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2002 Dodge Van

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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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: 8 of 18 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 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Equipment. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

18 reports
35,000 miles · Jan 19, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I OWN A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN,WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY OVERHEATED AND WOULDN'T START. RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. INSPECTION OF VEHICLE REVEALED A HOLE CAUSED BY A WEAKENED TUBING WALL AND MOUNT CLIP AT THE WELD POINT. MY VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 36,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. …

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I OWN A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN,WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY OVERHEATED AND WOULDN'T START. RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. INSPECTION OF VEHICLE REVEALED A HOLE CAUSED BY A WEAKENED TUBING WALL AND MOUNT CLIP AT THE WELD POINT. MY VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 36,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. THIS INCIDENT WENT UNNOTICED BECAUSE OF LOCATION. DODGE REFUSES TO CORRECT PROBLEM COMPLAINT #16378324 ALSO A FRIEND OF MINE HAD SAME PROBLEM COMPLAINT#16376641. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215446

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2007
Steering

POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING. DEALER DESCRIBES IT AS "MAJOR REPAIR". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10188788

36,500 miles · Nov 27, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES HAD CONSISTENT AND WORSENING PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED AFTER EVERY REPAIR. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES BURSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO T…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES HAD CONSISTENT AND WORSENING PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED AFTER EVERY REPAIR. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES BURSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE RESIDENCE WERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. UPON EXAMINATION THE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS FAULTY DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER DESIGN AND THE BRAKE LINE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS THAN TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE REPAIRS WERE DONE. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE MADE.

NHTSA ODI #10174433

75,000 miles · Oct 22, 2006
Fuel System, GasolineCrashFireInjury

WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT A 800 POUND HOG IN THE ROAD SENDING IT AIRBORN AND IT HIT OUR VAN BOUNCING OFF AND LANDING IN THE DITCH. OUR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THE WINDSHIELD SMASHED INTO A BILLION PIECES , BUT THEN OUR VAN BURSTED INTO FLAMES TOTALLY GUTTING OUR VAN. HAD THE HOG ACTUALLY CAME IN ON US W…

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WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT A 800 POUND HOG IN THE ROAD SENDING IT AIRBORN AND IT HIT OUR VAN BOUNCING OFF AND LANDING IN THE DITCH. OUR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THE WINDSHIELD SMASHED INTO A BILLION PIECES , BUT THEN OUR VAN BURSTED INTO FLAMES TOTALLY GUTTING OUR VAN. HAD THE HOG ACTUALLY CAME IN ON US WE WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED ALIVE AS THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY FOR US TO GET OUT. THE VAN WENT UP VERY FAST AND WE HAVE NO CLUE AS TO WHY OR WHAT STARTED THE FIRE. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171540

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2006
SeatsCrashInjury

WE WERE REAR ENDED AT 40-45 MPH. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS COLLAPSED ON TO THE PASSENGERS IN THE MIDDLE SEATS. BECAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND ALL THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE WERE INJURED. THE PASSENGER IN THE MIDDLE SEAT WAS CRUSHED. WE ASKED A EMPLOYEE AT DODGE IF THIS WAS SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN AN…

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WE WERE REAR ENDED AT 40-45 MPH. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS COLLAPSED ON TO THE PASSENGERS IN THE MIDDLE SEATS. BECAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND ALL THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE WERE INJURED. THE PASSENGER IN THE MIDDLE SEAT WAS CRUSHED. WE ASKED A EMPLOYEE AT DODGE IF THIS WAS SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN AND HE SAID YES. HOW COULD THIS BE THE RIGHT WAY FOR THE SEATS TO REACT, SHOULDN'T THE SEAT STAY UP RIGHT SO THE AIR BAG IS BY YOUR HEAD. [I REALLY WISH SOMEONE WOULD CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THERE ARE DEATHS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10156818

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2006
Air BagsVisibility

I PURCHASED MY CARAVAN IN NOVEMBER OF 2005. ONE MONTH AFTER BUYING IT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY. NOW THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER WINDOWS SOMETIMES GO UP AND SOMETIMES DON'T. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING ON SUCH A NEWER VEHICLE? DO I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT WILL COST ME A FORTUNE? LG,MI. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10151817

45,000 miles · Jan 19, 2006
SteeringSuspension

I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING COMPLAINTS ABOUT MY 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING THAT HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY REPORTED, AND I HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. I AM EXPERIENCING A NOISE AND VIBRATION WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED US THERE IS A TSB FOR THE PROBLEM, AN…

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I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING COMPLAINTS ABOUT MY 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING THAT HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY REPORTED, AND I HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. I AM EXPERIENCING A NOISE AND VIBRATION WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED US THERE IS A TSB FOR THE PROBLEM, AND THE REPAIR COST ARE ESTIMATED AT $275.00. THE SUSPENSION PROBLEM IS A KNOCKING AND RATTLING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. THE TECHNICIAN HAS SAID THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, AND LINKS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THOSE REPAIRS IS AN ADDITIONAL $375.00. I HAVE NOT MADE THE REPAIRS AS THEY WERE NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10148103

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2005
Equipment

I HAVE REPEATLY (APPROX. 15-18) COMPLAINED TO DAIMLERCHRYSLER AND TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE MY VAN WAS BOUGHT, THAT MY AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT IS INTERMITTED. THERE HAVE BEEN VERY LOUD EXPLOSION-LIKE SOUNDS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ENGAGED. AFTER RUNNING THE VEHICAL AN 1/2 HOUR OR SO, THE INSIDE GRILL TE…

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I HAVE REPEATLY (APPROX. 15-18) COMPLAINED TO DAIMLERCHRYSLER AND TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE MY VAN WAS BOUGHT, THAT MY AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT IS INTERMITTED. THERE HAVE BEEN VERY LOUD EXPLOSION-LIKE SOUNDS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ENGAGED. AFTER RUNNING THE VEHICAL AN 1/2 HOUR OR SO, THE INSIDE GRILL TEMP IS SOMETIMES 90. WE HAVE A VERY LARGE THERMOMETER THAT WE CAN PUT INTO THE AIR VENT TO GET AN ACCURATE TEMP. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR 6 TIMES. THEY HAVE PULLED OUT THE GUTS. THEY REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR COILS,AND STILL THE AIR CONDITIONER IS INTERMITTED. DAIMLER EXTENTED THE WARRENTY ON THE COMPRESSOR ONLY, AND THE DEALERSHIP EXTENDED THE POWER TRAIN WARRENTY. STILL NO ONE HAS OR WILL FIX THE AC. WE DID NOT MEET THE CRIERIA OF THE MD. LEMON LAW, MY THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WAS 3 MONTHS LATE. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE VEHICAL 2 YEARS AGO AND THEY REFUSED. I HAVE ALL MY DOCUMENTS AND WOULD SURLEY APPRECIATE ANY HELP.

NHTSA ODI #10133907

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2005
Equipment

HOSES ROTTING IN 3 YEARS HEATER HOSES RUSTING OUT IN 3 YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #10133901

60,000 miles · Aug 15, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON 35 W NORTH BOUND, IN THE FAST LANE GOING APPROXIMATELY. 70 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CONVERSION VAN STARTED TO ACCELERATE, I TAPPED MY BRAKES AS IF I WAS USING MY CRUISE, WHICH I WASN'T. THE VAN THEN SLOWED A FEW SECONDS AND THEN TOOK OFF OUT OF CONTROL, IT ACCELERATED SO FAST SO QUICK, I LOOKED DOWN AT MY SPEED…

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I WAS DRIVING ON 35 W NORTH BOUND, IN THE FAST LANE GOING APPROXIMATELY. 70 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CONVERSION VAN STARTED TO ACCELERATE, I TAPPED MY BRAKES AS IF I WAS USING MY CRUISE, WHICH I WASN'T. THE VAN THEN SLOWED A FEW SECONDS AND THEN TOOK OFF OUT OF CONTROL, IT ACCELERATED SO FAST SO QUICK, I LOOKED DOWN AT MY SPEEDOMETER AND I WAS GOING OVER 90 MPH AT THIS POINT, I WAS PUSHING ON THE BRAKE AND THE TIRES WERE SPINNING AND SMOKING VERY FAST, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SLOW LANE AND THEN WHIPPED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND PART DITCH WITH BOTH OF MY FEET PUSHING AS HARD AS I COULD AND THROUGH THE VEHICLE IN PARK THE SMELL, WAS SO STRONG I THOUGHT THE VEHICLE MAY START ON FIRE WE EXITED AS QUICK AS WE CAN AND WAITED UNDER THE UNDERPASS FOR HELP. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10132930

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.