Dodge Caravan Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Own a Dodge Caravan? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Dodge Caravan — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020Best | Excellent | — | 15 | 2 | 1 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2019 | Excellent | 3 | 148 | 2 | 11 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2018 | Excellent | 3 | 171 | 5 | 2 | 2 | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2017 | Good | 2 | 287 | 10 | 7 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2016 | Good | 4 | 651 | 11 | 6 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2015 | Excellent | 2 | 166 | 6 | 8 | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2014 | Good | 3 | 239 | 15 | 14 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2013 | Good | 3 | 350 | 10 | 22 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2012 | Good | 3 | 511 | 4 | 11 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2011 | Good | 1 | 459 | 4 | 13 | 1 | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2010 | Caution | 4 | 798 | 23 | 13 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2009 | Good | 5 | 477 | 14 | 10 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2008 | Caution | 6 | 1156 | 15 | 25 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2007 | Excellent | 2 | 191 | 7 | 7 | 1 | Fuel/Propulsion System | Full report → |
| 2006 | Good | 4 | 292 | 12 | 14 | — | Steering | Full report → |
| 2005 | Caution | 5 | 980 | 26 | 34 | — | Latches/Locks/Linkages | Full report → |
| 2004 | Excellent | 3 | 100 | 5 | 3 | — | Fuel/Propulsion System | Full report → |
| 2003 | Good | 3 | 263 | 18 | 38 | 1 | Steering | Full report → |
| 2002 | Good | 3 | 361 | 24 | 34 | 4 | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2001 | Good | 4 | 342 | 6 | 11 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2000 | Good | 7 | 578 | 46 | 42 | 9 | Power Train | Full report → |
| 1999 | Good | 8 | 702 | 47 | 26 | 1 | Power Train | Full report → |
| 1998 | Caution | 9 | 845 | 63 | 59 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 1997 | Caution | 9 | 1055 | 46 | 54 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 1996Worst | Avoid | 8 | 2159 | 63 | 78 | 7 | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 1995 | Good | 2 | 439 | 44 | 32 | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 1994 | Good | 3 | 612 | 66 | 65 | 5 | Power Train | Full report → |
| 1993 | Caution | 4 | 965 | 58 | 65 | — | Service Brakes / Hydraulic | Full report → |
| 1992 | Caution | 4 | 803 | 45 | 46 | 5 | Service Brakes / Hydraulic | Full report → |
29 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common Dodge Caravan Problems
Based on 16,115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
Caravan Years to Avoid
Best Caravan Years to Buy
Years with fewest complaints and recalls.
Dodge Caravan Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Dodge Caravan Reliability
What year Caravan has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 1996 Dodge Caravan had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 2159 complaints and 8 safety recalls. See the full 1996 report for specific defects.
Is the Dodge Caravan reliable?
The Dodge Caravan has accumulated 16,115 owner-filed complaints and 117 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. There have been 36 reported deaths associated with complaints. The 2020 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Caravan.
What are the most common Caravan problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Electrical System (2929 reports), Power Train (1483 reports), Air Bags (1456 reports), Service Brakes / Hydraulic (1211 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my Caravan has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific Dodge Caravan VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Dodge Caravan VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily