VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Dodge Caravan1992–2020
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Dodge Caravan
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Dodge Caravan Years to Avoid
7 recalls · 1159 complaints
25 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7 recalls · 980 complaints
34 reported injuries
Top issue: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
5 recalls · 799 complaints
13 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 26 past investigations into the Caravan became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 25, 2026.
Dodge Caravan — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 17 | 1 | — | 85 | 89 | 86 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 2 | 156 | 11 | — | 76 | 85 | 79 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 2 | 174 | 3 | 2 | 75 | 79 | 76 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 1 | 291 | 7 | — | 64 | 72 | 67 | Good |
| 2016 | 4 | 659 | 6 | — | 60 | 65 | 62 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 169 | 8 | — | 76 | 58 | 70 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 1 | 243 | 14 | — | 67 | 52 | 62 | Good |
| 2013 | 2 | 350 | 22 | — | 60 | 47 | 55 | Good |
| 2012 | 2 | 511 | 11 | — | 60 | 43 | 54 | Good |
| 2011 | 0 | 459 | 13 | 1 | 60 | 40 | 53 | Good |
| 2010 | 5 | 799 | 13 | — | 60 | 40 | 53 | Caution |
| 2009 | 8 | 477 | 10 | — | 60 | 40 | 53 | Good |
| 2008 | 7 | 1159 | 25 | — | 60 | 40 | 53 | Caution |
| 2007 | 5 | 191 | 7 | 1 | 72 | 40 | 61 | Excellent |
| 2006 | 5 | 292 | 14 | — | 61 | 40 | 54 | Good |
| 2005 | 7 | 980 | 34 | — | 60 | 40 | 53 | Caution |
| 2004 | 6 | 100 | 3 | — | 82 | 40 | 67 | Excellent |
| 2003 | 6 | 263 | 38 | 1 | 60 | 40 | 53 | Good |
| 2002 | 8 | 361 | 34 | 4 | 60 | 40 | 53 | Good |
| 2001 | 6 | 342 | 11 | — | 60 | 40 | 53 | Good |
| 2000 | 10 | 578 | 42 | 9 | 60 | 40 | 53 | Good |
| 1999 | 9 | 702 | 26 | 1 | 60 | 40 | 53 | Good |
| 1998 | 10 | 845 | 59 | — | 60 | 40 | 53 | Caution |
| 1997 | 8 | 1055 | 54 | — | 60 | 40 | 53 | Caution |
| 1996 | 9 | 2159 | 78 | 7 | 60 | 40 | 53 | Avoid |
| 1995 | 1 | 439 | 32 | — | 60 | 40 | 53 | Good |
| 1994 | 4 | 612 | 65 | 5 | 60 | 40 | 53 | Good |
| 1993 | 5 | 965 | 65 | — | 60 | 40 | 53 | Caution |
| 1992 | 6 | 803 | 46 | 5 | 60 | 40 | 53 | Caution |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Dodge Caravan Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Caravan compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2020 (Buyer Score 86).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2015 (Buyer Score 70).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Caravan to buy?+
The 2020 Dodge Caravan scores highest on our Buyer Score (86/100) — combining a reliability score of 85/100 with a value score of 89/100. It has 0 recalls and 17 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Caravan years have the most problems?+
The 2008, 2005, 2010 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2008 Caravan leads with 7 recalls and 1159 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Caravan problems?+
The most frequently reported Dodge Caravan issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.