DODGE CARAVAN · model year

1996 DODGE CARAVAN

2178 NHTSA complaints, 74 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996DODGECARAVAN carries 2178 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 74 crashes, 66 fires, 102 injuries, and 9 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 1996 CARAVAN is air bags with 196 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (138) and electrical system:horn (111). 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 1996 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.

2178
Complaints
74
Crashes
66
Fires
102
Injuries
9
Deaths

Total Complaints

2178 filings

Crashes Reported

74 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS196
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION138
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN111
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL103
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY99
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE88
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER76
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP63
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE63
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH61
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL51
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR49
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP42
UNKNOWN OR OTHER42
CHILD SEAT39

Recent Complaints

20230103FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, he opened the hood and noticed a fuel leak on top of the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact made a local dealer aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20150608CrashSERVICE BRAKES

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE I TOUCHED BREAK AND THE VAN ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE. THE VAN JUMPED THE CURB AND WAS HEADING TOWARD 3 PEOPLE, I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH TO HIT A LIGHT POLE INSTEAD OF THEM. THE VAN QUIT RACING FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN REVVED UP AGAIN. THE LIGHT POLE FELL AND I WAS AGAIN HEADED TOWARD THE PEOPLE. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BREAK AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VAN, BUT NOT BEFORE HITTING THE PEOPLE. LUCKILY THEY WERE JUST BRUISED BECAUSE I JUST BUMPED THEM AND DIDN'T RUN OVER THEM. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. I ALMOST KILLED SOME PEOPLE AND NO LONGER HAVE TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE THE VAN WAS TOTALED.

20150608CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE I TOUCHED BREAK AND THE VAN ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE. THE VAN JUMPED THE CURB AND WAS HEADING TOWARD 3 PEOPLE, I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH TO HIT A LIGHT POLE INSTEAD OF THEM. THE VAN QUIT RACING FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN REVVED UP AGAIN. THE LIGHT POLE FELL AND I WAS AGAIN HEADED TOWARD THE PEOPLE. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BREAK AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VAN, BUT NOT BEFORE HITTING THE PEOPLE. LUCKILY THEY WERE JUST BRUISED BECAUSE I JUST BUMPED THEM AND DIDN'T RUN OVER THEM. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. I ALMOST KILLED SOME PEOPLE AND NO LONGER HAVE TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE THE VAN WAS TOTALED.

20150608CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE I TOUCHED BREAK AND THE VAN ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE. THE VAN JUMPED THE CURB AND WAS HEADING TOWARD 3 PEOPLE, I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH TO HIT A LIGHT POLE INSTEAD OF THEM. THE VAN QUIT RACING FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN REVVED UP AGAIN. THE LIGHT POLE FELL AND I WAS AGAIN HEADED TOWARD THE PEOPLE. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BREAK AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VAN, BUT NOT BEFORE HITTING THE PEOPLE. LUCKILY THEY WERE JUST BRUISED BECAUSE I JUST BUMPED THEM AND DIDN'T RUN OVER THEM. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. I ALMOST KILLED SOME PEOPLE AND NO LONGER HAVE TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE THE VAN WAS TOTALED.

20150508ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE ODOMETER DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V293000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20150508ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE ODOMETER DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V293000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20140129ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE FROM OWNER IN DEC. 2013 AND START HAVING PROBLEM THE OWNER I PURCHASE IT FROM PURCHASE IT FROM A BANK BACK IN 2006. THEY DID KNOW ABOUT AN RECALL OR ETC. ABOUT THIS VEHCLE. THE ELECTRIC HAS PROBLEM AND AIRBAGS, THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AND FUEL INJECTION AND ETC,. WHERE CAN I CAN GET HELP FOR THESE PROBLEMS.ETC.,. *TR

20140129AIR BAGS

I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE FROM OWNER IN DEC. 2013 AND START HAVING PROBLEM THE OWNER I PURCHASE IT FROM PURCHASE IT FROM A BANK BACK IN 2006. THEY DID KNOW ABOUT AN RECALL OR ETC. ABOUT THIS VEHCLE. THE ELECTRIC HAS PROBLEM AND AIRBAGS, THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AND FUEL INJECTION AND ETC,. WHERE CAN I CAN GET HELP FOR THESE PROBLEMS.ETC.,. *TR

20140129FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE FROM OWNER IN DEC. 2013 AND START HAVING PROBLEM THE OWNER I PURCHASE IT FROM PURCHASE IT FROM A BANK BACK IN 2006. THEY DID KNOW ABOUT AN RECALL OR ETC. ABOUT THIS VEHCLE. THE ELECTRIC HAS PROBLEM AND AIRBAGS, THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AND FUEL INJECTION AND ETC,. WHERE CAN I CAN GET HELP FOR THESE PROBLEMS.ETC.,. *TR

20130701STEERING

THIS VEHICLE HAS A CHRONIC DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THROWING ITS SERPENTINE BELT WHENEVER THE TENSION PULLEY GETS WET. SOON AS THE BELT IS THROWN THERE IS NO POWER STEERING, AND IT STEERS 10 TIMES WORSE THAN A MACK TRUCK. THE LACK OF STEERING IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD TO EVERY OTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. AS IT HAPPENS SUDDENLY BY DRIVING THROUGH A WATER PUDDLE, ETC. THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO TIME TO REACT. IN ADDITION TO LACK OF STEERING THERE IS NO ALTERNATOR OUTPUT, RESULTING IN RAPID BATTERY DRAIN. ALSO THERE IS NO COOLANT SYSTEM FAN RESULTING IN RAPID ENGINE OVERHEATING. THIS DESIGN FAULT HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR WELL OVER A DECADE, NO MAKE THAT 2 DECADES, BUT CHRYSLER HAS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM DATES BACK TO ALL CHRYSLER MINI-VAN DESIGNS FROM THE EARLY 1990S TO AT LEAST 2000. IF THE LACK OF STEERING IS NOT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. WE HAVE A USED WHEELCHAIR CONVERSION CARAVAN VAN TO TRANSPORT MY WIFE. THIS LATEST INCIDENT WAS THE PAST SATURDAY NIGHT A

Mileage: 72,000

20130701ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS VEHICLE HAS A CHRONIC DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THROWING ITS SERPENTINE BELT WHENEVER THE TENSION PULLEY GETS WET. SOON AS THE BELT IS THROWN THERE IS NO POWER STEERING, AND IT STEERS 10 TIMES WORSE THAN A MACK TRUCK. THE LACK OF STEERING IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD TO EVERY OTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. AS IT HAPPENS SUDDENLY BY DRIVING THROUGH A WATER PUDDLE, ETC. THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO TIME TO REACT. IN ADDITION TO LACK OF STEERING THERE IS NO ALTERNATOR OUTPUT, RESULTING IN RAPID BATTERY DRAIN. ALSO THERE IS NO COOLANT SYSTEM FAN RESULTING IN RAPID ENGINE OVERHEATING. THIS DESIGN FAULT HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR WELL OVER A DECADE, NO MAKE THAT 2 DECADES, BUT CHRYSLER HAS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM DATES BACK TO ALL CHRYSLER MINI-VAN DESIGNS FROM THE EARLY 1990S TO AT LEAST 2000. IF THE LACK OF STEERING IS NOT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. WE HAVE A USED WHEELCHAIR CONVERSION CARAVAN VAN TO TRANSPORT MY WIFE. THIS LATEST INCIDENT WAS THE PAST SATURDAY NIGHT A

Mileage: 72,000

20130701ENGINE

THIS VEHICLE HAS A CHRONIC DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THROWING ITS SERPENTINE BELT WHENEVER THE TENSION PULLEY GETS WET. SOON AS THE BELT IS THROWN THERE IS NO POWER STEERING, AND IT STEERS 10 TIMES WORSE THAN A MACK TRUCK. THE LACK OF STEERING IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD TO EVERY OTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. AS IT HAPPENS SUDDENLY BY DRIVING THROUGH A WATER PUDDLE, ETC. THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO TIME TO REACT. IN ADDITION TO LACK OF STEERING THERE IS NO ALTERNATOR OUTPUT, RESULTING IN RAPID BATTERY DRAIN. ALSO THERE IS NO COOLANT SYSTEM FAN RESULTING IN RAPID ENGINE OVERHEATING. THIS DESIGN FAULT HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR WELL OVER A DECADE, NO MAKE THAT 2 DECADES, BUT CHRYSLER HAS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM DATES BACK TO ALL CHRYSLER MINI-VAN DESIGNS FROM THE EARLY 1990S TO AT LEAST 2000. IF THE LACK OF STEERING IS NOT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. WE HAVE A USED WHEELCHAIR CONVERSION CARAVAN VAN TO TRANSPORT MY WIFE. THIS LATEST INCIDENT WAS THE PAST SATURDAY NIGHT A

Mileage: 72,000

20110704SUSPENSION:FRONT

STRUT TOWER CORROSION 10090457 RIGHT / LEFT STRUT TOWER RUSTED OUT ON 96 DODGE CARAVAN. TOOK VAN INTO REPAIR SHOP TO FIND OUT STEERING ISSUE THEY FOUND A COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT STRUT HOUSING SAID ITS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH VEHICLE AND SAFETY BULLETIN WAS ISSUED SINCE ITS A KNOWN PROBLEM. SUSPENSION/BODY - STRUT TOWER CORROSION NUMBER: 23-044-02 GROUP: BODY DATE: OCT. 14, 2002 SUBJECT: NS STRUT TOWER CORROSION . *TR

20110518ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR STOP HAVING ELECTRICAL OUTPUT. *TR

Mileage: 141,775

20110218FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM HIS TANK IN LARGE AMOUNTS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TANK AND THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED AND COULD NOT ASSIST HIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 151,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 05/02/11

Mileage: 151,000

20110218FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM HIS TANK IN LARGE AMOUNTS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TANK AND THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED AND COULD NOT ASSIST HIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 151,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 05/02/11

Mileage: 151,000

20100917FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN HE WAS ADVISED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT HAD JUST REFUELED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF A SMALL FIRE FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT A POTENTIAL RECALL ON THE VEHICLE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V216000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY FUEL PUMP). THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT THE DEALER REFUSED REPAIRS BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGES FROM THE SMALL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,398 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,432.

Mileage: 156,398

20100313STEERING

1996 DODGE CARAVAN - RIDICULOUS....ALMOST EVERY PUDDLE MAKES BELT SLIP OFF AND POWER STEERING BECOMES DANGEROUS. THIS IS THE 14TH TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON ALL OF THESE VANS OR A REIMBURSEMENT PLAN FOR THIS OR BETTER YET.... A FREE FINAL FIX!!!!!! *TR

Mileage: 46,000

20091221SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAVE A 1996 DODGE CARAVAN. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED IN JUNE OF 2009. BENDIX BRAKE PADS AND BENDIX ROTORS WERE USED. ON DECEMBER 15, 2009, BOTH BRAKE ROTORS FAILED CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING. WHILE SLOWING DOWN A LOUD BANG CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VAN. THE BRAKES DID NOT FEEL RIGHT AT THIS POINT. WHILE LOOKING FOR A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND STOP, ANOTHER LOUD BANG WAS HEARD. AT THAT POINT THE VAN HAD NO BRAKES. THE VAN WAS STOPPED USING THE PARKING BRAKE. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAD FAILED. THE MIDDLE HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ROTOR. THE FAILURE WAS THE SAME IN BOTH ROTORS. NO OTHER DAMAGE WAS PRESENT ON THE VAN. BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACE ON THE VAN TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I STILL HAVE THE OLD ROTORS. *TR

20091221EQUIPMENT

I HAVE A 1996 DODGE CARAVAN. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED IN JUNE OF 2009. BENDIX BRAKE PADS AND BENDIX ROTORS WERE USED. ON DECEMBER 15, 2009, BOTH BRAKE ROTORS FAILED CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING. WHILE SLOWING DOWN A LOUD BANG CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VAN. THE BRAKES DID NOT FEEL RIGHT AT THIS POINT. WHILE LOOKING FOR A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND STOP, ANOTHER LOUD BANG WAS HEARD. AT THAT POINT THE VAN HAD NO BRAKES. THE VAN WAS STOPPED USING THE PARKING BRAKE. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAD FAILED. THE MIDDLE HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ROTOR. THE FAILURE WAS THE SAME IN BOTH ROTORS. NO OTHER DAMAGE WAS PRESENT ON THE VAN. BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACE ON THE VAN TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I STILL HAVE THE OLD ROTORS. *TR

Compare 1996DODGECARAVAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 DODGE CARAVAN have?
The 1996 DODGE CARAVAN has 2178 NHTSA complaints, 74 crashes, 66 fires, 102 injuries, and 9 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 DODGE CARAVAN?
The most-complained component for the 1996 DODGE CARAVAN is AIR BAGS with 196 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN.
Is the 1996 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.