Total Complaints
26 filings
DODGE CARAVAN · model year
1984 DODGE CARAVAN
26 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1984DODGECARAVAN carries 26 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1984 CARAVAN is latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock with 4 filings, followed by seats:front assembly:recliner (3) and power train:automatic transmission (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 1984 CARAVAN, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
26
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK | 4 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT | 1 |
| PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:LEAF | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
19990512SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
DOOR BRACKET IS SEPARATING FROM PILAR IN LEFT AND RIGHT DOORS. EVENTUALLY DOOR CAN SEPARATE FROM BODY AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS. THE SEAT BELTS ON THE BENCH SEAT (MID/REAR) ARE NOT WORKING THE BELTS DONT EXTEND ENOUGHT FOR THE OCCUPANTS SIZE OR TO GET TO THE BUCKLE. *AK
19990512STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DOOR BRACKET IS SEPARATING FROM PILAR IN LEFT AND RIGHT DOORS. EVENTUALLY DOOR CAN SEPARATE FROM BODY AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS. THE SEAT BELTS ON THE BENCH SEAT (MID/REAR) ARE NOT WORKING THE BELTS DONT EXTEND ENOUGHT FOR THE OCCUPANTS SIZE OR TO GET TO THE BUCKLE. *AK
19980225FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VEHICLE FILLS WITH GAS FUMES WHEN TANK IS REFILLED.
19970617LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
RECALL # 951001008, OWNER STATES THAT THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACED THE LIFTGATE LATCH ON THE HATCHBACK.
19970424POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION INVOLUNTARILY SLIPPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK INTO A TRASH DUMPSTER, DAMAGING THE LEFT REAR.
19961114LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
HOOD CAME UNLATCHED/FLEW UP.(OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
19960909POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE.
19960909STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
FRONT END PROBLEM CAUSES STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE WHEN DRIVER HITS BUMPS, ALSO HAS POPPING SOUND IN STEERING WHEEL DUE TO FAILED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT.
19960909SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT END PROBLEM CAUSES STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE WHEN DRIVER HITS BUMPS, ALSO HAS POPPING SOUND IN STEERING WHEEL DUE TO FAILED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT.
19960909SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:LEAF
REAR SUSPENSION DOES NOT SUPPORT LOADS PROPERLY, DUE TO INSUFFICIENT SPRING LEAVES.
19960813PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE. *AK
19960813ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE. *AK
19960813VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE. *AK
19960617STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
FRONT SEAT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S MANUAL WINDOW (HANDLES) STICK, COULD RESULT IN ENTRAPMENT UPON EMERGENCY EXIT. *AK
19960411CrashSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STO, IMPACT 6:00 POSITION, PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CLASPED, CAUSING SEATBACK FAILURE. *AK
19951120STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
REMOTE ENTRY NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. DOOR NO LONGER SHUTS. PHASE WILL NOT START FOR ANOTHER MONTH OR SO. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
19950512STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE SLIDING DOOR YOU HAVE TO PUSH IT UP TO CLOSE THE DOOR. TT
19950414STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
HYDRAULIC CYLINDER LIFT STRUTS FAIL, WON'T STAY UP, WILL DESCEND UNEXPECTEDLY, WITHOUT WWARNING TT
19950407LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
REAR LATCH GIVES FALSE LATCHING ALLOWING DOOR TO COME OPEN WHILE IN MOTION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
19950403LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
REAR HATCH IS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE, WILL NOT LATCH FROM TIME TO TIME. TT
Compare 1984DODGECARAVAN to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1984 DODGE CARAVAN have?▼
The 1984 DODGE CARAVAN has 26 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1984 DODGE CARAVAN?▼
The most-complained component for the 1984 DODGE CARAVAN is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1984 DODGE CARAVAN safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.