Illustration2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT WITH 3.3 LITER ENGINE A/T. THE HAS INTERMITTENT ON/OFF HEADLIGHT PROBLEM. *TR
2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 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
130–25K
5325–50K
5150–75K
4175–100K
31100–150K
11150K+
200 reports with mileage · 98 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 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 37 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 reports1 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
298 reportsPROBLEM BEGAN APPROX. SEPT/08HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLICKER AND/OR GO OUT SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE IS STARTED. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS CONTINUE TO OPERATE. HAVE BEEN TO DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR A FIX, BUT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *TR
WHEN IT RAINS, I LOSE POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES. FROM MY RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT IT IS THE SERPENTINE BELT. IT ALSO APPEARS TO HAPPEN TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. *TR
MY 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. MY HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK AS A RESULT. CONTACT DODGE VIA EMAIL AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ITEM FOR MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THIS SEEMS TO BE A "CLOCKSPRING" ISSUE. THIS WAS A ISSUE ON THE 2000 DODGE CARAVAN- RECALL NUMBER 04V480000. *TR
THE DRIVER WINDOW ON MY GRAND CARAVAN WON'T GO UP OR DOWN. THE AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK EITHER AND WILL COST OVER $1200 TO REPAIR. IT IS NOT SAFE TO HAVE DEFECTIVE WINDOWS. IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DOORS WERE BLOCKED, I WOULD BE TRAPPED. I ALSO HAVE 2 CHILDREN. WE LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT IS VERY HOT AN HUMID HERE …
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THE DRIVER WINDOW ON MY GRAND CARAVAN WON'T GO UP OR DOWN. THE AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK EITHER AND WILL COST OVER $1200 TO REPAIR. IT IS NOT SAFE TO HAVE DEFECTIVE WINDOWS. IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DOORS WERE BLOCKED, I WOULD BE TRAPPED. I ALSO HAVE 2 CHILDREN. WE LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT IS VERY HOT AN HUMID HERE AND THERE IS DANGER OF HEAT STROKE. *TR
OWN 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 75 MPH AT NIGHT. LIGHTS GO OFF FOR 2 MINUTES, HAVE TO PULL OVER. LIGHTS COME BACK ON. COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. HEADLIGHTS TURN ON 1 SIDE ONLY ALL THE TIME. FRONT CONTROL MODULE DEFECTIVE. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, NEW REPLACEMENT PART CORRECTS PROBLEM TEMPORARIL…
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OWN 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 75 MPH AT NIGHT. LIGHTS GO OFF FOR 2 MINUTES, HAVE TO PULL OVER. LIGHTS COME BACK ON. COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. HEADLIGHTS TURN ON 1 SIDE ONLY ALL THE TIME. FRONT CONTROL MODULE DEFECTIVE. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, NEW REPLACEMENT PART CORRECTS PROBLEM TEMPORARILY BUT NOT PERMANENT. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AS OF TODAY 2/26/2009. *TR
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, PARTICULARLY ON TURNS. TALKED WITH LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER AND HIS ASSESSMENT POINTED TO THE CLOCKSPRING. RESEARCHED ON INTERNET AND IT CERTAINLY APPEARS THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS ITEM. DEALER INDICATED IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTIES OR RECALL AND WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $200 TO REPLACE.…
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AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, PARTICULARLY ON TURNS. TALKED WITH LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER AND HIS ASSESSMENT POINTED TO THE CLOCKSPRING. RESEARCHED ON INTERNET AND IT CERTAINLY APPEARS THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS ITEM. DEALER INDICATED IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTIES OR RECALL AND WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $200 TO REPLACE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. NO ACCIDENTS OR ADVERSE EFFECTS ENCOUNTERED TO DATE. *TR
THE FRONT WINDOWS ON MY GRAND CARAVAN DON'T GO UP OR DOWN. THEY STARTED ACTING UP WHEN THE VAN WAS STILL PRETTY NEW, AND THEY HAVE BEEN TOTALLY NON-FUNCTIONAL FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. IT IS ABSOLUTELY MISERABLE IN THE SUMMER, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK EITHER AND WILL COST OVER $1500 TO FIX. IT IS NOT SAFE…
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THE FRONT WINDOWS ON MY GRAND CARAVAN DON'T GO UP OR DOWN. THEY STARTED ACTING UP WHEN THE VAN WAS STILL PRETTY NEW, AND THEY HAVE BEEN TOTALLY NON-FUNCTIONAL FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. IT IS ABSOLUTELY MISERABLE IN THE SUMMER, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK EITHER AND WILL COST OVER $1500 TO FIX. IT IS NOT SAFE TO HAVE DEFECTIVE WINDOWS, ESPECIALLY IF THERE WERE A CRASH OR OTHER SITUATION WHERE WE WOULD NEED TO CRAWL OUT THE WINDOW. *TR
I OWN A 2001 GRAND CARAVAN WITH A ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING MY VAN WAS BUILT IN DEC OF 2000 BUT IS LISTED AS A 2001 NOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM FOR VAN UP TO 2000 BUT MINE FALLS OUTSIDE OF THIS RECALL. *TR
THE HOOD OF MY 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS ROTTING TO THE EXTENT THAT IT WILL SOON REACH THE HOOD LATCH. THERE IS NO OTHER RUST ON THE VAN, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT IS A DEFECTIVE HOOD. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. *TR
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
3EA05009 · 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.
EA04031 · Power Liftgate Latch
Opened Nov 22, 2004 · Closed Apr 7, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages; Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IN ITS SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO PE04-054. BY LETTER OF APRIL 5, 2005, DCC HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 70,235 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PLG OPTION.DCC HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN EARLY PRODUCTION MY 2003 PLG CONTROL MODULES THAT CAN PREVENT THE PLG DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED IN A POWER OPEN/CLOSE CYCLE.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT POWER OPEN) DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PLG CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V134 FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Latches/locks/linkages
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IN ITS SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO PE04-054. BY LETTER OF APRIL 5, 2005, DCC HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 70,235 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PLG OPTION.DCC HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN EARLY PRODUCTION MY 2003 PLG CONTROL MODULES THAT CAN PREVENT THE PLG DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED IN A POWER OPEN/CLOSE CYCLE.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT POWER OPEN) DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PLG CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V134 FOR DETAILS.
Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IN ITS SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO PE04-054. BY LETTER OF APRIL 5, 2005, DCC HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 70,235 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PLG OPTION.DCC HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN EARLY PRODUCTION MY 2003 PLG CONTROL MODULES THAT CAN PREVENT THE PLG DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED IN A POWER OPEN/CLOSE CYCLE.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT POWER OPEN) DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PLG CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V134 FOR DETAILS.