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
10 recalls · 2159 complaints
78 reported injuries
7 reported deaths
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 2380
5 recalls · 1159 complaints
25 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 1224
9 recalls · 1055 complaints
54 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 1190
Best Dodge Caravan Years to Buy
1 recall · 16 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 21
4 recalls · 100 complaints
Main area: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Problem score: 118
2 recalls · 153 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 181
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 | 1 | 16 | 1 | — | 21 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 2 | 153 | 11 | — | 181 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 173 | 2 | 2 | 190 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 1 | 291 | 7 | — | 308 | Good |
| 2016 | 2 | 657 | 6 | — | 675 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 169 | 8 | — | 191 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 1 | 242 | 14 | — | 273 | Good |
| 2013 | 3 | 350 | 22 | — | 403 | Good |
| 2012 | 2 | 511 | 11 | — | 539 | Good |
| 2011 | 2 | 459 | 13 | 1 | 496 | Good |
| 2010 | 4 | 798 | 13 | — | 836 | Caution |
| 2009 | 5 | 477 | 10 | — | 512 | Good |
| 2008 | 5 | 1159 | 25 | — | 1224 | Caution |
| 2007 | 4 | 191 | 7 | 1 | 222 | Excellent |
| 2006 | 5 | 292 | 14 | — | 335 | Good |
| 2005 | 5 | 980 | 34 | — | 1063 | Caution |
| 2004 | 4 | 100 | 3 | — | 118 | Excellent |
| 2003 | 4 | 263 | 38 | 1 | 356 | Good |
| 2002 | 7 | 361 | 34 | 4 | 470 | Good |
| 2001 | 6 | 342 | 11 | — | 382 | Good |
| 2000 | 6 | 578 | 42 | 9 | 725 | Good |
| 1999 | 8 | 702 | 26 | 1 | 783 | Good |
| 1998 | 7 | 845 | 59 | — | 984 | Caution |
| 1997 | 9 | 1055 | 54 | — | 1190 | Caution |
| 1996 | 10 | 2159 | 78 | 7 | 2380 | Avoid |
| 1995 | 3 | 439 | 32 | — | 512 | Good |
| 1994 | 2 | 612 | 65 | 5 | 773 | Good |
| 1993 | 2 | 965 | 65 | — | 1101 | 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 21 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 10 recalls, 2159 owner complaints, and 7 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 2380 — 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 21. It has only 1 recall and 16 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.
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