DODGE CARAVAN · model year

1992 DODGE CARAVAN

1126 NHTSA complaints, 60 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992DODGECARAVAN carries 1126 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 60 crashes, 14 fires, 50 injuries, and 6 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 1992 CARAVAN is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 202 filings, followed by seat belts:front:anchorage (106) and power train:automatic transmission (86). 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 1992 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.

1126
Complaints
60
Crashes
14
Fires
50
Injuries
6
Deaths

Total Complaints

1126 filings

Crashes Reported

60 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP202
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE106
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION86
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP44
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE38
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS29
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY29
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR28
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR26
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT23
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK23
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS22
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL21
SEAT BELTS17
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL16

Recent Complaints

20170302SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKES STOPPED WORKING IN MIDDLE OF DRIVING ALMOST CAUSE A CAR ACCIDENT. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM AND THEY DID A RECALL ON THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. WOULD JUST LIKE TO BRING IT IN TO GET IT FIXED.

Mileage: 149,000

20170302ENGINE

BRAKES STOPPED WORKING IN MIDDLE OF DRIVING ALMOST CAUSE A CAR ACCIDENT. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM AND THEY DID A RECALL ON THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. WOULD JUST LIKE TO BRING IT IN TO GET IT FIXED.

Mileage: 149,000

20151215SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE A 1992 DODGE CARAVAN SUBJECT TO RECALL 685 NHTSA # 96V099000. THE ANTILOCK BENDIX 10 ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ONCE . IT NOW NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN . ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND PUMP RUNS EXCESSIVELY. ALL INHERENT TO THE PROBLEMS ADDRESSED ABOVE . THE DEALER IS CLAIMING TO NO NOTHING ABOUT THE LIFETIME WARRENTY ON THIS SYSTEM INDICATED IN THE RECALL DOCUMENTATION ON THIS SITE . I NEED SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO RECONTACT CHRYSLER WITH TO FORCE THE TO DO THE REQUIRED REPAIRS.

20151022SERVICE BRAKES

REPEATED PULLEY AND THEN BELT FAILURE CAUSING STEERING AND BREAKING TROUBLE. REPAIRS DO NOT LAST. LOCAL DEALERS DON'T HAVE LASER ALIGNMENT TOOL TO CHECK ALIGNMENT. THE INTERNET IS FILLED WITH BELTS FLYING OFF BECAUSE OF RAIN OR SLUSH IN THIS VEHICLE, MY PULLEYS JUST DISINTEGRATE WITH OUT THE WATER. THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF AFTERMARKET SOLUTIONS BUT THEY SEEM HIT OR MISS. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN BY GRAND MOTHER WITH THE GRAND CHILDREN ABOARD FAR ENOUGH AWAY FOR A $150.00 TOW BILL. ITS LUCKY SO FARE ITS BEEN ON CITY STREETS AND AT LOW ENOUGH SPEEDS THAT A PLACE TO SAFELY PULL OVER CAN BE FOUND. THE PULLEYS THAT SEEM TO FAIL ARE THE IDLER AND THE TENSIONER PULLEYS. THIS 3.3 ENGINE IS WELL MAINTAINED WITH 145,000 MILES. THOUGH IT SEEMS THAT MILLAGE DOES NOT MATTER WHEN IT COMES TO PULLEY ISSUES.

Mileage: 145,000

20151022ENGINE

REPEATED PULLEY AND THEN BELT FAILURE CAUSING STEERING AND BREAKING TROUBLE. REPAIRS DO NOT LAST. LOCAL DEALERS DON'T HAVE LASER ALIGNMENT TOOL TO CHECK ALIGNMENT. THE INTERNET IS FILLED WITH BELTS FLYING OFF BECAUSE OF RAIN OR SLUSH IN THIS VEHICLE, MY PULLEYS JUST DISINTEGRATE WITH OUT THE WATER. THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF AFTERMARKET SOLUTIONS BUT THEY SEEM HIT OR MISS. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN BY GRAND MOTHER WITH THE GRAND CHILDREN ABOARD FAR ENOUGH AWAY FOR A $150.00 TOW BILL. ITS LUCKY SO FARE ITS BEEN ON CITY STREETS AND AT LOW ENOUGH SPEEDS THAT A PLACE TO SAFELY PULL OVER CAN BE FOUND. THE PULLEYS THAT SEEM TO FAIL ARE THE IDLER AND THE TENSIONER PULLEYS. THIS 3.3 ENGINE IS WELL MAINTAINED WITH 145,000 MILES. THOUGH IT SEEMS THAT MILLAGE DOES NOT MATTER WHEN IT COMES TO PULLEY ISSUES.

Mileage: 145,000

20151022STEERING

REPEATED PULLEY AND THEN BELT FAILURE CAUSING STEERING AND BREAKING TROUBLE. REPAIRS DO NOT LAST. LOCAL DEALERS DON'T HAVE LASER ALIGNMENT TOOL TO CHECK ALIGNMENT. THE INTERNET IS FILLED WITH BELTS FLYING OFF BECAUSE OF RAIN OR SLUSH IN THIS VEHICLE, MY PULLEYS JUST DISINTEGRATE WITH OUT THE WATER. THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF AFTERMARKET SOLUTIONS BUT THEY SEEM HIT OR MISS. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN BY GRAND MOTHER WITH THE GRAND CHILDREN ABOARD FAR ENOUGH AWAY FOR A $150.00 TOW BILL. ITS LUCKY SO FARE ITS BEEN ON CITY STREETS AND AT LOW ENOUGH SPEEDS THAT A PLACE TO SAFELY PULL OVER CAN BE FOUND. THE PULLEYS THAT SEEM TO FAIL ARE THE IDLER AND THE TENSIONER PULLEYS. THIS 3.3 ENGINE IS WELL MAINTAINED WITH 145,000 MILES. THOUGH IT SEEMS THAT MILLAGE DOES NOT MATTER WHEN IT COMES TO PULLEY ISSUES.

Mileage: 145,000

20130807SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM PUMP AND MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 279,000.

Mileage: 279,000

20130315SERVICE BRAKES

SECOND TIME, NO BRAKES NO TRAVEL OF PEDAL. SEEMS LIKE DIFFERENT BRAKES WOULD BE IN ORDER. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20120123SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO APPLY HEAVY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL DURING THE FAILURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

Mileage: 68,000

20110406SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

HELLO, I HAVE A ABS RECALL DONE AND IT WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY AND CAUSED MY VAN TO ALMOST GO OF THE ROAD, THE DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND SAID TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE, I NEED HELP WITH THIS. E-MAIL COPIES ATTACHED: [XXX], MY NAME IS [XXX], I LIVE IN COTTAGE GROVE AND HAD OUR DODGE CARAVAN'S ABS BRAKES REPAIRED AT YOUR DEALERSHIP AND WE HAVE A MAJOR ISSUE CONCERNING THE REPETITIVE AND INCOMPETENT REPAIRS DONE AT YOUR FACILITY. CHRYSLER'S SAFETY DEFECT REPORT # (96V-099), NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V099000 TO BE SPECIFIC. A PDF FILE OF THIS IS ATTACHED FOR YOUR VIEWING, PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS LETTER AND THEN THE CAMPAIGN PDF COMPLETELY, THE ODI RESUME DATED 6-24-1996 PAGE 39 SUMS IT UP QUICKLY. THIS WILL HELP YOU AND YOUR SERVICE MANAGERS ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS AND YOUR FAILURE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS CORRECTLY. AN INCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE TAKEN THE LIVES OR CAUSE INJURY TO ALL MY CHILDREN, MAYBE ANOTHER VEHICLE AND PASSENGERS OCCURRED. T

Mileage: 271,000

20100319SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT IS UPSET BECAUSE HE HAS HAD HIS BRAKES REPAIRED TWICE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THE CONTACT JUST FOUND OUT THERE WAS AN RECALL ON HIS YEAR/MAKE AND MODEL. HE INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE WITH THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY COVER THE EXPENSES IF THE CONTACT VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 40MPH AND THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT PUT ON HIS EMERGENCY BRAKES AND PULLED OVER. HE LATER DROVE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159733.

Mileage: 110,000

20081216SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 55 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND FOUND IT TO BE EXTREMELY STIFF. THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE AND HE EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY WITH GREAT FORCE. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE ABS FAILURES (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V099000), THE DEALER WOULD NOT MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED. THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE EFFECTIVE UNLESS THE CONTACT PAID TO HAVE THE BRAKE LINE REPLACED AT THE ESTIMATED COST OF $700. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 199,000.

Mileage: 199,000

20081021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. THE ABS WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, WHICH EXTENDED THE STOPPING DISTANCE. THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE WORN ABS PUMP AND PISTON. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THERE WAS A PRIOR RECALL DEFECT REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY HAS NOT CORRECTED THE SAFETY DEFECT. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,250 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 215,000. UPDATED 11/19/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN THOUGH HE WAS NOT CHARGED, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE BRAKE. UPDATED 11/19/08. *JB

Mileage: 197,250

20070323SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

1992 DODGE CARAVAN CUSTOMER STATES THAT NO LETTER REGARDING RECALL ON BRAKES WAS SENT. CUSTOMER ALSO PAID TO HAVE CAR FIXED AND IT TOOK 3 DEALERSHIPS TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED RIGHT**CC *JB

Mileage: 86,251

20070226SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT KNEW THERE WAS A RECALL, AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT OPERATING NORMALLY. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS UNTIL THE CONTACT PAID A FEE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC PUMP AND PISTON ASSEMBLY AND A BLEEDING THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND THEY STATED THE CONTACT SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. AFTER PERFORMING THE REPAIRS THE MECHANIC STATED THEY DIDN'T HONOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE HYDRAULIC UNIT FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 142,000. THE MECHANIC AND SERVICE ADVISER REQUESTED THE CONTACT LEAVE THE PROPERTY AFTER HE ADVISED THEM THAT THE REPAIR WASN'T COMPLETE AND CONFIRMED WITH THEM THE INITIALS LISTED ON THE PARTS TO BE REPLACED WERE STILL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACTS INVOICE STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE REPLACED. *AK

Mileage: 142,000

20061108STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE COUPLING BOLT FRACTURED ON THE STEERING WHEEL. A NHTSA RECALL, #92V015000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING STEERING: WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL.

Mileage: 190,000

20061016SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LEAKED BRAKE FLUID, REQUIRING EXTREME FORCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL #96V099000 WHICH PERTAINS TO THE ANTILOCK SERVICE BRAKES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ABS PUMP AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY, WHICH TEMPORARILY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS DUE TO A LACK OF PARTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR 2 MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 10/31/2006 - THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED FOR O-RING LEAK. *NM

Mileage: 161,000

20060327TIRES:TREAD/BELT

THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BRIDGESTONE DUELER APT LT195-75-14 BELT SEPARATED AND RIPPED OFF THE TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER AND SHATTERING THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT. *JB

20050823SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT: THE CONTACT TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS FOR THE ABS SEVERAL TIMES AND IT NEVER HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REPAIRED. THE ABS BRAKES DID NOT STOP VEHICLE QUICKLY ENOUGH. WHEN THE PUMP WORKED IT PUMPED FLUID OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER WORKED ON VEHICLE 1-2 MONTHS AGO. THEY REPLACED A PRESSURE PUMP, BUT WERE WAITING ON THE REST OF THE PARTS TO FIX THE CAR. . THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONTACT IT WOULD BE ANOTHER 2-4 MONTHS BEFORE THE PARTS CAME IN. THE CONSUMER CITED RECALL 96V099000 ON THE BRAKES A LONG TIME AGO. HE TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS, AND THEY TOLD HIM THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR.*AK

Mileage: 98,000

20050721SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT: CONSUMER BOUGHT USED DODGE CARAVAN WITH 108, 000 MILES. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE HAS 112, 000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND DEALER FOUND THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT/ABS PUMP MOTOR WERE FAULTY. BOTH COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED UNDER RECALL 685, ON MAY 5, 2002, VEHICLE HAD 88, 199 MILES ON IT. THEY REPLACED FAILED COMPONENTS WITH REBUILT EQUIPMENT. HOWEVE, VEHICLE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, AND THE PEDAL WAS STIFF. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH CHARLOTTE NORTH CAROLINA BRAKES WENT OUT. ON ABOUT JULY 7, 2005. FRIEND AT DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE CONTROL UNIT FOR ABS WAS ABOUT $2000. CONSUMER HAS NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO FIX VEHICLE DUE TO EXCESSIVE COST. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TOLD THAT THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WA SLEAKING AND CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 112,000

Compare 1992DODGECARAVAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 DODGE CARAVAN have?
The 1992 DODGE CARAVAN has 1126 NHTSA complaints, 60 crashes, 14 fires, 50 injuries, and 6 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 DODGE CARAVAN?
The most-complained component for the 1992 DODGE CARAVAN is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 202 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1992 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.