IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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 reportsPAINT IS PEELING OFF THE TOP OF THE VAN, AS WELL AS THE HOOD AND THE TAILGATE. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
DRIVER'S DOOR HAS A STRESS CRACK AT THE WELDS AND HINGES OF THE DOOR WHICH WON'T SHUT THE DOOR PROPERLY, WON'T SHUT TO THE 2ND LATCH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
BATTERY CABLES BEGAN TO MELT, AND THE WIRE HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE, THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN, NO STOP THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
1. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS LOCKS UP IN SECOND GEAR, RPM'S WILL DOUBLE, SPEED BECOMES LIMITED. 2. WINDOW ON REAR HATCH IS OOZING GLUE AND THE WINDOW IS BUCKELING.
THE REAR DOOR LATCH FAILS TO OPERATE CORRECTLY NOW. DEALERSHIP SERVICE WRITER SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE REAR DOOR LATCH BEING BENT. WE HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING THAT WE KNOW OF THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS TO OCCUR. SUSPECT TOO WEAK A COMPONENT BEING USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD OTHER MIN-VANS WHERE THE SIDE …
Read full complaint
THE REAR DOOR LATCH FAILS TO OPERATE CORRECTLY NOW. DEALERSHIP SERVICE WRITER SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE REAR DOOR LATCH BEING BENT. WE HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING THAT WE KNOW OF THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS TO OCCUR. SUSPECT TOO WEAK A COMPONENT BEING USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD OTHER MIN-VANS WHERE THE SIDE DOOR WAS USED MORE FREGUENTLY THAN ON OUR CURRENT VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS OCURRING. STRONGLY FEEL THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS.3 4RRONE
THE SLIDING DOOR HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE WE FIRST GOT OUR MINIVAN. AT FIRST THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE HINGE WAS BAD - IT WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD. THE NEXT TIME THAT I TOOK IT IN FOR THIS THEY SAID THAT WE WERE EXPERIENCING NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I REFUSED TO PAY STATING THAT A NEW VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 20,000 MILES DOORS …
Read full complaint
THE SLIDING DOOR HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE WE FIRST GOT OUR MINIVAN. AT FIRST THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE HINGE WAS BAD - IT WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD. THE NEXT TIME THAT I TOOK IT IN FOR THIS THEY SAID THAT WE WERE EXPERIENCING NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I REFUSED TO PAY STATING THAT A NEW VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 20,000 MILES DOORS HINDGES AND LATCHES WEARING OUT IS NOT NORMAL. THE NEXT TIME THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE IT WAS THE LATCH, THE NEXT TIME IT WAS THE UPPER HINDGE THEN THE LOWER AND BACK AND FORTH. FOR OVER SIX YEARS WE HAVE HAD LATCHES AND HINDGES REPLACED. HALF THE TIME THE DOOR WONT OPEN, THE OTHER HALF IT WONT CLOSE. OH, THEN THERES THOSE TIMES THE DOOR JUST FLYS OPEN AS WE ACCELARATE OR TURN A CORNER. THE DEALER HAS STATED THAT WE NEED TO BUY A NEW DOOR AND THEN HAVE THE FRAME REBENT. AS I HAVE SPOKE WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SAME MAKE AND MODEL MINIVAN THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS. OR THE DOOR HAS JUST FALLEN OFF. IN ADDITION TO THIS ALL OF OUR PAINT IS PEELING OFF. WE HAD INTENDED TO KEEP THIS THROUGH TILL THE YEAR 2004. HOWEVER I AM BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONCERED SINCE OUR DAUGHTER ALMOST FELL OUT AS WE TURNED A CORNER AND THE SLIDING DOOR FLEW OPEN THEN AS SHE IS FASTENED IN LEANED AS THE DOOR SLAMMED CLOSED. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CAREFULL AND FULL INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER. GIVEN THAT THIS IS ONLY SIX YEARS OLD I FEEL THAT THE MANUFATURE SHOULD NOT CLAIM THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.
TRANSMISSION IS HESITATING & WON'T CATCH IN 2ND GEAR. DEALER PUT VEHICLE ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE & FOUND FAILURE OF 2ND GEAR. WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *AK
ALL DOOR HINGES HAVE EITHER COME LOOSE OR HAVE RUSTED, CAUSING THE DOORS NOT TO SHUT CORRECTLY. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML
THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS A REAL PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD SEVEN FAILURES. ONE OF THE COMPRESSOR FAILURES RESULTED IN A THE COMPRESSOR LOCKING UP AND MAKING THE CAR INOPERABLE IN TRAFFIC AND HEATED TO THE POINT OF BURNING INTERNAL PARTS. THIS CAR IS MADE TO CARRY CHILDREN AND HAS NO ADEQUATE VENTILATION SINCE REAR WINDOWS ONLY C…
Read full complaint
THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS A REAL PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD SEVEN FAILURES. ONE OF THE COMPRESSOR FAILURES RESULTED IN A THE COMPRESSOR LOCKING UP AND MAKING THE CAR INOPERABLE IN TRAFFIC AND HEATED TO THE POINT OF BURNING INTERNAL PARTS. THIS CAR IS MADE TO CARRY CHILDREN AND HAS NO ADEQUATE VENTILATION SINCE REAR WINDOWS ONLY CRACK OPEN. WHEN AIR CONDITIONING FAILS IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE, IT PRESENTS A REAL PROBLEM WITH SMALL CHILDREN RIDING IN HIGH HEAT AS WE HAD TO WHEN TRAVELING IN SUMMER. THIS IS MORE THAN A DRIVER COMFORT- EXPENSIVE REPETATIVE REPAIR ISSUE. *AK
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.