Dodge Caravan Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Dodge Caravan options? We analyzed 2 model years (2002–2004) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Dodge Caravan has 320 owner complaints and 10 safety recalls across model years 2002–2004. The most reported issue area is AIR BAGS. 2002 drew the most complaints; 2004 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Dodge
- Model
- Caravan
- Model years analyzed
- 2002–2004 (2 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 320
- Safety recall campaigns
- 10
- Crash-related complaints
- 18
- Fire-related complaints
- 14
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2002 (256 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2004 (64 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- AIR BAGS
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Dodge Caravan: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe DODGE CARAVAN has 320 NHTSA complaints and 10 recalls on record. 18 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 320 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 10 federal recall campaigns
- 18 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
10 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
EQUIPMENT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
STRUCTURE
CHILD SEAT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
EQUIPMENT
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2002–2004. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 320 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
320 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I WAS LEAVING WORK, WHEN I SAT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT THE SEAT BROKE AND FELL BACK. THE BROKEN PART IS ACTUALLY THE FRAME OF THE SEAT, NOT THE TILT MECHANISM. THE TUBULATION THAT COMPRISED THE SEAT FRAME CATASTROPHICALLY BROKE ADJACENT TO THE WELDMENT. THIS PART SHOULD NEVER FAIL.
FUEL LEAKING FROM TOP OF FUEL TANK
ENGINE OFTEN HESITATES AFTER YOU HAVE DRIVEN A FEW BLOCKS AFTER REFUELING. THIS FORM ASKS FOR A SINGLE SPECIFIC DATE BUT THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED EVERY FEW WEEKS FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO. DEPENDING UPON THE TRAFFIC SITUATION WHEN THE HESITATION OCCURS, AND ACCIDENT COULD EASILY OCCUR. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT THE LIQUID/VAPOR SEPARATOR VALVE ON THE GAS TANK IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THIS VALVE IS A PART OF THE TANK AND CANNOT BE REPLACED AS A SEPARATE ITEM, SO THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS SUBSTANTIAL. A BRIEF SEARCH ON THE INTERNET INDICATES THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF DODGE CARAVANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN ABOUT 2004 AND 2007 ARE REPORTING THIS SAME PROBLEM.
2004 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FUEL TANK EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE THAT APPLIES TO VEHICLE STALLING AFTER REFUELING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED AND HAS SINCE CONTINUED. THE STALLING OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE EGR SENSOR.*JB
INTERMITTENT HORN TURNING ON. CLOCKSPRING WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH FRONT CONTROL MODULE. THEY THINK HORNPAD IS AT FAULT AND WILL FURTHER SHORT CLOCKSPRING AND FRONT CONTROL MODULE
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING CLOCKSPRING. THIS DISABLES THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THIS WAS RECALLED ON EARLIER MODEL CARAVANS BUT HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED ON 2001 AND NEWER MODELS WHICH HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE AND HAS HAD INACTIVE AIRBAGS. RECENTLY, WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL HARD DURING A POWER STEERING RESERVOIR REPLACEMENT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO TURN ON AND OFF CLEARLY DUE TO SHORTED WIRING AT THE CLOCKSPRING TERMINALS.
Read 14 more owner reports
AS I WENT TO STOP THE FRONT WHEELS SLID LIKE THEY WERE ON ICE. I WAS ON A PUBLIC RD. [BLACK TOP] I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME.
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN THE FALL OF 2013 AND AM STARTING TO COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT EVERY TIME I FILL MY GAS TANK UP MY VEHICLE SHUTS OFF! TODAY I FILLED UP MY GAS TANK. MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE BACK SEAT AND WHEN I PULLED OUT INTO THE HIGHWAY THE VAN SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP! I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VANS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT! I CAN'T FILL MY GAS TANK UP BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL PUMP DUE TO CORROSION. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,755.
WHEN I CHANGED MY VEHICLE BATTERY TO A NEW ONE THE GAS ONLY DROPS TO A HALF A TANK ITS WILL NOT GO DOWN TO EMPTY BUT MY LOW FUEL LIGHT WORKS STILL MY GAS GAUGE DOES NOT. HOW DO I FIX IT OR RESET IT. *TR
EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS FUELED UP, THE VEHICLE PUTTERS AND SHUTS OFF, CAUSING ALL POWER STEERING TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. OCCURS THE FIRST COUPLE MILES. *TR
MY FIRST GAS TANK FILL AFTER PURCHASING THE USED VEHICLE RESULTED WITH CONSTANT STALLING FOR THE NEXT 1/2 MILE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS. I DO NOT OVERFILL THE TANK. THE VEHICLE NOW STALLS ABOUT 80% OF THE TIME AFTER I FILL THE TANK. AFTER ABOUT 6/10TH OF A MILE ,THE PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF. ONE TIME I COME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT WHEN AFTER LEAVING THE GAS STATION I WAS GOING DOWN A HILL AND HAD TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT & I HAD TO PUT THE GEAR SELECTOR IN NEUTRAL TO TRY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS MOVING & MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT THE SAME TIME ! I AM NOW FORCED TO PARK THE CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES AFTER FILL UP BEFORE I CAN SAFELY TAKE IT BACK ON THE ROADWAY. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE 2004 -2007 CHRYSLER & DODGE MINIVANS. I HAVE VIEWED MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO GIVE UP THEIR LIFE BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED? THERE IS A DEFECTIVE VALVE IN THE GAS TANKS & THE TANKS HAVE TO BE REPLACED ! *TR
NOT 100% BUT PROBABLY 40% - 60% OF THE TIME I REFUEL - ESPECIALLY A FULL TANK - THE CAR WILL TEND TO HESITATE AND STALL WITHIN THE FIRST 90 SECONDS OF GETTING BACK ON THE ROAD. SEEMS LIKE IT HAS NOT DONE IT A LOT LATELY BUT I JUST HAD SOME WORK DONE BY THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER INCLUDING NEW WIRES AND PLUGS. WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP IT RAN FINE. I PUT IN PROBABLY 3/4 TANK OF GAS IN IT AND IT BEGAN HESITATING AND STALLING WORSE THAN IT HAD IN SOME TIME. THE WEATHER WAS ALSO QUITE A BIT COOLER THAN IT HAD BEEN IN 6 MONTHS. I ALSO READ AN ARTICLE IN USA TODAY ABOUT THIS ISSUE WHICH I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SINCE 2007 WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR USED. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT IT IN THE PAST AND THE COULD IDENTIFY NOTHING SPECIFIC. FIGURED I WOULD REGISTER THE COMPLAINT SINCE I HEARD OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
2004 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GAS GAUGE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING GAS.*JB
PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR KEEPS COMING OFF TRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON. JUST OPERATING THE DOOR CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN, AND IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION TOO, WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS, BECAUSE OUR VEHICLE IS MODIFIED BY BRAUN FOR HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY. THERE IS A METAL RAMP WHICH WILL COME DOWN IF THE DOOR OPENS. *TR
AS MENTIONED BY SEVERAL OTHER POSTINGS, THE CARAVAN ENGINE WILL STALL OUT AFTER THE GAS TANK IS FILLED. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS FUELED. IT WILL STALL OUT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING AFTER LEAVING THE GAS STATION. IT HAS STALLED OUT IN TRAFFIC, AT STOP LIGHTS, AND NOW I AVOID TRAVELING ON THE ROADWAY FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER FUELING IF POSSIBLE, CHOOSING INSTEAD TO TRAVEL THROUGH PARKING LOTS OR BACK ROADS BEFORE ENTERING ANY MAIN ARTERIES. A SERVICE REPAIRMAN AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. ANOTHER MECHANIC MENTIONED IT MIGHT BE A VALVE IN THE TOP OF THE TANK THAT IS DEFECTIVE BUT THE ONLY REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE GAS TANK AS THE PART IS NOT A SEPARATE PIECE. BASED ON MY OWN ONLINE RESEARCH, I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TR
I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEED OR SLIGHTLY ABOVE WHEN MY GAS LIGHT WENT ON AND THE VAN STARTED TO SPUTTER. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND MY SPEED DECREASED TO APPX 40 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR AND CARS SPEEDING BY ME. IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. A POLICE OFFICER STOPPED TO ASSIST ME AND TRY TO GET ME TOWED. I MADE IT TO THE NEXT GAS STATION. I ADDED GAS AND OIL. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS SHAKING AND NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT ABOVE 40 MPH, I DECIDED TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME UNTIL A DECISION COULD BE MADE ABOUT WHAT TO DO. THE NEXT MORNING WE TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE DROPPED. THE BOLTS THAT HELD IT IN FAILED. I AM LUCKY. NOW WE HAVE THE ENGINE BACK UP IN PLACE AND ARE DETERMINING WHAT ELSE IS BROKEN DUE TO THIS FAILURE. *TR
I ORIGINALLY FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE PAD MANUFACTURER BUT IT SEEMS TO BE THE COMPOSITE PISTON IN THE CALIPER THAT IS INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE BRAKES TO OVERHEAT. THE PEDAL TRAVEL GOES TO ZERO AND THE BRAKE IS LOCKED. THIS IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND A HAZARD. IT WOULD BE EASY FOR THESE BRAKES TO FAIL IN HIGHWAY CONDITIONS AND HAVE THE GREASE MELT OUT OF THE BEARINGS FROM THE HEAT AND BRAKE FLUID TO BOIL. THIS CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED ITS ENTIRE LIFE AND MAINTAINED. IT IS CHRYSLER THAT IN THE INTEREST OF PROFIT CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE STALLS NUMBERIOUS TIMES IN TRAFFIC CAUSING A HAZZARD. THIS WOULD BE EXCEPTABE HOWEVER THERE SEEM TO BE MANY OF THE VEHICLE THAT DOES THE SAME THING SEE HTTP://FORUM.CHRYSLERMINIVAN.NET *TT .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,224. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Showing 20 of 320 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Dodge Caravan
These pages show model-year patterns across 2 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Dodge Caravan, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Dodge Caravan has 320 complaints on record across 2 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Dodge Caravan has 10 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 18 of the Dodge Caravan's 320 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Dodge Caravan vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Dodge Caravan vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Dodge Caravan has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Dodge Caravan stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Dodge Caravan by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Dodge Caravan.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Dodge Caravan reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Dodge Caravan reliable?
Poor. The Dodge Caravan has 320 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is AIR BAGS. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Dodge Caravan years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2002 (256 complaints), 2004 (64 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Dodge Caravan problems?
Top reported issues: AIR BAGS (65 complaints); STEERING (43 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (42 complaints).
Does the Dodge Caravan have recalls?
Yes — 10 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Dodge Caravan. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.