IllustrationTHE FAILURE OCCURRED AT FAIRLY LOW SPEED AND IT WAS POSSIBLE TO AVERT A REAREND COLLISION. THE PARKING BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE THE FAILURE. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A VERY BAD FAILURE AT HIGHER SPEED. *AK
1993 Dodge Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Caravan years
Owner complaints for the 1993 Dodge Caravan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Caravan years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 39 of 949 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 321 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 114 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
68 crash reports7 fire reports56 injury reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
321 reportsRECALL 96V99 000. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *AK
IF I GET THESE THINGS FIXED, I WILL BE ON MY SIXTH TRANSMISSION AND THIRD ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM!. *AK
THE ENGINE STALLS COMPLETLY WHEN GOING AT ANY SPEED WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO SLOW DOWN OR TURNING, HAS DONE THIS SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW, HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SEVERAL CHECKUPS AND THE DEALER CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THIS CONSTANTLY PERSISTS AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BEACAUSE I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL PE…
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THE ENGINE STALLS COMPLETLY WHEN GOING AT ANY SPEED WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO SLOW DOWN OR TURNING, HAS DONE THIS SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW, HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SEVERAL CHECKUPS AND THE DEALER CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THIS CONSTANTLY PERSISTS AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BEACAUSE I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO PURCHASED THE SAME VEHICLES IN 1993, 1994 AND 1995. THESE PEOPLE JUST SOLD THEIR CARS OR TRADED IN TO GET RID OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS AN APPARENT ENGINE DEFECT THAT CHRYSLER MADE THESE CARS DURING THESE YEARS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, THIS CAN AND WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS.*AK
WHEN DRIVING ABS WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE, IT HAPPENS/ IT SPURTS. WHEN IT HAPPENS, THERE IS NO RESPONSE FROM BRAKES WHEN PEDAL IS APPLIED.DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
PRIOR COMPLAINT WAS FILED AROUND 10/02/00 REPORTING MULTIPLE BRAKES FAILURES AFTER YEARS OF INTERMITTENT ABS PROBLEMS. MY VAN WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS TO THE ABS SYSTEM. I PICKED UP SAID VEHICLE ABOUT 4:30 P.M. ON OCTOBER 11TH FROM BILL BRYAN WHERE THEY HAD REPLACED THE ABS PUMP AND PISTON PACKAGE ALONG WITH THE ABS PUMP RELA…
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PRIOR COMPLAINT WAS FILED AROUND 10/02/00 REPORTING MULTIPLE BRAKES FAILURES AFTER YEARS OF INTERMITTENT ABS PROBLEMS. MY VAN WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS TO THE ABS SYSTEM. I PICKED UP SAID VEHICLE ABOUT 4:30 P.M. ON OCTOBER 11TH FROM BILL BRYAN WHERE THEY HAD REPLACED THE ABS PUMP AND PISTON PACKAGE ALONG WITH THE ABS PUMP RELAY. BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON THE BRAKES FAILED ON HWY 27 WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WAL-MART WITH THREE CHILDREN IN THE VAN, AGES 5 MONTHS, 9 YEARS OF AGE AND 11 YEARS OF AGE. THE ABS LIGHT FLICKERED FOR AWHILE AND ALL BRAKING WAS LOST. SHE CREEPED HOME AT AROUND 20 MPH WHERE SHE PICKED ME UP FROM WORK. WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT MY WORK THE ABS BRAKES HAD STARTED BACK WORKING AGAIN. I CALLED THE CHYRSLER DEALERSHIP WHERE THE WORK WAS DONE AND LEFT A HEATED MESSAGE ON THEIR VOICE MAIL SINCE I WAS GREATLY UPSET BY THE RISK MY FAMILY HAD BEEN PLACED IN. I TOLD THEM I WAS DRIVING THE VAN TO THEM. THE BRAKES WERE OPERATIONAL FOR ABOUT 5 MILES BUT AFTER THE ABS WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED ON AND OFF THE LIGHTS STAYED ON AND THE BRAKES WERE GONE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD AT THE TIME I DROPPED THIS VEHICLE OFF AT BILL BRYAN APPROXIMATELY 48 HRS AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE.*AK
VEHICLE PURCHASED 9/93 WITH UNDER 10,000 MILES ON IT. SYSTEMATIC PROBLEMS WITH ABS BRAKES SINCE DAY 1(LIGHTS WHICH COME ON WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED ON WOULD STAY ON OR COME ON DURING ROUTINE DRIVING.) ABS REPAIRS(MTR ASSEMBLY AND PISTON KIT) MADE AT 55923 MILES AT BILL BRYAN IN LEESBURG, FL.MONEY SPENT REFUNDED TO ME. AFTER R…
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VEHICLE PURCHASED 9/93 WITH UNDER 10,000 MILES ON IT. SYSTEMATIC PROBLEMS WITH ABS BRAKES SINCE DAY 1(LIGHTS WHICH COME ON WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED ON WOULD STAY ON OR COME ON DURING ROUTINE DRIVING.) ABS REPAIRS(MTR ASSEMBLY AND PISTON KIT) MADE AT 55923 MILES AT BILL BRYAN IN LEESBURG, FL.MONEY SPENT REFUNDED TO ME. AFTER REPAIR ,LIGHTS CONTINUED TO COME ON/STAY ON WITH INTERMITTENT HARDNESS IN BRAKING.CAME TO ACCEPT THIS AS "NORMAL" AS THERE WAS NO ACCOMPANYING BRAKE FAILURE. CHRYSLER EXTENDED ABS WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES. HAD ABS SYSTEM CHECKED AS MILEAGE APPROACHED 100,000. ABS "FUNCTIONING PROPERLY." 4 EPISODES LAST 2 MONTHS WHERE ABS LIGHTS CAME ON WITH BRAKE FAILURE . 1ST TIME 3RD WEEK IN AUG. 2000 . TRAVELLING 30MPH CAME TO STOP SIGN SLID INTO THE MIDDLE HIGHWAY AS I TRIED TO STOP.REPLACED 3 DIFFERENT ABS BRAKE RELAY SWITCHES. WEEK LATER DURING A RAIN ABS LIGHTS CAME ON. HAD TO STAND ON BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE SAT UNTIL I COULD GET IT LOOKED AT. BRAKES STARTED WORKING ON THEIR OWN. .9/4/00 ABS LIGHTS CAME ON DURING RAIN, NO BRAKES. MECHANIC DRIVES VAN TO BUSHNELL AUTO CARE .( ABS NOT WORKING)ABS WORKING BY TIME SHOP IS REACHED & VAN IS HOOKED FOR DIAGNOSTICS. VAN KEPT 2 WKS & DRIVEN 300 MILES NO ABS LIGHTS COME ON OR ABS FAILURE. COMPUTER SHOWED NO PROBLEM WITH ABS. ALL CONNECTIONS CLEANED AND INTACT. VAN HOSED DOUSED WITH WATER TO SEE IF THAT MIGHT BE PROBLEM. TOLD TO BRING VAN BACK IN WITHOUT CUTTING IT OFF SHOULD ABS FAILURE OCCUR AGAIN SO IT CAN BE HOOKED UP TO COMPUTER. VAN PICKED UP 9/16/00. 9/29/00 ABS LIGHTS COME ON AT 8:30 P.M . BRAKE FAILURE. SHOP IS CLOSED. THOROUGHLY UPSET.. NEED SUGGESTIONS/HELP IN SOLVING PROBLEM. *AK
96 V 099 000/BRAKE:HYDRAULIC:ABS: VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH BRAKES LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT WOULD BOTH COME ON, AND CAUSES BRAKES FAILURE. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP FOR RECALL REPAIRS, BUT PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND AFTER REPAIR IS USUALLY FAILING AGAIN ABOUT EVERY 6 MONTHS. NLM
VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSE TO BE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, IT APPEARED THAT REPAIRS WERE INEFFECTIVE BECAUSE THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED. DEALER HAS REPAIRED ABS BRAKES ONCE MORE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS, BUT CHARGED CONSUMER.*AK
Official recalls
800V305000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
Oct 12, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH 2-SPOKE LUXURY WHEELS MANUFACTURED JULY 1992 THROUGH JUNE 1993; OR EQUIPPED WITH 4-SPOKE SPORT WHEELS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1992 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1993. THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR CRACKS AND ANY WHEELS WITH CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.
99V213000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments
Sep 2, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.
99V189000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
Jul 16, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LEFT HAND WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT DRIVE ARM WAS NOT MECHANICALLY STAKED TO THE PIVOT SHAFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE DRIVE ARM TO DISENGAGE FROM THE SHAFT LEADING TO A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT HAND SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT ASSEMBLY.
99V113000 · Air Bags
May 6, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE WIRING THAT INITIATES THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD ELECTRICALLY SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. A SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND THAT EXISTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "ON" OR "START" POSITION CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG(S) TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN INJURE A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ANY SHORT CIRCUITS IDENTIFIED IN EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INITIATOR WIRE CIRCUIT WILL BE REPAIRED.
97V148000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Sep 9, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. COVERS ON THE SOLID STALK MOUNTED SEAT BELT BUCKLES CAN BECOME DISLODGED CAUSING THE RELEASE BUTTON TO STICK INSIDE THE COVER. THE BUCKLE WOULD THEN BE ONLY PARTIALLY LATCHED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COVER RETAINING CLIP TO THE STALK MOUNTED BUCKLE COVER TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF THE BUCKLE COVER.
97V149000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Sep 9, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. THE CENTER REAR SEAT, RIGHT OUTBOARD SIDE, SAFETY BELT ANCHOR HOOK CAN BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE BODY ANCHOR POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ANCHOR HOOK RETAINING CLIP WITH A REVISED PROFILE CLIP AND A COVER PLATE.
96V099000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Jun 13, 1996
THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION COULD BE LOST AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. ALSO THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL ALSO BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.
93V098000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Jun 4, 1993
THE 15 INCH WHEELS HAVE MALFORMED LUG NUT SEAT CONFIGURATION WHICH CAUSES POOR NUT-TO-WHEEL CONTACT AND CENTERING OF THE WHEEL DURING INSTALLATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: POOR NUT-TO-WHEEL CONTACT DURING INSTALLATION CAN LEAD TOPOSSIBLE LOSS OF A WHEEL, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: THE ROAD AND SPARE WHEELS WITH THE MALFORMED LUG NUT SEAT CONFIGURATION WILL BE REPLACED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
13DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
RQ00011 · Steering Wheel Separation
Opened May 1, 2000 · Closed Apr 1, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
There is no summary currently available
Steering
There is no summary currently available
RQ99004 · Rear Liftgate Support
Opened Apr 19, 1999 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut
ON MAY 7, 1997, CHRYSLER FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL 436,000 1992 DODGE CARAVAN/GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER/GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 97V-079.ODI HAD INVESTIGATION THE REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT PROBLEM FOR 1991-1993 CHRYSLER MINIVANS IN PE 96-035 AND EA96-027.AT THE TIME OF CLOSING EA96-027 ON MAY 16, 1997, A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAD NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED ON THE 1991 AND 1993 MODELS.SINCE THE CLOSING OF EA96-027, ODI HAS RECEIVED 34 COMPLAINTS OF REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT ATTACHING BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TEN INJURIES, ON THE SUBJECET VEHICLES.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A RECALL QUERY BE OPENED TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURES ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.CLOSING NOTE: ON JULY 19, 1999, DAMILERCHRYSLER AGREED TO RECALL 1991, 1993, AND 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES TO REMEDY REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 99V-213.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT RQ99-004 BE CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut
ON MAY 7, 1997, CHRYSLER FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL 436,000 1992 DODGE CARAVAN/GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER/GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 97V-079.ODI HAD INVESTIGATION THE REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT PROBLEM FOR 1991-1993 CHRYSLER MINIVANS IN PE 96-035 AND EA96-027.AT THE TIME OF CLOSING EA96-027 ON MAY 16, 1997, A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAD NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED ON THE 1991 AND 1993 MODELS.SINCE THE CLOSING OF EA96-027, ODI HAS RECEIVED 34 COMPLAINTS OF REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT ATTACHING BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TEN INJURIES, ON THE SUBJECET VEHICLES.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A RECALL QUERY BE OPENED TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURES ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.CLOSING NOTE: ON JULY 19, 1999, DAMILERCHRYSLER AGREED TO RECALL 1991, 1993, AND 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES TO REMEDY REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 99V-213.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT RQ99-004 BE CLOSED.
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut
ON MAY 7, 1997, CHRYSLER FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL 436,000 1992 DODGE CARAVAN/GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER/GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 97V-079.ODI HAD INVESTIGATION THE REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT PROBLEM FOR 1991-1993 CHRYSLER MINIVANS IN PE 96-035 AND EA96-027.AT THE TIME OF CLOSING EA96-027 ON MAY 16, 1997, A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAD NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED ON THE 1991 AND 1993 MODELS.SINCE THE CLOSING OF EA96-027, ODI HAS RECEIVED 34 COMPLAINTS OF REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT ATTACHING BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TEN INJURIES, ON THE SUBJECET VEHICLES.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A RECALL QUERY BE OPENED TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURES ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.CLOSING NOTE: ON JULY 19, 1999, DAMILERCHRYSLER AGREED TO RECALL 1991, 1993, AND 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES TO REMEDY REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 99V-213.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT RQ99-004 BE CLOSED.
EA97020 · Front Windshield Wiper
Opened Sep 30, 1997 · Closed Jul 27, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ALLEGED FAILURES OF WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS
EA97005 · Safety Belt Anchorage Failures
Opened Apr 10, 1997 · Closed Dec 23, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
There is no summary currently available
PE97013 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened Apr 2, 1997 · Closed Sep 30, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ALLEGED WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL WHILE IN USE
DP97001 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened Mar 12, 1997 · Closed Apr 2, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT A DEFECT INVESTIGATION ON WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE ON 1989 AND LATER CHRYSLER MODELS WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SPIRIT/ACCLAIM: DYNASTY/NEW YORKER/LANDAU; LANCE/LEBARON; SHADOW/SUNDANCE; CARAVAN/VOYAGER.HOWEVER, BASED ON ODI'S COMPLAINT RECORDS, ONLY CERTAIN MINIVANS WILL BE INVESTIGATED
EA96027 · Alleged Rear Liftgate Support Failure
Opened Oct 31, 1996 · Closed May 16, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
THE RETAINER BOLT OF THE REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT CYLINDERS MAY SHEAR RESULTING IN SUDDEN COLLAPSE OF THE REAR HATCH DOOR.
PE96035 · Alleged Rear Liftgate Support Failure
Opened May 6, 1996 · Closed Oct 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
THE RETAINER BOLT OF THE REAR LIFT GATE SUPPORT CYLINDERS MAY SHEER RESULTING IN THE SUDDEN COLLAPSE OF THE REAR HATCH DOOR.
PE96008 · Safety Blt Latch Operation
Opened Jan 25, 1996 · Closed Jun 28, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
EA94028 · Abs Braking System Fails
Opened Jul 29, 1994 · Closed Jun 24, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE94024 · Abs Braking System Fails
Opened Mar 7, 1994 · Closed Jul 29, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
EA94005 · Liftgate Latches
Opened Jan 31, 1994 · Closed Oct 25, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
LIFTGATE LATCHES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE FAILED IN LOW AND MODERATE SPEED IMPACTS RESULTING IN OCCUPANT EJECTIONS, INJURIES, AND FATALITIES.THERE ARE TWO FAILURE MODES ASSOCIATED WITH LATCH FAILURE: FORK BOLT-DETENT LEVER BYPASS, AND INERTIAL UNLATCHING.NHTSA ANALYSES OF CHRYSLER AND PEER MINIVANS TOOK THE FORM OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC CRASH TESTING, ENGINEERING EVALUATIONS, COMPLAINT AND FIELD ANALYSES, AND REAL WORLD DATA ANALYSES.A TECHNICAL REPORT DISCUSSING THESE ANALYSES CAN BE FOUND IN THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TECHNICAL REPORT IN THE PUBLIC VIEWING FILE.CHRYSLER HAS ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LATCHES ON ALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE CHRYSLER CAMPAIGN WILL CONSIST OF NOTIFICATION LETTERS TO ALL OWNERS; FREE REPLACEMENT OF ALL LATCHES WITH STRONGER, SAFER LATCHES REGARDLESS OF THE AGE OF THE MINIVANS; NATIONAL ADVERTISING TO PROMOTE CUSTOMER AWARENESS OF THE CAMPAIGN; QUARTERLY REPORTS REGARDING CAMPAIGN COMPLETION RATES; AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO ENSURE A HIGH COMPLETION RATE, ABOVE AND BEYOND THE ACTIONS THAT NORMALLY WOULD BE TAKEN IN A FORMAL SAFETY RECALL.THESE INCLUDE FOLLOW UP WRITTEN AND TELEPHONIC NOTIFICATIONS TO OWNERS WHO DO NOT BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION.NHTSA FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT THE CRASH PERFORMANCE OF THE LATCHES ON THESE MINIVANS RAISES SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS, AND THAT THE CAMPAIGN ADDRESSES THESE CONCERNS.THE CHRYSLER CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL INCREASE THE STRENGTH OF THE LIFTGATE LATCHES AND DECREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INERTIAL UNLATCHING, THEREBY REDUCING THE RISK OF CRASH-RELATED OPENINGS OF THE LIFTGATE AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT EJECTION THROUGH THE LIFTGATE OPENING.OWNERS OF CHRYSLER MINIVANS WILL GET A STRONGER, SAFER LATCH FREE OF CHARGE AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE TIME, WITHOUT THE NEED FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AND COMPLEX AND TIME-CONSUMING LITIGATION WITH AN UNCERTAIN OUTCOME.BASED ON THE ABOVE, ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION.