Total Complaints
1229 filings
DODGE CARAVAN · model year
1229 NHTSA complaints, 87 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1993DODGECARAVAN carries 1229 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 87 crashes, 7 fires, 110 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 1993 CARAVAN is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 258 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (76) and seat belts:front:anchorage (62). 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 1993 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.
Total Complaints
1229 filings
Crashes Reported
87 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 258 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 76 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 62 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP | 46 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 41 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 32 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 31 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 24 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 23 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 23 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 22 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 22 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 19 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 19 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 19 |
TIE RODS WENT IN THE FRONT. BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC I LOST THE BRAKES. PULLED OVER AND CALLED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED IN. MECHANIC SAID THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED REPLACEMENT BUT BECAUSE ABS BRAKES, A NEW CYLINDER CANNOT BE FOUND. DODGE STOPPED MAKING THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE FAULTY.
Mileage: 145,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CHECKED THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. THE CODES WERE CLEARED AND THE DEALER PERFORMED A MODULATOR CIRCUIT TEST AND ADDITIONAL TESTING. IF THE RESISTANCE WAS BELOW 5 OHMS, THE CAB ABS MODULE, DUAL PRESSURE SWITCH, AND THE ACCUMULATOR MAY NEED TO BE RECHECKED OR THE PARTS MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BE ABLE TO SUPPLY THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WOULD NOT RELEASE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT GOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE FAILURES WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA94028 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILU
Mileage: 240,000
I JUST FOUND OUT, THAT A RECALL THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE REPLACED YEARS AGO, AS NOT REPLACED, JUST LOOKED AT. THE ABS ON THIS VAN IS KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE, AND HAS A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON THE VAN. I CONTACTED DODGE, AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT, AND TELL ME THEY CANT DIAGNOIS IT BECAUSE THEY DONT HAVE A TOOL. WITH IS BS. THEY OFFER TO BUY THE VAN AT BELOW MARKET VALUE, LIKE 1/3 OF WHAT ITS WORTH. THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE, SPECIAL EQUIPMENT HANDI CAP VAN, WORTH ATLEAST 6K... THEY OFFER 1951. I IM MOSTLY UPSET BECAUSE UPON THE ORIGINAL RECALL, IT WAS NOT REPLACED, AND WAS LEFT ALONE WITH THE ORIGINAL DEFECTED PART. I THINK THAT IS FRAUD, AND AGAINST WHAT A RECALL IS ABOUT. PLESE CHECK INTO THIS, OR ADVISE WHAT CAN BE DONE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED FIRMLY IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000. UPDATED 10/23/2014*LJ UPDATED 05/21/2015 *JS
Mileage: 169,000
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AT RANDOM TIMES THE ABS SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON AND THEN I HAVE NO BRAKES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS, SEEN VARIOUS MECHANICS AND DEALERSHIPS AND IT CONTINUES TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE OR FIX THE PROBLEM. AS A SENIOR CITIZEN, I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO PURCHASE A NEWER VEHICLE, THUS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I AM AFRAID THAT I MAY NOT BE AS FORTUNATE WHEN THE BRAKES GO OUT AGAIN. *TR
Mileage: 130,000
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AT RANDOM TIMES THE ABS SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON AND THEN I HAVE NO BRAKES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS, SEEN VARIOUS MECHANICS AND DEALERSHIPS AND IT CONTINUES TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE OR FIX THE PROBLEM. AS A SENIOR CITIZEN, I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO PURCHASE A NEWER VEHICLE, THUS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I AM AFRAID THAT I MAY NOT BE AS FORTUNATE WHEN THE BRAKES GO OUT AGAIN. *TR
Mileage: 130,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND UNTIL THE PEDAL REACHED THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE FOUND THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 96V099000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE RECALL REPAIR HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY DONE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE NOT NOT BE INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Mileage: 145,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN APPLIED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Mileage: 200,000
THE PAINT JOB IS DEFECTIVE. THE PAINT HAS PEELED AND THE VAN IS RUSTING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED UNTIL COMPLETELY FAILING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Mileage: 32,000
I OWN A 1993 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN.. I DISCOVERED A FACTORY RECALL THROUGH ODI PERTAINING TO THE SPECIFIC NAMED VEHICLE CONCERNING SERVICE BRAKES,HYDRAULIC : ANTILOCK BRAKES THAT SPECIFY SUMMARY. CONSEQUENCE .REMEDY AND NOTES; STATING THAT IF THERE ARE ANY EXISTING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY THAT THERE EXISTS A LIFETIME COVERAGE TO THE OWNER OF SAID VEHICLE. IN SHORT . CHRYSLER -DODGE AND OR ANY LOCAL VEHICLE DEALERSHIPS REPRESENTING SAID MANUFACTURER WILL NOT HONOR THIS RECALL. WHAT IS THE SOLUTION NOW ? DOES THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAVE THE SOLUTION TO ENFORCING THE MANUFACTURER AND /OR A LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPRESENTING SAID MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR A FACTORY DEFECT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 96V099000 AS PER ODI PRINT OUT FROM WEBSITE. DOES THIS RECALL APPLY TO MY VEHICLE AND OR ALL DODGE GRAND CARAVANS OF THIS MANUFACTURER DATES OR NOT ? IS THIS RECALL NOTIFICATION VALID AND IF SO IS IT ENFORCEABLE. I AM TIRED OF
Mileage: 79,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK). THREE YEARS LATER, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE ABS SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Mileage: 74,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE CARAVAN. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTI-LOCK). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR ANOTHER DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONSIDERING INCLUDING THE RECENT FAILURE IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WAS DENIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FREE RECALL REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,338.
Mileage: 148,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 50 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ELECTRIC PUMP CONTINUED TO CYCLE. THE BRAKES HARDENED AND FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE BOTH FEET AND MASSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
Mileage: 119,000
REFERENCE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V099000. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM DODGE/CHRYSLER ABOUT THIS DEFECT. NEVERTHELESS, BY COINCIDENCE ON 03/05/1998 I BROUGHT THE 1993 DODGE CARAVAN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ABS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THE DEALER DID NOT APPLY THE RECALL REMEDY AND CLAIMED THAT THE ABS WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE.*AK ON APRIL 20, 2007 I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO CENTER AGAIN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ABS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING A DEFECTIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY, AND INFORMED ME ABOUT THE REFERENCED RECALL CAMPAIGN. ON JUNE 6, 2007 I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE TATE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REFERENCED CAMPAIGN. I THEN TELEPHONED CHRYSLER TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE PREVIOUS ABS DIAGNOSTIC EXPENSE AND CHRYSLER REFUSED THE REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT PERFORMED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE REIMBUR
Mileage: 158,158
I HAVE A 93 DODGE CARAVAN SE AND I HEARD SOME NOISE COMING FROM THE ABS WHICH I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL FOR ANTI- LOCK BRAKES. I'VE HAD THE VAN FOR LESS THAN A YEAR. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE BANK WITH 4 OUT OF THE 7 CHILDREN I HAVE WHEN THE ABS STOPPED WORKING WHICH MADE IT COMPLETELY HARD TO STOP. I ALMOST RAN INTO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHILE TRYING TO GET MY CHILDREN HOME SAFELY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ACCUMULATOR. NOW THE STORY HAS CHANGED AND THEY SAID ONLY THE PUMP WAS RECALLED. SO THE ABS IS NOT FIXED. I FEEL THAT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THAT VEHICLE TO BE ON THE ROAD WITH THE ABS SYSTEM FAILING WHILE DRIVING 60 TO 70 MPH. *JB
TL*- THE CONTACT RECEIVED 96V099000 RECALL FOR ANTI LOCK BRAKES ON 04/19/1996. ON 12/18/01 HE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BRAKES FAILED AGAIN ON 12/2006, AND HE HAD TO WAIT 1 MONTH BEFORE PARTS CAME IN. HE WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER OF WESTER VW DODGE THAT THEY WERE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. ALTHOUGH, THE DEALERSHIP ORDERED THE PARTS THEY TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE GOING TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER DEALERSHIP CALLED AND TOLD HIM C THAT THE REPAIRS WERE DONE, AND THAT ONLY 1 PART WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAS TO PAY OVER $900.00 TO HAVE THE BRAKE REPAIRS DONE THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE PART OF THE RECALL, AND DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY HE HAS TO PAY FOR THE RECALL WORK. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED ONLY CERTAIN PARTS WERE COVERED UNDER RECALL. UPDATED 02/22/07.*JB
Mileage: 199,543
CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE SAFETY RECALL ON 1993 CARAVAN. *TS THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE ADEQUATELY. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED ABOUT A RECALL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY OF THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE (WIPER PIVOT RECALL, BELT BUCKLE CLIP RECALL, LIFT GATE SUPPORT RECALL). OCT 12 THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE BRAKES STILL WERNT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER GOT THEW CAR BACK N NOV 14, AFTER SIX WEEKS. *NM
CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE SAFETY RECALL ON 1993 CARAVAN. *TS THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE ADEQUATELY. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED ABOUT A RECALL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY OF THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE (WIPER PIVOT RECALL, BELT BUCKLE CLIP RECALL, LIFT GATE SUPPORT RECALL). OCT 12 THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE BRAKES STILL WERNT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER GOT THEW CAR BACK N NOV 14, AFTER SIX WEEKS. *NM
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.