Dodge Grand Caravan Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Dodge Grand Caravan model year (1996–2020) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Dodge Grand Caravan Years to Avoid
5 recalls · 979 complaints
25 reported injuries
7 reported deaths
Top issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Problem score: 1079
4 recalls · 972 complaints
16 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 1016
3 recalls · 674 complaints
10 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 703
Best Dodge Grand Caravan Years to Buy
1 recall · 17 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 22
3 recalls · 61 complaints
Main area: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Problem score: 72
2 recalls · 141 complaints
Main area: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Problem score: 157
Found the right year? Verify that specific Grand Caravan with a free VIN report.
Dodge Grand Caravan — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 17 | 1 | — | 22 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 3 | 156 | 11 | — | 187 | Good |
| 2018 | 3 | 174 | 3 | 2 | 199 | Good |
| 2017 | 2 | 291 | 7 | — | 311 | Good |
| 2016 | 4 | 658 | 6 | — | 682 | Caution |
| 2015 | 3 | 155 | 8 | — | 180 | Good |
| 2014 | 3 | 223 | 14 | — | 260 | Good |
| 2013 | 3 | 334 | 19 | — | 381 | Caution |
| 2012 | 5 | 449 | 11 | — | 486 | Caution |
| 2011 | 3 | 398 | 13 | 1 | 438 | Caution |
| 2010 | 3 | 674 | 10 | — | 703 | Avoid |
| 2009 | 4 | 391 | 9 | — | 421 | Caution |
| 2008 | 4 | 972 | 16 | — | 1016 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 2 | 141 | 5 | — | 157 | Good |
| 2006 | 1 | 188 | 9 | — | 209 | Good |
| 2005 | 3 | 635 | 22 | — | 688 | Caution |
| 2004 | 3 | 61 | 1 | — | 72 | Excellent |
| 2003 | 3 | 141 | 20 | — | 190 | Good |
| 2002 | 6 | 203 | 20 | 4 | 281 | Good |
| 2001 | 5 | 173 | 9 | — | 206 | Good |
| 2000 | 4 | 279 | 14 | 1 | 324 | Good |
| 1999 | 2 | 329 | 12 | 1 | 364 | Good |
| 1998 | 1 | 404 | 25 | — | 457 | Caution |
| 1997 | 1 | 473 | 23 | — | 522 | Caution |
| 1996 | 5 | 979 | 25 | 7 | 1079 | Avoid |
All 25 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Dodge Grand Caravan Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2020Recent Grand Caravan models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2020 stands out with just 22 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2015Mid-decade Grand 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 Grand 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 Grand Caravan should I avoid?+
Avoid the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan if possible. It has 5 recalls, 979 owner complaints, and 7 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 1079 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Grand Caravan to buy?+
The 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 22. It has only 1 recall and 17 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Grand Caravan has the fewest problems?+
The 2020, 2004, 2007 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 Grand Caravan Research
Check a Specific Dodge Grand 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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