IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Grand Caravan years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan are substantially higher than 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: 125 of 1,157 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 211 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 209 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 197 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
31 crash reports42 fire reports25 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
211 reportsI FIRST NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS ON WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT. THIS FIRST OCCURRED ON 7/3/2001. IT WENT OFF AFTER 5 MINUTES. THE PATTERN OF THE AIRBAG COMING ON STARTED OCCURRING MORE REGULARLY AND STAYING ON LONGER. WE TOOK THE MINIVAN INTO KOON'S DODGE (FAL…
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I FIRST NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS ON WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT. THIS FIRST OCCURRED ON 7/3/2001. IT WENT OFF AFTER 5 MINUTES. THE PATTERN OF THE AIRBAG COMING ON STARTED OCCURRING MORE REGULARLY AND STAYING ON LONGER. WE TOOK THE MINIVAN INTO KOON'S DODGE (FALLS CHURCH, VA) ON SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2001. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A PROBLEM WITH THE CLOCK-SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT HAD GONE BAD AND HAD MADE THE AIRBAG GO BAD. THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $800 TO FIX IT. I ASKED THEM WHETHER DODGE WOULD PAY FOR IT SINCE HAVING AN AIRBAG GO BAD SHOULD NOT BE AN ORDINARY "WEAR AND TEAR" ITEM FOR ANY AUTOMOBILE. THE ASSISTANT MANAGER (SCOTT) TOLD ME THAT HIS BOSS (RAY RASADO) WOULD HAVE TO TALK WITH DODGE ON MONDAY, 7/16/2001 TO SEE IF THEY WOULD PAY FOR IT. I CALLED BACK ON MONDAY AND THEY SAID THAT DODGE REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT. DODGE HAD SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT THAT THE CLOCKSPRING HAD GONE BAD AND MADE THE AIRBAG GO BAD. I THEN CALLED DODGE MYSELF AND TALKED TO THEIR WARRANTY DEPARTMENT (JESSICA). AFTER TALKING WITH HER DODGE MANAGER, SHE SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT. SHE SAID THAT THERE WERE NO ENGINEERING PROBLEMS WITH EITHER THE CLOCKSPRING OR THE AIRBAG. SHE GAVE ME A CASE REFERENCE NUMBER OF 8889836. I CALLED KOON'S, THE DODGE DEALERSHIP, BACK AND ASKED WHETHER THEY WERE POSITIVE THAT THE AIRBAG ITSELF WAS BAD IN ADDITION TO THE CLOCKSPRING. THE REASON BEING THAT A REPAIR OF THE CLOCKSPRING WAS APPROXIMATELY $200 VERSUS $800 FOR BOTH THE CLOCKSPRING AND AIRBAG. THEY AGAIN SAID THAT THE CLOCKSPRING HAD MADE THE AIRBAG GO BAD AND THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY UNLESS IT WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE CLOCKSPRING. I TOLD THEM BASED ON THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING AND AIRBAG. THE FINAL COST WAS $816.37. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ENGINEERING SAFETY DEFECT ON DODGE'S BEHALF. THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE PUT AT PHYSICAL RISK FOR THIS.*AK
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. *AK
EA 01 007/AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING FAILURE: HORN / CRUISE CONTROL ARE INOPERATIV, AND AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER / MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION .*AK
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON, AND HORN HAS FAILED TO FUNCTION. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL AND THE HORN ASSEMBLIES ARE INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH HAS COME ON. HORN HAS FAILED TO OPERATE, AND CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKS. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG LIGHT COULD COME AND STAY ON FOR WHILE. HORN DID NOT WORK, STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. *AK
AT ABOUT 60K MILES, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LAMP WOULD OCCASIONALLY LIGHT UP. NOW AT OVER 63K MILES, THE AIR BAG LAMP STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY.*AK
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
Official recalls
902V293000 · Air Bags:frontal
Nov 7, 2002
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
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 VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 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.
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.
99V216000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Aug 9, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK AT THE INTERFACE OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ATTACHMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A FUEL LEAK OCCURS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ATTACHING NUT WITH A NUT THAT INCLUDES TIGHTER DESIGN TOLERANCES. THE SEALING O-RING WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.
98V185000 · Child Seat
Aug 6, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT ON THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT CAN BECOME DIFFICULT TO EXTRACT WHEN THE SAFETY BELT LATCH PLATE BECOMES CONTAMINATED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING A CHILD FROM THE RESTRAINT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE LATCH MECHANISM. AN EXTENDER WILL BE ADDED TO THE EMERGENCY RELEASE ANCHOR FOR THE CHILD SEAT SAFETY BELTS SO THAT THE RELEASE CLIPS ARE MORE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE OPERATOR IN THE EVENT THAT THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED. IN ADDITION, AN INSTRUCTIONAL OWNER'S MANUAL SUPPLEMENT CARD WILL BE PROVIDED.
96V136000 · Seat Belts:integrated Child Seat
Jul 18, 1996
THE BOLTS WHICH SECURE THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT MODULES TO THE SEAT FRAME CAN BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT MODULE BOLTS.
96V002000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Jan 16, 1996
A STATIC ELECTRIC CHARGE CAN BUILD UP ON THE UNGROUNDED METAL SECTION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A SPARK TO OCCUR WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY IGNITE THE FUEL VAPORS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND STRAP FOR THE FUEL FILLER TUBE.
96V006000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
Jan 11, 1996
IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY AND ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL IS NOT ADEQUATELY RETAINED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INADEQUATE SEALING AND RETENTION OF THE PLUG CAN RESULT IN OIL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXPANSION PLUG AND RETAINING BRACKET OVER THE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG.
95V236000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Dec 8, 1995
THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE CAN ALLOW FUEL TO PASS INTO THE VAPOR CANISTER RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL FOR FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE INCREASES THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER TUBE WITH A FILLER TUBE THAT HAS AN ADDITIONAL ROLLOVER VALVE. THE ASSOCIATED ROLLOVER VALVE VAPOR HOSES WILL BE REROUTED.
95V225000 · Seats
Nov 28, 1995
THE BOLTS WHICH SECURE THE REAR BENCH SEATS TO THE SEAT RISERS MAY BE EMBRITTLED AND FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, THE BOLT MAY FAIL AND CAN CAUSE THE SEAT TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE SEAT RISERS, WHICH INCREASES THE POTENTIALOF INJURY TO ITS OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BENCH SEAT TO RISER BOLTS.
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
11EA01007 · 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
PE00032 · Air Bag Clockspring
Opened Aug 8, 2000 · Closed Feb 21, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
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
EA97002 · Fuel Tank Leaks
Opened Jan 31, 1997 · Closed Feb 10, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WAS OPENED ON JANUARY 31, 1997 BASED ON INFORMATION GATHERED DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE), PE96-051. THE PE WAS OPENED ON AUGUST 19, 1996, TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE AREA WHERE THE FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT JOINS THE FUEL TANK.FOR BREVIDY, THIS AREA WILL BE REFERRED TO AS THE PUMP/TANK INTERFACE.THESE ALLEGATIONS WERE FIRST RECEIVED BY ODI ON AUGUST 2, 1996 WHILE INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF CHRYSLER MINIVAN THROTTLE SHAFT HAND-UP, AND UNCONTROLLED ENGINE SPEED, IN PE96-036.WHILE DISCUSSING THAT ISSUE WITH A FLEET, IT WAS ALLEGED THAT AT LEAST 10(OUT OF 40) 1996 EARLY PRODUCTION CHRYSLER MINIVANS LEAKED FUEL FROM THE PUMP/TANK INTERFACE.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA INDICATE FUEL TANK LEAKAGE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES PREDOMINATLY AFFECTED EARLY PRODUCTION VEHICLES.THE DATA INVOLVING CONFIRMED INCIDENTS OF TANK/PUMP INTERFACE LEAKS SUGGEST THAT THOSE FAILURES HAVE BEEN DECLINING SINCE JULY 1996.ODI HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS OF THE SUBJECT CONDITION INVOLVING ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PUMPS AND TANKS SINCE SEPTEMBER, 1997.CURRENTLY THIS ISSSUE DOES NOT REQRESENT A CONTINUING FIELD CONCERN.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR FUEL LEAKS OF ANY TYPE.A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURED DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
EA97003 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup
Opened Jan 31, 1997 · Closed Aug 19, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
SQ96016 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup
Opened Sep 18, 1996 · Closed Feb 4, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:integrated Child Seat
ODI CONTINUES TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LATCHING/RETRACTOR MECHANISM PROBLEMS.CHRYSLER'S ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM INDICATES THAT OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES ARE NOT ADHERING TO THE CLEANING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SEAT.THE SEAT APPEARS TO MALFUNCTION IF CRUMBS OF FOOD OR BEVERAGE RESIDUE ACCUMULATES ON THE LATCHING TONGUE IN THEWELL LOCATED BETWEEN THE CHILD'S LEGS.ODI HAS 19 COMPLAINTS OF RETRACT LOCKUP.SEVEN OF THESE COMPLAINTS REPORT CUTTING THE STRAPS TO REMOVE THE CHILD.TWO OF THE SEVEN CONSUMERS ALLEGE THE CHILD WAS CHOKING.CHRYSLER REPORTS 60 OWNER/FIELD REPORTS WHICH INDICATED 19 HARNESSES WERE CUT TO REMOVE THE CHILDREN.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AND TO EVALUATE THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION'S RATIONAL FOR NOT CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN.
PE96051 · Fuel Leaks From The Gas Tank
Opened Aug 19, 1996 · Closed Jan 31, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
ANALYSIS TO DATE INDICATES THAT SOME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLESCONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE FUEL LEAKS FROM THE FUEL TANK AT THE SENDING UNIT INTERFACE.MOST OFTEN THE LEAK INVOLVES THE O-RING SEAL.
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
PE95053 · Fuel Leakeage From Rollover Valve
Opened Oct 25, 1995 · Closed Dec 22, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control
There is no summary currently available