Dodge Caravan Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Dodge Caravan model year (1992–2020) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Dodge Caravan Years to Avoid
9 recalls · 2159 complaints
78 reported injuries
7 reported deaths
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 2377
7 recalls · 1159 complaints
25 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 1230
8 recalls · 1055 complaints
54 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 1187
Best Dodge Caravan Years to Buy
0 recalls · 17 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 19
6 recalls · 100 complaints
Main area: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Problem score: 124
2 recalls · 156 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 184
Found the right year? Verify that specific Caravan with a free VIN report.
Dodge Caravan — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 17 | 1 | — | 19 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 2 | 156 | 11 | — | 184 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 2 | 174 | 3 | 2 | 196 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 1 | 291 | 7 | — | 308 | Good |
| 2016 | 4 | 659 | 6 | — | 683 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 169 | 8 | — | 191 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 1 | 243 | 14 | — | 274 | Good |
| 2013 | 2 | 350 | 22 | — | 400 | Good |
| 2012 | 2 | 511 | 11 | — | 539 | Good |
| 2011 | 0 | 459 | 13 | 1 | 490 | Good |
| 2010 | 5 | 799 | 13 | — | 840 | Caution |
| 2009 | 8 | 477 | 10 | — | 521 | Good |
| 2008 | 7 | 1159 | 25 | — | 1230 | Caution |
| 2007 | 5 | 191 | 7 | 1 | 225 | Excellent |
| 2006 | 5 | 292 | 14 | — | 335 | Good |
| 2005 | 7 | 980 | 34 | — | 1069 | Caution |
| 2004 | 6 | 100 | 3 | — | 124 | Excellent |
| 2003 | 6 | 263 | 38 | 1 | 362 | Good |
| 2002 | 8 | 361 | 34 | 4 | 473 | Good |
| 2001 | 6 | 342 | 11 | — | 382 | Good |
| 2000 | 10 | 578 | 42 | 9 | 737 | Good |
| 1999 | 9 | 702 | 26 | 1 | 786 | Good |
| 1998 | 10 | 845 | 59 | — | 993 | Caution |
| 1997 | 8 | 1055 | 54 | — | 1187 | Caution |
| 1996 | 9 | 2159 | 78 | 7 | 2377 | Avoid |
| 1995 | 1 | 439 | 32 | — | 506 | Good |
| 1994 | 4 | 612 | 65 | 5 | 779 | Good |
| 1993 | 5 | 965 | 65 | — | 1110 | Caution |
| 1992 | 6 | 803 | 46 | 5 | 938 | Caution |
All 29 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Dodge Caravan Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2020Recent Caravan models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2020 stands out with just 19 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2015Mid-decade Caravan units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2015 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Caravan models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Caravan should I avoid?+
Avoid the 1996 Dodge Caravan if possible. It has 9 recalls, 2159 owner complaints, and 7 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 2377 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Caravan to buy?+
The 2020 Dodge Caravan is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 19. It has only 0 recalls and 17 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Caravan has the fewest problems?+
The 2020, 2004, 2019 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Dodge Caravan Research
Check a Specific Dodge Caravan VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
Run a Free VIN Report →