2004 Dodge Caravan Problems
Shopping for a used 2004 Dodge Caravan? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Based on 64 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Fuel/Propulsion System the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2004 Dodge Caravan has 64 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Fuel/Propulsion System.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2004 Dodge Caravan Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2004 Dodge Caravan trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.
2004 Dodge Caravan Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2004 Dodge Caravan has 64 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 8 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Fuel/Propulsion System. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Dodge
- Model
- Caravan
- Model year
- 2004
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 64
- Crash-related complaints
- 2
- Safety recall campaigns
- 8
- Top reported component
- Fuel/Propulsion System
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 19
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 24
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2004 Dodge Caravan problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Electrical Faults
Brake System
Complaint patterns center on Fuel/Propulsion System, Electrical Faults, Brake System. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2004 Dodge Caravan?
The 2004 Dodge Caravan shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2004 Dodge Caravan
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the fuel/propulsion system for any signs of leaks or performance issues.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components, especially fuel and electrical systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brake system and engine before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the fuel/propulsion system for any signs of leaks or performance issues.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components, especially fuel and electrical systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brake system and engine before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2004 Dodge Caravan, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2004 Dodge Caravan are concentrated in the fuel/propulsion system, with additional reports of electrical faults, brake system issues, and engine problems. The data suggests potential concerns with fuel delivery and electrical reliability, though the low confidence level and limited sample size warrant caution.
- Fuel/Propulsion System accounts for the highest number of complaints among reported components.
- Electrical faults and brake system issues each have 8 complaints, tying for the second most reported.
- Engine problems and fuel system issues are also frequently mentioned, with 7 complaints each.
- Fuel/Propulsion System: 12 complaints, the most reported component.
- Electrical Faults: 8 complaints, tied for second most.
- Brake System: 8 complaints, tied for second most.
Full breakdown
All 2004 Dodge Caravan complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Caravan. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 8 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 7 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Caravan. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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…
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…
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…
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 PU…
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 STEE…
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 VEH…
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 …
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 INCL…
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 …
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…
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 E…
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…
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 NOTIF…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Dodge Caravan.
Safety recalls
2004 Dodge Caravan recalls
8 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Dodge Caravan. 8 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
EQUIPMENT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
EQUIPMENT
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2004 Dodge Caravan buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2004 Dodge Caravan reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 64 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 8 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2004 Dodge Caravan shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Dodge Caravan?▾
#1: Fuel/Propulsion System (12 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (8 complaints). #3: Brake System (8 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Dodge Caravan?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Dodge Caravan?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2004 Dodge Caravan, NHTSA complaints include 2 crash-related reports and 3 fire reports out of 64 total complaints. 2 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?▾
Yes. 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Dodge Caravan. A major recall area is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 8 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2004 Dodge Caravan?▾
The 2004 Dodge Caravan shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Fuel/Propulsion System during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Caravan reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2004 Dodge Caravan based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.