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1995 Dodge Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Caravan years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Dodge Caravan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 26 of 489 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

53 crash reports6 fire reports35 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

22 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

THERE'S A CRACK IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR THAT IS CAUSING THE DOOR TO SHIFT DOWN WARD AND FAIL TO LINE UP WITH THE LATCH. DOOR HAD TO BE TIED TO KEEP IT CLOSED. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN BECAUSE OF THE DOOR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10115859

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

THE SLIDING DOOR WAS HARD TO CLOSE AND WOULD COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THEN AFTER A FEW DAYS THE SLIDING DOOR LOCKED AND NOW IT CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED OR OPENED.

NHTSA ODI #10063903

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2001
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR WAS DEFECTIVE, AND AT BOTTOM OF DOOR PANEL, HAS SEPARATED. ALSO, DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM OUTSIDE, CAN ONLY UNLOCK IT FROM INSIDE. SOMETIMES PASSENGERS DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PASSENGERS DOOR IS TOTALLY DISLOCATED AT THE BOTTOM HINGE AND WILL NOT STAY FASTENED,…

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PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR WAS DEFECTIVE, AND AT BOTTOM OF DOOR PANEL, HAS SEPARATED. ALSO, DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM OUTSIDE, CAN ONLY UNLOCK IT FROM INSIDE. SOMETIMES PASSENGERS DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PASSENGERS DOOR IS TOTALLY DISLOCATED AT THE BOTTOM HINGE AND WILL NOT STAY FASTENED, IT SOMETIMES WILL OPEN WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #896347

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2001
Interior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION LOCKS ON ALL DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK. ALSO, INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL FLASH ON AND OFF. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR SWITCH IS PROBABLY DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING THIS TO OCCUR. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE 3 FAILED SWITCH. ALSO, THE CUSTOMER HOOD RELEASE CABLE WAS INSTALLED. *Y…

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WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION LOCKS ON ALL DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK. ALSO, INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL FLASH ON AND OFF. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR SWITCH IS PROBABLY DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING THIS TO OCCUR. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE 3 FAILED SWITCH. ALSO, THE CUSTOMER HOOD RELEASE CABLE WAS INSTALLED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #887583

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

WHILE LIFTGATE DOOR WAS UP IT SUDDENLY RELEASED ON CONSUMER'S ARM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #885246

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. OTHER DOORS WOULD RELEASE THE LOCK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877353

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2000
Interior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES DOORS COME UNLOCKED AND THE DASH LIGHT INDICATES THAT SLIDING DOOR IS OPEN. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #860786

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesParking Brake

RE: DOORS AND LATCHES PROBLEM. CAN DOCUMENT VISIT TO DEALER 3/26/96 ALTHOUGH PROBLEM STARTED EARLIER. THEY ALIGNED DOORS WHICH WERE SAGGING BUT WOULDN'T LOOK AT LOCKS. YESTERDAY, 11/29/99 THE LOCK ON THE DRIVERS DOOR FAILED COMPLETELY. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME HOLDING THE DOOR. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE BODY SHOP, THE GUY SAID, WITHOUT E…

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RE: DOORS AND LATCHES PROBLEM. CAN DOCUMENT VISIT TO DEALER 3/26/96 ALTHOUGH PROBLEM STARTED EARLIER. THEY ALIGNED DOORS WHICH WERE SAGGING BUT WOULDN'T LOOK AT LOCKS. YESTERDAY, 11/29/99 THE LOCK ON THE DRIVERS DOOR FAILED COMPLETELY. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME HOLDING THE DOOR. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE BODY SHOP, THE GUY SAID, WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT, WHAT WAS WRONG. THE DOORS SAG, A PLASTIC CASING IN THE LOCK WEARS DOWN AND BINDS THE TUMBLERS AND THE SCREWS HOLDING THE LOCK/LATCH IN FALL OUT. HE SAYS HE SEES THIS 2-3 TIMES A WEEK ON CARAVANS BUT CHRYSLER WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE PASS. SIDE DOOR LATCH WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED ALTOGETHER. HE COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS WORKING AT ALL GIVEN ITS CONDITION. IT WILL COST ME 375-400 TO FIX BOTH DOORS. THE LATCHES ARE $100 A PIECE, AND THE GUY SAID THEY WOULD FAIL AGAIN GIVEN THEIR CONSTRUCTION. RE: ENGINE/AC PROBLEM I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT. IF YOU USE THE AC FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME, THE CAR CUTS OFF, ESPECIALLY WHEN ROUNDING A CORNER WHILE IN MOTION. IT CAN BE RESTARTED BUT THE IDLE MUST BE KEPT HIGH FOR OVER 10 MINS BEFORE IT WILL KEEP RUNNING AGAIN. IT FORCES ME TO BRAKE WITH MY LEFT FOOT JUST TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING. IT ALWAYS DOES THIS WITH THE AC, BUT ALSO OCCURS OTHER TIMES RANDOMLY. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE MOST DANGEROUS THING ABOUT MY CAR. I AM SCARED TO LET MY TEENAGERS DRIVE IT. I WORKED FOR A COMPANY IN BALTIMORE AND DROVE A VAN LIKE THIS ONE ON MY JOB. THAT VAN HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I PUT IT IN THE SHOP, THEY DID $800 WORTH OF WORK, REPLACED EVERYTHING THEY COULD THINK OF, BUT WHEN I GOT IT BACK, IT DID THE SAME THING THAT VERY NIGHT. I CAN OFFER MORE DETAILS IF YOU CALL. THE DEALER SUPPOSEDLY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM. THEY SPECULATED WHAT IT WAS, TOLD ME IT WAS ROUTINE MAINTENACE AND WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. YET WASN'T LISTED IN THE MANUAL FOR MAINTANENCE. RE: PARKING BRAKE. THIS HASN'T WORKED RIGHT FOR ALMOST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #715424

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 1999
Latches/locks/linkages

WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR SHUTS THE LOCKS BECOME JAMMED. THE LOCKS HAVE TO BE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED OVER AND OVER, IN ORDER TO GET THEM UNJAMMED. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY.*AK LOCKS HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS SINCE OWNERSHIP.*MJS

NHTSA ODI #844834

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Latches/locks/linkages

HOOD LATCH BROKE OFF FROM HINGES; AND MAY CAUSES ADDITIONAL DAMAGES IF ENOUGH AIR COME IN CONTACT UNDER THE HOOD AND FORCED IT UPWARD. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. CAN NHTSA HELP WITH THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #847182

Official recalls

1

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.

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

6

DP03002 · 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.

PE97049 · Air Bag Circuit/windshield Wiper Motor

Opened Nov 18, 1997 · Closed Mar 17, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility

There is no summary currently available

EA97003 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup

Opened Jan 31, 1997 · Closed Aug 19, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Child Seat

THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Child Seat

THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.

Child Seat

THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.

DP96014 · Defective Air Bag Crash Sensor

Opened Nov 14, 1996 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICLES] HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS.

SQ96016 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup

Opened Sep 18, 1996 · Closed Feb 4, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:integrated Child Seat

ODI CONTINUES TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LATCHING/RETRACTOR MECHANISM PROBLEMS.CHRYSLER'S ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM INDICATES THAT OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES ARE NOT ADHERING TO THE CLEANING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SEAT.THE SEAT APPEARS TO MALFUNCTION IF CRUMBS OF FOOD OR BEVERAGE RESIDUE ACCUMULATES ON THE LATCHING TONGUE IN THEWELL LOCATED BETWEEN THE CHILD'S LEGS.ODI HAS 19 COMPLAINTS OF RETRACT LOCKUP.SEVEN OF THESE COMPLAINTS REPORT CUTTING THE STRAPS TO REMOVE THE CHILD.TWO OF THE SEVEN CONSUMERS ALLEGE THE CHILD WAS CHOKING.CHRYSLER REPORTS 60 OWNER/FIELD REPORTS WHICH INDICATED 19 HARNESSES WERE CUT TO REMOVE THE CHILDREN.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AND TO EVALUATE THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION'S RATIONAL FOR NOT CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN.

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