Closed Oct 25, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
LIFTGATE LATCHES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE FAILED IN LOW AND MODERATE SPEED IMPACTS RESULTING IN OCCUPANT EJECTIONS, INJURIES, AND FATALITIES.THERE ARE TWO FAILURE MODES ASSOCIATED WITH LATCH FAILURE: FORK BOLT-DETENT LEVER BYPASS, AND INERTIAL UNLATCHING.NHTSA ANALYSES OF CHRYSLER AND PEER MINIVANS TOOK THE FORM OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC CRASH TESTING, ENGINEERING EVALUATIONS, COMPLAINT AND FIELD ANALYSES, AND REAL WORLD DATA ANALYSES.A TECHNICAL REPORT DISCUSSING THESE ANALYSES CAN BE FOUND IN THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TECHNICAL REPORT IN THE PUBLIC VIEWING FILE.CHRYSLER HAS ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LATCHES ON ALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE CHRYSLER CAMPAIGN WILL CONSIST OF NOTIFICATION LETTERS TO ALL OWNERS; FREE REPLACEMENT OF ALL LATCHES WITH STRONGER, SAFER LATCHES REGARDLESS OF THE AGE OF THE MINIVANS; NATIONAL ADVERTISING TO PROMOTE CUSTOMER AWARENESS OF THE CAMPAIGN; QUARTERLY REPORTS REGARDING CAMPAIGN COMPLETION RATES; AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO ENSURE A HIGH COMPLETION RATE, ABOVE AND BEYOND THE ACTIONS THAT NORMALLY WOULD BE TAKEN IN A FORMAL SAFETY RECALL.THESE INCLUDE FOLLOW UP WRITTEN AND TELEPHONIC NOTIFICATIONS TO OWNERS WHO DO NOT BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION.NHTSA FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT THE CRASH PERFORMANCE OF THE LATCHES ON THESE MINIVANS RAISES SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS, AND THAT THE CAMPAIGN ADDRESSES THESE CONCERNS.THE CHRYSLER CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL INCREASE THE STRENGTH OF THE LIFTGATE LATCHES AND DECREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INERTIAL UNLATCHING, THEREBY REDUCING THE RISK OF CRASH-RELATED OPENINGS OF THE LIFTGATE AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT EJECTION THROUGH THE LIFTGATE OPENING.OWNERS OF CHRYSLER MINIVANS WILL GET A STRONGER, SAFER LATCH FREE OF CHARGE AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE TIME, WITHOUT THE NEED FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AND COMPLEX AND TIME-CONSUMING LITIGATION WITH AN UNCERTAIN OUTCOME.BASED ON THE ABOVE, ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION.